My Museum

9x5 exhibit 2025

2025-01-26T21:04:00.000-08:00

For the third time, I am joining the Walker Street Gallery 9x5 exhibit, opening on the 15th of February 2025.

I have two entries. First is Acrylic on paper and the other is Water Colour on paper. The first is entitled "Banquet" (We can all bring something to the table). The second is "Equality" (Different sizes, colour and shape but all are capsicums. None is greater or lesser than the other, just different).

Both are priced reasonably. So far, I've sold the entry pieces I have exhibited. We'll see how I go this year.

"Banquet" (We can all bring something to the table)

"Equality" (Different sizes, colour and shape but all are capsicums. None is greater or lesser than the other, just different)

Mother’s Day Cards

2020-05-09T18:53:00.002-07:00

I have just finished a series of “Mother’s Day” cards order a few weeks ago and the client was quite

happy with my work. I have my own “favorites” from the set and thought to post them on my FB account just to share with friends. Many liked them too and some asked permission if they can use one of them for their facebook cover photos. Some asked to borrow and repost with texts they themselves chose to add on the photos. I don’t mind that as long as they don’t make money out of them without sharing with me or pass them as their own work. One of them even put my name on their post so I am fine with that.

Here is another you can borrow or use.

My First Art Exhibit in Australia

2019-12-12T19:21:00.000-08:00

I joined the Walker Street Art Gallery “9x5” Art Exhibit this year in Dandenong. The Art Gallery located at Corner Walker & Robinson streets Dandenong holds an annual art exhibit that’s welcome to all kinds of artists who want their works displayed in the gallery for a few weeks. You can put it on sale or just have it there during the exhibit. To be part of the exhibit, you must pay a registration fee of AUD15.00 and get 9x5 wood panel you’ll be using for your painting so it’s like you just paid for the material. All paintings submitted must be on this 9x5 board. All mediums are welcome, combo of types of paints or even prints on fabric or digital photos, almost anything you can put or mount on the 9x5 board.

I thought I’d join just for the experience. I wanted to know what happens in an exhibit, what do you do on the opening day, what do other artists do etc. So, I did register and got my board. My piece is a landscape painting of the famous “Uluru” or more popularly known as “Ayer’s Rock” in the dessert of Australia, with an eagle hovering above on the top right and on the left bottom of the painting, are three aborigine boys walking towards the rock mountain, partially hidden by tall overgrown grass, with their backs to the viewer, entitled, “The Sacred Journey”. To be honest, I’m still very insecure when it comes to my painting. I had no expectations when I joined except the benefits of a new experience.

We did go on the opening day, December 3, 2019 at the Gallery. There was a crowd there already, a buffet of drinks and sorts for nibbling and before long, the place filled up with curious friends, relatives and art enthusiasts. There were some good works there. I dread the thought of comparing mine to them. I had my favourites too, apart from mine. A paper was circulated among the visitors. It had the numbered list of paintings on display, the artist’s name, the painting’s title, the mediums used and the price the artist wants for his/her work. Mine was a combined gouache and watercolour. Please don’t ask me what I priced mine, sorry, but it wasn’t too cheap or expensive, just what I thought was appropriate although my husband think I could’ve put the price a bit higher. Well, the purpose was not to make money but to experience and I will be quite happy just to know someone will like it enough to want to take it home and put it on their wall.

Someone did apparently and a week after the opening, my painting sold. The

"The Sacred Journey" by Theresa Painter -
combined gouache and water color
on 9x5 board (Walker Street Art Gallery 2019)
Australia

gallery gets 25% commission and I get the rest. The painting remains on display with a red sticker underneath which indicates that it’s already been bought and owned by someone until the closing of the exhibit.

Yes I am proud now, proud of the fruits of my labor

I am very thankful to God. I am blessed and right now I am just right over the moon with gladness. Now I can’t help think , “Who is the friend who bought it?” 😛

Using “Water colour” (Pros and cons)

2019-07-12T21:42:00.003-07:00

There are quite advantages to using water colour although many beginners don’t like it. I admit that when I started painting it’s not my favourite either but after trying it and watching a gazillion of “water colour” video tutorials, I changed my mind. There are benefits to using “water colour” and here are some I can think of:

Water colour on paper - Theresa Painter - Heritage Hill Open Art

1. It’s reusable. Left over paint on your palette can be reused just by adding or brushing water on the dried pigment and you can use it again so in effect, it’s economical.

