Art By Erika

Garden Party at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Sun, 15 May 2016 20:07:00 +0000

"Crystal Springs" 9x12 watercolor on paper

My plein air group PAPO (Plein Air Painters of the Ozarks) was invited to the garden party that Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. They wanted it to be an educational experience for visitors so can learn how artists take in the outdoors. They even provided the guests watercolor supplies! CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE BIGGER VERSION

My thumbnail sketches

Something I am training myself to do more often is to draw thumbnail sketches of my composition. I don't know if I actually enjoy doing it but I seem to sell most pieces that I take time to do it for lol

drawing

Then while keeping an eye on both the subject and my chosen thumbnail composition, I draw. I have double vision problem so when I feel intimidated by all the details of a landscape, I use modified contour drawing method.

Painting begins

I build up the painting from light to dark which gives me option to change things as as I go and slowly enrich the colors. Note on the upper part of photo, a guest was painting along with me. She's a jeweler and we had a nice chat while painting :)

Finished in Bentonville!

On my way home I saw bicyclists posing in front of this wall for photo so I thought I'd get my shot too :D

A Nice Replenishing of my Art Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Wed, 27 Apr 2016 21:53:00 +0000

Since the end of last year, I have been feeling tapped out of my artistic inspirations because I feel my recent art are no longer feeding my passion.

I am currently on vacation in Southern California visiting my folks for the annual joint birthday celebrations with my dear Mom. We have determined to alternate taking trips so this time was my turn.

Yesterday, I opened a beautiful birthday gift that I believe refilled my urge to create more art. My best friend Hillary Miller arranged a get together with a our mutual college friend Kamilia Hardy and our college art mentor Donald Lagerberg. I hadn't seen Kamilia for years and Don...possibly since shortly before I graduated. All four of us are drawn together by our love of art specifically figures.

The venue was The Bowers Museum in the city of Santa Ana. After gathering in the lobby we headed to the Tangata Restaurant where there were only a couple tables occupied. We selected a table in a shaded part of the patio in a more private corner. Don commented that the scene looked like a Sargent painting with softened overhead light from the sun illuminating us and the white stucco wall behind. Spirited and joyful exchange of art related stories erupted instantly after briskly getting settled. Nothing about the food distracted the momentum as they were outstanding and eaten at a comfortable pace. We tried to pause a few times in attempt to head out to the exhibits "Alright let's go see the exhibit about dead bodies!..." but another thought interjected that required discussing. The restaurant was buzzing by the time we successfully left the table.

The California art collection was nice but we had all seen it before and a section was in repair. So we marched on to the wonderfully extensive Mummies exhibit. I think we were all pleasantly surprised by the size of the show! It was very engaging and of course we are students of anatomy and figures so we very much enjoyed it. We tested our forensic skills theorizing cause of deaths based on CT scans provided and the the actual bodies. I think we did ok. We also learned how to shrink heads. :) I appreciated the initial stop, a 2 minute video that mindfully requested guests to be respectful of the mummies we were about to see.

We declined the narrating gadgets. Our group slowly meandered through multiple rooms that seemed endless as we quietly indulged in a few short conversations. We took our time so that by the time we finally reached the end, the museum staff was courteously exuding their "hurry up already" energy by the exit doors.

Today I decided to do some studies of one scene from the afternoon that I might turn into a painting. I remember the warm interior walls reflected from the red tile floors and the bright sunlight from a tall narrow window. Kamilia was seated on a bench under one of the California landscape paintings while Hillary sat on the tiled bench under the window. Don settled on the opposite corner of the bench where he shared a few more art stories.

You know I get the nudging feeling when I see genre paintings by past artists. I hope I can satisfy that urge in 2016.

Thankful for you...

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Thu, 26 Nov 2015 05:20:00 +0000

Annual Plein Air art exhibit

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 03:04:00 +0000

This evening, Friday, November 20, a plein air group I belong to PAPO (Plein Air Painters of the Ozark) is having artist reception at the Visit Bentonville which is in Downtown Bentonville, Arkansas.

Please click to play video ~

"En plein air (French pronunciation) or plein air painting, is a phrase borrowed from the French equivalent meaning "open (in full) air". " ~ Wikipedia

They tend to be smaller paintings.... 4"x6" - to whatever size the artist chooses. Common sizes are 4x6, 6x8, 8x10, etc. The tradition is the artists paint as much as they can while at the location and call it good. Some use the paintings as studies for a bigger paintings they plan to produce in their studio with the help perhaps of some photos they took. I often paint on location, take photos, and finish the piece in my studio. I also occasionally embellish my final results by adding people, etc. A local artist I highly respect made a statement I can't forget. Fred Betz declared that "Every landscape needs something that poops!" Since that time it's been very difficult for me to leave a landscape painting without adding something two-legged or 4-legged!

Some of the paintings at the PAPO show 2015

Plein air pieces I tackle are fairly manageable sizes so I usually go ahead and frame them myself, mostly to save on expenses. It's not because I take joy in handling a whole different set of tools from my paint brushes to hammer and electrical things at all, since I am extremely bad with measuring and numbers and I am always in danger of damaging the painting because I am mostly working with one arm! Those wires in the back don't ever satisfy me at all because they're never as tight as I'd like them to be. Still I'm definitely grateful that I can do it at all and as I said, to cut back on expenses and keep the prices more reasonable.

So I thought I'd go ahead and create short video of what it takes to prepare for this art show. I'm sure fellow artists would say it's still a very limited depiction of what we had to do. For instance, it took a couple hours designing the installation; moving the paintings all over with people climbing up and down the ladder. This was all before the title cards were organized with great precision and exhibit statement was written up. I must say the group did a mighty fine job to get us ready for the curtain call!

My Memorably Long Road

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 00:24:00 +0000

"Woman in Pink & Gold" 16x20 oil and gold leaf on canvas

I do give private art lessons. But not the kind of lessons that say - "this is the process of creating art". The students I have varying levels of artists who need guidance in accomplishing their art according to their skills and comfort levels.

