Sunset #6

Sunset #6

ACEO - 2 1/2 x 3 1/2"

colored pencil on paper

Click HERE to Bid

This is my favorite of the ACEO Sunset Series to date.  I'm not sure why but it could be the colors, the composition, the subject or maybe all three combined.  

Once I had a family member ask me how they would know when art is good.  My response:  when you like it.

ACEO Colored Pencil Drawing - "Sunset 4"

"Sunset 4"

ACEO - 2 1/2 x 3 1/2"

colored pencil drawing on paper

If interested in owning this collectible, click HERE.

New Series - Sunset ACEOs

"Sunset #3"

ACEO (2 1/2 x 3 1/2")

colored pencil on paper

Click HERE to bid

Second ACEO in the Sunset Series

Sunset 2
ACEO
Colored Pencil on Bristol archival paper
SOLD

You can bid on this small, 2 1/2 x 3 1/2" ACEO colored pencil drawing here.  I plan on doing about 12-15 of these guys.

New Series - Sunset ACEOs

Just completed this one last night. It is an ACEO (Art Card Originals and Editions) and measures 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. It is an original colored pencil drawing on Bristol archival paper.

The plan is to do a series of about 12-15 of these babies.

If you would like to bid on this one, click the title of this blog post.  You'll get there.

Yay!  This one SOLD!

A Daisy Today

"Daisy"

ACEO - 2.5 x 3.5"

colored pencil drawing on wood veneer

This has been a very busy and productive week for me; however, none of the busy-ness included making art. Oh, there were a few jabs at the sketch book, some planning and some creative thinking, but no real time for drawing or painting.

I was only able to get this little ACEO done. I drew it with colored pencils directly onto a small sheet of wood veneer. This is another technique where you can frame the piece without glass. Just a spray of acrylic varnish and its all set.

But I wonder, does the lack of time to make art cause other artists to become as cranky as I have been this week?

Art for Orphans

"Market Day"

2.5 x 3.5" ACEO

colored pencil drawing

Another ACEO drawing to be sold to the highest bidder in order to raise funds for an orphanage in Bolivia.

This is drawn from my own photo taken last year at a festival when a group of us journied to Cochabamba, Bolivia. I love the hats and the colorful wraps the women wear. They carry EVERYTHING in the wrap, even their children. I think it should catch on here. I have one of these cloths, maybe I'll give it a try.

Art for Orphans

"My Own Crayons"

ACEO 2.5 x 3.5"colored pencil on Stonehenge paper

I will donate 50% of this sale to the K'illallaray Orphanage Project

SOLD

Once again, I am offering an ACEO on eBay to benefit the fund to help build the orphanage home for children in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

And, once again, I have made a commitment to travel to Bolivia to help with the building and to build good relations between the "gringos" and the native people.

The drawing above was taken from a reference photo taken last year of one of the orphans. We had just given them all their own crayons and coloring books; many of them thought we would take them back when we left. This beautiful little girl had just had a bath, found a warm spot of sun, and began her coloring project. I just had to share this in a drawing. She touched my heart.

If you're interested in finding out more info, check the website here or my original post here. Thanks for your help.

Art for Orphans

"The Fisherman"

ACEO Original Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

50% of Sale donated to the Bolivian Orphanage Fund

If interested in purchasing, please contact me.

This image is from one taken in Bolivia, where we passed this lake at least twice on some of our journeys. On this particular day, the fishermen (there were many), the sky (which is SO blue), the mountains, and the water all just combined for a strong sense of calm in one extraordinary view.

While I'm sure many of these Bolivian man were fishing to feed their families, it seemed that they were also enjoying themselves. One can only hope.

A Cochabamba Concert

"The Shepardess"

Art for Orphans -

50% of sale will go to benefit the Bolivian Orphanage Project

ACEO Original Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

Overview: In March, I had a fabulous opportunity to journey to Cochabamba, Bolivia, to work on building an orphanage. While there, I made many new friends: the Americans whom I had travelled with, and many Bolivian people who, because of the great need to raise and shelter the epidemic numbers of abandoned and orphaned children, conceived and began the orphanage project.

In a very short time, I became very enamored of the people, the culture, the land, and the children and came home with the need to do more; hence, "Art for Orphans".

One evening, after working all day at the orphanage site, our new friends and hosts, Felix and Flora, invited us to a "concert" by some local musicians. Needless to say, we were all eager and excited to see and hear any local entertainment - and the real deal, no tourist stuff here.