2. You can create beautiful loose water colour painting just by wetting your paper and dabbing it lightly with colour from your brush and watch it spread and create incredible effects.

3. You can use water colour with “water colour” pencil, gouache, acrylic and ink

4. Water colour brushes are easy to clean.

5. You don’t need to buy any solvent to dilute, just water

6. It’s good for washes and background painting

You can choose between water colour in tubes, water colour cakes or blocks, water soluble water colour pencil and water colour brush pens. I like using the cakes myself, but I have tubes and brush pens as well.

Of course, there’s also a downside to using this medium:

1. Water colour is light and transparent

2. You cannot do layers with it. As soon as you apply another colour on top of it, it will likely blend with the colour underneath or wash

3. You need a sturdy paper with it. Preferably 300 gsm or above or else the paper buckles.

4. Water colour is mainly used with paper not canvas or fabric

I use a lot of water colour on my cards. I find them easier to work with than acrylic.

Cards for a cause

2019-05-08T16:56:00.001-07:00

I have begun donating some of my cards to my local church' op shop. Op shop means opportunity, opportunity to buy things cheap from. It's a shop operated and owned by a charity, in this case, my local church. I do cards for this shop regularly and consider it a ministry now. My way of giving back for the talent God has bestowed on me. I regularly paint and practice anyway and I have so many cards already. It started after I facilitated one of the tables in our church' card-making event. I was asked to teach basic card painting. The church bought cardstocks and a set of water color paints. I supplied some of the brushes and palettes. All the cards we made sold in the op shop but there were still boxes of left over cardstocks so I volunteered to make cards for the shop as long as they provide the paper and the paint.

It's a way of getting your paintings out there but also for a cause so you strike two birds with one stone. So here's a few I've done.

Handpainted cards by Theresa Painter

Handmade, handcrafted cards

2018-04-10T21:34:00.003-07:00

What's a better way to refine one's artistic talent than to practise, and what's even better than to practise and earn at same time? Hmmm...sounds good to me. Definitely a "win!" in my book.

one of my series of cards 2016

Before I left the Philippines, I was already selling my cards in a store nearby and they always got sold out. Last March, my husband and I went on a church car boot sale. He was able to show off his wood working skills by putting his salt and pepper grinders, bowls, candle holders and pens on display. Of course, I brought my paintings and hand painted cards too and guess what? Two of my paintings were sold and all of my cards were bought too.

They were cheap and whoever got them got a very good bargain. Each painting and card is unique. A copy of nothing else in the planet. Each one was painstakingly done with love for the art. I sold them cheap because I'd rather get rid of them than have them pile up in a corner in my house. Getting rid of them means I have space again for more art works and practise, and since I made money too, I wasn't only able to cover my initial expenses but also was able to get more materials and practise more until the next sale.

So while you're learning your skill and honing your artistic talent, why not make cards? Practise on greeting cards. If you don't want to sell them, give them away at Christmas, birthdays, Easter etc. Saves you money. People do appreciate handcrafted, handmade cards. That way, they don't continue to clutter and fill up your space. You can always fill it up again with your new projects.

Tulips

2013-11-30T00:28:00.002-08:00

Water color pencil on board - "Tulips"

Digital Abstract: Spirits

2013-10-12T00:03:00.000-07:00

Made in Window's 7 paint program. Just another experience, Doodled and played with different colors.

Fits in with my new look doesn't it?

Spirits

My first abstract

2013-08-09T23:10:00.000-07:00

My sister in law said once their bedroom and the nieces' are finished, she'd like me to do an abstract painting for them. I've never thought of myself doing abstract but it would be challenging so i thought I'd practice and d a few. so here's my first try.

Water color pencil on illustration board - "Lia and Thea"

Water color pencil on canvass

2013-06-28T05:18:00.000-07:00

Here's my first water color pencil on canvass. I think I've found my medium. This piece shows how at ease I am using water color pencil. I think this is my best so far.

Item: Gift Owner: Edgar Allan Calora
Location: Quezon City
2013

"We've only begun" Water color

2013-04-01T04:41:00.000-07:00

Artists are like songwriters, we need inspiration for every work. My marriage and wonderful relationship with my husband inspired m to do this one. We're only a few moons into the marriage so we still have quite a lot to face together. As Karen Carpenter's song goes "We've only just begun".

Water color pencil on a sketch pad
"We've only begun"
February 3 2013

Water colour pencil - sunflower

2013-01-15T01:15:00.003-08:00

Doing a glass or transparent container is tricky, especially when you're not copying it from a photo. This piece is one from my imagination using water colour pencil on a sketch pad.

