Painting Wolf

A Hidden Painting

2010-09-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

This painting is actually the bottom of the wine barrel I am currently working on. It's my "signature". Because the majority of the barrel is composed of women, I had to let my wild side out a little here with one of my favorite compositions, the wolf. Bet you couldn't guess that with my website name being "paintingwolf" and all. :)

Image 4 on the Wine Barrel

2010-09-14T19:01:00.000-07:00

Here is me, working on the 4th panel on the wine barrel project. I have one more image to complete then the barrel will be given a final varnishing and will be placed in the "Old Town" district in my community, probably on Main Street. I was working on the barrel this afternoon as I came home early from work because somehow I hurt my shoulder last week and it was still hurting today. Probably when I was muscling the barrel around last week for a photographer who was taking photos for a publication I believe titled Arizona Vines and Wines. I took a mega-ibuprofen and it helped a little.

After this barrel is complete I have a few weeks to complete a second barrel which I will paint wildlife on, a subject I am definitely more comfortable with! Both barrels are sponsored by our local Economic Development Council to the Chamber of Commerce, both of which I am very grateful for providing this opportunity! There is approximately 40 barrels to be sponsored and the Chamber has had a good response so far. It was a kick walking into the building which is housing all the barrels. Immediately smelled like wine! All the barrels have a pleasant bouquet, rather than the vinegar smell the one I am working on now has. Tho' it has decreased immensely since I slid the braid of sweet grass in the knot hole. You can see it again in this photo at the left side of the barrel.

Verde Valley Wine Trail Barrel Painting Contest

2010-09-04T16:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the 2nd image on the wine barrel I am painting. You'll see a progression as the paintings are completed.
The first (not shown yet) is a woman with a freshly poured glass, the second is viewing it, the third (here) is taking in the bouquet, the fourth with be tasting it and the fifth will be full of color and warmth. If you are interested in painting or in participating in this program, or visiting our community go to http://www.vvwinetrail.com or http://cottonwoodchamberaz.org
I've got two barrels to paint. This one smells a bit of vinegar so I have a braid of sweet grass stuck in the bung hole, which you can see on the right side of the barrel image.

A Very Busy Year!

2010-09-04T16:30:00.000-07:00

It has been well over a year since I last blogged here! My "make a living" job has kept me more than a little busy! Working for a municipality keeps my calendar full. But I have had time to paint! Most recently, I have been working on a huge wine barrel which I am painting to encourage other artists to participate, to promote tourism in my community through the "Verde Valley Wine Trail." This image is one of five that will be painted on the barrel, hopefully to be completed within the next week.

Cottonwood Farmer's Market

2009-07-10T19:23:00.000-07:00

My daughter and I set up shop at the Cottonwood Farmer's Market yesterday. It was fun but HOT. By the time I finished carrying everything and setting up the canopy and tables, I was pretty spent. My husband and oldest son stopped by a bit later (with chairs--so...I'm a little forgetful!). He said my face was bright red and began cooling me down.

It was fun but I am not a "hawker", meaning I don't reach out to folks to sell my wares. If they want to look they are welcome. I will smile and that's about it. My husband is very engaging. Folks stop by to meet him because he has such a handsome smiling face and he has one of those personalities that pulls folks in. I was laying on the grass relaxing and he and my daughter smiled and engaged folks toward the booth. A lot of compliments but not alot of buying. Then a friend stopped by. Dominic Standing Bear. He played his flute and is not shy about asking folks to take a look. He was saying, "C'mon! You look like a gal that needs a medicine bag!" "You have the spirit about you! Come take a look at these beautiful bags!" Etc., etc. He got even more people in.

He's a pretty special guy. He has been a Sundancer and Singer for, I believe, over 16 years. Look that up and you'll see it's a pretty intense ceremony by American Indians.

In the end, we sold only two medicine bags but both of them were by my daughter. She's a quiet gal but is learning to step outside her comfort zone a little and doing well at it when she does! I was not too discouraged because a lot of vendors there did poorly. It all depends on what band is playing. If they are not well known, and this one was not, there is a smaller turnout. I did get a REALLY neat opportunity though. One gal came buy, complimented the bags then asked if I ever sold in stores. I said, not really. I just started working on these about a month ago. She gave me her name AND her store front and said "call me". She said she'd be interested in carrying my medicine bags and her shop is in Sedona! Whoo hoo! If you don't know Sedona, it is a unique community based on tourism, etc. It would be wonderful if I could sell the bags in bulk once a month or so to this gal instead of trying to hit up shows, etc. I'll be contacting her next week to see how it goes. It would be terrific! We'll be doing it again next Thursday.