We were escorted into an open courtyard in a small apartment/home/business place (some confusion on my part here, as it could have been all three). The black "ceiling" in the picture is actually open sky since the weather in Cochabamba is very temperate and lovely (think San Diego-ish).

Before the show, Felix explained the traditional clothing the performers were wearing and what each piece either represented or its purpose. (I believe the small bag is for Coca leaves.) But the colors, oh they are so rich and vibrant and are not adequately reproduced in these photos; but the Bolivian people, even in their daily clothes, do not shy away from color. Also, the men who are wearing fringe on their hats to cover their eyes are traditionally the single men. (I like to think it's so they can peek out at single women without being caught making eye contact - but that's just my idea.)

The performance was wonderful, strange and mesmerizing! They used a collection of flutes (the large items on the table that look like chair legs are actually flutes), pan flutes, drums and stringed instruments. The young woman also sang in a high, quavering and somewhat eerie voice. But it all worked so wonderfully together!

Our translator and leader, Connie, told us that the performers were very excited and nervous to be playing for Americans and that they had been rehearsing for months! That almost made me cry. To be so honored just because of where you were born and to have that fact alone carry such pretige was pretty overwhelming for me. Though I had never taken that fact for granted before, it was enlightening to experience it first hand. It made me realize what a huge responsibility that honor carries with it and that I should always do my best to use it well.

Here are some of the other audience members from that evening's performance. I'm not sure, but I believe they live in the building.

They, too, like the performers were very gracious and greeted us with kisses and then gave us the best seats in the house. But that's just typical Bolivian hospitality.

Change is Good Occasionally

"Black & White"

ACEO Original Graphite Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

Today's drawing might seem like a bit of a departure, but it's definitely not a new medium for me; graphite was my first love and medium of choice.

I began to move away from using graphite as a fine art medium after art school, I suppose because it wasn't exciting or sexy enough. Color seemed to be very important at the time. It still is, don't get me wrong, but lately whenever I see a well-rendered charcoal or graphite drawing, it just seems to stop me in my tracks.

Here are two samples of what I'm taling about:

Marsha Robinett and her blog The Extraordinary Pencil: http://theextraordinarypencil.blogspot.com/ Marsha's banner reads "Where art allows you to see the color of life through your mind's eye." I look at a LOT of art on the internet and I see loads of really great stuff, but Marsha's drawings stop me and make me lean in every time.

The other day I ran across an artist I never had studies before, Frederick, Lord Leighton (1830 - 1896) http://www.rbkc.gov.uk/lordleightonsdrawings/general/default.asp. He was a painter, of course, but his drawings and studies for his paintings, again, made me stop and look closer.

So, here's what I've decided to do:

- Each week I'll post a graphite drawing or ACEO. (Gotta tell you, I am really getting a lot out of doing these frequent drawings and posts for this blog - it's pushing me to keep learning, growing and trying new things!)

- Each week I'll post a link or other info on some artists who do graphite or charcoal drawings (of course, one's I like!)

I'm really looking forward to digging into this. Who knows, this might lead to blogging about studying some masters of drawing (ala, Greywaren). Couldn't hurt, right?

If you know of any past or present artists who are worthy of us all looking at their work, please let me know.

Art for Orphans - "Young Mother"

"Young Mother"

ACEO Original Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

50% of the purchase price will be donated to

the K'illallaray Orphanage

Here is a video of some of the children who visited us on a daily basis while we were working on the orphanage. Since we had brought lots of coloring books and crayons with us, we decided to give our new friends a few. They gladly used them but when it came time for us to leave, they thought they had to give everything back! I had to (in my VERY bad Spanish) let them know that I was too old to keep them, and that they were for children only. That convinced them. (No surpise here.) They were happy and so were we.

The next day, being a school day, I saw Gonzolo (the little guy in the yellow shirt) who told me that one of the older boys had taken his book. He looked so sad; and so I promised he'd get a new one. The next day he got the best coloring book/sticker book we had: Diego! His whole face lit up; he was very, very happy and this time, did not refuse our gift.

Unbelievably that adorable little guy is eight years old.

We now have a blog with much more information about the K'illallaray orphanage. There is also an easy donation button. Please check it out: http://boliviaorphanage.blogspot.com/ Then forward it on.

Drawing on Black

"Salt Cellar"

ACEO Original Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

To purchase, please send me a message.

