Figure Drawing at the Hynds Building with Art Design and Dine!

Art Design and Dine in Cheyenne has quickly becoming an exciting art happening the second Thursday of each month during most of the year!  Last month Vanda Edington and I hosted our show of pastel paintings at Nagel Warren Mansion during Art Design and Dine.  This month I was off for my first trip to see the Hynds Building in action and take part in the weekly figure drawing session available to the community.  All I can say is...what a fun evening!  We set up and began drawing at 5 pm.  Soon the building was filled with art, a jazz band in the front room and theater vignettes in the back room, and those of us  doing figure drawing was located in the middle room.  The energy from the interaction of people coming in to check out art at the Hynds was contagious!   If you haven't come out to the Art Design and Dine gallery tour I would recommend putting it on your calendar!  November 10th  is sure to be another wonderful evening!

To give you a taste of what I did last night, I am posting a  couple of pages from my sketch book.  These are just quick unfinished sketches done in some of our  10 or 15 minutes poses. The study drawings began with gestural drawing of 2 minutes each, working our way to the last  25 minute drawing ending at 8 pm. All my drawings were done in pencil and charcoal.  

Hopefully, I have spurred your interest to get out and see what's going on with the art community! To find out more about Art Design and Dine, check out there web site http://www.artdesigndine.com/ .  Arts Alliance, also has a wonderful web site, giving you all the information about the arts community in Cheyenne. There web site is   http://artsalliancecheyenne.com/

"The Grocery List" at I.Qlinary

"Uneven Table with Apple, Pear and Orange"  9x12 Pastel Painting

When working on shows I have found you have to move quickly from one theme to another.  Last week was Halloween for me!   I had a great time studying the supernatural and doing

the painting Sabrina's Sorrow.  This week, I am working on an new upcoming show "The Grocery List" at I.Qlinary.  This show will be a food themed show held at one of Cheyenne's newest businesses.   At I.Qlinary, a new food preparation idea, you order ahead the meals 

you like.  At your appointment you prepare your meals from spices, prechopped vegetables and ready to go meats moving from station to station.  All you have to do is measure and place in a zip lock bag.  Plus, one of the best things is there is no kitchen to  clean.   When I tried it I was in and out of IQ in about an hour with 6 meals ready to cook or go in the freezer!  If only painting could go so fast!!!  But so much for cooking ...an idea for a painting of a pie is calling so I must get back to to the studio.  I will have more news about this show later.  

A Halloween show at the Cheyenne Artist Guild

"Sabrina's Sorrow" 11x14 inch Pastel Painting by Gail Watford

October is upon us.  Leaves starting to turn, cool crisp evenings... soon the fireplace will warm us with its glow.  With my thoughts turning to fall,  I was reminded of the upcoming autumn shows.  The first at the  Cheyenne Artist Guild, is a themed show "Ghosts, Goblins and things that go bump in the night".  While working on other projects my thoughts for the ghost and goblins show kept returning to a photo of Sabrina, a friend of mine from Arkansas/Oklahoma area.  She inspired this painting with a beautiful haunted look in a photo she posted on Facebook, by the way in the photo, she was not dressed up as a ghost!  I just used my artist license to make her one!    Hope you enjoy my ghostly interpretation of Sabrina! If you are in Cheyenne, the show will be up all the month of October with a Halloween party and reception during the monthly meeting on October 3rd at 7 pm. 

"Pastel Visions" at Nagel Warren Mansion in September

The days are becoming shorter so we know the last days of summer are upon us as well as the last chance to catch the summer exhibits of my paintings and those of my pastel painting buddy, Vanda Edington.  If you are in Cheyenne on September 8Th from 5-8pm drop by for  the opening of  our exhibit "Pastel Visions" during September Art Design and Dine . Relax and enjoy the hospitality of Nagel Warren Mansion Bed and Breakfast as you view our art in a setting that takes you back to years gone by.  

Nagel Warren Mansion

222 East 17Th 

Cheyenne, WY 82001

Pastel Society of Colorado-- Signature Status Achieved!

