Outside the Box

It's a new year. I'm thinking outside the box in a way to get funds in and my sweet, smiling face out there. I have several ideas for art and put one of them onto clayboard the last two evenings. Here is my ATC sized elephant (2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches) on a white claybord (it's still a scratchboard) using graphitint pencils. I have more ATCs to put up also, later, after I cut them (I used a big board) so stay tuned.

New Year's Resolutions

I did my New Year's Resolutions differently this year. My neighbor, Linda, no longer drives so I take her wherever she wants to go. On Sunday's we do the grocery store in Newport. It's about 20 miles away. For the drive, we take a notebook and discuss ideas, and plans. So, I broke up my New Year's resolution to, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. My weekly goal is to do three atcs (artist trading cards 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches). I finished my three tonight. They're of a juvenile pigeon guillemot (an Auk and type of Murre), i.e., a seabird. I also try to start a different size board that I do not give myself a time limit for. Next week, it's either wolves or pelicans, I'll decide in the morning. Here's the "extra" piece I'm working on. The guillemot photo did not come out tonight so I'll re-photograph it tomorrow after I've sprayed it.

I Love Border Collies

I love Border Collies, especially the Hob Nob BCs. I know I don't have the temperament to live with one properly (unless it's extremely elderly), but I do enjoy their intensity, energy, and personalities. A BC person posted a photo she had taken of her BC and granted me permission to draw it. It's magical. I'm doing a 5x7 on an 8x10 board. Here's the first work in progress.

New Years Resolution-Alison Stanfield

Today is the second. Last night, I did take the time to open Alison Stanfield's book "I'd Rather Be In the Studio" and read the first chapter. Tonight I will take action on it.

Wire Fox Terrier and Commissions

My commissions are gone, all winging their way to their new homes. I learned a lesson while working on these. An artist is always learning, changing. I took nearly a year to do these and my style changed, subtly, but it changed. It left me not as pleased with my art as I originally had planned. I couldn't put my finger on what I disliked and another artist said something about dusting off a two year old board and it came to me, your style is still there, but you change.

Anyway, I got to meet one of the dogs that I had drawn. Her name is Molly and she is a 17 year old Wire Fox Terrier. I love this piece, but did spend every spare moment (and a few not so spare moments) on it this week. I'm very happy with it and am gifting the original to the owners for Christmas. Prints will be available for sale.

Emma

Just a few more tweaks and she's done. It's been a long time since I blogged, life has been lobbing cannon balls at me. My little store is hanging in there and all I can say is I have a multitude of wonderful people that I can call friends, who show interest and support in what I do...more than I can say of family.

I recieved a personal invitation to participate in the Boomer Bash. It's a fund-raiser for medical expenses of the local shelter animals. It's quite the event. I've never been able to afford to attend. This time, I'm an invited artist.

Emma is the first of a bunch I'm going to make for the Bash and have available for sale. She's the neighbor's cat, quite a looker and very communicative. I also have prints available. She's an 8x10 and the only things colored are her eyes and nose. Everything else is pure scratchboard.

Karen

Toby The West Highland White Terrier

Toby brought his owners into the shop today. He's a "first" dog for them. What a champ and ambassador for the breed. He was so friendly and outgoing and so absolutely adorable for a four month old puppy. I got some great photos and hope his owners contact me for high resolution copies. Not soon, but this year, I'm sure he'll be a portrait.

Karen

Lion Fish wip 6

Lion Fish Wip 4

Lion Fish

The Lion Fish

I have a commission to finish up, but have been captivated by these guys at the Aquarium. 12 x12 board.

The Aquarium

I also managed to get a summer job (on top of everything else...when you're starving, ya know) at the Oregon Coast Aquarium Gift Shop. I spend every spare minute taking photos. Right now, the main exhibit is Oddwater. This is an exhibit of all the strange underwater animals you can find in the ocean. I'm taking loads of pictures.