My long road to an experimental portrait

I don't have one specific way to accomplishing a painting. Sometimes I underpaint in blue, green, earth tones, even hot pink or purple etc lol! I do create thumbnails first though. And I either do a bunch of pencil studies or go directly to Photoshop. But my studies are to determine composition and values and color arrangements. Then I do fleshtone studies. Then I go all over the place hahaha This particular commission, because client said, "Do whatever your artistic calling wants you to do." So I took my time. This project took 3.5 years. I wanted to express the energy the subject puts out. For the longest time, the traditional way I paint portraits competed strongly with what my creative self wanted to do, it was quite a battle oye! My mood went all over the place.

After much denial and negotiating and finally reaching surrender and acceptance, I was worn out; ready to listen to my creative self. I took the unexplored road to gold leaf and gold paints. The subject likes bling and she looks loveliest among gold colors and she likes purples and pinks. Very, very slowly, I proceeded this direction. Things were finally "feeling" more comfortable. I wasn't missing the defiance from where ever the heck that energy was coming from. This was still a bit nerve wracking because I don't do commissions herky jerky. I only allow myself more play when it's just "my art".

Detail shot it wasn't easy to photograph

By the way, I usually either have TV or audible on when I'm painting because I need to divide my attention or I overthink things and scare myself. Well I kid you not, when I finally felt I had just applied the last touch on the portrait, the trailer from from "Woman in Gold" played on my studio TV! WHOAH cue Twilight Zone music! YEAH I felt like it was a sign of validation from Creative Universe giving me thumbs up for winning my battle the correct way!

Anna with "Woman in Pink & Gold"

Then Anna received her painting and she was delighted! And immediately had it framed!!! I was so dang worried when we were having tornado warnings, I was gonna get sooooo mad if the 3.5 year old project got flown to the land of OZ! I suggested she saw the movie too which she did :) Weeks later Mom and I went to see it too and loved my idol Helen Mirren.

Though my current commission pieces on the easel are traditional, I really enjoyed this project so much after the fact hahaha I am happier that I didn't settle for my usual traditional style because it wouldn't have done Anna justice.

"Yellow and Red Roses" 4x6 oil on canvas collection of Patrick and Adriane Carr

Today the buyer of a recent painting I published on Facebook posted a beautifully framed photo of the painting! It really puts a big smile on my silly face when I see that my works live in good homes :)

Plein Air to Farmer's Market 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Fri, 24 Apr 2015 19:50:00 +0000

"Bentonville Farmer's Market" 8x10 oil on canvas

I hosted the first paint out with PAPO (Plein Air Painters of the Ozark) this year. We had it at Downtown Bentonville. It was so spring fresh with bright green leaves on the trees and grounds and the tulips in multiple colors all over the square!

I decided to capture the monument and fountain which was full of tulips and the courthouse in the background.

Karolyn Ferrell and Erika Nelson photo by Cindy Ho

There are more photos from the event at this link PAPO At lunch I decided not to join the group for lunch and headed home because I wasn't feeling well and the weather changing to the forecast-ed stormy afternoon.

This is how my painting evolved with final version as farmer's market shown on top of my palette above.

Underpainting of my piece

Erika Nelson's original plein air piece April 8, 2015

But I decided it needed to look like how I most enjoy the square - with the farmer's market going on, on a Saturday morning, with vendors and people and performers around it. We all had a great day!

An Art video for my birth month!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 01:23:00 +0000

~There is Youtube video on this post~

I can't believe I've gone over a year since my last post! My apologies to readers who missed me! When my studio became move-in ready back in January 2014 my art life simply got beyond manageable to also accommodate my blogging.

Today I was actually editing a video with most of my art from 2014 when I stumbled upon my videos of me painting my birthday cake from last year. So I ended up setting aside the big video I was working on and started editing this. To my great surprise I finished it in one day lol! Goodness I didn't realize I'm all over the place when I paint haha Goes to tell you - document yourself when you can as you will be pleasantly surprised later!

This is it for now and hopefully the bigger video will soon follow. Hope you're having a lovely spring season! :)

An Active Art Studio!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Sat, 01 Feb 2014 05:02:00 +0000

"Frenly and Princess" 8x10 oil on canvas

I've been steadily busy since my last post. The holiday season meant finishing most of my 2013 commissions and giving the art studio construction a big push. Sadly, December was also a time for sudden loss when my father-in-law passed away. Mom came out for three weeks and dedicated her time helping get my studio organized.

As a result of this unusually busy time, I will have lots of images to share but I've compressed them into collages and short film.

The image above is fresh off my easel. After I posted on my Facebook page last night, I knew I'd wake up wanting to tweak it. It looked very monochromatic and Princess was not looking very golden. I painted it for a little girl named Frenly from the Philippines. Last year she drew my portrait and sent it via Facebook. I told her I'd do a portrait of her too. Here is my portrait

Frenly holding Erika's portrait

Now for a video of how I painted her :)

The studio is not completely done but I've been enjoying the comforts it offers. I love that it's WELL LIT! I love that it's warm in there despite the cold weather in the mid-west. And I have an excuse to be messsssy it's because it's an art studio!!! I can also just wheel over to whatever I need! etc. etc. How blessed am I? It didn't come easy and it wasn't cheap, but maybe it's like giving birth from what I hear - you don't remember the pain. Hmm actually I do hahaha But in time, it will all get buried under happier memories! I will always have happy memories of all the people who supported me in this and physically and monetarily helped. In a nutshell, wonderful moral support!

Here are some work I've done lately. Basically some oil, some watercolors and even acrylics but all portraits!

The one portrait between the watercolors is a project I am doing for a documentary. It's a portrait on a mussel shell! But it's not quite ready; I have to paint it again on a bigger mussel shell! This will probably be my next blog post!

Finally a picture from my studio flanked by my two loved ones husband Scott and Mom :)

Art By Erika Studio

Wishing all my readers a joyful, healthful and prosperous New Year! Thanks so much for keeping me company! Don't forget the images are clickable to get bigger version :) Take care!

Exhibits, and gallery and hospital OH MY!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 05:57:00 +0000

Tomorrow is artist reception for Plein Air Artists of the Ozarks(PAPO) group which I belong to. I rarely can ever participate because of so many reasons. But I was pleased to be able to join them few days after I was released from the hospital for something unexpected but happily resolved finally.

I was so pleased to finally be among fellow artists generating creative energy! The one I was painting there was a bit too squiggly though as my arms just felt a lot like jello still. But I had fun.

