Thoughts of Christmas Decorating

Here we are at the last day of November, my painting binge complete, the Canmore Market come and gone and my thoughts have turned to transforming our house for the holidays.  If these two Small Gems remain unsold, they'll be a part of the festive decorating. 

Royal Purple   oil   6" x 6"   SOLD

Golden Web   oil   6" x 6   SOLD

Unframed $100, framed $135, each.

A Surprise

Thanks, from Denise, Laura and me, to everyone who came out and shopped at the Canmore Artisans Christmas Market.  Four of the Small Gems sold.  Perhaps the mountain people are so terribly fond of their landscape that still life just isn't their thing?  What came as a complete surprise to me was when these two larger paintings went to good homes ...

Ribbon Lake   oil   10" x 18" 

Cypress September   oil   12" x 16"

After yoga class this morning I went to lunch with some of the ladies and then I brought them home with me.  I now have four less Small Gems - all still life paintings.  Many thanks gals!

Please click here for the Small Gem images:
http://www.artbysaltiel.com/Special%20Projects/special_projects.htm

It's Show Time!

Canmore Christmas Artisan Market

November 26-27, 2011

10:00am - 4:00pm

Canmore Collegiate High School
1800 - 8th Avenue, Canmore, Alberta

Well, folks, here it is, my display set up in our basement to satisfy myself that all would fit and look well.

At the market, I am not independently billed in the advertising because I am sharing a booth with Denise.  We are listed under REVIVE Hand Made Collections (her business name) and we are right next door to Laura Marshall Designs!

Please click here for images: http://www.artbysaltiel.com/Special%20Projects/special_projects.htm

And Now There Are 29

Star Light  oil   6" x 6"

Last night, She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named came over - by invitation - to see my display and the collection of Small Gems.  Of course she fell in love with one but honoured my request about no whining and no begging to shop.

As fate would have it today is her birthday and well, you know how weak I am, this morning I gift wrapped this painting and took it to her office.  Her joy has made my day.

There will be 29 available at ...

Canmore Christmas Artisan Market

November 26-27, 2011
10:00am - 4:00pm

Canmore Collegiate High School
1800 - 8th Avenue, Canmore, Alberta

A Mountain Landscape!

Morning Magic, Lawrence Grassi Range, Canmore, AB  oil 8" x 24"    SOLD

With THE GOAL of 30, and the shower gift behind me, I moved on to finishing other paintings I had in progress.  This is one of them.  Many thanks to Dorothy Connoy for the reference photo.

As a trial run, I have set up my display downstairs.  All the little paintings, and a few other surprises, are arranged on the table I'll take to the sale.  And on this table is a precious, three tier, wall shelf - made for me by a friend in the early 1970s - on which many of the framed SMALL GEMS look stunning.  I must say I am pleased with it all.

If you can, please come and see ...

Canmore Christmas Artisan Market

November 26-27, 2011
10:00am - 4:00pm

Canmore Collegiate High School
1800 - 8th Avenue, Canmore, Alberta

Sock Monkey Art for Lil' Buddy

Within the next couple of weeks I'll be getting a new grand baby via my baby, Laura, and her husband, Adam!  Although they don't know the gender, the soon-to-be-parents have always called the unborn babe Lil' Buddy.

Finished acrylic painting on unsupported canvas 18" x 24"

Armed with a few images from the Internet I designed a wall hanging to incorporate Laura's colour scheme and attraction to sock monkeys.

The sketch

The one quarter size sketch coloured in.

Enlarged and ready to paint

Just one more monkey left to paint!

Presented at the Lil' Buddy Baby Shower

On Sunday, with Mary, sister Denise co-hosted a most spectacular Dr. Seuss themed baby shower ... it in itself was a work of art!  You'll want to see the photos:  
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150971850575438.758204.715295437&type=1&l=c6f24ef3bf

Art Club Paint-In

It really is a Create-In because we have a jeweller and a stained glass artisan in our group and they were among the 11 members who came out for our evening, November 15th, of working, eating and partaking of the grape together.  As is often the case, when artists work together, a great vibe prevailed in the room.

Yours truly working on Wild Thing

Barb just hung out while Catherine made caricatures 

Pam worked her magic with chalk pastels

David smiles over his blank canvas

Thanks to Judy Dahl for the photographs.

And yes, Wild Thing will be available at the ...

Canmore Christmas Artisan Market

November 26-27, 2011
10:00am - 4:00pm

Canmore Collegiate High School
1800 - 8th Avenue, Canmore, Alberta

A 6x6 Marathon

Not all of these little gems fall of the brush; this one was especially painful.

the start

It seemed like a good idea to start with a purple background but I quickly discovered the trouble I had created for myself when I tried to get a bright, clean yellow on top of it.  I had to pull out my fast dry white to cover it over and still the resurrecting of that went on for hours and hours.  

the repair

I've let a couple of people peek at it (you know how weak I can be) and both want to buy it, so although I was exasperated with it (and didn't care if I ever saw it again) I am grateful that my angst doesn't show in the finished piece.  But maybe it does and this is the appeal?

the set up - I'll show you the finished painting, later!

Ah, but I can't wait to show you where purple worked like a charm in painting number 30, Royal Purple.  I so much want to paint more like it ... but by life this week, and next, may not permit the time to squeeze any more little gems in before ...

Canmore Christmas Artisan Market

November 26-27, 2011
10:00am - 4:00pm

Canmore Collegiate High School
1800 - 8th Avenue, Canmore, Alberta

The Painting Binge ...

... continues.

Apologies for not posting much here of late.  With the binge in progress there isn't much to write about and I just don't want to show you any paintings until showtime.  I'm really Daily Painting these days; lost in my own, blissful colour world.

My treasured paint box ... it's been with me since 1965

I'll post The Little Paintings just prior to going to Canmore.  Please excuse how arrogant this may sound, but you'll have to come to the sale to have first crack at them.

Canmore Christmas Artisan Market

November 26-27, 2011
10:00am - 4:00pm

Canmore Collegiate High School
1800 - 8th Avenue, Canmore, Alberta

But, Is It Art?

Is painting faces, as simply as this, considered art?  It's been a few years since we dressed up for Halloween but since we were invited to a costume party on October 31st (a Monday night no less) we did!  I am particularly fond of this dress (and cape) that I was gifted with nearly 20 years ago and pleased that this year (unlike others) I fit into it!

My husband never ceases to amaze me when it comes to getting in costume.  This was the first time in years that he didn't dress up as a woman.  Often he has been a bearded woman; very disconcerting, but all in good fun!

Because we left home, for the party, at 7:15PM we only had these two, cute trick-or-treaters come to our door.  Left the jack-o-lantern and bowl of candy outside for the rest to help themselves. It's been reported that the daughter of friends, and her five pals, took the last of the treats.

Not for the faint of heart ... and should you wish to see more ... please click here:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150914835185438.749821.715295437&type=1&l=4a1413d506