Bartoe Art

Sunset #6

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:38:00 +0000

Sunset #6

ACEO - 2 1/2 x 3 1/2"

colored pencil on paper

Click HERE to Bid

This is my favorite of the ACEO Sunset Series to date. I'm not sure why but it could be the colors, the composition, the subject or maybe all three combined.

Once I had a family member ask me how they would know when art is good. My response: when you like it.

Sunset #5

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:02:00 +0000

Sunset #5

ACEO 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 "

colored pencil on paper

Bid HERE!

My Video 3/31/12 at OneTrueMedia.com

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:17:00 +0000

This is a montage video of the work "Mac Sleeping". This colored pencil work on paper measures 16 x 20".

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Final Look

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 03:35:00 +0000

"My Neighbor's Fence"

14 x 20"

Colored pencil on paper

I completed this piece about a year ago to enter into a show but it didn't make the cut. So, being the sensitive artist that I am, I put it aside because rejection is never easy.

But recently I dug this up to take another look and was quite pleased with it and myself. So I thought I'd share the final work with all of you and let you, my readers, be the judge. Yep, give me your honest opinion.

Once, I had someone describe being an artist as similar to standing naked on a busy street corner. You expose yourself and your work and need to be ready to take the response you receive. Not always easy, but something we are driven to do. Ahh, for thicker skin, no?

ACEO Colored Pencil Drawing - "Sunset 4"

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:05:00 +0000

"Sunset 4"

ACEO - 2 1/2 x 3 1/2"

colored pencil drawing on paper

If interested in owning this collectible, click HERE.

New Series - Sunset ACEOs

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 18:33:00 +0000

"Sunset #3"

ACEO (2 1/2 x 3 1/2")

colored pencil on paper

Click HERE to bid

More of My Current WIP

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:34:00 +0000

As you can see, I have begun the tedious (but enjoyable) process of working on the bedding. Again, I am trying to use the paper as the mid-tone, but it's not always possible to do considering all the color in this comforter.

Sometimes, as an artist, you just connect with a piece you are working on more than others; this is one of those pieces. I'm not sure if it's the composition, the color, my paper choice, my medium choice or the fact that the model is my grandson. Or, perhaps, all of the above. Anyway, I feel this one is going to be one of my favorites. If I do not mess it up!

New WIP - Mac Sleeping

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 14:33:00 +0000

This is a new colored pencil piece I have been working on recently. It measures 16 x 20" and is on Mi Teints gray paper. It is an image of my grandson I took recently while he was napping at my house.

My goal with this piece is to work so that the grey paper stays the mid-tone and shows through. Hopefully, I will be able to resist drawing on every single inch of this paper and stay true to my goal.

I will continue to post more pictures of this piece as it progresses.

Second ACEO in the Sunset Series

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:48:00 +0000

Sunset 2
ACEO
Colored Pencil on Bristol archival paper
SOLD

You can bid on this small, 2 1/2 x 3 1/2" ACEO colored pencil drawing here. I plan on doing about 12-15 of these guys.

New Series - Sunset ACEOs

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 18:06:00 +0000

Just completed this one last night. It is an ACEO (Art Card Originals and Editions) and measures 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. It is an original colored pencil drawing on Bristol archival paper.

The plan is to do a series of about 12-15 of these babies.

If you would like to bid on this one, click the title of this blog post. You'll get there.

Yay! This one SOLD!

A New Name

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:47:00 +0000

"My Neighbor's Fence"

colored pencil

14 x 20"

Still at it. Getting prepared and competing in the Art at the Arnold sidelined my progress a bit. But I have been working steadily on this drawing all week.

One of the great benefits of blogging is that you receive feedback from your readers. One reader, much more savvy than I, let me know that my original title "Poison Ivy" would not be a good idea as the ivy I am drawing is something else entirely. And since I have no idea what it is (I am not a gardener), I have changed the title to "My Neighbor's Fence". I am rather pleased with it, too, because it's such a great metaphor for having good neighbors (which we do).

So, thank you, readers for keeping me in line and for your feedback. I really appreciate it!

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:28:00 +0000

"After the Fall"

Oil on canvas

16 x 20"

This past weekend, I was one of fifty artists chosen to participate in an art competition at the Arnold Fitness Classic in Columbus, Ohio. On Friday morning, we worked from live models who were also athletes competing in several of the events that weekend. Then Friday afternoon, were turned loose with our cameras to photograph whatever we liked.

Bright and early Saturday morning, the competition began with all 50 of us setting up and painting from whichever photograph most inspired us. Mine was the little girl you see above.

After seeing her fall (she wasn't hurt - but emotionally, devastated), I realized that most of the time, the winners of any sporting event are the ones photographed, highlighted and painted. But so many don't win; I wanted to show the emotion they might experience after months and years of practice have gone into a single moment when the outcome is not so glorious.

This paint out is an emotional event for the artists competing as well. We paint with each other and can see our competitors work progressing and can judge ours rather harshly in the process. Over 250,000 people attend the Arnold Classic and many, many of them stopped to watch us work, which also adds to the excitement/anxiety. All the while a clock is ticking: 8 hours to complete a painting or drawing which is judged the next morning.

Oh, I forgot to mention that at one point, I was in my zone, headphones on, brush in hand and suddenly I realized that there were a LOT of cameras all around me. I turned to find Arnold himself leaning over my shoulder and looking at my work. He wanted to know why the little girl was crying, so we had a heart to heart about my motivation. Pressure there, too.

So Arnold, media, crowds, peers and a time crunch all make for an exciting day. I loved every minute of it.

On Sunday, we arrived early again to find out the results. First, second and third places were awarded and, alas, I was not one of them. No bitterness; all of the winners' work was fabulous. Just disappointment and creeping self-doubt.

