Delight (from the Indian Paintbrush Series) Giclee Print in the Etsy Shop

Etsy Shop Announcement!

Delight, Indian Paintbrush Wildflower

Giclee Fine Art Print

8" x 10" with 1" white border, 

signed in pencil within white border.

Packaged in a clear cellophane sleeve.

$45.00 plus shipping and handling.

It's not hard to fall in love with the wildflowers of Montana!

In such a range of colors and petal arrangements, each has its own unique characteristics that set it apart from the others.

These Giclee prints are created with high quality attention to

both detail and color, using archival grade inks and media.

The premium Giclee paper is thick, heavy weight and its texture is quite similar to watercolor paper with a natural white, matte finish.

This description is from the Etsy listing:  

The Indian paintbrush is a wildflower that varies in hue from pale pinks and whites to reds and oranges.  The reds and oranges are more easily spotted on the mountainside and near the hiking trails.  They love the sunny locations and they bloom from spring to fall.  

This Indian Paintbrush wildflower is a different variety than I have painted in the past.  The leaves and the petals vary between varieties.  The process from sketch to applying paint was a true delight; the progress just flowed easily throughout until it was completed.  The most daring point was applying blue and purple shadows to give it depth and form.  I was apprehensive that it would be a step I'd regret but thankfully, it worked like I hoped.

The pale yellows transition to oranges and reds on the petals and even on the edges of the leaves.

This spectacular wildflower is such a great subject and one I'm sure to paint again.

To read more about the Indian Paintbrush series of watercolor paintings as they progressed in my art studio, here's the link to the Indian Paintbrush post.

I enclose this Giclee print in a clear cellophane wrapper along with a description of the artwork as above.

I also include my card and a free handmade gift card.  It's ready to frame or wrap as a special gift.

It will be packaged with foam board and cardboard to ensure it arrives in perfect condition!

Want a peek at the handmade gift cards?  One of the special perks included with every purchase - a handmade blank note card for you!  Such a fun little detour, making these one-of-a-kind creations with a bit of watercolor mop card as an accent.  Keep it or give it away... that's up to you!  It's my pleasure to show my appreciation, believing the extra attention makes all the difference!  Each one is unlike the others, the color combinations and design are a surprise as well.  What's not to love about a free gift with purchase?  

Questions?  Comments?  Suggestions?

Please feel welcome to share!  Pin it as well!

Have a beautiful day and thank you for stopping by...

-Christy

because she must make art.

Links & Info

Etsy:  ChristySheelerArtist (Delight listing)

Facebook:  Christy Sheeler - Artist

Pinterest:  Christy Sheeler | Watercolors

Instagram:  @christysheeler.artist

Email:  christysheeler.artist@gmail.com

Lush Fields of Teton County Giclee Print in the Etsy Shop!

Etsy Shop Announcement!

Lush Fields of Teton County

8" x 10" with 1" white border, signed in pencil within white border.
Packaged in a clear cellophane sleeve.

$45.00 plus shipping and handling.

Lush Fields of Teton County Premium Giclee PRINT
A Montana Landscape by Christy Sheeler

A view of the Rocky Mountains, dimensions are 8" x 10" with 1" white border produced with archival grade inks and media.

The premium Giclee paper is thick, heavy weight with a texture very similar to watercolor paper
and a natural white, matte finish.

This is a high quality Giclee print of my own original watercolor artwork.

This view caught my eye as we drove home from an Independence Day parade.  The bright clear day and the verdant fields were alive with color.  The wheel tracks worn into the dirt along the fence line led my eye to the mountain range with its blue and purple grays.  I picked up my camera, knowing one day this would become a watercolor painting.

For the creation of the original artwork, the pigments are laid on in transparent layers, drying in between and this causes the individual layers to become vibrant.  I plan carefully the mixes of pigment to prevent muddy results.  Some palette knife work is used to scrape back color as well as paint in fine details.  There's delicate spattering in the dirt wheel track areas.  The mountain details are very loose, allowing the paint to be more uncontrolled.  This gives the effect of distance and I love the softness achieved there.

The views along the Rocky Mountain Front are just spectacular!
I never tire of the landscape with changing skies and seasons.

If you have any questions, please comment below or message me privately!

Thanks for stopping in today!

Christy
-She must make art.

Shooting Stars Graceful Giclee Print in the Etsy Shop!

Etsy Shop Announcement!

New Listing in the Christy Sheeler Artist shop on Etsy:

Shooting Stars Graceful

8" x 10" with 1" white border, signed in pencil within white border.
Packaged in a clear cellophane sleeve.

$45.00 plus shipping and handling.





A delicate trio of shooting stars with noses pointing in all directions, these pink beauties have a gentle touch.  This wildflower is one of my favorites as it is for many others as well.  These tiny treasures when bountiful will turn a whole field magenta!  That's one of the awe inspiring things about wildflowers, they spring up where you would least expect and can survive the hardest conditions.