Karen

Cash

Starting an Aussie picture. I was not happy with the initial start on this one. It's hard to explain but it was not exciting me, and when a piece does not get me excited, it can take a long time. So I had some free time last night to really sit and analyze what was not reaching me. I may finish it at some time as an exercise to stretch my imagination, but not right now. I started a new picture of Cash, one that focuses on his face and especially his eyes. Eyes are extremely important to me. So here is the first work in progress and I can't wait to work on him tonight.

Karen

Lion and a Dime

Here's another ATC I just finished. I have prints of this one and the original is available.

Pattie Playpal

I drew a good name for my ATC exchange. I know Jen's likes and dislikes and I know she has co-authored a book on this doll. I googled until I found a picture I could work with. This ATC is 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches.

Dean Johnson Gallery

It's finally happening. "Scratching the Surface" is opening March 6 at the Dean Johnson Gallery. I really appreciate the group on Wet Canvas for all their efforts to make this happen. I really hope all three of my pieces are hung and sell. I could really use the money. I will be working larger for the next show, though.
Karen

"The Sign"

I hope this works. This is the sign for the International show in Chicago. I'm the Nautilus. I'm so excited to be included in a show with this quality.

Karen

The Blankie

This one is for Charles and Kara in Oregon. They won the donation I gave to Pug Rescue. They're actually going to end up with two pieces instead of one with both of their dogs on it. This one came out beautifully. Not my usual style and I really agonized over the image to start with. Now, I'm very thrilled with it and will be making cards and prints out of it, please contact me for prices and sizes.

Karen

English Robin, Revisited, I think

I tweaked the color a bit and here (s)he is again.

Karen

Pug Picture

Here's a Pug picture I've been working on. Different composition than what I'm used to, but I'm liking it a lot. 5x7, #11 exacto knife, although tonight, I'm getting out the scoop for the design of the spread around the muzzle.

Karen

Baby and Parents

Not the best photo, not completely done, but will be done by Tuesday.

Karen

English Robin

I'm getting stuff ready for a show in Chicago. It really shows how disorganized I am, I have information I need to send off and cannot find it, so have to re-do it again. I also need to get my artist statement and biography written, and find myself procrastinating. Well, I actually put laundry away, so that's a step in the right direction. I'll also get on this blog more. This is important to me.

Here's a little one that just begged to be done so rather than work on something more tedious I worked on this the other evening. It probably took me about two hours to do. It's an English Robin. The photo was taken by the spectacular pencil/graphite artist Nigel Fuller, from England. It's always wonderful to get a photo from an artist, they know what you're looking for when you start to draw something, no black blob areas or indistinct little fuzzies.

Thanks for looking, he is available for $100 to the first bidder. This includes shipping.

Karen

The Nautilus

A new piece that is on it's way to Ohio for inclusion in a show in Chicago.

New Day, New Year

At last, 2008 is over. I'm so glad. I will not dwell on what has past, but what is going to happen in the future. I've got lots of things planned, all of them concerning art or scratchboard. I need to create, create, and create and celebrate Red and Parker and the job they bring into my life. There's a wonderful winter storm outside, gale force winds and buckets of rain, but it's warmer than it has been and the waves are so beautiful....difficult to photo, but beautiful. I and friends went to the Adobe for lunch, my neighbor has trouble doing dinner meals (it's past her bedtime) but this worked out perfectly. I was given a huge steel table which has occupied my whole afternoon. I'm throwing stuff out and rearranging what I do have for ease of use and practicality.
Until tomorrow,
Karen

A Dog for Christmas

Sissie is almost done. I think she's perfect for a Christmas Present and the best way to get a dog under the tree. She's 20x16, and done with irridescent watercolors. I can see I need to tweak the nose some more and then I'll be framing her on Friday (I hope...depends on if I have the frame). I'm so thrilled with this one, I hate to say it, but I think it's my best yet.