Golden Tulips

2012-10-28T06:28:00.000-07:00

Golden Tulips Watercolor pencils

God's apple

2012-10-18T22:13:00.003-07:00

God's apple- Water color pencil

Quality should prevail

2012-10-16T00:28:00.001-07:00

In my last post, I talked about pricing and quality of materials and advised against buying cheap for economy's sake. Well, I've taken my own advice and bought a new book titled "Paint" and a new set of water color pencils. This time I got one that has a name - Faber Castell.The result is definitely much better, colors are more vibrant and correct.

I'm still reading the book and I'm learning so much from it.

Here's one I just finished using Faber castell water color pencils. See the big difference from the previous work I posted using an unknown, cheap brand?

Quality over price

2012-07-10T22:08:00.001-07:00

I know that as much as possible we want to buy affordable materials for a hobby but compromising on the quality is often a bad decision.

I’ve been wanting to try “color pencils” for sometime now and I thought maybe for a starter I’d try cheaper unknown brands and went for a set in one of the stores nearby my house. Lured by the cheap pricing, I went for it and regretted later. This piece of work could’ve turned out a lot better.

Colors were faded and not exact. I still was able to use them but am truly disappointed with the turn out.

So fro someone who’ve been there, done that, if you want quality work and result, don’t compromise, buy good quality products and branded mediums. There’s a reason they are pricy, they have better quality.

"Babae" (Woman)

2012-05-20T04:31:00.000-07:00

Pencil on paper

Women, like fragile glass, should be handled with utmost care.

Immortalize your engagement ring

2012-05-08T02:22:00.000-07:00

Combined pencil sketch and oil pastel. An experiment to Immortalize an engagement ring.

From this reference photo

"Garapon"

2012-04-30T20:44:00.001-07:00

"Garapon" from the "Fragile" collection

Acrylic on paper

Another freebie for you! (by Karl Fletcher)

2012-04-17T21:00:00.001-07:00

Here’s another exciting tutorial for all of us watercolor fans from “I Draw and Paint” community site for artists!

Karl Fletcher (watercolor)

It’s a free downloadable PDF file of step by step watercolor painting of strawberries by Karl Fletcher. Learn to mix colors, strokes and techniques from this easy to follow tutorial piece. It also includes ‘show how’ videos.

Note: Your anti-virus program might ask you first if you trust the site, that’s ok, it’s just your anti-virus program doing its job of protecting your pc, just click ‘allow’. The site is safe. Just click this link and follow the instruction for downloading.

Take advantage of this free download and check it out now. If you want to get freebies like these, learn from other artists, see others’ works, I encourage you to join our community. There’s nothing like belonging to a group of enthusiasts who have the same passion for art.

Note: I get no commission for promoting the freebies nor the site. I just want to help other newbies like myself and introduce you guys to our community and to Bob Davies.

"Love for Apples" - Owned

2012-03-15T01:28:00.001-07:00

Item: GIFT Owner: LEA AGUILAR SOLIS

Location: QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES

2012

Opportunity and machinery for wood workers (wood turning lathe for sale)

2012-03-02T22:17:00.001-08:00

nShout out to friends, readers, wood turners, interested parties who are into wood working, turning, etc! if you’re looking for some wood working machineries, my fiancé is putting some of his on ebay and I will be featuring the items here for a few succeeding days.

Check them out to see if it’s what you are, your friend, your relative or anyone you know is looking for.

First item up: Wood turning lathe Teknatool

Click here for more information

Love boat

2012-02-28T03:15:00.000-08:00

So how was the month of ‘love’ for you? Did you make it memorable or was it forgettable? I had a blast with mine, one of the most memorable, ever. As we bid February goodbye, here’s another of my works. May you sail on past the sunset and the sunrise on the ocean of life with the one that you love who loves you back and may each day make your relationship stronger, deeper and much more treasured

Oil pastel on paper – Sailboat lovers

Cockatoos in love

2012-02-21T03:10:00.000-08:00

One of my paintings on a Christmas card I gave my big bear (beloved), two Cockatoos on a branch one snowy day. Nothing like giving something you’ve made yourself.

Oil pastel pencils on card stock – (Cockatoos in love)

Of sunset and Love

2012-02-14T02:07:00.000-08:00

There’s nothing like watching the sunset with someone very special in your life. Something I want to do myself so I painted it.

Oil pastel on sketchpad ("Sunset" - from "Love Inspired" Collection)