Thursday, June 18, 2020

Ethereal Expressive Collection Now Available

New Artwork Release Ethereal Expressive Collection © 2020 Christy Sheeler Artist
The Ethereal Expressive Collection is now available on my website.  The artwork in this collection are a bit different from the landscapes I have painted in the past.  I live in the northern part of Montana, USA and there is so much here for inspiration.  Glacier National Park has influenced my artwork with its grand beauty, no wonder it has provided so much inspiration.  With a large collection of landscape photos, I have endless options for what I could paint with watercolors.  

There are days when I just want to find a way to relax for a little bit.  Like a needed reprieve, I find painting my way of taking a little trip in my mind.  My imagination helps me to wander the hillsides, valleys and mountain meadows, all lush and wild.  So these paintings evolved as I explored different ways to vary on an expressive landscape.  I let the watercolor have more freedom to flow as it blended into other colors and areas, and I added salt for textures, as well as spatter and scraping through damp color.

The pieces in this collection are of a smaller scale, ranging from 5" x 7" to much smaller 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" for an important reason.  I am managing to make art in the pockets of time.  When I have just an hour or less to spend in the art room, there's a great challenge in working larger.  In 2020, I am pushing myself to paint on a larger scale of 8" x 10" and 11" x 14" though I need to be reasonable in my expectations.

Summer is an ideal time to go explore the mountains here locally and take photographs for my art reference collection.  It's also perfect for painting outdoors on location!  I typically take the photos now and do some smaller work in nature; fall and winter are perfect for longer art studio work sessions.

For those on my mailing list, I apologize for the website not showing this new work earlier this week.  I thought I had gotten it all ready to publish on its own...and it turned out not to be the case.  Next time a collection releases on a schedule, I will be sure to check it that same day.  Website management is an ongoing process for me as I improve my skills there.

My art website is linked here, ChristySheeler.com and I would love for you to go check out the new artwork in the Ethereal Expressive Collection.

Christy
-She must make art


Thursday, June 11, 2020

New Art Releases Soon!

Artwork on my work surface. © Christy Sheeler 2020 All Rights Reserved.Ethereal Expressive Collection

I wasn't sure this one would be released according to schedule.  There are quite a few paintings in this collection.  Just over twenty original watercolor paintings, and though they are small, they seem mighty to me.  With so much internal pressure to control the water and paint, these were a delightful and relaxing venture in letting go.  I was so lost in the exploring of letting watercolor lead the way!  To feel lost in a good way, releasing the cares of the day and watching the paint do as it pleases.




This collection is unlike many of my previous landscapes, which are usually of landmark views here in Montana.  With Glacier National Park and the Rocky Mountain front being within a few hours of my home, those are the recognizable views I enjoy painting most.  These paintings in the Ethereal Expressive Collection are more created from my imagination.  A more limited palette and more loosely depicted, these have less specific detail.  


Artwork on my work surface. © Christy Sheeler 2020 All Rights Reserved.


I was able to play with wet into wet painting method along with the use of salt texture, spatter, and leaving the blossoms that form in an unevenly wet area on the paper.  I experimented more with scraping back details with a palette knife or a razor blade.  I found that a painting doesn't have to be finished to the degree that I had always expected for myself.


Three pieces of artwork on my work surface.  © Christy Sheeler 2020 All Rights Reserved.


These paintings will release very soon.  You might consider checking out my website at ChristySheeler.com soon!  While you're there, be sure to sign up for my mailing list.  There are more new collections on the way throughout the next several months.  If you are one of those who thrives off of knowing first, having that insider's tip, the mailing list means you'll know earlier than most.  I send out an announcement several days ahead with the release date...even before Facebook or Instagram!

If you're needing to be tempted just a bit more, here's a video (down below) with a quick glimpse of the whole lineup of new originals, available very soon!

Take care and talk again soon,

Christy

-She must make art.