So I kept trying and about 3 weeks later I finally felt more "normal" my normal anyway. I began to paint like I expected and was able to finish new pieces for the show. Click images to see bigger version thanks.

"Walton's 5&10" 8x10 watercolor

"Sunset on the Java" 8x10 watercolor


"Laughlin House in the Fall" 8x10 watercolor

I was also in 2 art shows that were juried. The Annual Regional Artists of Northwest Arkansas and the Illinois White River Project Show.

Another exciting news is a Facebook friend who quickly grew dear to me has opened a gallery in Geneseo Illinois! It's called the DeBrock Galleria. She drove out to my area and picked up about 17 of my original works plus greeting cards! I'm so excited for her - the grand opening was November 1st. Here's a pic of my some of my works displayed

Geez I can't believe how much I've accomplished during and shortly after illness! So very thankful for my blessings! Hope you're having a lovely fall season or autumn :)I am posting without proofreading because my husband is hollering for me to get to bed!!!!

How do you thank normal?

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 02:49:00 +0000

We have been in the middle of converting our 2-car garage into my very first art studio which I blogged about in April 9 (Every Fiber of a Woman in Flight) The project had come to a full stop after the 4" concrete floor was poured late May because the floor was not even close to level and lumpy in several areas - not what you'd expect an interior concrete job should be! I knew this project was beyond my reach financially but my Mom and husband scraped together what little we had to come as close to a functional and inspiring space for me considering it has to accommodate my wheelchair so I can freely move around. But when I saw the floor, and after I had searched for why someone I was willing to pay would take my plight so negligently and without remorse expect me to accept it as good enough, I felt worse than this footage from the movie Inception. This was after all my ultimate dream;I felt shattered.

Get the idea? The surreal uncomfortable feeling and exploding floors etc? It's actually more about the eroding building scene but I couldn't find an isolated footage of it lol! But what is this nightmare??? What is this distorted world I'm in and why didn't I see all this coming?

Yet there apparently was a twinkling light in this mid-hell I was dropped in. Our new neighbor who I mainly knew as a talented architect and good family man who is always such an enthusiastic waver which always makes me smile a little bigger, Dave Burris had, from my first casual mention of this project, offered to make me drawings of the studio in trade for a big painting. He and his wife had recently viewed my art at a gallery and his reaction was "Your watercolors are phenomenal!" You know I meet a lot of "complimentary" people, and truly, in the back of my mind I'm always half thinking they're complimenting the damn wheelchair. Why? Because if compliments were sales, I'd be able to afford framing all the big art I'd really like to paint hahaha! Or if compliments were tickets to success this studio would have been done in a month.

Anyway, I gave Dave an update on the project and he basically responded with a plan that he's gonna make all the nonsense stop. Long story short, after much research on materials and corrective options, yesterday morning at 7-ish AM, July 26, he showed up with a new crew, prepped the bad floor and 2 hours later the concrete truck arrived and poured a more leveled top coat! My husband took pictures of the process because he was so impressed Dave was right in the concrete mud pushing the mix along with the 3 other men working!!!!

Hard to see the lumps in middle of original state but it was bad.

I wonder if he could see beyond my big smile; my self confidence was was also being restored. For months because of this situation and other art related "stories or drama" I've continuously lost faith in dreams and hopes and anything I might have thought were healthy goals and adult professional relationships, and any hope for new friendships. I've really felt that I was back in the pre-school of life surrounded by game playing children. I've looked for signs to confirm an inkling that maybe I needed to pay heed to THESE stop signs in my art path. But suddenly my works have been receiving real validations - a painting I did to escape my turmoil won the biggest award I've ever received and sold that same evening. Then another painting I just painted in watercolors to cheer myself up also got accepted in another major juried art show!

"Peonies in Watercolor" full sheet

Suddenly people I didn't know approach me in public as the artist who painted that winning piece! And then Dave did this extremely selfless,SELFLESS gesture. I asked him who was paying for this correction? I was shocked that a serious crew showed up and a concrete truck and he get got all messy himself! I wondered if his wife shrieked at his sight when he came home! Dave said, "It's all taken cared of, you have nothing to worry about!" With that, I issued a check to pay the balance of the original crew which I guess Dave had all sorted out as well.

When Dave returned at the end of the day (with his beautiful new baby girl on carrier he had on his back), to check on the floor, I asked him, "Why did you do this? Why did you take it all on to make it right and for nothing?" Without pausing to think, he responded, "Isn't this what people do for their neighbors? I just want to see you be able to move into your studio!"

Maybe I was that normal grateful person talking to him yesterday, but inside I was drenched in happy tears. I'm physically in tears typing this. Every time I allow myself a moment to think about this I feel I suddenly get weak soul deep and ready to collapse from sheer relief. I feel the sun on my face for the first time after sitting in the a dark cold place for months even though my husband and I have just stepped into another life challenge. But the foremost question I have is:

Is there ever a way to thank someone for something he thinks is just a normal kindness people do for others even though it happens to be the kindest thing ever done for me by a practical stranger?

My emotions still dizzy from this never-ending roller coaster ride called life. I decided to stare at my grandma's picture I took of her when she was alive a few years before we had to let her go at 97. She is my mentor for knowing joy no matter how bad things are. I was always able to make her bust up laughing and this was one of those specific times :) I drew the picture of her I took with the bird on her head as she tried to hold her laughter in hahaha! I have also been inspired by a quote:

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive." ~Walt Whitman

"Joy to Behold" charcoal on paper 9x12

In a way, I'm nervous. Maybe the big painting Dave has named as my end of the barter is really a giant mural. O-em-gee! God bless you and all your loved ones Dave Burris!

Best In Show at the Fayetteville Underground!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 05:17:00 +0000

(*Click on images to see bigger version)
Blessed are the people so happy when someone else has a magical moment. Here is my friend Mary, check her out smiling at my painting. If I didn't know better I'd think she was smiling because she saw it received an award. This is definitely one of the pictures I'll remember in my mind of that evening. BLESS YOU MARY and my over 100 Facebook friends who congratulated me! She was kind enough to drive me to the show reception for the First National Juried Show at the Fayetteville Underground with the theme "Women Take Flight". We got there early so we can get a good look at the entries before it got crowded.

If I remember right, there were 58 entries nationwide and 24 were accepted. I didn't take photos of the whole show but the entries were very creative in their concept and designs were strong.