Medicine Bags to Braces

2009-07-05T18:44:00.000-07:00

Featured Items:
Medicine Bags

Painting on deer and elk hide medicine bags.

Prices: Vary

On Thursday I took artwork by both my daughter and I to a show in Tempe. It was over 100 degrees on Thursday and very humid. I was in a quandry this morning because my car's A/C stopped working and car rental places are closed for the holiday weekend so I was trying to find a way to get back to Tempe to pick up the artwork this afternoon! Realizing that wasn't going to happen I did everything I could think of to get ahold of the director of the show at the hotel it was exhibiting at. The hotel folks did everything they could to not get out of their chairs and send someone to the exhibit room. I was so frustrated. I know they were busy but SURELY they could get someone from bell staff or something! Finally, my husband (smart guy that he is) got ahold of security there and asked that they get a message to the director to call me. He was on the phone to me in less than 5 minutes and said no problem, he would ship the artwork back to me in the next several weeks. Whew! The only down side is my daughter and I won't know what pieces did and didn't sell until they are returned. One of the fun parts of a show, coming back and seeing if anything interested folks enough to buy!

Above I have a photo of medicine bags, which are my most recent joy. The bags are sewn by a gentleman who enjoys the name "White Badger". He does a marvelous job. I buy the bags from him then add my art to them and am planning to sell them at the local Farmer's Market. My sweet daughter found out a few weeks ago she needs braces and was devastated. (Young teens are very insecure about their appearance!) So, to make her feel better, I told her I would get my braces at the same time. My teeth aren't horrible but they could definately use a little lining up. And she was thrilled. So, though my insurance covers a good deal of her dental costs, it doesn't cover a dime of mine. Hopefully, all the income from the medicine bags will be enough to cover the initial portion of my braces and I will have a daughter who is comforted by the fact her mother is going through the same thing! The things folks do for their children! Grin!

2009-07-05T15:17:00.001-07:00

Featured Painting: Turtle Drum

Acrylic Paint on drum

SOLD

I participated in the 2nd Saturday Art Walk in Old Town Cottonwood on June 13th. It turned out to be a wonderful event. With all the different types of artists in attendance, singers, entertainers, painters, sculptors, drummers, there were no ego conflicts. That in itself, was pretty amazing. Better still, I sold one of my drums. I had it for a couple years. It was a drum that was near to my heart. The gentleman that bought it, one could tell, fell immediately in love with it. He held it close to his heart, almost hugging it after purchasing it. I was very flattered and am so glad it went to a good home!

2009-05-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

Again it has been far too long! I have posted my newest work in progress on paintingwolf.com. She is called "The Singer" and will hopefully turn out terrific! Inspired by a couple different individuals on this piece.

Sorry for having been gone for so long. I worked on a few aceos as I am trying to get some pieces sold fairly quickly. Bills to pay and all that mundane stuff seems to be happening to all of us nowadays. Fortunately, I have enough paint to keep me busy for quite a while!

The weather in Arizona has been remarkable. We have something called the "monsoon season" which is basically thunderstorms in the afternoon and evenings, which typically starts the end of June, beginning of July. All of May we have had thunderstorms and quite a bit of rain. Makes me wonder what the rest of the year is going to look like!

Driving back from Prescott yesterday there was a herd of mule deer just of the freeway. Gorgeous healthy looking bunch. It is always comforting to see them full grown, without "lick marks" on their fur indicating they have ticks, etc. Smooth coated does, all of them!

I'm going to get back to my singer and hope I have her done in time to post her as June's Piece.

For Two Bears

2009-05-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

Featured Painting--in your imagination. Please read on.