Entering into juried shows can be a humbling experience, wondering why certain paintings don't make it into a show and the joy felt when others are accepted by the judges in the next show.  I have only participated in entering these juried shows for the last few years and have a long way to go to truly understanding the whole process.  But I must say.... it is so exciting to get that letter that says your painting is in!  With the acceptance of my pastel painting "Apple, Crackers and Cheese" into the Arkansas Pastel Society show I was thrilled  to find out that  I had  also completed the points needed to earn Signature Status in the Pastel Society of Colorado!  I am truly honored to be added to the list of artists that have already achieved this honor.  It is going to be exciting to be able to sign my next paintings with the letters PSC!  

Juried into the Arkansas Pastel Society Show

"Apples, Crackers and Cheese" 5x7 Pastel Painting

I'm excited I just got word that my painting "Apple, Crackers and Cheese" has been juried into the Arkansas Pastel Society National Exhibition showing in Little Rock, AR this October -January!  I haven't shipped art with glass before, hope I do it right!!!  

2 Receptions this Weekend

"Morning Light"  11x14 Pastel Painting done for Plein Air Event

It hard to believe so much can be packed into one short summer! At least for me it has definitely been a whirlwind summer! I wanted to let you know Vanda Edington and I will be having our 2nd reception at the Y, if you were unable to make it to the first. For those of you that came out last month we have new pieces for the month of August! The reception for "Art on the Walls at the Y" will be this Friday at 5 to 6 PM at the YMCA. 

Vanda and I, are both involved in the "Prairies to Peaks Plein Air Event" at Deselms Fine Art. You can check out our works as well as the work of 49 other artists from around the country this Saturday from 4-8 pm at Deselms Fine Art gallery for the opening of Prairies to Peaks. The exhibit will be up till the end of September.  

Art on the Walls at the Y

Summer Memories by Gail Watford

Gail Watford and Vanda Edington

would like to invite you to

ART ON THE WALLS AT THE Y

Open daily all July and August at the

YMCA

1426 East Lincolnway

Cheyenne, WY

Reception: Friday, July 15 from 5 TO 6 PM

Reception: Friday, August 12 from 5 to 6 PM

We will be showing some of our latest art work

and look forward to seeing you there!

For more information and

a map to the YMCA see the write-up by the Cheyenne Artist Alliance at:

http://artsalliancecheyenne.com/events/art-on-the-walls-reception-at-the-ymca-2/  

Gailwatford.com  

  

  Vandaedington.blogspot.com

   

Painting in the Tetons at the Jim Wilcox Workshop

A nice lady passing by the trail had me to do an artist pose in front of my painting.

I just got back from a Jim Wilcox plein air workshop in Jackson WY.  It was a wonderful experience painting in the Tetons with Jim as an instructor.  My work for the last few years has been primarily in pastels but during this workshop I tried to paint the mountains in oils.  What a challenge!  And much too much to absorb to get even one painting finished!

Karen Bright, Jim Wilcox giving a daily demo and Wendy Wang.

My new friend, Lura Joseph and I rode together everyday to our designated
 painting spot.  This is Lura hard at work and my unfinished painting on the last day of the workshop.

Spring Chickens

I finished these two 5x7 colorful chickens a few weeks ago, I just haven't had time to post any work. Summer is finally here and I thought there is no time like now.  My goal in doing these paintings was to play around and do something whimsical that is purely fun!  I even used iridescent pastels in areas of the paintings though, I doubt you    can tell when viewing online!!!

"Yellow Spring Chicken" 5x7 Pastel Painting

"Orange Spring Chicken" 5x7 Pastel Paintings

Catching up as usual!

For me a non-stop weekend  usually means  half  of the next  week catching up!  Last Friday night I attended the  opening of a show at the CoCoa Gallery in Fort Collins where one of my paintings is now hanging.  With no time to linger in Fort Collins, I had to get home early, finish packing my supplies and be ready bright and early for a Plein Air workshop with Jeanne Mackenzie.  I haven't had to opportunity to do very much Plein Air painting so I was excited to try something new!   We spent Saturday afternoon painting at Holliday park in Cheyenne and all day Sunday at the historic Shellback Ranch west of Cheyenne.    The workshop was primarily an oils workshop, but  those that wanted could use other media.  Bringing both oils and pastels, I decided to focus on working in oils.  I haven't painted with oils for many years since I lived in Arkansas which  is the opposite of the dry high plains climate of Cheyenne.  It was  a little unnerving to jump in the water so to speak and not have a clue what was going to happen, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying  the weekend  working  in oils. Though, I was shocked by how fast the paint dried compared to Arkansas and learned my lesson a couple of days later, as I was scrubbing dried paint off my pallet!  That won't happen again!!!