Karen

Facets of the Artist Statement

As I promised, even though it was suppose to be on the store blog, today's post.

In the store, I do framing. I do not have much space and so do not keep a lot of supplies around. It takes me longer to frame something, but my goal is to work with the local artists and we're a pretty laid back bunch.

So, just recently, a lady that I'd met at a show, (she was volunteering for the Humane Society), brought me a piece to mat. it was already framed, but had a white mat. She liked the white, but thought it washed out a lot of the color on this very pastel-ish print. I had a light brown, textured mat I put on it that made the sand dunes pop. When she brought it in, I'm afraid I had not paid attention to the artist, just to what would make this piece look better. As I was matting it, I realized that not only did I know the name, but have spent quite a bit of spare time in this artist's presence. She's a friend and I actually have other pieces of her work hanging in the store for sale! When the person came to pick up the piece, I told her I knew the artist and shared some of the small vignettes about what a neat "person" she was, how loving and how giving, and such a good friend. She left clutching a treasure, not a painting because she now knew that this artist was a living, breathing person that she might have talked to or passed on the street. I'm going to be talking to that artist today and requesting an artist statement of some sort that I can pass on, along with the paintings of hers that are for sale here. I might be preaching to the choir, but, and don't get me wrong, I don't have one yet, either, I think an artist's statement might be a very necessary facet of living the artist's life and selling your artwork.
Karen

Learning Curve

I went to an internet class tonight, taught by two of the top webmasters in Lincoln County. There was also a plug for SHOP LOCAL. I did get the t-shirt. Anyway, one thing I learned was that if you have a blog, you have to keep it updated. So, here's my promise to try and update this everyday.
We have a new table in the shop. It's a delightful dark, yet rich wood, with a New Home Treadle base. We'll also be setting up the Beta Max in the morning, right after I get back from picking up framing supplies in the morning. The story with the table and Beta is my neighbor, George, may he rest in peace. George died several weeks ago, now. He was only 62. A small guy, but very private. My neighbor, Bill, is slowly going through his stuff and Shorebirds will be the receipient of some of it. I talked to Bill, tonight. George never threw anything away. He has stuff in his apartment (which they're keeping rented through December so they don't have to rush) from 1970. He had no family, and very few close friends. I'm glad Shorebirds will be getting some of the stuff he treasured, we'll treat it with respect and try to find homes where it will become a treasure again.
The moral of my story here, is, why store all the stuff that someone will throw out when you're gone...save the best and get the rest to a new home. Perhaps, coming into Shorebirds, where we'll treat your stuff as the treasure it is, and find it a new home to both our benefit.
Happy de-stuffing.
Karen

Saturday, June 21 (I think)

I got to man the store today while Pat visited with Kids in Portland (Happy Birthday Sara). Sara is our IT expert and Pat took the computer up for a little tweaking. I guess Alex (Pat's grandson) and Rudy (Shop Dog) got along famously, i.e., toddler drops food, dog eats food, dog follows toddler everywhere.

At the shop, there was a nice steady flow of visitors. Many were in hysterics at the comments made by the "Perfect Man" doll in the shop and I had some small visitors rolling on the floor with the resident "Tickle Me Elmo".

There was a great car show, parade and all sorts of events going on. Lots of fun things to do in the sleepy little town of Waldport. The weather didn't hold up, we had a few sunbreaks but it's drizzle this evening.

See you tomorrow, oh wait, I wanted to share one more picture with you. The Brown Pelicans were migrating through last week and I managed to snag this shot. Is this cool or what? Tomorrow I'll start talking about our Vendors, our foundation and our favorite people.

Karen

Bobcat

I just found this piece under some other stuff. I started it in November and never finished. He's finished now, he he.

Karen

Black and Tan Pomeranian

This is part of a duo I'm working on. This one, fortunately gave me no issues and came out very nice. My other one has been dubbed a Grizzly Bear and I am having trouble convincing anyone it's really a pomeranian, so, it's gone to the fire pit and I'm re-doing the whole pic.

