Christmas Spirit

It's after Thanksgiving, so it's officially the Christmas season!

I'm excited to present this year's Christmas card as "Christmas Spirit." All year I've been thinking of what to do for this year's Christmas painting and I came up with the idea of featuring an elk a couple months ago.

I did some prep work, including contacting (via Facebook) the Damascus Elk Farm to see if a local artist could come out and photograph their elk as painting references. Now, I've contacted a couple different people/places via Facebook and the majority of them have been positive responses (including the Drum Horses). I mean, you don't know until you ask and many people are quite open to inspiring artists. And this time, with the elk farm, I was lucky enough for another yes. I went out and photographed their herd of elk - there were cows, a bull calf, and a couple spikes, none of the impressive racks you usually see. But that's okay that there weren't any impressive antlers on the bulls. That's the beauty of art, you can create. 

More of my thought process of this painting was that it will be festive, with a vintage flair. I searched for vintage Christmas ornaments and based the ones in my painting after Christmas past. And for the overall feel of the watercolor painting, I wanted it to appear the viewer had caught the bull elk right after the act of getting tangled in a Christmas tree and hiding out in the fir trees.

I'm really pleased with this little painting. And now the Christmas cards are available in my shop, so feel free to share this with others and order a couple cards.

The Hofer Boys | Watercolor Commission

"The Hofer Boys"

12" x 16"

Commissioned Watercolor Painting

Meet the Hofer Boys, L-R: Johnnie, Robby, Willy, and Glennie

They are Scottish Terriers and West Highland Terriers. Aren't they the cutest?

This was a commissioned painting created just for the owners of their beloved boys. 

If you're interested in something just for you, please contact me!

Drum Horse Artists Workshop

I have some really exciting news, I'll be hosting an artists workshop this summer at the Drum Horse Farm I love to visit.

It will be an afternoon of artists being inspired by these beautiful horses. 

________________________________________________________

One day Artists Workshop with an entire herd of Drum Horses!

Located in Eagle Creek, Oregon, only a 45 minute drive from downtown Portland

Spend the day painting, photographing, watching demos, and enjoying these beautiful horses!

• $75 per participant
• Limited to 20 people
• Pre-Registration is Required
• No Horse Experience needed
• All Art Mediums welcomed
• 18 and up

• Equine Anatomy Drawing Demonstration
• Watercolor Plein Air Demonstration by Elizabeth Zimmerman
• Live Equine model sessions - draw, paint, photograph
• Liberty session at the covered arena - photograph some action
• Meet Drum Horse Stallions, Yearlings, and Mares

You can REGISTER HERE.

Here are some paintings that I've created of the Drum Horses. I hope you can come and be inspired, too!

Legend | Watercolor Painting

"Legend" 

12" x 12" 

Watercolor, 2015 

So this little guy is Legend. You might remember him from when I took some newborn photos of him, and when he was a month old. This painting captures him at one month old as a HyTyme Drum Horse.

This painting was part of my 2015 Solo Art Show, Western Gold. And I'm proud to say this little medicine hat colt (the painting version) has found a happy home. Thank you to me newest collector!

Holly | Watercolor Painting

"Holly" 

12" x 12" 

Watercolor, 2015

I do love going out to HyTyme Drum Horses and visiting with them, especially in the heat of summer. I go after work and arrive about 2 hours before sunset and it's cool there, with the warm smell of horses.

This is Holly. She is the mother of Epic. Holly is a little bit smaller than the other Drum Horses, but just as beautiful. The sun is low and she is gently backlit by dusk while finding crunchy grass in the middle of summer.

This painting is one of many that I created for my 2015 Solo Art Show: Western Gold.

Backyard Chicks | Watercolor Commission

"Backyard Chicks" 

5" x 7" 

Watercolor 

2015 

This little painting was a commission for the owner of this chickens that used to hang out on the back deck of a cabin near Tillamook, Oregon. I was told that there are many fond memories on that property.

Who doesn't love a couple good ole girls?