Shooting Stars Graceful Giclee art print comes without a mat.  With a mat, it will slip into a standard 11" x 14" frame.  It's printed with archival grade inks, a quality Giclee print on a textured natural white paper similar to watercolor paper.  This fine art print of the watercolor painting by the same title is available here in my art studio, aka the solarium.  I'm keeping a limited number of prints on hand but I'm able to get a new order of prints within a short amount of time.  I package and ship within 3 to 5 days of receiving the order.

I've got beautiful and unique handmade cards to give as a free perk to every purchase.
Click here to purchase this Giclee art print in the Etsy Shop, Christy Sheeler Artist!

I'll be back in a few days with a new post...hoping to have new watercolor paintings in progress this week!  We took the kayaks out on Lake Francis yesterday...I sat at the picnic table with my travel art kit and there's now one more quick watercolor painting in the sketchbook!

Right now, my garden could use some TLC and I still haven't picked up tomato plants to add to the raised beds!  Our summer routine is still not really a routine at all!  My uninterrupted time seems to come in short supply.  I'm trying to find a balance in it all.

-Christy

she must make art.

Indian Paintbrush with Branches Giclee Print in the Etsy Shop!

Etsy Shop Announcement!

New listing in the Christy Sheeler Artist shop on Etsy:

Indian Paintbrush with Branches

8" x 10" with 1" white border, signed in pencil within white border.
Packaged in a clear cellophane sleeve.

$45.00 plus shipping and handling.







It's been quite a process to arrive here, but I'm so thrilled to make this fine art print available in my Etsy shop, ChristySheelerArtist.  In the next few weeks, I'll be introducing additional fine art prints!  Please stop back and see me here, I'll be spreading the good news each time!

This Giclee art print comes without a mat.  An 11" x 14" mat with 8" x 10" mat opening would coordinate beautifully.  Every purchase includes a handmade note card featuring watercolor accent creatively mopped from the palette!  Shown below is an example, though they are all one-of-a-kind.  It's my treat as a special thank you to everyone who purchases from my art selections.

Several views show off this art print of the Indian Paintbrush with Branches nicely!  If you've always been a lover of this wildflower, I promise you'll love this art print just as much.  It's as vibrant and crisp as the photos display.  It's printed with archival grade inks, a quality Giclee print on a textured natural white paper similar to watercolor paper.  It's been a lengthy process learning the steps necessary for this kind of quality print.  I'm very satisfied with the results and equally pleased that I did not rush the process.  I've been determined to know the ins and outs of these skills, in the end, having a finished product that represents my work in the very best way.  To a certain extent, I'll be perfectly happy to hold on to my original paintings for a longer period of time...they are not easy to let go!

I've got more news to share but I must get on with other tasks today!  The heat has hit us here in northern Montana.  We have been adding the window air conditioners strategically throughout the house.  An air conditioner was placed in my art studio window today...and I'm so eager for many items are on my artist's to-do list!

Another day: Etsy art sale of an original artwork, a few mountain wildflowers of early summer, art technique instructions to go along with the two hotly pinned photos on Pinterest, and much more!

Christy

-she must make art.

Etsy shop:  ChristySheelerArtist

Pigment Choices That Last

Watercolor pigment is a major player in this artistic adventure!  In the past week, I found myself exploring the Diane Sutherland Botanical Artist blog.  Her work is just beautifully detailed.  In her post, About Watercolor Paint, she talks about the pigment labeling and what it means.  I was enjoying her post so much, picking up some great tips.  Then I read what she shares about lightfastness.  She gives links to other websites (I'll share at the end of this post) where test results are given for many watercolor pigments.  I had to go dig deeper.  Next thing I knew, I was sorting through my stash of watercolor tubes.  This had me wondering about my own supply of paint!  I can say I was not in a panic.  This is not an emergency.  It is information I'd like to understand.  I want to be informed for future art supply purchases.  I want to use this knowledge as I add to my pigment supply.  Here's an artist's point of view on quality of materials.

In the past year, I've been making a transition to all professional grade watercolor pigment.  I was so frustrated with myself for realizing I'd recently purchased two more tubes of student grade watercolor pigment.  That had not been my intention.  Mistakes happen, I guess.  I'm trying to make a commitment to all artist grade because it matters to me.

In my research, I found I have three tubes in my supplies that are questionable for fading.  Now, anyone who has artwork they wish to protect will most likely not hang it in direct sunlight.  That makes sense, right?  Watercolor artwork should be matted and framed behind glass and hung out of direct sunlight.  It's still wise on my part to reconsider using pigments that may fade or change over time.  The time spent choosing and mixing pigments, along with the time spent applying the individual layers of that painting...pigment choice matters.  I invest so much of myself that it's worth making changes to which pigments are on my palette.