Today is Sunday and I attended a memorial service for a friend of my husbands, who's name was Two Bears. He passed away several weeks ago and was not given the typical Lakota Sioux ceremony that he deserved, especially one for a warrior as he was. (For an example of one, go to: http://1onewolf.com/lakota/Lundstrom.htm ) So today, many of his friends held a gathering for him. Some really beautiful things were said, and some hilarious stories shared. He was a man who truly never complained nor said a cross word about anyone. His son and daughter were in attendance and the words said were for their ears. He didn't see them as often as he wanted as he was divorced, as happens so often these days but every day he spoke of them with pride. His children both appeared to be over 18 but still young. I did a quick ACEO card with two large bears on it, one reaching for the sky with an outstretched paw and the other moving to the left. At the bottom were 4 arrow like triangles representing earth,air,fire and water. On the upper left was a sun which had longer "rays" indicating north, south east and west. And along the top was an eagle feather, which are gifted to warriors upon their chest, before burial. With the card my husband held an eagle feather made of bone. Then I explained Two Bears deserved so much more than he received, but I knew he was happy and though I can't speak Lakota, I could speak a tiiiiiiny bit of Wyandot, my husbands heritage. So I read what I had written on the back of the card (and I will follow with the translation.)

Tedih A-nyo-nye (two bears)
Ha-en'-ya-ha (my brother)
Drawa! (dance!)
Take'! (run!)
Scan-o-nie...Ha-en'-ya-ha (Peace...my brother)

Then I presented the card to his daughter and my husband the bone eagle feather to Two Bears son. This illustration has not been duplicated in any fashion, even for my portfolio, as it was created for this single purpose.

It was pretty intense. But following this was the folding of the flag. Two Bears was a vet and as such, deserved this service. ALL the men in the audience, old and young alike, that had served in the military came forward and participated in standing arrow straight, folding the flag, presenting it to Two Bears daughter who will gift it to her brother, thengave Two Bears a final salute. An extremely intense and spiritually filled moment. One hopes the meaning of all the words and actions fall upon ears that can hear. And two you Brother Two Bears, fly free.

A Quiet Sunday

2009-04-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

Featured Painting:

"Lovely Lavendar"

Acrylic paint on 4"x6" linen canvas panel

I like her face. That is my favorite part of this painting. I finished her last night. I don't quite have the miniature painting thing down pat, so it is always a challenge for me and I was very pleased when her expression came out so perfect for a fairy's gaze.

Dawn's Comforter

2009-04-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

Featured Painting:

"Dawn's Comforter"

Colored Pencil ACEO 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" -- Sold

I love Arizona. I am so glad to be home. Not that I have anything against Texas. I just missed my husband and family. If there is a next time, the next time I travel for any length of time, my husband will have to come with me.

I drew this ACEO while I was in Texas, after a heavy day of training and coming back to a very nice but very lonely hotel room. The maiden is being comforted in the early morning by a kind wolf who has placed himself between her and the "elements".

Travelin' To Texas

2009-04-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

Featured Painting:

Lovely Lavendar In Progress

Acrylic painting on 4"x6" linen canvas panel.

I'm taking a business trip to Texas. It will be the first time I have been away from my husband in more than 13 years so there is a bit of anxiety on both our parts. We know it's for less than a week but we are one of those couples that truly enjoy hanging around each other and would LOVE to be able to be together all the time!

This painting is in progress. She needs quite a few details added and the angle of her legs corrected then I hope to have her completed and listed for sale sometime next weekend. I'll be back in a week!

Spring Thaw

2009-03-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

Featured Painting:

Spring Thaw

Acrylic Painting on extra fine 4"x 6" linen canvas panel--$99

I love linen! I would only use linen if I could afford it (starving artist and all!) I can get so much more detail with linen canvas. I love the fur on this piece and hope to do many more with this detail. This is one of my "painting in a day" pieces which was fun. He looks a little grumpy but ready to go forth and "forage"! Did you know polar bears actually have black skin and clear hairs? To absorb as much warmth as needed.

I did this polar bear in honor of my father, whom I found out not long ago favors bears and polar bears most of all. I have another to do, hopefully next weekend. We'll see what this week brings!

Walloping Wednesday!

2009-03-18T17:23:00.000-07:00

Featured Painting:

Mule Deer Cubism?

Acrylic painting on 5"x 7" quality canvas panel -- $49

This is one of my "painting-a-day" compositions. He actually came out in almost a cubism style but I really like his nose. It looks wet, as if he just licked it. And with the red brown of his coat, he obviously isn't into winter! (Their coats turn a soft grey when it gets cold, to more easily camoflauge.)