Sleepy Swishy | Watercolor

"Sleepy Swishy" 

5.5" x 10" 

Watercolor 

2015 

This month I took part in Kimberly Santini's May pARTy and painted Swish, a very comfy and sleepy Border Collie.

I had a lot of fun with this one, infusing lots of color and not getting too attached to it. Because when I get really attached, I usually overwork it trying to make it perfect. I think this one turned out fresh and not overworked.

What do you think of this one?

Team Gold | Watercolor

"Team Gold" 

11" x 14" 

Watercolor 

2015 

Last year at the Oregon State Fair I took some photos of a draft horse competition. One of the photos I took is the reference I used for this painting. I'm still working on my new sketchy style watercolor. Usually I'd work a lot more in layers and smooth blending, but part of the sketchy style it to let the paint just be .... but it's still hard to stop myself.

Anywho, enjoy! 

And thanks for following along with my art! :-)

Sadie | Watercolor Commission

"Sadie" 

8" x 10" 

Watercolor 2015 

Commission

Here is a commissioned watercolor done in my new sketchy watercolor style. What do you think? You may be wondering what I consider makes up my new style. Usually I do tons of layers, but in this I do maybe only two layers of washes, just focusing on heightened colors and then I do some calligraphic line work. This is still in the early development stages, but I'm liking where it is going.

As for Sadie, this was commissioned after she had passed on. This is a piece that will always reminder her owner of her happy dog smile, personality, and unique spot on the tippy top of her head. I've been told that whenever she looks at it, she cries because it looks just like her and reminds her of the happy days growing up with her childhood dog.

Plein Air Painting in Newport

Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Watercolor Society of Oregon's Spring Show and Convention in Newport Oregon. After the convention was over I headed over to Yaquina Head Lighthouse and set up my easel and did a couple quick paintings.

Enjoy!

"Yaquina Head I"

4" x 6"

Watercolor 2015

Purchase 

"Yaquina Head II"

4" x 6"

Watercolor 2015

 Purchase

"Yaquina Head III"

4" x 6"

Watercolor 2015

Purchase

Tahoe and Tonto | Watercolor

"Tahoe and Tonto" 

2015 

Watercolor 8" x 10" 

Here is the finished painting of Tahoe and Tonto, two ranch horses in Arizona. The in progress photos and original photo by Calie Vannet of Vannet Photography can be seen HERE.

Enjoy!

Inspired Sketches

Last night I was inspired by one of my favorite artist's latest drawings. Contour line drawings done in ballpoint pen and she'd had done some line drawings and thin washes of acrylic paints over it. So I did a couple of my own. I used my Faber-Castell ink artist pens for the line work on three different papers: cold press watercolor, watercolor (hot press) sketch book, and Reeves BFK. Each one has its perks. 

I hope you enjoy looking at these and feel free to share this blog post. Thanks and happy Friday!

JL | Watercolor

"JL"

2015 

Watercolor 14" x 20" 

I met John and his wife, Celia, at the St. Paul Rodeo last year. Celia had her photography booth setup kitty corner from my booth and we became friends. I learned about the mule riding, cowboying team and later requested some photos of her husband to use for a portrait painting class. I started this painting last October and just finished it the other day.

He is chalk full of character and I hope this painting projects that.

Lady of the West | Watercolor

"Lady of the West" 

2015 

Watercolor 11" x 14" 

I took the reference photos of this one at a horse riding clinic in my hometown of Junction City, Oregon. I actually used two photos as reference because the horse was looking a different direction than the cowgirl. I also gave the cowgirl a giant braid to add a more feminine look than just a ponytail which would have been hidden by the horse.

I've done a couple paintings in the past with no background and I wanted the same for this because then the focus would solely be on them. The bond between cowgirl and her steed.

I hope you like it!

Lunch for Two | Watercolor Revised

After looking at "Lunch for Two" for nearly a month and bringing it to my watercolor critique group, they confirmed my thoughts on how to make it a stronger painting - cut it in half. It's a nice painting the way it was, but I really want to improve my art and bring it up a notch. And it looked like two different paintings to me; the tree and horses both demanding to be the focus. I'm so much more happier about it now.

