Getting my mojo going... New Etsy store and a website....

I have been away a bit from blogging because I've been using my free time to a. create new work and b. build a website and start an Etsy store. The above images are all in stock and available to ship today, with more on the way. You can visit my flickr page and let me know if there is a specific print you would like to see next in my store at http://www.flickr.com/photos/patricedeavila/ and I will announce the url for my website very soon.

PLEASE remember that a portion of every sell from my etsy shop goes to help rescue and animals in need.

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Chaos in the world brings uneasiness, but it also allows the opportunity for creativity and growth.
Tom Barrett

First relief print done... (thanks @Orangecatblues for modeling)

Here are two versions of the first proof. One is just the print itself and the colored one was colored with pencils and this print is 5x5 inches. Only 11 more to go. Thanks to Loki at http://www.Orangecatblues.com for being such a marvelous model!

Finishing for opening tomorrow...

If it were not for the last minute and deadlines, I wonder how many works of art would not exist.

"The Cats Who Keep Us" Feline Fine Art opening, during First Friday in June at:

The Cat Hospital of Portland Gallery
8065 SE 13th Ave.
Portland, OR 97202

June 5th, 2009 from 6-8pm

You are invited, bring a friend.

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“A goal is a dream with a deadline.”

Napoleon Hill

....ever onward... Luxuriating in the sun...

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“Health is the greatest gift, contentment the greatest wealth, faithfulness the best relationship.”

Buddha

As sunny on the inside as on the outside....

Here is the painting of our elder statesman of the house, Zoot. He posed for me the other day, and I am off to finish more before my show in May and June. This post is brief, but it's only because I'm back to the easel..... see you soon.

This is a pastel painting over stretched canvas, and measures 16x20".

You can see a easily viewable gallery of my work at http://www.flickr.com/photos/patricedeavila/ and if you scroll down 4 postings, you can see what this looked like when it was started.


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Cat Haiku from Loki and Pet at www.Orangecatblues.com

i iz an oranj cat
az sunny on the inside
az on teh outside

(they do great, funny, creative stuff, and they do lots to help anipals in need, check them out when you can).

Abominable Snow Bubba.....

Well here he is, in his winter-esque glory.   And after all my discussions about contrast, I actually toned it way down in this painting.  I had my sweet heart along the way given very valuable observations, and he much prefers photo realism over my style of work and I do say that in this portrait, the subtle contrast of the teal and the yellow highlights gives that just snowed quiet atmosphere to Bubba's pensive pose. (His full name is Sherman Tank, but it's Bubba to his friends, and Mr. Tank, to his veterinarian).

If there is a day or two between posts, don't be alarmed, as it's more painting and less blogging.  I got the contract back from my client so I have less than 90 days for his portrait, and I have less than 60 days to my show.  Very heady stuff, this creatin'.....

What a difference a day makes.... (Winter, Almost)

...getting there....(and I may keep the title "Winter: The Abominable Snow Bubba"), who knows.

Thanks to my sweetheart, in suggesting significant lightening of the background, and other little observations. I still need to add a couple layers on the legs and stomach... there are some "flat" spots that I'm not quite content with.

It is at that stage where I have it hanging on the wall and I'm looking at it and digesting the final bits... and the coward in my if a bit fearful of screwing it up now that I'm this invested in the image.... there you have it.

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“You are a coward when you even seem to have backed down from a thing you openly set out to do” Mark Twain

Contrasts in Seasons, Contrasts in Colors....

I was approached recently by the Cat Hospital of Portland to do a show in their clinic, which I've been dilegently working on since the invitation. Right now, I've started a quartet based on the seasons and just completed "Spring: A Stranger in the Garden".

I am now working on what is tentively called, "Winter: The Abominable Snow Bubba", but will most likely be titled something slightly more dignified. (see photo study). The Background is evolving into an amazing teal and navy colored forest that really makes Bubba's buff colored fur "POP".

Pam Johnson, one of my most cherished college art instructors took us outside one bright day and had us place a turquoise piece of paper on fucsia paper, and had us stare at it for quite a long time, and then proceeded to explain to us how we would never need to do drugs, because as artists, we looked at the world thru unique eyes. And how one could stand in the shower at certian times of day and get high off the refracted light shining through the water droplets. Now, I'm not so sure that I'd take any of my artistic observational skills quite that far; however, I did learn the power of contrasting colors and how to manipulate lights and darks, brights and subtle shadings with color contrast and the manipulation of shades and hues.

I learned many things about color and value, perspective and how to truly see from Ms. Johnson.

So when you are going through your day, look at the shadows of every day objects and REALLY see what color the shadow is.

Be inspired