To reach a personal goal.

It was eight years ago at an art meeting I hosted at my studio that I muttered the words for the first time, "I'm going to change my medium to oil". Now that doesn't seem too big a deal, right? I mean after all artists do this all the time. After spending 17 years working with Colored Pencil, a medium that I had become very familiar with, deciding to paint was a huge deal for me. Did I mention that I've never had a painting class? By the way that's not something I'm proud of. It's just the way it was. Though I had not entered a large amount of competitions I had won some first place awards as well as a few others with Colored Pencil. After making the decision to switch to Oils I decided to set a few goals for myself and use these goals as a gauge to determine my accomplishments. First to grow as a painter, which I have and continue to do so. Then to enter my new work in exhibitions and competitions and win, which I have as well. I began to plan for the near future to be accepted to the Ann Arbor Art Fair in Ann Arbor Michigan which has always been haled as one of the best shows in the country. This year I have been very honored to be invited into the art fair as their featured artist. I'm writing this post not to brag or boast but to thank the many people in my life that support and encourage me. Their positive energy inspires me and feeds my creativity. Thank you all. I have so much more to do and to learn and more goals to set. I've always taught my students to compete with themselves and not with others because there's nothing more gratifying than to reach a personal goal. The taste of success is so much sweeter.

And The Winner Is............

The Winner of my Limited Edition Reproduction Print Giveaway is..................Don Hunter (APPLAUSE)
Congratulations Don! Only six of you entered my giveaway which made it really easy for Don to win. Remember that I will do this every three months and the next Giveaway is scheduled for October 1st. Don't forget to enter and please leave your comment on the October 1st blog post to be eligible.

Sea Turtle in progress #2

The image above shows this painting about half way finished. After this stage I have added more sponges and other sea floor life to fill in the turtles surroundings. More layers are being added and the colors represented here are still evolving. I wanted this painting to represent the serene slow rolling movement of this environment to showcase this peaceful magical creature.
This will be the last "in progress" post for this painting. It will make its debut at the Ann Arbor Art Fair in Ann Arbor, Michigan on the 21st through 24th of this month.
I predict this will be one of my more popular paintings.

Feature Article - July 15, 2010

Below is a link to my most recent Feature Article by staff writer of The Belleville Lake Current, William Zilke. Thank you William.

Feature Article Link

Look for the up-coming July issue of "Art Showcase Magazine" where I will be featured, along with the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair Poster.

Colored Pencil Tip #3

Keeping your pencils sharp will help you get even coverage. Even while using a hard leaded pencil like Verithin. After you make a few strokes, roll or rotate your pencil in your fingers. When that side begins to dull do it again. Keep doing this until you need to re-sharpen. You will have better blending results and your pencils will even last longer!

Adding a week to my first giveaway. July 15th

I am adding one week to the response time for my Limited Edition Art Print giveaway. So you have until July 15th at midnight. I forgot about the holiday week and some folks were away. Don't forget to leave a comment on the Print giveaway post from July 1st. That's all you need to do to be eligible to win one of my reproductions. Good Luck!

Limited Edition Print Giveaway

The above image is one example of many to choose from.

I thought it would be fun to reward my loyal blog followers with a chance to win one of my Limited Edition Reproduction Prints once every 3 months! Today is the first opportunity to enter!
The winner chosen by random drawing will be able to select the print of their choice.

To enter my Limited Edition print drawing you must:

• Be a follower of my blog to enter the contest
  
• Reply with a comment to this specific blog post to be eligible for the drawing
• You have 7 days to leave your comment which could be about which print you like and why or any comment you like. ( Hopefully a positive one!)
  

I will select the winner from the entries received on that post only!
So if you haven't already become a"follower" please get to follow'n. I've got things to say!
All of my limited edition reproduction prints can be viewed on my website by selecting the "Portfolio" tab and choosing Limited Edition Reproductions.

Good Luck!

Sea Turtle in Progress #1

I've been wanting to do a Sea Turtle for a long time. One of my most memorable moments in Hawaii was seeing a sea turtle in the lagoon of the hotel I stayed at and being so excited I jumped in (with clothes on) to see it up close. I held it in the water for about 5 seconds ( I've since learned you shouldn't touch them) and then it swam off. Magical! This painting will be finished and make its debut to the public at the Ann Arbor Art Fair and I think this is the only show it will see.

Sea Turtles are very popular among nature lovers and maybe that's because of its gentle nature and mystique. This one already has so much character and the paint has barely touched the canvas.

Check back to see her progress.

Colored Pencil Tip #2

Here is a tip that most of us learned back in the early days of school. It's usually easy to remember to put a piece of paper under our hand to resist smudging while drawing with graphite. For some reason it seems to slip our minds with other drawing mediums. Colored pencil can also smudge and your hand can dull your finished drawing or painting as some like to call them. You can use any paper however, unlike the above photo, I like to use tracing paper because it allows me to see through to the rest of my work.

Remember, Keep it Clean!

Tree Top Cafe`

I first posted an "in progress" photo of this painting on April 1st showing only the Giraffe. I explained that the Acacia Tree supplied food for one and shelter for the other. While that is true I began to realize that the tree supplied food and shelter for both creatures. In this painting the "Odd couple" as I referred to them earlier seem to be greeting each other as they might do every day from their favorite eatery. They look so pleased with their choice of food that they look as if they might willingly offer each other a sample. "Tree Top Cafe`" seemed to be a fitting title.

Steve Worthington Gives away Bronze Mouse!

Sculpture artist Steve Worthington gives away Bronze Mouse. Just name three of his Turtle sculptures and win! His work is full of character.

See the details on his blog at http://steveworthingtonart.blogspot.com

Colored Pencil Tip #1

The Kneaded Eraser is a wonderful tool however if not stored properly can become your #1 enemy. If you drop it or throw it into your pencil box it can pick up and hold all kinds of debris which can scratch or tear your paper. The best way to avoid this is to place your eraser into a clean resealable plastic bag or small container. It will always be clean and ready to assist you in creating your masterpiece!

I'll be posting a new "Tip" each week so be sure to check back.

U of M Exhibit

I currently have a painting in the U of M Open Competition Exhibit at the Alfred Berkowitz Gallery. Though I did not win I am very pleased to be part of this competition due to the diversity and expertise of the work. I was very impressed. It's a very nice gallery space as well. I encourage you to go and enjoy this visual feast. The exhibition runs through July 15. The above image is a detail of the painting on exhibit titled "High Society".
Gallery is located on the third floor of the Mardigian Library at The University of Michigan-Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road.

Video Interview with Heritage Newspapers

Heritage Newspapers which covers Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Saline, The Downriver area, Dearborn/Dearborn Heights, Milan, Ypsilanti, Monroe, Belleville and Van Buren Township has done a feature story on me and my upcoming participation in the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair as their featured artist. Below is a link to the video interview that was taken at my studio in Van Buren Township. Look for the full story in your Heritage hometown newspapers that is expected to be published on June 10 (Thursday) or June 17th.

Read online interview here.

Watch video interview here

"First Date"

(Click to enlarge)
Do you remember being with someone whose every word seemed to be just the right one? Their laugh was infectious and their eyes had an extra twinkle that you don't seem to remember on anyone else? When the chemistry is right, it's right! In this painting these male (green) & female (red) Eclectus Parrots couldn't be more enamored with each other on their "First Date".