This was a private commission. I felt so bad about the Grizzly Bear that I gave her free framing, and I'm still going to do a do-over. Client satisfaction is extremely important, and she works for the newspaper. Don't want to get on the wrong side of the newspaper in a small town like this one.

8x10 Black Ampersand Scratchbord.

My Prince

A 5x7. I saw the photo and saw the potential of a great expression. I was mulling over what to name him if he turned out and voila, a wisecrack was made that named him. I guess I'm committed (or should be now). I'm having to do an almost pointillism effect to get the bumps and smooth areas in and I'm liking him in black and white, I may not color him.

He makes me laugh.

Karen

Zen

she's done. 18x24

nfs...commission

Shows, Shows and More Shows and a Wip

Summer is over and the farmer's markets with them. I cannot say that they were very profitable, but they were interesting. However, I have upcoming shows:

Sept 28 and 29...Coastal Artisans, D'Lake School Lincoln City (Juried)

Oct 6 and 7...Pleine Air Festival, Taft District, Lincoln City

Oct 11-14...Eugene Home Show! (Juried)

Nov 2 and 3, Crafts on the Coast (Juried)

Dec 1 and 2, Elks Christmas

Dec 11 and 12, Old Geezers (Juried)

I'm actually picking up a little work and framing jobs to the tune of about one a week. Just did some business cards for someone.

I have two commissions to finish and am going to post a pastel I've been playing with.

Gypsy Vanner

Created for a friend who does a lot of travelling. It's an ACEO size, but done on the 5x7 ampersand board. I'll try to get a better scan of it later.

A Day at the Renaissance Festival

I have other work to finish, but had to slip this one in last night. I went to the Renaissance Festival yesterday. I haven't been to one in a couple of years. It was wonderful! Lots of wonderful knights on horseback, snorting destriers, ladies in velvets and silks, an absolutely wonderful day! I took quite a few pictures but this knight was soooo handsome, and of course, he was on a black gelding with his silver armor. What more could you ask for.

This piece is for sale, I'm taking it down to be framed shortly.

Karen

Peacock-Selling the Drama

I did this one at the Farmer's Market today. I then went and matted it. The mat is not crooked, just my photography. Anyway, it's on silver scratchboard. There's a company going out of business (etalcraft.com) that creates metalic paper...wonderful stuff...I'm going to go back and buy more tomorrow. Anyway, I used a bright gold metal paper, and then all the peacock colors I could find...I may add even more gold, this is so pretty!

I've to find a 12 x12 frame now. Not sure if I want something ornate or simple.

Thanks for looking,

Karen

Polar Bears

An artgroup I'm on has a monthly challenge...this month it was polar bears. Here's my offering.

Karen

Larry Done

His eyebrows were not on the same line, and the ear phones were so vague that I had to make them up. I'm calling it done.

Karen

Update: Larry finally saw it and it goes up on the web this weekend, he found it...."unique".

lol

Karen

Charlie, ACD

I was contacted by someone that remembered me. She wanted to know if I could do a portrait for ACD rescue. I said no, and then promptly went out and did one, and it will be in the calendar (I hope). Anyway, he was picked up, found to be full of bbs, and in shot, and is now in his forever home learning to be a therapy dog. I met the other therapy dog these people had and she was wonderful. I would say he has some pretty big paws to fill but, from what I've heard, he's doing it effortlessly and lovingly in spite of a not so good beginning.

The thing I love about this particular breed is that they always look like they got a spare part off of another dog. Derby, another ACD I knew, was a red but had a black and white spotted tail. Charlie is a beautiful spotted silvery color, with what looks like solid black ears (probably borrowed from a German Shepherd, just kidding). I had several shots of him, most of them when he looked very serious, but this one, although I'm not overjoyed with drawing tongues, had the most beautiful expression of happiness and I sincerely hope I captured it. I think I did.