I guess my painting was apropos for what I, too, was feeling after my competition.

Continued Progress - Poison Ivy

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:27:00 +0000

Whew. This represents about 4-5 hours worth of work. The fiddly bits on the right side with all the water spots and mold are a real challenge. One I am enjoying, though.

Poison Ivy - More Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 14:51:00 +0000

More work on the "poison ivy" piece.

I wanted to share how I am rendering the fence with all of the mold and character. Instead of using browns I have chosen to use chartreuse and various light green colors along with lavender and purples while throwing in some pinks and peaches for good measure.

The colors are mixing beautifully and giving me the effect I had hoped for. Check out my color mixing blog here if you are interested at all in learning more about mixing colored pencils. Remember, they are translucent and layer very well for color mixing.

"Poison Ivy"

14 x 22"

colored pencil on Stonehenge

More Work In Progress - colored pencil

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:26:00 +0000

Boy, this one is slow going. To try to render the moldy wood realistically is a challenge. But, overall I think it's beginning to come together.

I haven't decided yet on a title. So, I'm just calling it poison ivy right now.

I am working exclusively in colored pencil for this one on Stonehenge paper. Rather large: 14 x 22".

New Digs; New Work

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:37:00 +0000

Recently, I was accepted into an artist studio group, Junctionview, where an old warehouse was renovated with many art studios. I couldn't be happier. I have my own space away from the house where I only work on my art. It's fabulous for me.

I have an amazing studio at home; however, I just had the hardest time working there. There was always a load of laundry to do, a phone call to take, a visitor - you know the drill. I just wasn't good at working at home. Has anyone else had this problem. I can't believe I am the only one.

So here's a little bit of my current work in progress. It's a colored pencil drawing on Stonehenge paper which measures 14 x 22". It's very slow work and the piece is large for a colored pencil drawing (and for me), but I am very happy with it so far.

Backlit Roses WIP - 2

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 20:51:00 +0000

More of my current colored pencil project. This one is very grainy and not burnished at all. Am rather liking it this way. We'll see what I come up with as it progresses.

Roses - WIP

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 14:58:00 +0000

My next work in progress: 9 x 6 1/2" colored pencil drawing on Stonehenge. Got to thank my brother, Brian, once again for a fantastic reference photo.

I am really enjoying this one and can't wait to work on it. Maybe it's the complimentary orange/yellow/blue/purple colors.

Not sure yet of its title. I'll keep you posted.

Shadowplay at OneTrueMedia.com

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:50:00 +0000

My video montage of my latest colored pencil drawing, "Shadowplay".

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Shadowplay WIP - Almost Finished

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 14:17:00 +0000

This piece is almost finished. Just a few more tweaks and touches should bring it around.

Shadowplay WIP - Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:23:00 +0000

My goal with this piece was to create a work of realism but with an abstact-like composition. I have a few more planned with this idea in mind as well.

"Shadowplay"

colored pencil

7 1/2 x 9 1/2"

Shadowplay - WIP Continues

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 15:29:00 +0000

Continuing my post from yesterday, my current colored pencil drawing in progress.

Shadowplay - New Work In Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 20:53:00 +0000

Finally, I have started a new colored pencil drawing. It has been a long time and I was beginning to think I had forgotten how to use my pencils. Only time will tell, but so far so good.

My brother, Brian, has been taking some incredible photographs which he generously has given me permission to use as reference photos so I hope to have several more of these done soon.

I am using Stonehenge paper and the drawing measures 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches.

Meeting Arnold

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:53:00 +0000

"Number 9"

16 x 20" oil on canvas

What a great weekend! I can't remember when I've had this much fun with my art! Heady stuff, too. Lots of press, paparazzi, stars and attention.

We artists at "Art at the Arnold" painted our competition piece on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In that time, we had crowds of people (over 150,000 people attend the Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic) watching us and asking questions. Oh, yeah, and Sly Stallone stopped by and interrupted me for a bit.

Sunday was showtime. The judge had chosen the top twelve pieces for Arnold to view and I was so excited to see that I was included in this group! But we had to wait over an hour to see the Governator, and when he arrived it was with such an entourage (I don't know how people live like this) and greeted and spoke to each of us in the final dozen.

My patron/husband/photographer was kept behind security lines under threat of death or imprisonment and could not get a great shot but here I am talking to Mr. S himself.

No, I didn't win any prizes this year, but I truly hope they do it again and I am able to participate. I had the time of my life. And my 15 minutes of fame. Now I am off to put my head back on straight and get back to work. (Contented sigh......)

Arnold Art

noreply@blogger.com (Rhonda Bartoe Tucker) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:47:00 +0000

Graphite and chalk sketch

8 1/2 x 11"

Arnold Schwarzenegger (aka: the governator) is in Columbus this weekend. I hope to get the chance to meet him on Sunday.

Why is this even on my blog, you ask? Because every year, Arnold hosts a huge Sports and Fitness Expo here in our fair city http://www.arnoldsportsfestival.com/. This year, along with the bodybuilding competitions and various other sports, 50 artists from all over were selected to paint or draw the athletes. I was lucky enough to be chosen to participate.

So, today we had athlete/models to sketch and draw for several hours then we were turned loose throughout the convention with our digital cameras and sketchpads. Tomorrow we will show up bright and early (7:30 a.m.!) to begin to create a piece that we will frame and have ready for a show on Sunday. There are prizes awarded and Arnold himself is choosing a favorite.

Today was so much fun and such a pleasure to have these amazing athletes to model for us. (However, they had no idea that holding a pose for hours could be so physically challenging.)

So, now you know why the Terminator is on my blog.