39 Years and counting!

Last year artist Jessilyn Brinkerhoff was commissioned to paint some beautiful mural art in my hometown of Medford, Oregon.

Today was the first time I got to see it in person, and my, oh my, it is gorgeous! 

Today Jim and I are celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary, so we went out to lunch and then visited this beautiful art.

It was painted on the pillars holding up a freeway overpass, in Hawthorne Park. There are 12 mural in all. Here are some pics I took, plus some from Jessilyn’s website, which is HERE.

Oh, and while we were there, we were attacked by Zombies!! Well, actually, it was a run called the Running Dead 5K, with proceeds going to Southern Oregon Goodwill. And all the runners were dressed up as various gory zombies. It was hilarious!

Happy painting,

Retta

Stamping My Feet with Excitement

I'm excited! My new chops have arrived from China.

While I enjoyed painting Carpe Diem Rabbit, I had a heck of a time making a nice looking "chop" signature to go along with the Asian theme for it. It's sort of... chunky/funky. :-}

So, I did something I've wanted to do for a long time: ordered my own genuine Chinese signature chop that has my name, Retta, translated into Chinese. In the same order, I had one created that translates to Blessing.

I found a wonderfully talented Master Seal Cutter on Etsy named Feng Zhuo. He did an amazing job. The square one (my name) is a green agate with a light swirl in the stone, and the other is a very dark purple with a shimmer. Beautifully and delicately carved. I am so impressed!

I can highly recommend Feng Zhuo. He works with you, and personalized my order. He answers emails promptly, and shows you a sample from your stamp for your approval before he ships. 

His Etsy shop is called Chineseseal, HERE.

This is from his About Me page on Etsy:

About Me:

Feng Zhuo, poet, master of seal cutting, was born in Confucius’ hometown: Qufu City of Shandong Province, China. He is the 28th generation disciple of the Dragon Gate sect of the Complete Reality School of Taoism. He graduated from Jining Polytechnic, majoring in Foreign Trade English, and then got his bachelor's degree at Jining University. 

He worked on a project for the development zone and translated the instruction of the film washing machine. He also worked at the press centre of Jining Electric Power Company where he earned the title of Excellent Editor.

Seal carving is a personal, artistic, and professional exploration for Feng. His inspiration for this craft follows in the tradition of seal art from the Qin and Han Dynasties. For Feng this is a combined study of history as well as of his self-expression. His capability and expertise is broad and suited for all interests from traditional to contemporary. He has pleased customers world-wide who can offer enthusiastic recommendation.

If you get one for yourself, let me know, I'd love to see it.

Now, off to make a painting so I can stamp it!

Happy stamping,

Retta

Hey ya'll, it's Artists Appreciation Month!

Did you know that August is "Artists Appreciation Month"?? Me neither!

Well, alrighty then, I'm one of those... so count me in!

But I wouldn't BE one of those if I hadn't been influenced in my life by other creatives. This post will honor some that influenced me most.

(Long post, but like a comic book... mostly pictures, mwa ha ha ha!!)

My Artist Appreciation Month 

Thank-You-for-Influencing-My-Life List:

(Difficult to narrow down!! )

(Can click any images to enlarge)

For incredible skill and beauty both in painting and sculpture:

Michelangelo

Moses

marble c.1513-1515

For color, design, and more color:

Wassily Kandinsky

Henri Matisse

My Dining Room 1909

Vincent Van Gogh

Almond Blossom 1890

The Fauves, such as Derain and Braque

For storytelling ability and beautiful illustrations:

Maxfield Parrish

Ecstasy 1929

Howard Pyle

 The Mermaid 1910

James Gurney, Imaginative Realism (I own these 3books!)

For imagination, whimsy and, of course, color:

Robert Burridge

Juggling Clown

Stilts & His Magic Rabbit

Jane Filer

For bold and colorful art; he paints "the color of emotions":

Jeffrey Hessing

But from a young age there was one that influenced me first and the most. 

The Master.

He captured my imagination...

He had an amazing ability to tell a visual story... 

He could touch hearts...

He portrayed goodness in life...

He used gentle humor or tenderness...

But most of all, his undeniable and under-appreciated skill in painting: 

Norman Rockwell

I want to thank Patience Brewster for inviting me to join in posting about Artists Appreciation Month! I've thoroughly enjoyed revisiting old "friends" and seeing their paintings once again.