Fayetteville Underground is a co-op of very talented artists. Aside from the juried show, the Fayetteville Underground artists were displayed on their respective walls. I was excited to see my friend Melissa Garrison's work up for the first time since she was accepted. Pictured here are just 1/3 of her pieces that were exhibited.

Oil landscapes by Melissa Garrison

Melissa builds her own frames, in fact she built the frame for my piece :D

I also met an artist I admired - M.M. Kent! He was so nice and said such nice things about my one entry :)

Art by M.M. Kent

Mary and I stepped out for a bit to enjoy the outdoor celebration of Fayetteville's First Thursday. Art was certainly celebrated well there with a bunch of booths and a live stage performance. There was even an

art class going on with children and adults painting!

Finally we went back to the gallery at 7:30 which was awards ceremony time. The first award given was "Best in Show for 'Fibers of Her Vision of Flight' by Erika Nelson" From behind people, I think Isaid, "That's me, I won!" And the people made way for me. As I received the the award, I was almost sure Best In Show meant 4th prize? I've received 1st Prize awards before but never "Best in Show" and usually, the top prize isn't awarded first. But they called the 2nd, and then the 3rd prizes and at this point I realized I won the top prize! OH MY GOD! I won the top prize! I can't believe it! I screamed and did somersaults inside me as I celebrated my discovery HAHAHAHA

The people who were in the know finally came up and told me their thrill when their favorite piece was chosen for the top prize by the juror Fran Otten who is a member of the Arkansas League of Artists and Mid-South Watercolorists (MSW). She also served as MSW president for four years. Her short speech before handing out awards came back to me that she was looking for good use of technique and design.

photo by Mary D.

I entered this show hoping I'd win and sell to add funds to my art studio building. I didn't realize that many things didn't register with me. One that it's a NATIONAL show, 2nd that the top prize is $1000.00!!!! And Melissa messaged me that night that my painting sold after we left! I have reached new high price for my "uncommissioned" oil painting this is $1,200.00! I'm ecstatic because my last high sale figure was my watercolor for same price but that was in California.

Meanwhile, there's not much progress with my studio. Construction is slowwww. But the latest progress is I've decided I want a glossy black door vs. using the paint I bought called "Drama red." lol

Erika Nelson's drawing of studio

Every Fiber of a Woman in Flight

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 02:34:00 +0000

This is my entry for Women in Flight juried art exhibit. I hope I'm correct in reading the prospectus that I didn't have to paint airplanes :) When thinking about it, I recalled a series of 18x24 paintings I did of women jumping or being in mid-air. My series was called "Leap of Faith" and all three pieces have sold! One of them flew all the way to Australia! The buyer first bought an ACEO painting which is a 2.5"x3.5" original watercolor then after receiving it, surprised me that she had taken the time to browse my art online and chose to buy one of my Leap of Faith piece! I learned that Australia will not accept package longer than 30 inches. My husband had to completely streamline and strengthen the packaging of the framed painting. And the painting arrived safely!

This piece was inspired by how I feel when I envision something that I feel it in every fiber of my body. When I want to take a leap of faith or "take flight"toward something important to me, it seems it's all I can think of.

"Fibers of her Vision of Flight" 25x30x1.5 oil on canvas

Can you see the female figures in flight? They are jumping to their dreams; their vision. :)

Why the blue eyes? My answer is I don't know. I just like to paint what I feel like painting when I take a modern approach. It's not as structured a process as when I paint traditional style. This painting was a blind journey from the beginning. I wasn't sure where it was going to lead and I'm really glad it proved enjoyable. My next project is a 10 million years old portrait commission. I'm ready to execute it.

What's currently throbbing in my fibers is my future art studio! Scott and I have decided to convert our garage to my very first honest to goodness piece of heaven ART STUDIO!!!! I will finally be in one room with all my art supplies and painting area! No more filling my head with memorizing what room I put what. No more guessing what's in the packed box with the movers' label still on it! And I can leave a still life set up for weeks if I want and not have to put it away because the set up makes the dining room or living room look like it had a stomach flu and threw up YAYZ!!!! There will also be more private art teaching and some art activities!!! Some active raising of financial resources has begun and will continue to be nurtured for this project! Thank you for dreams fulfilled!!!! I am doing mental cartwheels and somersaults as I type!!!

The future ArtByErika Studio!

Don't forget that you can click on each image to get a bigger view and feel free to look me up on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ErikaNelsonArtist :)
* I just remembered the eye is blue because I read somewhere that Amelia Earhart's eyes were blue :)

My art and thoughts on Norman Rockwell

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 07:47:00 +0000

"Why is My Husband not looking at the Norman Rockwell exhibit?"

watercolor on paper

It's been very busy in my B'ville art life. I'll start with most recent and catch my blog up to my farthest memory...

We are honored to have 300 plus Norman Rockwell art works visit our local museum Crystal Bridges Museum American Art. I'm always eager to view original figurative art and that was pretty much the extent of my excitement. However, as images were being revealed in the museum's FB page, I noticed my interest growing. Sure enough at the members' preview, I was greeted by these gigantic original paintings! They were in oils, not some quick paintings that were slapped together to meet a magazine cover deadline. I know, if only I had read up. But it was nice to be humbled and surprised with an in your face kinda boldness :)

"Triple Self-Portrait"
Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post, February 13, 1960. Oil on canvas. 44 1/2 x 34 3/4 in. (113 x 88.3 cm). From the permanent collection of the Norman Rockwell Museum

The painting above is one of the pieces visiting. As I study this, I realize Rockwell pretty much worked like I do. Like me, he surrounded himself with inspirations from other artists who have done something similar to his current project - photos, books, magazine, mirror, etc. Brushes on the floor and lots of crumpled papers that simply fell off the pile and I ran them over while concentrating. My brain is usually like a chipmunk getting more bloated as I acquire all it takes to attack the canvas and any kind of distraction like email, phone calls (and bills) are pushed off the peripheral.

Anyway, I owe Mr Rockwell my heartfelt apology. I didn't mean to disrespect my fellow artist. I was especially saddened when I read that he always felt like many fine artists didn't see him as their equal. The only reason why he's not my equal is because he will always be above me. Wow what a fine fine artist he was!

