Olivia Grace

Olivia Grace

16 x 20

I just did this portrait of my youngest daughter Olivia.  I worked on her over the last three days, and it drove me crazy not to do any updates on her!  But I was wanting to just hold off and surprise everyone with a finished portrait!  I can say that it made me get the portrait done a lot faster!

Feels Finished :)

I feel like I'm finished with this portrait.. Just waiting for approval :)

Thanksgiving Morning

Watercolor

5 x 5

Just did this little river scene tonight.  I love to use color.  I think I used just about every single one of my favorite colors in this little painting.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Emily, Possibly Finished..

Emily

Watercolor

11 x 14

Painting this portrait has reminded me why I love to paint people and animals.  There is just something so unique about each expression that really shows individuality, and a distinct personality.  In many cases, the eyes are known as the gateway to someones soul.  It's as if we can go where they have gone, and feel what they are feeling.  I have heard so many people say that an amazing painting or piece of art will make them feel something.  So I am always pushing for that, and making it one of my main goals as I learn and grow as an Artist.

I want to share one of my favorite quotes by an artist who I consider to be exceptional at portraits and figures.  If you have never checked her out, take a look at some of her work!  

With every brushstroke, a personality emerges-- the softness in their expression,
the honesty in their gesture.
Painting a portrait is always more than a painting,
it's a visual representation of a unique soul.... Peggi Habets 

Thanks for reading!  I wish you all the very best Thanksgiving!

Caribbean Donkey Finished!

Caribbean Donkey

Watercolor

11 x 14

Okay, I'm finished with this donkey!  I just love this picture because it takes me back to St. Kitts in the Bahamas!  What a trip that was!  I have so many pictures that I will soon turn into paintings.. So get ready!

Art On The Lake, McCall Idaho

 Sailboats in the Marina

5 x 5

 Mountain Poppies

5 x 5

I decided to paint some small 5 x 5 originals while I was doing the show.. It was a great time killer, and people enjoyed watching a painting come to life.. What a great experience.  Whether I make money or leave with nothing, I love doing these art shows, and getting a taste for what life as an artist is like.  I can't wait for the next one, wherever it may be...

New Work

Just started working on this guy yesterday.. I'm going to wrap it up today.. I'm still not sure where I'm going with this one.. oh well.. :)

River Cityscape Finished!

Watercolor

11 x 14

Just did this one today.. I had fun with it..

River Cityscape

I just started messing around with this today..  I don't know if I'm going to be able to execute this painting in the way I had envisioned since I made this scene up.  I have nothing to look at, so it all becomes a guessing game of what to add next or where to put the light!  It's great practice though :)

Courtney & Kelsey

Watercolor 

16 x 20

I just finished Courtney and Kelsey's portrait.  The girls had this painting commissioned as a Christmas gift for their Mom.  So sweet!  I know as a mother, it will be treasured.  Thank you girls for entrusting me to paint something so special!

New Commission!

I just photographed my next subject!  What a cutie!  She is sweet, cuddly, has big brown eyes, and a cute personality..  Four short legs, and tail!  Stay tuned for the upcoming process!!

Changed my mind.. I think.. I might do this one instead.. What do you think??

 (# 1)

(#2)

Which one should I paint??  This is so hard.. They are so similar yet different..  Any opinions are welcome!  Thank you!

My Baby Girl...

I'm so excited.. I finally decided on this picture of my littlest one Olivia for her portrait.  I can't wait to get started.. Lots to do first though.. Like finish the other ones I already started ;)

Another Update :)

Courtney in her purple shirt!  She loves purple!  And it's no wonder.. It looks great on her! ;)

Work in Progress, Sisters..

Update on Portrait

16 x 20

Sisters

16 x 20

I'm currently working on this commissioned portrait of Courtney and her sister Kelsey.  Having fun already and can't wait to get this one completed!  I am working with two beautiful subjects here, and their mom will be so happy to receive this gift from them..

Finished!!!

The Call

Watercolor

16 x 20

Elk

Update..

Finished!

Autumn Morning

Watercolor

16 x 20

I really love this version of it as well.. I will probably do prints of both versions..

Finished with the second seascape..

I like the second and third version of this painting.. I don't care for the rocks on the left of the full version.  I just need a lot more practice at them..