Today was an exciting day. I am attending the Verde Valley Area Leadership Program (VVAL) which is a marvelous opportunity to teach individuals HOW to lead, "network" with some really terrific people and push ourselves outside our comfort zones. We have a certain number of "field trips" we are supposed to attend. I attended one today, which was a ride-a-long with a police officer from a local or neighboring department. The Commander I rode with is an excellent officer, someone I've known for several years. He has participated in all fields of police work including drug details, detectives division, patrol etc. A really neat individual. Well, if you ask any officer or firefighter, etc., what happens on days they have ride-a-longs, they'll typically tell you "nothing". "Absolutely nuthin'." Outside individuals participating in ride-a-longs are often called "anchors" because, for some unique reason, very little happens when you have a "ride-a-long" on your shift.

Today was a little different. After riding along in the Commander's patrol car for a while, I noticed it was only 30 minutes until I had to be back at the office. Just as I noticed this, emergency tones came over the Commander's radio alerting emergency personnel ... there was a plane crash! Woo hoo! Code three, lights come on and we sped to the general area of the report. The land here is covered with shrubbery, tumbleweeds and mesquite trees. Impossible to see any downed plane. We looked for smoke in the area and there was none. Finally the two witnesses gave more specific details. We looked across some undeveloped land and saw a glint of silver. With that, all the officers that had gathered begin climbing the barb wire fence and heading out. One female officer was holding the fence down and I quickly asked, "Can I come?" "If you hurry!" she said. So I lept over the fence, immediately caught my new black jeans on a barb and rrrriiiip! But I got going after them! All this in danged 3" boot heels! What was I thinking! After a 1/2 mile of going up and down and up and down and up rocky ravines, I made it to where the officers were. And thank heavens, the pilot was fine. He was about 90 years old (really!) standing beside the craft which was in bad shape. The single prop looked like shredded paper, the nose was caved in on the bottom and the tip of one wing was removed. BUT he didn't receive a scratch. I was having visions of a family on a day trip 'cause it is Spring Break where I live. I was so happy (and so out of breath and so hot) that there were no injuries. Needless to say, the officers indicated if I can keep all my ride-a-longs that exciting I can come back anytime!

100 HITS!

2009-03-14T09:49:00.000-07:00

Featured Painting:
"TAG" Acrylic on a 24"x 30"x 1/2" wrapped canvas $875

Woo Hoo!!! Today I received the 100th hit on my website, http://www.paintingwolf.com! I am so excited! I know others get that in their first day rather than their 3rd week. I wasn't counting until 10 days into it and I'm thrilled for anyone that looks!

Today is Saturday and I just finished my cheetah, which I began before I got the flu thing. I'll put her up with a photo I have but may change it to a better photo after my web designer gets back from her vacation.

Achoo! Oh no!

2009-03-04T16:27:00.001-08:00

Featured Painting: In Progress

"Tag!"

Acrylic on "x " x 1/2" wrapped canvas

Yep. It finally caught me. The "cold" (hah!) virus that went through my household, that I dared to say hadn't caught me, put me to bed this weekend. A piteous nose and sore throat put my face in my pillow until this morning. I'm pretty good at keeping them at bay but not this time. It IS nice to have a partner who says "you took care of me last week so I will baby you this week!" He does dishes and laundry too!

Red Dawn

2009-02-26T15:59:00.000-08:00

FEATURED PAINTING:

Running Cheetah--Not Yet Titled

Acrylic painting on 24"x 30"x 1/2" wrapped canvas.

This is the cheetah I mentioned in the last post. He is a work in process and I hope to have it completed this weekend. You can go to www.paintingwolf.com to see the various progression steps if you are interested!

Another week passes! And I have tomorrow off. I was going to visit "Winter Range" in Phoenix Arizona. It is an annual "Cowboy Action Shooting Competition" where big boys pretend. But that isn't why I wanted to go. They have a remarkable "Suttlers Row"! They have some amazing displays, artwork, authentic native American garb, hides, music, victorian clothing, food, etc. If you are in southern Arizona, this is a definite visit location! That and Festival of the West later in the year.