I haven't posted in a while because of so many ups and downs in my life. I get very affected by stress. When I have less than all of me to devote because other things needed my attention, it's very hard to go about the routine I like to keep. I'll always choose family first over my art. But the clouds somewhat let up and first thing I had to do was get busy producing close to 20 new pieces for a new gallery that started carrying my work back in October. That's the Norberta Philbrook Gallery. I produced 17 smallish -6x6, 8x8, 6x12 13 oils and 4 watercolors because I am artist of the month. The reception was well attended and I have sold pieces. But I feel most victorious that I didn't succumb to the bad flu going around until after I delivered the paitings!!!! I had every intention to paint MORE but my body had other plans. After all, my husband has been sick up and down from the bug since October and I was able to avoid it and meet my obligations! As I type I'm coughing still so let me finish by sharing some photos from the reception. As always, clicking on each image will give you a bigger view. I tend to update my Artist page on Facebook so if you're really curious, you can always find me there :)click here ->https://www.facebook.com/ErikaNelsonArtist

"Pensive Vigil" 6x6 oil on canvas

"They're Home!" 6x6 oil on canvas


"Nude Study 1" 8x8 w/c Photo by Norberta Philbrook Gallery

My 2013 wish for you and me

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 04:06:00 +0000

"Sweet Peas and Golden Hominy" 8x10 canvas

Something I wanted to get out of my system is my first painting for 2013. A bit rough, a lot unlike how I usually like to paint but my wish is sincere and it comes from deep within me :) I wish us all Peace and Harmony in 2013 and beyond!

Recently, my husband was installed as head of his Masonic lodge and to my surprise he gave a speech that included these two cans. All my life I've always said I wish for peace and harmony. So I just had to commemorate this acknowledgement from the powers that be by painting this :) It's pretty exciting to me as you might guess so I'm happy to share it with you!

Gift for Gene Hackman My only New Year's Resolution for 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 02:44:00 +0000

"The Talented Mr Gene Hackman" charcoal on toned paper

My only 2013 resolution is to ask every new person I meet if they know how I can make 100% sure the original matted and framed montage charcoal portrait I made of Gene Hackman will reach him as my gift in my humble but sincere acknowledgement of his outstanding talent that I've enjoyed for years before he retired from acting. I've tried SAG and contacted the office of his agent but they said they can't guarantee. That's just not good enough for me. All I want is to let him know I really appreciate his work. His acting is seamless and excellent in delivery. I know he is currently a fine artist in New Mexico.

Happy 2013 to you all!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:01:00 +0000

An artistic discovery!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:33:00 +0000

Mom the artiste!

I tend to leave my Mom back in California while I explore life in other states. She happily lives with my wonderful stepfather in SoCal but they have visited me in New Mexico, Arizona and Arkansas. Mom visits us in Arkansas twice or three times a year.

Last month (August), was the first time I was able to introduce Mom to a farmer's market that takes place at the Bentonville Square every Saturday since we moved to our new neighborhood last fall. We bought organic vegetables and some colorful zinnias that I was simply dying to get home and paint!

Our house is undergoing a lot of small to medium construction right now so I was distracted and short on energy. I began to set up a colorful approach to painting the zinnias with acrylics on Yupo because I couldn't find my watercolor palette.

Sadly and almost immediately, I lost my interest after I painted a couple flowers. When I was a kid I've had opportunities to watch a couple artists paint on their canvas (my brother in law and my cousin's boyfriend who she married), they seemed to really enjoy it! I enjoyed watching them when there were opportunities and I used to imagine them inviting me to participate and hand me the brush. So with that thought, I turned to Mom who happened to be watching me paint and I nonchalantly handed her my brush and suggested she finished the painting for me. My instruction: "Just paint what you see, however you want to paint and don't worry about ruining it, just enjoy! Call me if you need my help. Keep your palette moist and your brush wet." She was a good sport and grabbed a stool and sat down and painted!

Occasionally I'd look over when she needed encouragement. I'd remind her to pay attention to the different shades of the same color. Pay attention specifically to the lightest and darkest. PAINT WHAT YOU SEE!

Zinnias on yupo taped on board

Above image is her first painting! I painted the 2 bottom left ones, she painted the rest! She totally painted the purple flower from her imagination!

One of the construction people was admiring my art on the wall and spotted Mom's painting on the couch. He came up to me and asked me how much I'd charge him for a painting of those happy flowers! After a few questions back and forth I realized he really wanted a painting like MOM's!!! He wanted it for his wife "Sunflowers!" he requested. So I/we accepted the commission and I had Mom paint him a happy sunflower painting :) acrylics on canvas.

Painting background

Drawing with brush!

Finally painting!

Acrylics are forgiving which enabled Mom to concentrate on each stage. She painted the background first using one color with white so she can touch it up easily if she needed to do so later. Then I outlined the sunflower discs on the canvas for placement and she outlined the petals. I hope she retains the confidence in painting with brush vs relying on pencils first because I think her strength is her confidence and drawing in pencils first might hamper that. As she painted, I pointed out that she needed to choose one flower as the "star flower"! It will be the brightest and sharpest.

Mom stayed up until MIDNIGHT painting! This was a woman who always gave me hell for staying up late painting!!!!

Mom's Happy Sunflowers

The painting was ready to hang when the client picked it up and he was quite pleased! That evening his wife was working late so he planned to cook dinner and present her the painting to hang in her office :)

Mom outline painting #3

Certainly a moment I wanted to remember always! She was on the last week of her visit and seeing how creating art was holding her interest, I needed to make some definite imprints and nurture this as effectively as I could with little time left.

We had daily lessons of lectures and exercises. We talked about the color wheel and primary/secondary/tertiary/complementary colors. She painted them in her sketchbook. We lightly touched on perspective. I wanted to emphasize a limited palette and showed her how she can paint most colors she'd ever need with primary color tubes + white. Took it a step further and showed her the difference between hot and cool limited palettes. All this while she tackled her last painting with my supervision. I made her stay close to me as we made her composition materialize. Applying her lessons on limited palette, I only gave her 3 colors to start plus white. She mainly needed help in being able to see twists and turns and helping shapes show volume. I think these three paintings showed big steps in progress which tells me Mom is an artist! :D

Mom used the fee she got from "her client" and bought art supplies that were delivered to her in California and some she bought from Practical Magic Art Supplies which is a new art store in our neighborhood!

