Monday, September 29, 2008

"Cows & Asters"

SOLD
I just returned from a one-day show, Art for the Sangres, in Westcliffe, Colorado.
I was not expecting a very good show because of the economy, but went prepared with a variety of sizes, including more little pieces than I would usually take. I sold 14 of 19 pieces in five hours!

WOW! If you are an artist, take heart.....people are still buying art. If you are an art-buyer......thanks. I can only do two things - paint, and evacuate aircraft. I'd like to stick with my current career choice.

I painted this little piece on location in Westcliffe. It sold at Art for the Sangres.


Monday, September 15, 2008

"Winter Falling"

SOLD
"Winter Falling" is a 6" square oil, earmarked for Art for the Sangres in Westcliffe, Colorado in a few weeks.

The original idea for the painting included flying crows...but I've decided to do a larger painting that will be titled, 'Crows & Cows' and have the dark crow & cow shapes overlap to make large masses.

"Sense of Place"


Sometimes shows request titles and sizes of paintings before they're painted. Usually I spend days thinking of just the right title for a finished painting - but when I don't have a clue what I'll be painting for a specific show - I send a list of vague titles that could be anything. "Sundown" is a good one - it could be setting sun on a cow or a landscape.

Such is the case with this cat painting, named "Sense of Place" that I've done for Art for the Sangres in Colorado in a week or two.

"Patrol"


Since I switched to oil two years ago, I've enjoyed painting little pieces - more than I ever did in watercolor. Perhaps I have less time at stake with a small painting . If it doesn't work.....wipe it off and start over. Sometimes I will waste an entire day just playing - turping off - and starting over. At the end of the day, I don't have the feeling that I have nothing to show for the day - but I almost feel exhilarated from the experimentation and new things I have learned.

This little fox (6" x 6") started out this way - just an experiment...but I stopped after the first few swipes with a rag. I liked it - so left it 'half finished'.

This painting will be one of the 18 pieces I'm showing at Art for the Sangres in Westcliffe, Colorado, September 27th. http://www.sanisabel.org/art_for_the_sangres.asp


My friend and fellow artist, Terry Miller, attended this year's Birds in Art Exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin. My painting, 'In the Wind' is in this year's exhibition. I was unable to attend because of scheduling conflicts. Terry has written a blog on this year's exhibit. http://pencilshaver.blogspot.com/

Thursday, September 11, 2008

"Little Dogie"

SOLD
I'm working on oils for an upcoming show; Art for the Sangres, in Westcliffe, Colorado on September 27th. www.sanisabel.org This great show benefits the San Isabel Land Protection Trust. The one day event includes a silent auction for plein air paintings that the artists paint the day of the show.

I'll show 18 originals, but ten of them will be little pieces, such as this 6" x 6" oil, titled, 'Little Dogie'.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS!

Finally, I have come out of the dark ages - and now have broadband wireless internet, thanks to Verizon. I have a marginal cellphone signal at my home, which surprisingly, is enough to get a signal for wireless broadband.

Hughes satellite is getting its walking papers. (No, I would never recommend HUGHES)

My new email address is: earnshaw@swiftaz.net I promise it won't change after this, as I'm using my brother's company, Swift Wireless for my mail. (www.swiftwireless.net)

Please make a note of my new address and delete the old address (earnshaw@hughes.net)

Friday, September 5, 2008

Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud


After a painting trip to Colorado, I flew home to New Zealand - or Aotearoa....The Land of the Long White Cloud, to see my Aunt...who is not well. New Zealand is often shrouded in clouds....easy to see why the Maori named it Aotearoa.

New Zealand or Aotearoa mean the same to me......home.

It's a hard life - but someone's gotta do it!

In mid-July, I spent five days painting in the Rocky Mountains with a group of artists, including V....Vaughan, Joe Garcia and my artist sister, Joanne Hanson.

As you can see, it's a hard life but the great weather didn't last.. It got even better with rain, snow, low clouds and cold temps. I actually prefer the inclement weather. It's moodier and there are no bugs!