This is one of the paintings I did over the weekend,  there are probably other things that could be done to improve and finish the painting but right now I am pleased to leave it alone-- not taking a chance of losing the Plein Air feel.  What do you think, should I experiment more with oils?

"Asters and Ivy" juried into the CoCOA Regional Show

This painting is off of Fort Collins, Co for the month of June!  I am pleased to be one of those juried into the CoCOA Regional Show.  The opening will be this Friday during the monthly art walk in Fort Collins from 6 -9 pm.  You can check out CoCOA's website to see whats going on at their gallery and come by for a visit in the month of June.


Colorado Coalition of Artists

148 West Oak Street, Suite C

Fort Collins, CO 80524

"ASTERS AND IVY" 

This 8x10 pastel painting can be viewed from

June 3-27, 2011 at the CoCOA gallery 

Morning Swim

MORNING SWIM
9x12 Pastel Painting

This past  April,  I went back to my hometown in Arkansas to visit with my family, spring was in full bloom and young wildlife  abound.  Among  the wildlife were some families of wild geese  that have made residence at  two of my parents ponds.  Because the geese come back every year to have their families, what started as two adults have now grown to a sizeable group.  It's a joy to see the mothers taking care of the young and  amazing to watch the care she gives  them!  The two ponds the geese call home  are  separated by a two-lane highway.   Many times, my Mom and I have watched from my parents windows as the adult geese make sure the babies are safe while swimming in the pond or as they carefully guard the traffic leading the babies across the busy highway to safety from one pond to another.  

Back at my home in Cheyenne, I was missing the time with my mother, as we watched  the view of the ponds,  the geese and  their young.   This painting captures memories of watching a mother goose as she took her babies for their early morning swim!  

Accepted into Juried Show!

I am excited!!!  I got my notification I have been accepted into Sagebrush Art Center Juried Show in Sheridan WY, June 1-30th.  The accepted pieces are two you have seen before in my blog "Apple, Crackers and Cheese" and "Wind River Reflections". So if you're vacationing and happen to be in Sheridan in June you will have to check out the show!



APPLE, CRACKERS AND CHEESE
5X7 Pastel Painting



WINDRIVER REFLECTIONS
9x12  Pastel Painting



Wyoming Art for the Cure

PICNIC AT HAYDEN VALLEY my donation to Art for the Cure 9x12 pastel painting done in the summer of 2010 at Yellowstone Park Wyoming Art for the Cure, a live and silent art auction of art work by regional artists  will be held on April 29, 2011 from 6-9pm at Little America Hotel! The event is open to the community, and all monies raised at the Wyoming Art for the Cure event are donated directly to the Wyoming Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Find out about how to purchase tickets at their website http://www.artforthecure.org/home/.

Another one finished ...this time the Wilderness Art Challenge

Buffalo Sunrise 
11x14 Watercolor and Pastel Painting

In March I started this painting as part of Gary Keimig's Wilderness Art Challenge.  I began the painting as a watercolor but wanted to make it more atmospheric so I used my pastels to create a light misty effect.  I used the challenge photograph for the initial painting, but I was strongly influenced by my memory of a wonderful vacation to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Up early one morning my husband and I encountered a group of buffalo grazing in an early morning fog.  That morning gathering was mystical and would never be forgotten!

Finished the Painting! Turquoise Pot with Vegetables....



"Turquoise Pot with Vegetables"



I just finished the large 12 by 16 inch version of my pastel painting "Turquoise Pot with Vegetables". The two little studies, one of which I showed you last week,  went quick but I kept fussing with the large one for all of the past week.  If you read my blog you know I have been working toward using more vivid colors.  Now that I am getting more comfortable, I really am having fun working in the color red! Growing up as a redhead, I never wore any red clothing so subconsciously I think I ignored it in my art.  To get to the point, it has only been maybe the last 6 months that I have ventured in the world of  red.  So stand by, and we will see where the road leads!