Alice's Sunflowers

Mom's set up in California

Photo vs Life

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 21:04:00 +0000

"Maggie" 5x7 oil on clayboard

This month I've had the opportunity to paint from a photo that a dear friend had posted on his Facebook and I also was invited to a friend's home to paint from their property. Remember, by clicking on the image you will see a bigger version.

It was another hot day. It seems we've been in 100-degree days for 3 weeks, maybe 4. My friend Linda was house sitting her sister so I guess the opportunity inspired her to have a painting session with me. I saw the figure in the garden and chose her for a model (they call her "Maggie"). Linda repositioned some potted plants around her.

Recently I've changed the way I start painting because I haven't liked the way I was drawing things. I was starting out too detailed and tight so my subjects end up being too solid for my preference. Without thinking too hard about it I began painting in silhouettes to place my subjects. Then...if I may be bold to claim, I try to connect with with the soul of the subject (there I said it yikes!). I don't know, for some reason this puts me in a good place. This stage is the left one above.

We hoped we'd be shaded for the session but we got started a bit late so by noon, we were in full sun. I got as far as the image on the right and we hurriedly packed our gear. When I got home, I decided I really should try and refine her immediately while the necessary information was still with me. The result is the first image at the very top. I didn't want to give it a super finished look, I wanted to preserve the plein air feel.

"Treat Lily" 12x12 oil on cradled panel

Most of my paintings are from photos because the scenes I would be wanting to paint tend to not be accessible to wheelchairs. And when I paint portraits... well it just always seem more convenient to paint from photographs so I can pursue it on my own time - anytime. I do prefer taking my own photos in both cases when situations allow.

Next set was a gift to our dear friend John who was ordained into priesthood. I chose to paint from the picture of a lily that he took and posted on his Facebook. I figured, he was drawn to the flower that's why he took the picture. Facebook resizes photgraphs which lowers resolution but I proceeded with a prayer! :)

I was at the stage of the 2nd image when I remembered my double vision condition makes it a big challenge to paint flower petals or anything that's repetitive with similar shapes and in varied positions. And on top of that, my memory bank is convinced that white flowers are hard to paint. It was my will to be able to gift this piece to a very dear friend that allowed me to finish it and for that, I'm very thankful. My husband Scott and I were so honored to have witnessed a special ceremony.

Well Oiled Wheels are Life Supporters

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 19:53:00 +0000

First of all I'd like to say THANK YOU and express my apologies for not responding to the kind people who emailed me and posted on my previous blog post. Sometimes it takes all my focus and energy to get back on track so I end up not having enough left to do extra things. But please believe me when I say your kind interests and love and effort you took to spare me the time was gratefully relished and helped me in my weak times. :) Reminding you that you can click on each image to see bigger version.

My basic training, as far as how to manage my art career, is to tap on opportunities. I have found that even though the tapping didn't seem to yield anything, the benefits tend to confirm on a later date and usually at a very needed moment that I made a difference. Perhaps this was the result of the lovely article above, written and photographed by Cassi Lapp of the Weekly Vista, a local paper. I must say it is one of few very ACCURATE writing I've ever been a subject of! When I get requests for an interview, I go through a roller-coaster ride of emotions. Happy, Excited, Honored, Thrilled upon being recognized to a Cringe, Hold my Breath and Brace for the misconstrued, and condescending, cornball or absolutely doesn't makes sense construction of a newspaper article. I once was interviewed and the article sadly made me sound like I was criticizing the gallery and gallery director that was hosting a show for me - OH MY GOD! It was one of those "Big California Earthquake please swallow me up right now" moment! Not so in this case and I am now more seasoned in anticipating how a reporter would write so I had no worries about Cassi's article. I was excited about what she might highlight. As it turns out, Cassi highlighted ME :) Thank you thank you Cassi Lapp!

The day of the interview, Cassi kindly helped me deliver my new paintings to the gallery which is officially called MaJesty Republic run by Terry C Semler. And since the interview took place in mid-May, I have since left the other two galleries mentioned. Part of my recovery to feeling better was to simplify my days. I'm so glad the other galleries were supportive and understanding.

Now that I seem to be feeling better these days, I have been catching up on some painting and having some successful days and some not - but each attempt is never a waste as they are all learning moments! As side note, the mold that was lurking in our master bathroom might have been contributing to me being sick because now that my hero husband has eliminated the mold, the air seems so much cleaner and my eyes are not constantly burning *big smile*.

A couple days ago I had my dear artist friend Linda over because she expressed to me that she wanted to paint the lean-to structure in our property. I had recently painted it en plein air in oils on this 5x7 panel. It was another 100° day we've been having. But I had recently gathered most of my oil supplies together so I wanted to just paint! So glad it was a successful session :)

Anyway, I think the day Linda came over went up below 90°. Our property still has too much construction clutter and so I wasn't crazy about painting any of them or the lean-to again. So I focused on Linda :) She is so paintable and a wonderful model. I've painted her before and I'm sure I will paint her again and again. I am always in awe of artists like Winslow Homer who painted figures in full action so this was a good chance for similar. Here are pictures of my session. She didn't know I was painting her until it was done. I'm so glad I was far enough from her to get away with it. Then,after I painted, I was surprised I was able to paint her because she was kinda far away hahaha She loved her painting :)

I started out blocking her in, in case I changed my mind what I wanted to paint. Well by the time I put her silhouette on there, I knew I would go ahead and stick with the composition.

"Linda Plein-airing" oil on 5"x5" wood panel

Happy Friday the 13th until next time! :)

Momentum to start and finish

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Wed, 23 May 2012 02:04:00 +0000

"Red, Red Wine" 16x20 acrylics on canvas

I have been sickly this year. It seems when I suddenly got sick last December, I haven't really fully recovered. Most days I've woken up feeling as weak and in pain. But some days I wake up as if I never felt sick at all. Those are the days I make sure I painted even though my stamina seem to only support just a few hours of energy.