The new cropping:

"Lunch for Two"

2015

Watercolor 14" x 20"

Here it is as it was originally. I'm sorry that the colors are off, and I worked on the tree more after I cropped it.

22" x 30"

Yes, I ripped it into two. :-)

Featured Artist at AntFarm!

This month I am the featured artist at AntFarm in Sandy, Oregon.

It's a great little learning center, cafe and bakery in downtown Sandy. I am actually their first featured artist; yes, they are that new!

Please enjoy some of the photos I took of the show's opening night! And if you're in the area, drop by because they have the best hot cocoa (I heard the lattes are really good, too, but I don't drink coffee).

Lunch for Two | Watercolor

Remember those marker sketches I did? Well, I've been hard at work and finally completed the painting!

I hope you enjoy my first painting of 2015!

"Lunch for Two" 

22" x 30" 

Watercolor 2015

Art Goals for 2015!

A GIANT THANK YOU to everyone who have supported my art this past year! When you buy and original, giclée, or card, the money goes directly back into my art. This is how I pay for supplies, membership dues, show entry fees, and printing giclée prints and cards.

And this year I was so successful (because of YOU!) that I started my own LLC as Western Rose Studios. The skies the limit ... selling art at events, commissioned pieces, art shows, and some day down the road I could branch into having a studio gallery, teach classes, professional photography ... Stay tuned and follow along with the adventure!

Part 1

Please enjoy looking at all the paintings my collectors have bought or commissioned this past year:

Part 2

A year ago I made some goals for my art … let's see how I did.

1.) Get my art out there: contact western art gallery managers for representation/shows. I organized a group show at Caswell Gallery which is the closest (geographically) gallery to western art.

2.) Enter more shows and win awards, such as "Honorable Mention," "Best in Show," "People's Choice," etc. Entered and were submitted to both WSO shows! It's like an award in itself. Plus, Best of Show in Watercolor at the St. Paul Rodeo.

3.) Have my art in local shows (I'm actually having one in February at a community college down the street!) Yes!

4.) Have my art in a booth at the St. Paul Rodeo Art Show. Yes! And I'll be applying this year, too.

5.) Start advertising my Christmas ornaments (available for commissions) earlier in the year, such as early October, so that I don't have to turn people down due to being overbooked. They were a hit this year!

6.) Double the "likes" on my Facebook Artist Page which is currently at 213. Currently sitting at 320 people who follow my art on Facebook.

7.) Do plein air paintings/drawings with horses. I completed a couple little plein air paintings (and sold one) at the St. Paul Rodeo,

8.) For one month of the year do a "painting a day" project. I did that in March and it was freeing to have so many people support my art!

9.) Make more artsy friends. Yup!

10.) Continue accepting commissions in watercolor and pencil. Always!

Part 3

My art goals for 2015 ...

1.) Post all my new paintings and in progress photos on my blog. Facebook is just the easy way to do it, but I want to make things more interesting. I'll continue to share my posts on Facebook and Twitter.

2.) Continue to enter more art shows, near and far.

3.) Have a solo art show.

4.) Have a booth at the St. Paul Rodeo Art Show

5.) Attend an additional show (western/horse related) to sell my art.

6.) Explore more into photography.

7.) Do a Kickstarter for my own booth set up.

8.) Develop a looser style in the studio.

9.) Paint. Draw. Create.

10.) Develop and expand Western Rose Studios.

Happy New Year, Everyone! May 2015 be bright and bring you cheer all year long!

Little Reagan | Commissioned Watercolor

Smile! Be Happy! Babies are good at that and especially little Reagan, even when she was just a month old. What a happy little girl. I was commissioned to paint this by her mommy for her daddy as a Christmas present. 

What dad wouldn't love a painting of his little girl? Something almost as special as her.

"Little Reagan" 

8" x 10" 

Commissioned Watercolor, 2014