Bobcat's Blue Dawn

2009-02-18T18:17:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:

Bobcat's Blue Dawn

Acrylic Painted 24"x30"x1/2" wrap around canvas - $925

I finally finished this a few days ago. It turned out really well and I am very pleased with the cat. The next piece will be a cheetah on the same size canvas. After that I plan to do a large wolf painting. It'll be a week or so before that happens.

It's been a busy 10 or so days. Too much to do and too little time. Today I joined something called the Verde Valley Arts Council. It is in the start up stage, just beginning to develop the mission and vision statements. A wonderfully passionate group of artisans and those that support them. There was a lot of "vision" filling the room and I really hope it can snow ball into greatness. It will be marvelous to be able to contribute!

Bobcat Tales

2009-02-12T17:35:00.001-08:00

Featured Painting:

Bobcat's Blue Dawn (work in progress)

Acrylic painting on 24"x 30" x 1/2" wrap around canvas

This is the progress thus far on my bobcat painting. It is larger than the mini paintings I have been doing but I really like the bobcat face and am doing the entire painting just for his eyes! No bobcat stories today! I did get to have a beautiful ride through Sedona today. The snow is pretty spectacular against the red rocks and is something everyone should see at least once in their lives.

An Eagle Day

2009-02-11T16:37:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:

Detail from "Butterfly Maiden at Sunrise" (In Progress)

Acrylic paint on 24"x 36" x 1/2" wrapped canvas (back stapled)

Well we had a marvelous snow yesterday. Bad for drivers that had to go over mountains through Flagstaff, Prescott, Sedona, Jerome, the White Mountains, etc. Great for the lower country, Phoenix, the Verde Valley, etc. Very pretty.

I pulled this detail from a painting I am working on. I had originally exhibited it over a year ago but I am dissatisfied with the maiden's bodice. I will rework it then put it up for sale. The detail is of a bald eagle. A few years ago we were "blessed" to be the caretakers of two huge cream colored lop eared bunnies who's owner had given them up to move elsewhere. They were in rabbit pens which were 3-4' off the ground, near a 6' redwood picket fence along one side of my yard. One day as my husband and I got in our car, ready to head out to who knows where, we saw a HUGE bird on the fence. This bird, an eagle of some sort, was standing on the fence tilting it's head this way then that. He was getting a good eyeful of what looked to be a marvelous meal but with no way to get at them. They were safely ensconced in wire with wood covering half the pen for shade. Those rabbits were as still as statues. And the bird sat there for quite a while not wanting to give up on such well fed prey!

2009-02-05T20:20:00.001-08:00

Featured Painting:

"Golden Sunrise"

Acrylic Paint on 5"x 7" linen canvas panel--$99

I created this piece this week. I've used it to illustrate my "commissions" page on my website: paintingwolf.com
African Wild Dogs are very unique creatures in so many facets. And they have, as my husband would say, an excellent paint job!

It's a Killer Whale of a Day!

2009-02-04T15:23:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:

"Of The Ocean Clan"

Acrylic Paint & Prismacolor Pencils on Crescent Hot Press Illustration Board 24"x 36"

I created this illustration quite a while back, when I was doing the show circuit. I had never really wanted to sell it because it is such a sweet message. It was created several years ago then reworked in 2006. I love illustrating earthly creatures but as you can and will see, I love the imagined as well. Mermaids are lovely graceful creatures. Sometimes friendly, sometimes not. I guess it would depend on which side of the fishing pole you were on!

Brazen Bobcat

2009-01-31T20:03:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:

"Seeta"

Acrylic paining on 5"x7" canvas panel--NFS

Artistic License are the words to remember when looking at this painting! I used a lot of it, but it was fun to paint. Last year my husband was literally ten to fifteen feet from a bobcat and the cat wasn't giving an inch. Someone had probably been bow hunting and did a poor job of tracking the deer they shot, which died not far off a main road. When my husband saw it, the bobcat was sitting on top of it. He got out of his vehicle and carefully approached the pair. The bobcat very slowly stepped only a few feet away then sat down with the definite air of, "I am NOT giving this up! You know it's winter don't you?!" My husband grabbed the deer by the back legs and dragged it further off the road, where it was much more difficult to see by passersby. This gave the bobcat a much safer meal. It was definitely unusual for one of these usually reticent creatures to be so adamant about his "catch" and had my husband watching his back as he dragged the deer!