It takes too much time to get my momentum going sometimes it's so frustrating!!! So when I saw Heather Sim's photo of the wine she and her husband had been bottling lately, I too wanted to bottle up my urge to paint it! Fortunately for me she agreed!!! She's a wonderful artist so I wouldn't be surprised if she too wanted to paint it. But she was generous as always. My painting above was possible because of her photograph :) Please visit her website http://www.heathersims.com

This is how I began to draw her photo. But it went flat quickly for me and I wasn't able to go back to my easel for a while because I didn't feel well and I knew this was not how I wanted to paint the photo. Lines were too clean.

I have very few regrets in my life, very few. I can count them in one hand I think. This is because I do pretty much go for what I really want to do when I have the opportunity. One was I missed the Supermoon this month :( We live among trees and I simply couldn't spot it. The other thing is I haven't played my guitar all day long like I used to. I have different priorities? I guess college days my priorities were simpler: go to class and meet deadlines. Mom cooked and did laundry etc. So I was afforded extra hours of doing whatever else I wanted to do. And this is how the next painting was born. Above image was how I attacked the canvas. As you can see I couldn't decide how the heck I should position the made up figure. My friend Linda happened by and I made her sit on the floor so I can see if I had the figure impossibly twisted. Apparently I was ok hahahaha I pretty much make people do something for me when they visit :) I don't have a decent photo of the painting yet, too big to scan for me.

I was recently interviewed by our local paper. It worked out so it was the day I delivered my new paintings to Gallery Square. The reporter, Cassi Lapp was kind enough to transport the paintings for me so I was able to wheel over to the gallery to meet them. Above is gallery director Terry Crowe Semler. Thankful for the art community in my new town Bentonville, Arkansas and always thankful for loved ones, good friends, good people :)

A day with Oprah LifeClass Tour!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 06:53:00 +0000

I felt it. So many of the people who know me were so hoping (praying) that my first chance encounter with Oprah Winfrey would be something like the image I Photoshopped above hahaha! This is the reason why I kept quiet about my trip with hubby to St. Louis, Missouri for the taping of Oprah's 2nd season/3rd episode of LifeClass Tour.

Honestly deep inside I was wishing same. Because I had never won anything like this. I received an email from OWN saying they were raffling tickets to LifeClass taping in St. Louis and all I had to do was respond to the email. Lo and behold, email arrived the next day and tickets were being held for me! I was wishing deep inside that maybe, hopefully it was a set up?

The timing was good. My husband Scott and I were celebrating our 12th year anniversary. And that same week Gallery Square sold my biggest painting I've ever painted so this took care of the financial crunch to afford the trip since it was unexpected! May I take a moment to just say WOOHOO YAY for those two big celebrations? WOOHOO YAY!!! :D

After traveling for over 5 hours we stopped at the venue, the Peabody Opera House (St. Louis, MO), I was instructed to pick up the tickets day before the taping. It had to be done in person with ID. As I was getting out of the van, Oprah also stepped out to go to the building and was mulled by fans and cameras. I missed her :( We checked in our hotel. I wanted a place closest to the opera house so as to avoid as much issues the next day.

Scott's best friend he hadn't seen for 20 yrs happened to be in the area with his parents!!! They met us at our hotel. We had such a grand time time. It's always a pleasure and so easy to have quality time with good people! I really enjoyed meeting them and it was fun watching two grown up men turn back into grade school kids right before my eyes :D

We showed up at the Peabody 1.5 hours earlier than I was instructed. A few things must have changed between their email and actual taping. So it was good we showed up early. We were ushered to the wheelchair section, not bad seats in the ninth row. After the other chairs came in, I realized immediately how boxed in we were. I knew I wouldn't get a chance to get refreshments in the lobby or use the restroom until the taping was over. The theater didn't fill up until 20 minutes before taping. Scott and I kept ourselves amused by taking pictures of each other and the stage.

When Oprah finally walked on the stage this is what I saw. This is what I usually see whenever something important is happening. I bet if Oprah were aware of this she too would be disappointed. I think Ellen puts the people in wheelchair in the front row and she even dances with them.

I think the pic was when a celebrity walked in.

Here's my sweet husband who was such a good sport about taking me to see Oprah. This whole thing was short notice. He had to do a lot of work in order to take Monday off from work and other commitments. Then he had to show up for work Tuesday morning. Too bad we didn't get to meet Oprah or even dialogue with her from the audience. The people in front and center had more access to her. I would so have loved to at least make eye contact with someone who had positively pierced my thoughts so much through the years but I only saw her on TV.

When I was picking up my tickets, I asked one of the theater people if I'd get a chance to meet her the next day. He responded, "I don't think so. Just because she's on stage it doesn't mean she will have time. Everybody wants a piece of her when they see her you know," he says with a smile. *On a side note, I have a new favorite phrase - Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! A piece of her?

Here we are about an hour sitting while we waited for the taping to begin.

The class guest was Bishop TD Jakes. I think I would have had a more profound learning opportunity if the segment had mainly focused on his teaching rather than accommodating too many elements like the skypers and the lady from audience Keesha. The subject was a purposeful life.

Jimmy Graham of New Orleans Saints was there. His story was amazing. It would seem to me that at a young age he sat in his destiny's driver seat.

We arrived at the venue a little over 11AM. Unlike California, the meters were not free for people with disabled license plates. The meter would only take 2hrs max. We knew we were taking our chance. I took this photo at 4:21PM. Those lined up at folks arriving for the live taping being shown that evening March 26. By the way, thankfully, we didn't get a parking ticket!!!!

We had a nice late lunch at a Nadoz deli across the university before we headed back to Arkansas.

It was something different we did - to be in the taping. To see how Oprah's show is filmed. In the future Scott and I will look back and confirm we had fun. No doubt I am disappointed I didn't get to meet her. Nobody told me I was going to however. I think I would have been more disappointed if we hadn't taken advantage of the sudden opportunity. It's never convenient to do something different when you're always busy. Oprah's network is struggling I wish her well.

When taping ended and cameras were off, Oprah came back out and expressed her gratitude for our attendance. She said, "I know you came from many far places and you were excited about coming to a taping and put on your bright clothes and got your hair done.. But I also know you came in my honor and to support me, and for that I am very grateful, thank you..." (not verbatim).