Easter Show at the Cheyenne Artist Guild



The Turquoise Pot

I am in the process of completing a 12 x 16 inch still life of a potted plant with veggies.  While working on the large piece, I did two small studies in pastel of the pot with a small portion of the plant visible.  This  5x8 inch study can be seen at the Cheyenne Artist Guild's Easter Show through the month of April. 

New Adventures

Yesterday, for the first time in my life I was interviewed on television!  Andrea Presse from the Wyoming Women's Business Center asked me to join her in an interview by representing my art business on a  segment on our local Channel 5 television station. Andrea and I have become friends over the past year, after I  attended some of her workshops that were geared to help women plan as well as start up a small business.  Because she also has an art background, she has been instrumental  in helping me  figure out what would be needed to get my business going as well as supporting me in learning about all the paperwork that needs to be filed.  As an artist, the tendency is to stay isolated, working  in the studio but Andrea encouraged me to venture outside and explore new possibilities in the world of art.  During the television segment, I was surprised to learn  that Wyoming is at the top of the nation for businesses owned by women.  In my opinion, the numbers have partially  been reached through encouragement and the programs available at the Wyoming Women's Business Center.  It is exciting to be part of the group of women in Wyoming that are taking the initiative to reach for their dreams.    Thanks, Andrea for your support!

Wyoming Women's Business Center
http://www.wyomingwomen.org

Back to an impression of the landscape



"The Day before Spring"  5x7 Pastel Painting



My first love in paintings has always been Impressionism.  This past week was my turn to submit a photo for the Weekly Art Challenge.  I took the opportunity to go back to my favorite style with a photo of Curt Goudy Park showing the lake frozen in early spring.  When taking the photo I was impressed by the sparking colors of the snow and ice  helping me to visualize a soft atmospheric painting with just a hint of the impression of  reflections of a winter wonderland.  The photo could not capture the true beauty of the day or the way the light would show through the haze  letting me know spring would  soon be here and that the pristine winter landscape would soon be full of the warm glow of life's new season.  Fortunately, the photo was enough to jog my memory of the beauty of Curt Goudy Park that early spring day,  renewing my enthusiasm to paint the scene.  I hope my painting can jog your memory of such a time and place.

An Exercise in Color

THE RED PEPPER

You may think I have gone totally crazy with my colors this week,  but there is a reason for the madness as they say.....  I didn't go into this painting expecting the brightness but kept thinking about a group of artists that came after the Impressionists, they painted with wild abandon  and vivid colors. They were called the Fauves or "wild beasts".  In this painting I wanted  to get away from tightness in style, color and work toward a using just a few strokes to get across the idea.  My painting is done on 9 x12" Wallis paper, using primarily Nu Pastels and a few Rembrandts.  So till next week... I'm turning it in and letting the results of the experience gel on my shelf for a while, calling it quits from this "beastly" painting!

Wow, what an exciting weekend at the Western Spirit Art Show!

Yes, I had a exciting weekend! Friday evening, we artists and the sponsors met at the Holiday Inn to  visit with  friends old and new.  While we were visiting slides of our art were projected on a big screen, making an exciting 1st glimpse of Saturdays unveiling!  The next day during the artist's seminar we  were glued to our seats absorbing invaluable knowledge relayed to us by various speakers among which were the judges, Jerry Palen, Matt Flint and Sarah Woods.  Also speaking was Cheyenne's own Mike Beeman, discussing the importance of simplifying subject matter.  After an information packed day  and a couple of hours of rest, we met that evening for the opening of the 2011 exhibit.  The Old Fort Museum was jam packed with wonderful art, a huge crowd, and plenty of food, drink and music.  A fantastic party was had by all that attended.  So if you didn't make it out Saturday evening, drop by the museum sometime before April 17th and check out the great art from around the country!




Reflections on the Lake, one of my pastel paintings jured into this show.