Almost The Last Day of January

2009-01-30T20:20:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:

"Patriots"

Acrylic paint on an 8"x10" canvas panel--$125

Oh dear, I've gone over two days without an entry! It's been a busy couple of days but I am SO happy it's Friday again! I have been working on a self-portrait (with a lot of artistic license involved!) and have only had an hour or two each night to paint. It should be done tomorrow and then I will return to my valentine projects!
It is actually some pretty spectacular weather in Arizona this week. Icy cold nights and mornings, scraping the frost off the windshields and watching our breath as we drive to work, however the days are worth it! Crystal clear and mid 60's. Unbelievably warm for January! The geese have been heading south this entire month. I was on my way to see a movie tonight when I saw a grey heron winging it's way across the sky. They are so beautiful and it looks like they expend such little effort, barely flapping their wings up and down. I'm hoping to do some hiking this weekend and get more reference photos. Maybe you'll see some of them in creations over the next few weeks!

My featured painting is one I completed, I believe, last year titled "Patriots". I love how wonderfully colorful these Arizona birds are and they have no qualms about perching on the same hand together!

Cheetah At Heart

2009-01-27T18:38:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:

"Cheetah At Heart"

Acrylic paint on 4"x 6" linen canvas panel -- $99

It was a very icy cold day today! Most people think desert when they think Arizona. However it is always funny when someone comes to visit in the winter and sees snow on cactus. You can see some folks brains start short circuiting! So yes, it does snow in Arizona. Typically the northern portion (Flagstaff area) gets the most and even has a great ski lodge (Snow Bowl) with occasional snows in central Arizona (Sedona/Jerome areas), and then there are those rare but heard of snows in southern Arizona (Phoenix etc.). Today it was cold enough to snow but no water in the air. I know all of you up North have FEET of snow on the ground.

Well today I painted Cheetah at Heart. If you look carefully at her coat you will see heart shaped spots. This one is dedicated to the upcoming Valentine's Day. (My daughter, tongue in cheek, calls this "Singles Awareness Day"). She was great fun to paint and I hope to do another in a similar style tomorrow. (My monitor is showing this image pinker than it is so keep this in mind when purchasing.)

Mondaze

2009-01-26T10:58:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:

"Papa Bear"

Acrylic paint on a 5"x 7" canvas panel -- $79
It's a wonderful, just slightly drizzly Monday morning. The weather channel said it wouldn't hit until this evening. It's gorgeous as it gives depth to mountains and red rocks and so much lighting contrasts.

This is my newest piece, "Papa Bear". Bears are incredible creatures that some people seem to confuse with "teddy bears". (Spell that grizzly man.) They are huge WILD animals, and so much more imposing in real life. Recently a 200 pound black bear "cub" was found treed at a local park. He was tranquilized and relocated to a safer environment. It is so unfortunate when city folk see bears and assume the will "pose" for photos. Fortunately a local police officer spotted the bear and kept lookie loos at bay until the cub could be freed in the woods to grow up to be a huge papa bear!

Freedom

2009-01-24T17:40:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:

"Freedom"

5"x7" acrylic painting on linen canvas board -- $45

This painting began as a doodle created at a meeting that I wrote about in my last posting. This is the finished product. Very simple without much detail but a very clean, bright, enjoyable piece to look at. In shades of red/white and blue, the red horse is leaping over the clouds with a bright yellow sun lighting its way. The white clouds are lined with silver.

Thank Goodness it's Friday!

2009-01-23T17:21:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:

"Cocky Joe"

4"x6" acrylic painting on canvas panel -- $99

I have a friend who goes by the name "Rock Holliday" and was a regular extra/actor for the old west HBO series "Deadwood". He has two beautiful paint horses. I did this painting of one of them named "Cocky Joe" who is an absolutely beautiful proud horse. Very much everything his name implies!