The taping will air April 9 on OWN
Oprah's LifeClass Tour, St. Louis, Missouri

My Mural Project Pieces

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 23:34:00 +0000

"Supersized Sunny Greeting" 32"x36" acrylics on wood

I agreed to be a part of this project with Wishing Spring Gallery (one of three galleries carrying my work), partly because I felt I would be needing a swift kick in the gumption so I can get my art going this year. Thank God I knew where my acrylic paints are and a couple decent brushes. If I had to paint in oils I wouldn't know where or how to find all my things and I certainly cannot afford to be buying more. I wasn't expecting my "murals" to be due until end of April but they notified me I had to get them done by April. ACK!

So I hunkered down and decided I'd get them done this week. I think I learned something about myself in this process because of the two pieces done quickly in a week. Apparently, I have to stare at a blank surface for a day and anguish over what, who, how to paint. I go to bed very stressed and disappointed about not committing to anything! I tend to love to paint MANY things and can express them in various ways I've studied so it's not easy. I'm a true lover of art and their processes.

Finally about halfway through the second day, the brush hits the surface. As you can see here, I'm still thinking. But at least I'm thinking with evidence now. I read on Facebook, "Dwell in possibility"~Emily Dickinson. Indeed I do. I am a firm believer that what's immediately available is not necessarily the best thing. Or the first, second or third things are not necessarily enough. When I play Scrabble, I don't celebrate when I play all my tiles and get extra 50 points. When I play regularly I average getting Scrabble about 3 times. My game is feeling like I can see the other side of what I thought was the complete scenario. I like discovering new worlds and getting intimate with them.

Photo by Scott A. Nelson

My husband took this photo this morning. It's Saturday and he was fast asleep. So I got up early anyway because I wanted to finish my painting today. That's the reason why I'm still in my nightgown, I didn't want to wake him up. But hours later he got up and snapped this photo hahaha Well that's my story and I'm sticking with it!

"Resource Light and Life" 32"x36" acrylics on wood

Ahhhh so they're both done now and I'm so happy! I feel I played with Vinny (Van Gogh) and Pabs (Picasso)! I did channel them to play with me as I do when I feel I need a little more help. For instance when I feel I could use more confidence in a situation, I channel Madonna who I imagine would walk into any room with no apologies for being herself. I thank Vinny for his sense of playfulness with texture and colors. I thank Pabs for simplifying complicated passages and making the process a lot more like play than work! I wish I could adopt the playful feeling in all my art processes. I tend to over think in my representational work. So though I am doing what I love, I can't quite say "I've never worked." Is that bad?

I hope these contemporary pieces will prove to be good contributions to the gallery.

In the mix

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:44:00 +0000

House Portrait Commission 8x10 watercolor

I have been busy and as usual I'm entertaining a mix of art. Today I finished this portrait commission in watercolor. It's a beautiful lake house successfully sold by local realtor Helen Dansker

"Toasty Cat" 16x12 acrylic on canvas

I also recently finished this acrylic painting. In time for the grand re-opening of Poor Richards Art Gallery which is one of the galleries carrying my work.

Winter has been most moderate this year. I've always cringed when I hear people say we have moderate winter in Northwest Arkansas because the last 7 years I've lived here has been too cold for me. In fact last year we had record-breaking 2 feet of snow.

I am so eager to paint some pieces I have in mind. It's a good feeling to experience that sensation. Keep me in mind that I please - ME when I do finally get to creating them! I am trying to paint for myself... When I say that I mean I have things I want and need to try out, to see if I am correct in how they will turn out.

The other night I managed to pry myself out of the house and attended an event at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It was "Art Night Out" and the theme was Time Travel. The guests were encouraged to wear clothes from different eras. I've gotten rid of many clothes recently but fortunately I found a few to throw together as flower child of the 60s. It was great fun, ran from 7-10PM live music, some readings in front of some museum art, food of course, and finally an open mic poetry reading. My highlight was when my friend Dustie got up on stage and delivered an impromptu poetry she wrote for the occasion!

Behind the revolving door

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:32:00 +0000

It has entered my self-analysis oftentimes that I am sitting behind a revolving door. I have glimpses of creative surges but as far as my art ... and I guess my stamina, I am not as consistent as some of my contemporary artists. I assure you that having a Catholic upbringing has made it impossible for me to escape the self-torment over this!

One of the mechanisms I've developed to alleviate this issues is to seize some future opportunities that will make me work toward something artistically productive. Not 100% full proof but I try to keep the wheels turning one way or another...

One of those was this the sketchbook project I spoke of in November. I signed up to get me going through winter and through this big move into a smaller house. Of course it started slow (as expected). I had sketched the clutter around me from the move. Then I sketched Alice Walton, as I watched her live during the grand opening of the Crystal Bridges American Art Museum in 11-11-11. Then I gave up because I was sure I missed the deadline. But my dear friend Mark alerted me on Facebook that we had until January 31. That's when I turned to just sketching something -ANYTHING! Since as my other sketchbook colleague Hillary told me that the whole purpose was for us to create and chances of people browsing through our books at the Brooklyn Museum was slim hahahaha OK good and useful point! So I then, unbeknownst to them, decided to sketch some Facebook friends who are kind enough to interact with me on a regular basis. And here are a few of them :)

Above is my dear friend James who I hadn't seen for at least 3 years!!! But just like any good friend, when he came by yesterday, we were able to pick up our friendship like it was yesterday! What a wonderful blessing good friends are! Oh he never knew where I lived but the reason why he came by was to pick up my first portrait of the year.


"Guapo" 10x10 acrylics on canvas

This is James birthday gift for Kent. This was a successful "oil on wheel" that I had to do. Despite not being able to locate my proper art supplies. I did find a canvas I had previously gesso'd and some student elementary grade brushes that shed all the time which I had bought to teach art to children also 3 years ago. And I used acrylics instead of oils because they were in a shopping basket accessible for me to use!

The rough beginning which succeeded and thus the ice has been broken!

The other great news is my work can be found at 3 local galleries click on the name to like their respective Facebook pages thanks!

MaJesty Republic

Poor Richards Art Gallery

Wishing Spring Gallery

I have sold some pieces this year already so now I must kick things in gear get more organized in my new area so I can be functional!

Happy New Year!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Nelson) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:59:00 +0000

Click on image to see greetings

Please click on image to see my greetings to you all! Hope you're all being safe until I see you next time! Wishing you all the best that 2012 can offer you may you be prosperous, have good health, be surrounded with love and have lots of laughter in your year to keep you smiling! xoxox Erika