The last two ACEO drawings I have posted were both done on black paper which can be tricky to use as a colored pencil support. So, I thought I'd share with you a few things I've learned to create a more successful drawing:

Test your color choices first before you begin your drawing. You will find that many of the colors you normally use on a white or light support can change characteristics on black. Some take on a cooler cast; some can even appear slightly tinged with green; some blues can almost pop off the page and others disappear.

Usually when I work on black, I will do a grisaille underpainting with a very light color (white, grey, cream, beige, etc) to start the drawing, then will add darker hues later. As you can see in my example, several of the colors (especially red!) will almost disappear into the black paper without the lighter color underneath.

Practice a bit, try an easy subject to start with and be willing to learn how your pencils work on a dark or black support. You'll find that you can create some very interesting and dynamic drawings on black.

Remember, too, that whenever you're using a new support, medium, or technique, be willing to jump in and try. Don't fear the disasters; they happen to everyone - you just may not see them!

Busy as a Boy

"Pearls on Black"

ACEO Original Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

Today was a wonderful, busy day. There can be great pleasure that comes from having grandchildren and today I had a bunch of it. Both of my grandsons (3 1/2 and almost 2) were here with me today since their parents had been left in the lurch without a sitter.

Even though my youngest is only 10, it's so easy to forget how BUSY toddlers can be. Here's what we accomplished today:

• Playing with the dogs, throwing lots of things for them to fetch.
• Puzzles
• Reading
• Building with Legos
• Snacks
• Baking brownies
• Coloring
• Fixing, eating and CLEANING UP from lunch
• Playing with about a million matchbox cars (I've been through two boys already)
• Eating ICE CREAM (They ALWAYS get ice cream when they come to my house.)
• More building
• Diapers (THIS I do not miss)
• Outdoor play: wagons, balls, roller skates, scooters, dogs, and a little water and mud.

THAT was just until 1:00 p.m. Exhausting and wonderful. I want to be the warm, fuzzy in their lives - no matter what. We worked on that today, I think.

One of the other highlights of my day, though, was when I just had to call my son-in-law (who thinks I'm a bit of a left-wing-hippie-kinda-person) to tell him that his two sons were dancing to Abba's "Dancing Queen" (it was on the radio, I DO not own it). He threatened to leave work, pick them up and to never let me see them again. Oh, that was rich.

New Family Member

"Blonde & Beautiful"

ACEO Original Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

This is a drawing of our newest family member, Mandy, a 5-year-old (or close to it) yellow labrador retriever who we "found" at the pound, the same place we "found" Buddy, our chocolate lab. She is a gem: loving, kind, gentle, plays well with other (i.e., Buddy), obeys commands and is in all ways a complete lady. Mandy had been at the shelter since August, where she was taken after being snagged as a runaway. I can't help but feel she was just waiting for us to find her.

My husband, who had told me for years that one dog was enough, just recently decided the two was okay. What changed his mind? Well, he'd read an article in the paper about how overcrowded animal shelters have become due to the economy and particularly the fact that people are losing their homes due to eviction and foreclosure. The shelter calls them "Foreclosure Dogs".

My dogs (yeah, two!) are just that, my dogs, they are not my kids. They are nonetheless, loved and well cared for. I have a huge soft spot for lost or rejected dogs and always let people know that my big beautiful, well-bahaved pets are from the shelter. There are some wonderful companions there just waiting for someone to find them. Just walk through an animal shelter once and see if you don't fall in love with at least one of them; or many, many more.

Each time I have been there, I cry, then realize that it probably wouldn't be a good idea to back my small VW Bug up to the back door and fill it with as many dogs as it would hold....

But these two love riding in my Bug and fit very, very well.

Buddy & Mandy

My Day Off?

"Blaze of Glory"

ACEO Original Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

Today (and tomorrow) my son is out of school for some obscure holiday - I think tomorrow is Columbus Day, but I have no idea what today was. Maybe Drive the Mother Crazy day. And to top it all off, I had two other little boys here with my son all day, too. But, I have no one to blame but myself.

Here's what happened: Last night, three couples decided that since the kids (6 total) didn't have to go to bed early, we could keep them up until 9 or 10. We all ended up at a local pub/pizza place on the outdoor patio (yes, in October!) with music and a fire and a few beers. Great fun. But after my two beers, I was feeling all warm and fuzzy and thought it would be a great idea to have a sleepover and the boys with me all day. (Never party with children is my advice....)