 

Western Spirit Art Show

It's almost time for the Old West Museum to present the annual  Western Spirit Art Show and Sale with all its  informative fun festivities and also showcasing the works of over 130 artists!  I am excited and proud to be one of the artist which had been juried into this premier exhibit! You can come out and see my 6 pastel  pieces of art on display from March 5- April 17, 2011. The exhibit kicks off On March 5th at 8 am with an artist seminar on Saturday.  In the evening the opening night reception, will be an exciting Cheyenne event with food, music and at 7:30 a quick draw by some of the participating artists! Their work will  then be auctioned.  For more information on attending this Cheyenne event check out the link at the Old West Museum.

Here are two of my pastel paintings that will  be shown  during this  exhibit. 




Cheyenne Iris

 


Trout Pond

 

Chickadee in the Snow

I just finished this 5x7 pastel painting inspired by the Wilderness Art Challenge Blog with photos posted by artist, Gary Keimig.  Once a month he posts a photo and artists from far and near post their version of his challenge!  It's allways fun and thought provoking to see so many different versions of one photograph. While painting my chicadee, I was thinking about  the snow  we have here in this part of the world and I had to make my little change to the subject matter to express my love of our Wyoming winter!

If you want to see more Chicadees check out Gary's blog for the rest of the month at http://wildernessartchallenge.blogspot.com/

Arts Alliance of Cheyenne

A new organization is now online to inform the citizens of Cheyenne and surrounding communities of whats going on with art in the city of Cheyenne.  You can check out their calendar easily to find out the latest events. The website is http://artsalliancecheyenne.com/

Apple, Crackers and Cheese

"Apple Crackers and Cheese" Pastel 5x7 Paintings

It's been hard the last week to focus on paintings.  January always means new beginnings but it also means time to regroup and gather all the paperwork for tax time will soon be here.  Trying to accomplish both organizing my stack  of papers and creating art does not  merge for the best painting outcomes.  I did focus long enough to take the wet canvas webinar this weekend and finish this 5x7 pastel painting.  Working on it was a well deserved escape from my ever growing stack of paperwork! 

Link for Free Webinar for the rest of the session

The following is a  email notification I received for the new webcode to be able to attend the web classes presented through Wet Canvas on the upcoming weekends.... 

Here is a new web class registration code so you can continue taking these FREE live art classes. This code is now universal meaning you use it for all the remaining web classes until April 17.  So please store in where you can find it easily. You will get a reminder each week. Please click on the link below and type in your name and your email address. Double check your email address because Johannes will be sending you hand outs and other class related matters so you don’t want to miss this. F&W Media (publishers of The Artists Magazine and most of the art related educational books distributed in the world) and Johannes are looking to see you back this coming weekend  on Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 5 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Registration Web Link: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/616569648

Wet Canvas Webinar

I just finished watching the first of 12 weeks of Live web classes made available by Wet Canvas.  The first class discussed how to use photographs for your paintings and how to avoid the pitfalls of the camera. There was lots of great information so I thought maybe you would want to register also.  I have the information from the web site and how to register in the following paragraphs below. You will also need to register as a member to www.wetcanvas.com to get the class handouts.  The link for the handouts will be at www.wetcanvas.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?=553.  Let me know if you think the classes helped spur some new ideas for your paintings!

 You're invited to take free, live and interactive web art courses on weekends. Johannes Vloothuis, an award winning professional artist, will host a series of web classes, Every Saturday and Sunday Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST until April 17. Join him this weekend for How to Use Photos to Create Stunning Landscape Paintings: Do you feel stuck in your painting? Do you find yourself second guessing what will your next step will be? Even if you have never painted or painted a little, how about starting your art with a good foundation? We all rely on photos to develop our paintings, but how much of the information should we include or edit? Johannes Vloothuis, an award winning, professional artist will host a 12 weekend complete course on how to use photos to create stunning paintings. He will provide answers and help you overcome the common problematic areas in your paintings that result from photo dependency. Click here to register and join him and many others fellow artists in this unique course!


https://www1.gotowebinar.com/register/589190704

Exploring Color and Texture while catching up...

I am posting a painting I just finished that is  also a part of the Weekly Artist Challenge.  The original photo was one I submitted in August of my son, quite a few years ago, while at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans.   After the initial sketch I lost the feeling for the painting, but the work I have  been doing in the last  few weeks, exploring texture, helped me get back into the frame of mind to finish it.  Once I dug  in, I remembered how fun it is to sometimes  let go, not trying to go for exact reality.  All the while experimenting using different colors than normally would be used in portraiture to capture the New Orleans  atmosphere!