Karen

Springer Puppy

I met her at the Farmer's Market two weeks ago. She was only 12 weeks at the time. 5x7 Black Claybord Scratchboard, the eyes have been colored with watercolors and the highlights re-scratched.

Yes it is for sale.

Karen

White Flowers

Done with a simple tool merely called a Plastic Stylus...looks like a big needle in a plastic holder. I then used my Derwent Inktense Colored Pencils...love those cps. Only a 5x7 but this one is a favorite of mine and I cannot quit looking at it.

It is for sale, and I also have prints and cards available.

I have to go work on a framing job. Not even open yet and the jobs are starting to wander in. I'm so excited.

Karen

Kitten Behind Bars

Kitten Behind Bars
Here's the next in the series. This one is 8x10. This is the actual donation to the Humane Society. I used crosshatching for the bars and then re-painted them so that they're there, but not upstaging the lovely green eyes.Karen

Humane Society Kitty

This is the first in a series. The second one just needs some finishing work and it will be going to it's new home at the Humane Society. This one is living with me for the time being.

I did two new and different things with this one. First of all, I got the Derwent Inktense pencils. If you know me, you know that colored pencils and I do not get along. So, when I tried to work with these on regular paper, I came up with the usual mess. However, I got them to see if they'd work with my scratchboard because I prefer ink or watercolors if I'm going to color. Well, all I can say is it worked very well. I also ordered this new tool called simply a plastic stylus...well, if that isn't a gem of a tool too.

I'm going to be posting quite a few more pieces in the next few days. I've managed to gather them all in one spot.

I'm opening a matting and framing store. So from now on, all my pieces will be matted and usually framed, and I'll be producing prints. Those too, shall be matted. All pieces from now on will be specified whether they are for sale or not. Please inquire if interested.

He is for sale. Size of original is 5x7 inches. Framed in a black frame with a black suede mat. Total size of frame is 8x10.

Karen

Belly Dancer

A once in a lifetime photograph. The shutter clicked at just the right moment. There was no photoshopping this one, it just was. It's rather amazing since she was dancing in front of a bunch of musical instruments (drum, cymbals, microphone etc) in a garage. I'm entering it in the local fair on Monday.

Karen

Farmer's Market Kitten

The local Humane Society set up next to me this weekend. I was very fortunate, I came home with great photos instead of a dozen kittens and two dogs. I thought I'd get him done tonight, but it's not going to happen. It will be colored.

Karen

Zack

I first met Zack a couple of weeks ago at the local farmer's Market. He's one awesome violinist with a sparkling personality. I'm trying to get this one done for the local fair. Brave me, I've never done teeth, or fingers. Hopefully I can fix these.

The Golden Hind

Here is another aceo.

Graydon

This is a piece I actually created for my step-mother and her granddaughter. It's my stepmother's first great grandchild. I'm beginning to like doing people, scary thought.

Karen

Grizzly Bear

Another I've been working on, I think I need to tweak the color and then I'll call this one done.

Karen

My first Person

Diana Lee is a wonderful teacher. Through her, I decided to try my first human portrait and here it is, Only 5x7, done utilizing crosshatching, and then I colored the jewelry. She is sprayed and ready for framing and then for her debut as a show piece unless someone buys her before then.

Karen

Ears!

This is the sequel to Mane! From what I read, this little guy had it rough all his life, he's 21 and in a retirement/safe home. His life was about as opposite as you could get from Denni's life (Mane!). I meant to turn him around but got carried away. There's also no works in progress, I did him in one sitting.

Snow Leopard

I think I got carried away with detail. I'll be doing ink washes and watercolors to bring back the spots and color the eyes...I think I like this pose on cats, any size...it looks a lot like my other cat scratch. Oh yes, it's an 8x10 black ampersand clayboard.

Karen