I am definately looking forward to this weekend. Why is it when we have an extra day off during the week, it seems all the longer because of it? Probably because we are trying to pack 5 days of
activity and productivity into 4!
I've also started another painting and will give you postings as it is created. You'll recall I had to sit through a 4 1/2 hour meeting earlier this week. During that meeting I doodled a sketch on the pad I was taking minutes on (see left). I then transferred the image to a 5"x7" linen canvas and began painting it (see right). Hopefully it will only be a day before it is complete as I would LIKE to do a painting a day though I can only commit to one a week due to my calendar.

So Happy It's Thursday

2009-01-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:

"Plains King"

Acrylic on a 4"x5"x 1/2" wrapped canvas
Mini Painting--$49

This is a different piece than others I have shown. I enjoy impressionism however lean more towards realism, using the actual coloration for the animal. This buffalo just begged for vibrant contrasting colors!

2009-01-20T21:47:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:

"Full Attention"

Mountain lion painted in acrylic on 5"x7" canvas board -- $99
(Please remember the paintings are always more stunning than shown as monitors are not always accurate in their representations and reflections of the light varnish used to protect the painting are shown in scan.)

Oh my, today was a looong day. Not only am I an artist, I am also an administrative professional. I work with a City Manager, Mayor and Council Members. Tonight was a regular Council meeting that lasted for 4 1/4 hours. That is a looong time to sit on one's tailbone! :) Out after 10:00 p.m. (and up at 6:00a.m. the next day!) does not give me enough time to be creative before bed! The wonderful surprise was when my husband walked into my office early in the morning, having decided to skip work, with a dozen red roses in his hand and a lunch date on his mind!

I have another recent mini-painting displayed. This is a mountain lion, fairly common in my neck of the woods.

We have had two recent attacks on domestic animals by a mountain lion, which is not unheard of in rural areas. When two eco-systems coincide, and sometimes "invade" the other, such meetings are bound to occur. The best defense against this is education. Farmers and 4-H students keep their animals penned and small dogs/cats are kept closer to home. When an easy meal is no longer available, or more difficult than they are worth to obtain, the young mountain lion will move on to a more successful hunting ground. It is simple nature.

A Day Off

2009-01-19T06:15:00.000-08:00

Featured Painting:
"Of Two Tribes"
Impressionism-Acrylic painting on sheepskin. $500

This is actually a day-off for me!
I was so excited when I realized it is a day uncommitted, where I can paint (and cook or clean or surf the web) as much or as little as I wish! I decided I would do another entry and share some thoughts. (And I won't talk about the inauguration or the Cardinals game!)

I was looking through some pieces I had painted over a year or so ago and thought I would display one here. It is acrylic paint on sheepskin in a native American fashion. Its inspiration was my husband. We were two very different individuals which, as time passes, we find ourselves more and more similar. We both love the outdoors and are as comfortable in the desert or woods as in our own bed. The tiger represents his regal manner and ability to protect me from the evils of the world. The cheetah is delicate and slightly aloof, but sitting close. In the animal kingdom, my love for the cheetah is second only to the wolf and I do hope all the conservation efforts currently underway save this beauty from extinction.

My First Time!

2009-01-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

FEATURED PAINTING:

"Grey Wolf"

5"x7" acrylic painting on canvas panel -- $99

Impressionism -- If interested in purchasing any of my paintings, please contact me at paintingwolf@gmail.com.

Yes, it's true. You are present for my first time! Using a Blog! I've been in the artist world since the age of two or three and this is a new window to my world.

My artist name is Seeta Anarishkwa (see'-ta a'-naw-rish'-kwa). This means "fire wolf" in Wyandot, my husbands ancient native tongue. (There is no word for "painting" so I have settled with Seeta instead.)

I have displayed and sold works through many venues, including national art shows, art competitions, displays at City Hall in my home town, community service projects (I recently painted a skate board park to deter graffiti and it is working so far!) and the ever popular e-bay. I enjoy painting wildlife most, and the female figure. I love placing animals in unusual scenes and using fantasy situations. Most of my art is in acrylic paints though I also use prismacolor pencils, water colors, pencil and pen & ink.

Though I opened the Seeta Anarishkwa studio nearly three years ago, a bout with a now defeated cancer put it on the back burner for quite some time, allowing me to create and display my works only occassionally. I have made it a priority to post at least a painting a week through out this new year and will also display past works.

As I enter your world and you enter mine, I will post more paintings and hope you see something that touches you and invokes some passion. And if you feel like buying something, better still!