Sketch done in August



Finished Painting of "Memories of Cafe Du Monde"

 


 

Good Bye 2010

It's the last day of the year, Good Bye 2010! This year has presented many new changes for me, sharing my art with all my friends and family through my website and this blog; actively pursuing entering shows;  furthering my art education by venturing out attending workshops; joining art associations and groups; and finally just getting out and painting the wonderful Wyoming landscape and environment.  With each new challenge I have found rewarding experiences and an awakening in new possibilities and directions to  take my artistic journey.    This past year, traveling the road to improve my art, has been a journey in joy and expression I had forgotten for a quite a few years.  There is something about the extremes of the Wyoming landscape and the people around me  that captures the wonder and excitement to motive my artistic mind. At this minute, looking out my window the snows and winds of a New Year's Eve blizzard has me anxious to grab a new sheet of paper and begin capturing this wonderland Wyoming!

To end the year, I'm posting 2 small 5x7 pastel paintings done before the storm.  Both paintings are part of a Weekly Artist Challenge group I belong.  Photos are submitted each week and each participating artist turns in their interpretation of the photo. A show will be held in January at the Cheyenne Artist Guild  exhibiting the groups most recent work.  I will have two of my pastel painting from earlier in the year hanging in the show.

This painting was from a WAC photo submitted on Dec 12th.  I'm a little behind  on the challenges but hope to catch up soon! 

This painting, also from a WAC submission, is revisiting  a photo and  painting done in October of a "A Dance in  the Garden". Knowing the snow was coming I couldn't resist one last look at the beauty of our Wyoming summers.

RSVP ArtFest Award!

It's been an exciting weekend.  I was thrilled to receive the 1st place award in pastels for Wind River Reflections and an honorable mention for my pastel Picnic at Haden Valley. Chris Schranck, artist from Denver and judge for the RSVP show,  presented a inspiring workshop.  Those that attended were energized to get out and explore the possibilities of trying new media and using it in new ways!  It is going to be fun  to explore the new ideas the past couple of days has sparked. 

RSVP ArtFest at the Laramie County Public Library in Cheyenne, WY

Three of my paintings will be showing during the RSVP ArtFest  November 16-December 21st.  They are located in the main hall as you enter the library by the coffee shop.

 "WIND RIVER REFLECTIONS"
Pastel painting of the Wind River
at Duboise, Wyoming.

This was a beautiful site where we camped in our RV at the Long Horn Ranch.  The water was so clear and blue.  As I was working I saw a storm coming, but before the storm reached us the water had turned a blood red color. It was quite a dramatic sight.  Fortunately, I had taken a photo to begin with so I was able to finish this painting at home with no threat of rain!

"A DANCE IN THE GARDEN"
An impressionist view of a flower garden done in pastels.

Getting Ready For Shows

It's been busy and I have not had the time to paint as I have wanted to the last couple of weeks.  Getting ready for Christmas shows I have spent all my painting time framing.  It's not as fun, but necessary, especially to display pastel work. 

If you're not familiar with pastels think of chalk on the teachers chalk board then think of all the colors of the rain bow smudged into a muddy mess.  One wrong touch can absolutely destroy hours of work so there is really no such thing as only matting.  Pastel  work must be covered to protect it! But accidents do happen, recently while working in my studio, my cat, Sasha, sat right in the middle of a painting as I was preparing it to be matted, adding her own special signature!  Fortunately she has  lots of artistic ability and I was able to finish framing my work! 


 

Sasha resting after a hard day of helping me paint!



This painting of Sasha will go to an upcoming exhibit at Works of Wyoming "Aah..Affordable Art" from 11/19/2010 through 12/31/2010. To find out more about the exhibit check out http://worksofwyoming.org/

RVs, Lunch and Paint!

Recently my husband and I traveled to Yellowstone, the colors of the land were some of the most beautiful we had ever seen in that part of the world.   Our stop for lunch from the side of the road in Haden Valley was the inspiration for this pastel painting.   I was amazed by the streak of light that cut across the landscape by the little stream below.  It's contrast was almost like lightning streaking through the grassland!