Happy Thanksgiving! and Scott Conary's Studio

Pumpkin

8"x 8"

oil on gessoboard

Click here to purchase

My husband and I went to the Sitka Art Invitational, and I was stuck by Scott Conary's work, especially by his painting, "Robert's Door".

The use of color and the paint application was stunning!

 

Roberts Door

32"x 54"

oil on canvas

Clearly, the colors, paint application, and its majesty does not show up in this photo. 

That is why it is so important to see the art work in person! 

"As my eyes came upon the worn door on the heavy old house, I saw the painting in my head. I saw generations of hands turning a now missing knob and" read more by Scott.... 

 Scott lives near my friend Mona Cordell, so she and I and my new friend, Mary Parkes, got to go by his studio.

What a kind, gracious man.

He said that he cleaned up!

He makes his own frames or orders then from Franken Frames.

Prime

26"x 38"

oil on canvas

Meat!  Isn't it beautiful? Read more about meat here.

1928 Indian 4, 52" x 42", 

Oil on Canvas

-work in progress-

"A few months back, a friend gave me a tour of some old machines in Wichita. Amongst them was this amazing bike, restored by a friend of his. The painting is very much a work in progress, but the bones are there." -Scott

Ornament

7 1/2"x 6 3/4"

oil on panel

This painting inspired my "Pumpkin" painting. 

Take some time and really look at his work and read his stories. His blog is a great place to learn about his past and present struggles and how he, his wife and his daughter, continue to deal with these challenges. 

He can write and paint beautifully.

I have paintings for sale for your holiday gifts, most for under $200. 

Click here to purchase.

Or buy prints here.

Listening to while I paint:

Audio Books:

"A Painted House" by John Grisham, narrated by David Lansbury

Podcasts: 

Food is the New Rock, hosted by Zach Brooks
The Lede, hosted by Jerod Morris
Artists Helping Artists, hosted by Leslie Saeta
Social Media Examiner, hosted by Michael Stelzner
"Wait, Wait.... Don't Tell Me!", hosted by Peter Sagal
Splendid Table, hosted by Lynne Rossetto Kasper
American's Test Kitchen, hosted by Christopher Kimball

Music:
My iPod: Christmas music!

Really helpful!:
I am continually checking a dictionary, thesaurus, spell check, but one thing that has been particularly helpful is the grammar check! Please excuse any errors that I make and tell me! :)

"Peach, Pink Rose", Carol Marine, and Alyson B. Stanfield

 Peach Pink Rose

8"x 8"

oil on gessoboard
$175

Click here to purchase

I have decided to try oil painting ever since my workshop with Carol Marine and actually, I like it! 
Carol's method is to paint "alla prima" or "wet onto wet"; the painting is completed while the paint is still wet. This requires you to work fast! Carol says it allows you to blend from your "islands" (main subject) into your "oceans" (background). And, when things don't work out as planned (which almost NEVER happens! ;) ), you can wipe it away! 

Carol's new book, Daily Painting, which I'm sure will be full of all of her tips and tricks, comes out November 4, 2014.

I ordered one!

Alyson B. Stanfield

Several weeks ago I met with local artist friends Brenda Boylan, Jo Reimer, and Celeste Bergin.  Joining us from Colorado, was dear friend, Art Biz Coach, Alyson B. Stanfield, for a wonderful breakfast at The Benson Hotel.
       " Alyson B. Stanfield is an art business consultant and author of I’d Rather Be in the Studio: The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion. She helps artists gain more recognition, organize their businesses, and sell more art at ArtBizCoach.com."
I have been following her since 2008, taken her online classes, I keep reading her book (over and over), and gain insight and understanding from her weekly blog posts. I highly recommend that you check out Art Biz Coach!

Listening to while I paint:
Audiobooks:

"The Hundred-Foot Journey", by Richard C. Morais, narrated by Neil Shah

Podcasts: 

The Lede, hosted by Jerod Morris

Artists Helping Artists, hosted by Leslie Saeta

Social Media Examiner, hosted by Michael Stelzner

"Wait, Wait.... Don't Tell Me!", hosted by Peter Sagal

Splendid Table, hosted by Lynne Rossetto Kasper

Music: 

My iPod

Really helpful!: 

I am continually checking a dictionary, thesaurus, spell check, but one thing that has been particularly helpful is the grammar check! Please excuse any errors that I make and tell me! :)

Pet Sale!

This is a picture of me and my dog Amy. I had her from the day I was born until age 16! I remember her sleeping in the sun; scared of cats; always greeted me with her loving warmth, enthusiasm, and joy!

So, I am having a Pet Sale! From now until the end of August 2014,  I will do any pet painting for 15% off the regular price. Just send me your photo of your pet and then we can decide on the size! I will take requests and photos all month long....

"Lucky"

10"x 8" 

oil on gessoboard

$195

Click here to purchase

Lucky is one of the many dogs that my brother-in-law and sister-in-law have at their farm. They also have 13 horses, cows, chickens, and cats!

"Wally"

8"x 8"

acrylic on gessoboard

$175
Click here to purchase

This is Wally. I took his picture at the Farmer's Market. He was very friendly!