Giclee Print in the Art Studio

I can't wait to share the news!
I've got Giclee prints here now.  They arrived a few days ago and now I'm preparing to list them on Etsy.  If you live in our area, I'll have them in the studio for purchase.  There's a bit more work to do before they'll be ready to leave the studio.  I'll be signing, packaging and photographing them.

Just arrived this week! Giclee fine art prints of my work. Only a limited number of each; I will have a few of each in the studio for now. These will be ready for purchase locally next week. Soon after, they will be added to the Etsy shop as well. #watercolorprints #christysheelerartist #giclees #artstudiotoday

A photo posted by Christy Sheeler (@christysheeler.artist) on May 6, 2016 at 3:57pm PDT

 The lilacs are blooming and I ought to grab my camera before they finish their show.  It all changes so quickly!  Our family will be heading closer to the mountains this weekend for an afternoon of picnicking, kayaking, and maybe even a campfire.  I'll take my camera and maybe a few art supplies!  Are you enjoying some time outdoors this weekend?  Be sure to take some time to see what's happening in the nature around you!

-Christy
she must make art.

Dancing Poppies Watercolor Painting

I meant to highlight each of the poppies watercolor paintings.  In the series of four paintings completed together, I shared each in a post of its own.  All except this one.

It's really no wonder; I've felt a bit scattered and disorganized lately.  My success in managing so many aspects of the art process varies with life's seasons.  I'm still learning how to keep it all together between artistic pursuits and family needs.

Bear with me, I'm finding the rhythm.  Maybe like learning a complicated dance step?


I would like to present Dancing Poppies, the completed watercolor painting!  It was completed in late February 2016.  The original watercolor painting is available on Etsy in my Christy Sheeler Artist shop.  (This post added April 2016.)  

Along the way, as the blog develops, I'm enjoying being able to share behind-the-scenes views of the process, like a virtual studio tour!  Hey, I'm so glad you had time to drop in today... Can I offer you something to drink, iced coffee, water, green tea?  Let's get started, it's just so fun to have friends stop by with eagerness to see the art studio.

Sketch It Out 

So this painting began as a simple value sketch with Sharpie fine point black marker.  You can see there's a vague and loose feel to the sketches.  Using a black and white print of the photographs helps me see the range of values from lightest to darkest areas.  This is not a regular habit of mine and I'm still deciding whether I'll use it on a regular basis.  I've got a feeling I'm already doing this subconsciously in my planning process.  The composition of this piece is not one that follows the traditional rules.  Without realizing it, I have a composition that breaks rules.

A Photograph for Reference

The photo reference I used for this piece with one change:  the flower at the left is reversed and placed at the far right.  This was a bit of a challenge when it came time to paint it with the light coming from the top left.  The light striking the petals needs to be consistent for all the flowers.  Mind bending?  Yes.  I still do it to myself anyway.

Tracing Paper Has The Details

Tracing paper has become my favorite for sketching.  It's easy to draw in a detailed way and erasing is effortless.  Now, with the sketch for Dancing Poppies, clipped to the board, I can transfer it to the watercolor paper with a sheet of carbon transfer paper sandwiched between the layers.

Let the Watercolor Do Its Thing

The first washes of watercolor pigment are soft and loose.  I begin with the background for this piece.  Where I begin varies with each painting.  There are some that begin with the main subject.  Here, I had such joy in working on wet paper, allowing the pigment to flow where it pleased.  When I am concerned about pigment moving into delicate petal areas, I apply masking fluid while the paper is dry.  I applied masking fluid in stages so that stems and leaves had a soft wash of the background as their base color.  It's much easier to be free and spontaneous when I don't have to work carefully around details.

In the background, the other three watercolor paintings in the poppies series are resting on the easel.  I have them there to study at a glance.  If there are problems, I'll usually notice them in passing more than while painting on them for an extending period of time.  There will be a final critique session with that great husband critic at the end.  Dancing Poppies, on the studio table, has a background that's building with layers of watercolor pigments.  It's even taken on a golden tone in the upper left area of the painting.

For some reason, I was so busy in the throes of creativity, there are no photos of this piece while the petals were being painted.  Sometimes, it happens like that.  I get a spurt of crazy get-this-going energy and there's no stopping until it's done.  So the completed Dancing Poppies with the tools used along the way.  The value studies, the sample brushstrokes of color, and the color mixing grid all help me through the process to the finish.

A shot of the studio table while work is going on shows my typical set up.  Occasional time-outs are called for some clean up.  It seems that in the flurry of paintbrushes and pigment, things get cluttered and out of sorts.  At the end of the day, I'll bring it all back to tidy again so it won't be an intimidating sight the next morning. 