Current Seascape

The seascape I am working on today!  Having fun with the waves!

Megans Bay

Megan's Bay

Watercolor

6.5 x 12.5

I just finished up my seascape!  I have never tried waves before, so this was a fun experience, and I'm going bust out a few more.. This is Megan's Bay Beach on the Island of St. Thomas.. One of the most beautiful places I have had the opportunity to see and explore..

Barn On Park Lane

Barn On Park Lane

Watercolor

8 x 10

Late Winter On Zoe Lane

Late Winter On Zoe Lane

Watercolor

6 x 12

Here is another barn I photographed yesterday, of course it's late summer, so the surroundings were made up.. I just love all the colors of the seasons.. Thanks for looking!

Joplin Barn

Joplin Barn

Watercolor

11 x 14

I went down the street this morning and snapped this picture..  And with a little bit of "Artistic License" this painting came together.  I love the truck in this painting.. I was debating with myself whether to paint the back on it, or just do a standard pickup look, but I'm glad I went with the actual truck.  I have set a goal of one painting a day for ten days.. Wish me luck.. I have to get ready for the next show in McCall.  It's the 17th and 18th of September, and it's called Art On The Lake.. I'm pretty excited about this show.. It's a lot bigger than the last one I did, so we will have a lot more exposure.  But with a great show, comes a great amount of work!!  Already feeling the pressure.  My husband told me last night, as I was sharing my anxiety with him, "Don't paint for shows, or for the money you could make.  Just paint because you love to paint."  Good words from a good man!

Booger

Booger

Watercolor

9 x 12

I just finished up this pet portrait for some friends of ours.. They were so kind to let us stay in their lake cabin in McCall during the last show, so I am giving this to them as a thank you gift.  I snapped a picture of their pup Booger, cute name, but the picture didn't turn out too good.  So this is what I came up with from a blurry picture.. Hope it's close enough!

Apens In September

Aspens In September

Watercolor 

14 x 18

I started and completed this painting yesterday evening.. I had fun doing something so different.  It was painted in little time, so it's not my best or my favorite piece of art, but I still enjoyed the subject of golden aspens in the fall. 

I won 1st Place at the Western Idaho Fair!!!

 This is me!!  Elated at the outcome of this competition!

 Isabella, so excited to see herself hanging in public!

 I love this little family of mine!  They are so supportive!

My inspiration!  

Wow, what an experience this was!  I was shocked to walk in and see my portrait hanging front and center!  And to see a first place ribbon on it, well, I can't describe my feelings on that.. Okay fine, I was HAPPY, EXCITED, PROUD, I feel SUCCESSFUL, what an amazing feeling!  I know it's just the fair, but it feels so great to have others love your work.  And it was cracking me up, because we were getting these pictures next to the painting, and people were standing around watching, and talking to us about it.  We felt like celebrities!  Are you cracking up as much as myself right now??!  We were stopped out at the rides a couple times too!  I just can't believe the publicity this gets your art work.  SO awesome!  Well, thank you friends for all your encouragement and support in my journey with all of this.  It is so appreciated!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Faith is Finished and Framed!!!

Faith Charlotte Marie Walker

Watercolor

11 x 14

I am finished up with this portrait of my niece.  I ended up washing out her whole face and repainted it.  I just wasn't happy with it.  But I love how it has turned out.  SO glad I took the extra time to get it right.  Now I need to get this to my sister Christina asap, since her birthday was July 24th!  I'm a little late with this gift :)

Isabella is Framed

You can see how large the picture is in this photo.  The Portrait is 16 x 20, with a 5 inch matte all around, and a 3 inch frame.  Just large and elegant.

I love the details on this frame.. So rich and elegant!

I'm so excited right now.. I just entered this portrait of Isabella, my Wild Horses, and my Sunflower Field into the Western Idaho Fair.  I don't know if I'll win any ribbons, but I'm just excited that they will be displayed!  I have been talking about doing this for years, and now it's another goal scratched off the list!  Thanks for looking and have a great week!

Update

I'm not really loving how this is turning out.  I think there are some crucial spots that need to be worked out.. Lips, nose, and eyes.  I haven't captured her yet..

Start of Faith

I think I'm off to a good start.. I can't wait to start her big brown eyes.. They are so soft and sweet!