To see more pets click here!

Listening to while I paint:

Audiobook: "Moneyball", by Michael Lewis. Narrated by Scott Brick

Podcasts: Big Pop Fun, hosted by Tom Wilson

                  The Lede, hosted by Jerod Morris

                   Artists Helping Artists, hosted by Leslie Saeta

                  Social Media Examiner, hosted by Michael Stelzner

                  "Wait, Wait.... Don't Tell Me!", hosted by Peter Sagal

Music: my iPod

Really helpful!: 

I am continually checking a dictionary, thesaurus, spell check, but one thing that has been particularly helpful is the grammar check! Please excuse any errors that I make and tell me! :)

Modjeska Canyon

Ralph's Truck

8"x 8"

oil on gessoboard

$175

Click here to purchase

This is from a photo my son, daughter, and I took on our walk while visiting family down in Modjeska Canyon, CA.

Here they are: my son, Thomas and my oldest daughter, Katherine. They are definitely enjoying the vacation side of Modjeska Canyon!

With just several hundred residents, this  beautiful canyon is filled with oak and olive trees. It is named after Helena Modjeska, the 19th century stage actress. Her home from 1888-1906, "Arden", is a National Historic Landmark. The canyon is also the location of the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary.

Listening to while I paint:

Podcasts: The Alton Browncast, hosted by Alton Brown

                  The Lede, hosted by Jerod Morris

                   Artists Helping Artists, hosted by Leslie Saeta

                  Social Media Examiner, hosted by Michael Stelzner

                  "Wait, Wait.... Don't Tell Me!", hosted by Peter Sagal

Music: my iPod

Really helpful!: 

I am continually checking a dictionary, thesaurus, spell check, but one thing that has been particularly helpful is the grammar check! Please excuse any errors that I make and tell me! :)

Fred

"Fred"

8"x 8"

acrylic on gessoboard

SOLD

My friend, Barbara, emailed me this picture to paint:

" My dog, Pebbles, passed away at 15. I was super lonely so I decided to get another dog. I adopted Fred when he was 7 weeks old from the German Shepherd Rescue Foundation. He was the runt of the litter and is now over 60 lbs. You will find him waiting for me when I come home from work. He follows me everywhere and sleeps next to my side of the bed each night. I love my Freddie!" 
Barbara

It's not too late to send in pictures!  The people who pictures I choose to paint will be getting

my note cards and first chance to buy the painting!

If you would like to send me a picture that I can paint email it to:   annie@anniesalness.com . 

And please include you address. 
Thank you!!!!

Listening to while I paint:

Audio book: South of Broad, by Pat Conroy. Narrated by Mark Deakins
     Podcast: The Alton Browncast hosted by Alton Brown
     Music: Spotify

Through The Glass

8"x 8"

acrylic on gessoboard

$150

Entered into Daily Paintworks "Through The Glass" challenge.

Click here to purchase.

On Writing

My Son Gave These To Me

8"x 8"

acrylic on gessoboard

Click here to purchase this painting.

I am listening to "On Writing" by Stephen King, although I have never read  his books or seen his movies. :)

At one point he talks about who it is he writing too. He says, "all novels are really letters aimed at one person" ..."I wonder what he or she will think when he or she reads this part".

I always think of the client or the person who may buy it. I want it to add something special to their home. Will he/she notice this part?

They may live with it for years!

I always want to hear the story, the humor, the tenderness, the reason behind what they want me to create. That is very important!

But, I create for the artist too. (although, he or she doesn't know it!) 
Will he/she like the edges, the shape, the flow? How is the value, the warm and cool? Is the drawing okay, the proportion? Is there enough balance, contrast, etc....

Do he/she like it? :)

It is a combination of both. 

2 Cups, 2 Oranges

"2 Cups, 2 Oranges"

8"x 8"

 acrylic on stretched canvas

Click here to purchase this painting.

This is my last challenge for the "30 in 30 Day Challenge" by Leslie Saeta.

I made 7 paintings. 

I listened to Lisa Daria's message on Artists Helping Artists, and revamped my schedule. 

I used to get up at 5, make coffee :) and read aloud, do my "Morning Pages", (writing from the Artist Way), go through my planner, and do my electrical myostimulation. (electrical "pads" for my stroke)

Now, I get up at 5, make coffee, and paint! (I do that other stuff at night!)

Then I have time for commissioned paintings  through out the day.

I think I will continue the small paintings every three to four days. It has given me confidence.

Thank you Leslie and Lisa! 

5 in 10 in 30 ......whatever.....

8"x 8"

acrylic on gessoboard

sold

I  proposed (to offer or suggest....) to do Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Challenge by being aware of my current situation, (stroke) and agree to do 10 in 30.

Well......this is only #5. There are 8 days left, so I'm thinking, I may just make it to 6 or 7..... 

10 in 30

I decided to participate in Leslie Saeta's "30 in 30 Challenge" for January, but mine will be "10 in 30". That's still good, right?

Here is #2:

"Something's Missing"

6" x 6"

acrylic on gessoboard

sold

And #3:

"A Vase!"

8" x 8"

acrylic on gessoboard

sold

#1 was "Perseverance"....