The Finished Painting

Dancing Poppies, the rule breaker for composition design.  The sunlit leaves weaving their way through at an angle seem to help it work...at least in my mind's eye.

Etsy:  the Christy Sheeler Artist shop and Dancing Poppies listing.

Well, I feel better knowing that Dancing Poppies got its own reveal.  Maybe no one will ever know the difference...but if you're here reading this, it did make a difference!

So what do you think of composition?  Do you like the more traditional or the unusual view better?  Maybe you've never really thought about it before.  This week, here's a challenge:  keep your eye on the look out for art that you enjoy most.  Look for the way the main parts are arranged.  Do you think it's traditional or not?

-Christy

she must make art.

P.S.  To see the blog post about the full process of all four poppies watercolor paintings in this series, click:  Watercolor Poppies Complete Art Process.

Art Studio Update March 2016

Let's chit chat about works in progress

I've been a busy girl, wanting to get it all done now, when there's not enough hours or energy to keep up!  There isn't a specific to-do this for each day.  That probably needs to change.  I have a mental list of tasks and goals but no real game plan for each day.  It feels like a bit of chaos.  

I'm sidetracked so easily!  In fact, I've got quite a bit to share so here we go:

1.  Etsy shop new listings

The final two poppies watercolor paintings are now listed in the ChristySheelerArtist shop on Etsy.
These are the originals, 8" x 10" in size, on 300 lb. Arches cold-press watercolor paper.  

Poppies Sunlit Blooms 2016

Poppies Stand Tall on Etsy

Newly Listed Original Watercolor Painting

Poppies Stand Tall

A more traditional composition of bright red poppies, orange and yellow where the sunlight touches the petals.  It was just before dusk on a late summer day when I took the reference photos in a neighbor's garden.  The poppy's vivid yet soft, tissue paper petals always capture my attention.

Original Watercolor 8" x 10" on Arches 300lb. watercolor paper

Now available on Etsy at ChristySheelerArtist

$250 plus shipping

Copyright 2016 Christy Sheeler Artist All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Christy Sheeler Artist All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Christy Sheeler Artist All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Christy Sheeler Artist All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 2016 Christy Sheeler Artist All Rights Reserved.

Poppies Single Watercolor Painting on Etsy

Newly listed on Etsy

Poppies Single

Original Watercolor 8" x 10" on Arches 300lb. watercolor paper

Now available on Etsy at ChristySheelerArtist

$250 plus shipping

Copyright 2016 Christy Sheeler Artist All Rights Reserved.

Watercolor Poppies Complete Art Process

Overview of Poppies Watercolors Series

The inspiration for these paintings began with a neighbor's garden!  Lynn has one of the most green thumbs on our block.  As I've shared before, I keep a close eye tuned to the gardens throughout our little town.  Many a trip, toting one of my kids somewhere and back again, means I can spot the local views for inspiration.  In the past, Lynn has been great with me taking photos of her sunflowers as well.  I remember years ago...photos gone with a hard drive crash...taking some photos of magnolias she was growing in her living room.  Last summer, I visited Lynn's garden when the early evening sun brought out their beautiful glow of oranges and yellows.    The petals are like tissue paper, so delicate and thin.  For my artist's eye, these are just too lovely to resist!  I've looked forward to painting them and found they were worth the wait.  There are a total of four paintings in this series.  I'll be showing photographs from the stages of completion but not always from the same painting.

As I've shared in passing a photo on my phone of my current works in progress, many people have commented that poppies are their favorite as well.  With photos sorted and favorites chosen, I began the process with the value sketches.  The composition is very important in the planning stages.  I must admit I broke some composition rules in two of these paintings.  I did not place the focal poppy where it ought to be BUT I believe I was able to pull it off.  This should not be my regular habit; the unusual composition appeals to me.  My art critic husband is strongly drawn to the more traditional compositions.

I did not want to do the value studies/composition planning!  Like brushing teeth...it doesn't take that long and it's painless, but it sure prevents future problems.  I have been aware that these little quick sketches are important.  I wanted to get right to the painting sooner.  It wasn't torturous and I will begin implementing this in my process on a regular basis.  It's really not THAT bad.

I have been making my sketches directly on tracing paper.  Maybe I ought to be sketching on drawing paper in the sketch book first.  What thought do you have?  I suppose a sketchbook is a longer lasting record and easier to flip through later.  Well, I made the sketches on tracing paper.  I had purchased a thicker tracing paper and this was my chance to try it out.  I think I prefer the thinner weight.  Is it because it's what I am familiar with, that's undecided.  

Sketches are transferred with graphite paper onto the 300 lb. watercolor paper.  This saves the paper from multiple eraser marks and pencil lines indented in the paper.  If you have not made your own graphite paper before, you should give it a try.  You only need a few items and you most likely have them on hand now.  Comment and let me know, I would do a how-to demo to show how it's done.