So, today was busy, to say the least. They're all good kids but it's amazing to me how when you add children into a room one at a time, the energy, mess and noise they create is exponentially multiplied! Boys throw things; a lot. They fight and wrestle; a lot. They are hungry; a lot. I cooked breakfast and lunch (I don't cook), reminded them to flush and wash their hands, had to referee a few fights, organized clean up duty (4 times) and finally, had to feign ignorance on their questions about gerbil reproduction. And, I now know why you can buy plaques that say "Mothers of Three Sons Automatically Go to Heaven".

Today's experience was good for a few things though:

• It kept my son from nagging me all day about being bored.
• It proved to me that drinking is bad.
• And, finally, it reminded me why my three children are all ten years apart!

Gotta Love This Poem

"Unconditional Love"

ACEO Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

I have always thought Jimmy Stewart was one of our great treasures even though he was well before my time. Who couldn't help but like him after seeing "Harvey", "Rear Window", "Vertigo" (some of my favorites) and, of course, "It's a Wonderful Life" year after year during the holidays.

Even so, after seeing this clip, I like him even more. Who knew he could write poetry, too? And about a dog! For all of you who ever loved a dog, grab a hanky and enjoy.

Knowledge is Power

"Big Talkers"

ACEO Original Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

One of my favorite things about life is learning something new. If I can say I learned something I never knew before, it's a really good thing in my book. It might be about science, the universe, philosophy, health, the definition to a word I've never used before, something about an author, a bit of history, some trivia, words to a song, how something works. Doesn't matter what it is - I love learning. If my life would've permitted it, I would be a full time college student forever.

So imagine my stunned face when I learned, while watching the View the other day, that I had never really known how to measure for my bra size! How could I have grown to be 48 and never known that before? I have worn a bra for most of those years (of course I didn't need the one I got when I was 12 and I didn't wear one at all while in college - it was the 70's) but apparently, I have been doing it wrong all this time.

At first, I was stunned. Why is this secret not handed down to us with all of the other "girl" knowledge we get from our mothers and the P.E. teacher (OK, maybe not her)? I have talked to my sisters and girlfriends about EVERYTHING, and yet, this topic has not come up. Were we all ignorant and afraid to show it? There is a bit of math involved, so maybe that explains it. I don't know.

But now that I have this empowering knowledge, I plan to use it and shop for THE PERFECT BRA. Now, if I could only find my tape measure. Yardsticks; not so good.

If I Didn't Need Sleep.....

ACEO Original Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

"Anywhere You Want to Go"

SOLD

Why is it that one measly day out of the week for a holiday can set you back eons in your work schedule? Huh? Is it a time-warp thing? Did Einstein ever theorize on that?

Not only did I get behind in my work, but I think I picked up a gazillion (yes, I'm sure that's a word) other jobs to do. It's all good though and I hope to tell you all more and more later but here's a few highlights:

1. Three calls from potential commissions - of course, all by Christmas. (But THEY are on time; I love the calls I get a week before. As if!)
2. I have accepted a wonderful opportunity to participate in an art crawl in my own little suburb. Great idea and great opportunity. What was I thinking that I could pull an entire outdoor show together in two weeks. And during an Ohio State football game, no less! But it's coming together.
3. I have been approached to teach a class for colored pencil drawing. Scares the bejeepers out of me; but I probably will step up and do that, too.
4. I have been asked (and I accepted) the challenge of helping to set up a blog for our Columbus Short North Arts District. I accepted this challenge early in the spring and I KNOW I must have had a martini when this happened. BUT, I can do it!
5. Oh, yeah, and just making art for all the shows I have coming up as well as for this blog! (Which I'd rather just be doing all the time anyway!)
6. I have also agreed to supply snacks for one of the Monday night soccer games for my son.

Whew.

When is the next holiday?

Wee-Wee-Wee-Wee All the Way Home

"Baywatch"

ACEO Original Colored Pencil Drawing

2.5 x 3.5"

SOLD

Today I laughed out loud while sitting alone at my computer, having gotten way too tickled by a domain name suggestion which popped up on my computer. Silly, silly, but still it made me laugh.

Growing up with a name like Bartoe, you'd think at my age I would have heard all of the "improvements" that could be made to it, but apparently not. While using my name to search for available domain names, some alternative name suggestions were compiled by their search engine: "HindranceDigit", "PubDigit", "PubToe" and here's the one that made me laugh: "Pub Piggie".

I know, I know, but my mind went wild designing a line of t-shirts, mugs, bed linens, martini glasses, posters, purses, my own line of martini mixers, all with these slightly inebriated, slutty little pink pigs on them. And all with my name on them!

So I enjoyed my cheap belly laugh and bought the domain name.