When I checked out Patience's art, oh my... talk about ADORABLE! And since I enjoyed it so much I thought I'd pass on the link for you. 

It's wonderful stuff, so here be ye the link to Patience Brewster.  Be sure to see their ornaments and check out my favorites, the Zebras named Zeke and Zelda! Too cute!

Happy Artist Appreciation Month!

Retta

My Tiny Treasure!

Do you enjoy stumbling upon a great find? And get excited about sharing that discovery with others? 

Well, tick me a YES to both questions.

Here is my newest little treasure, an adorable and quirky Blue and Silver Dangle Pendant I found at a new Etsy shop, by creative jewelry artist Shannon Blencowe, at Blencowe Boutique:

Isn't it cute as a bug's ear? 

If I had to think of a few adjectives to describe her work, they would be: vintage, STeaMpunK, imaginative, quiRky, retro, unusual, and fun!

I asked Shannon if I could write about her new Etsy Shop, and she graciously gave me permission to show you photos of the fun and imaginative jewelry she's been creating. Some have already been sold, but the pics give you an idea of her imagination. They do sell fast, so if you see something in her shop you adore, snap it up quick!  Honestly, there were a couple more I wish I had snagged (loved that first one, the Winged Heart!).

I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Congratulations on your new venture, Shannon, and I wish you spectacular success!

Retta

Virtual Paintout 7: Vevie Goes to the Azore Islands!

For the month of June, Vevie and the Virtual Paintout  gang sailed off to the Azore islands in the North Atlantic Ocean.

(can click on any pics to enlarge; 

I kept most small to enable faster page loading)

They are simply gorgeous! It was delightful to "travel" around the islands via Google Street View. In fact, it was so beautiful, it was hard to choose a spot.

Azore Coat-of-Arms

It was between a pastoral scene with black and white moo cows, the ocean in the background... and the one I chose below. My husband happened to walk by and peeked over my shoulder, wanting to know where we "went" for June. He happened upon me as I was "driving" past a crumbling little chapel, with an old 3-wheeled mini-truck in front. Naturally, that's the one he "voted" for! 

When he was in the Navy he was stationed in Spain and got to travel around Europe. He said he saw lots of these little trucks all over. He guessed this one might have been over 50 years old!

So... the old crumbling chapel, and the hard working little mini-truck. The tales they could tell!

Here is the final location Vevie and I chose:

After playing with it in Photoshop, I came up with this basic color scheme... notice I moved the little truck forward, to allow more of the chapel front to be seen:

And on with the WIP photos (work in progress)...

Since I DO love the Fauves*, I chose Vermillion for my underpainting; I even toned it down with some white... or so I thought! Then sealed it with matt medium:

*The short Fauve movement started about 1905, and basically blew the door off the vault holding color captive, freeing it to be used boldly, expressively and wildly. The term "Les Fauves" in French means Wild Beasts. Visit HERE  for more interesting info and paintings. While the movement didn't last long, it's effects can still be felt, over 100 years later. Here are some New Fauves I enjoy. 

Sketched it in with vine charcoal, then when satisfied, sealed the lines with Burnt Umber:

Still painting with (and enjoying) Atelier Interactive Acrylics, by Chroma. Chose a limited palette of: Cad Yellow Deep, Vermillion, Phlalo Blue, Diox Purple, Forest Green, Titanium White, Paynes Gray; and made black from Pthalo Blue + Cad Red Medium.  Started the sky here:

Continuing sky, and started blocking in the foreground; you can see the sides here, where the painting continues around all the edges:

Continuing on, adding layers and details; starting in on the little truck:

And here it is, drying on the easel:

A close-up of the chapel and mini-truck:

And Vevie would let me know if I forgot her close-up; here she's walking on the wall to check out the little chapel:

"Memories 'neath A Lemon Sky"

The Azores, Portugal

9 x 12 acrylics 

on wrapped canvas

I hope you enjoyed seeing the process. I sure enjoy traveling the world with Vevie and the Virtual Paintout gang, led by our fearless leader, artist Bill Guffey.  As always, anyone of any skill level and almost any medium is welcome to join us each month. Watercolors, oils, colored pencils, acrylics, pastels, ink, ballpoint pen... I think I remember one guy did a picture in crayons one month!!

No airline tickets to buy, no hotel reservations to make... it's free! Come on along! Here's all the deets. 

Vevie 

Happy painting,

Retta