Art Studio News

Building some momentum to knock out some tasks and reach some goals this month!  Artwork has been on track but other tasks not so much.  I think my time management has been needing some work.  I have been taking a more flexible approach to personal life and family time. I love working from home and having my studio at home.  

Since summer of 2022, I have been fortunate to have several art commission projects come my way.  I appreciate the response from many of you and have enjoyed our time working together to develop vision for new art pieces.  Some artists might find it daunting to take on art commission work but I do not find that as my experience at all.  I find it exciting and refreshing to listen to client (seems impersonal...friends, really) ideas and interests, see the photos to work from or find photos available to artists, hone in on color palettes that will be best suited to client or recipient, and then take off from there to create an original artwork that brings it all together.  The reactions from clients in the end are priceless gifts to me and renew my energetic spark to make the next new artwork.

Meeting The New Day 5" x 7"

I have one client I am chatting with about a few new pieces and hope to get started in the next few weeks.  We have talked about potential subject matter and photos to be provided by the client.  We have talked about the dimensions of the pieces so soon, I'll have photos from client and we'll talk over the color palettes to possibly suit these pieces best.  The client has frames purchased so seeing them will help me in going forward as well.  I take a lot of interest in getting feedback; this in turn helps me clearly understand what each client will be most pleased with in the end.

A recent art commission:
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Walk
9" x 12"

I will be taking new projects through the coming months so if this interests you, please contact me soon.  You are under no obligation to commit and I will not pressure you to agree to an art commission.  This process works most successfully when you feel comfortable and excited to proceed!  I am more than happy to explain the process fully and answer questions for you.  I will be up front and if I don't feel I will be the best for creating with your goals in mind, I have no problem being honest about that.  Here, on the blog, there is a page which outlines my procedure for art commissions.  That may be a great place to start if you are still undecided but curious.  My previous post, Openings For Art Commissions has more details.

Listen For The Hopeful Tune 7 1/2" x 9 1/2"
Available for purchase.

I cannot emphasize enough that taking on an art commission project takes time.  Please allow 2 to 3 weeks to begin the project as we coordinate our schedules to chat and exchange ideas, write contracts, submit deposits, etc.  There are quite a few steps required to take place before I can begin the initial sketch.  Creating the artwork itself takes several weeks and then the packaging/shipping takes about a week.  I do not ship artwork until final payment is received.

Persistence For Life 9 1/2" x 12 1/2"
Available for purchase.

I am working on making changes to my art prices based on dimensions.  The cost of supplies has increased.  The time has come to be sure I can continue creating original artwork and cover the overhead.  Price changes will be taking place with standard artwork that I create and on private art commissions as well.  Those changes will take place by the end of May 2023.  I will publish a post when the new prices take effect.

Familiar Notes Of Spring 5" x 7"
Sold.

Whoop Up weekend is quickly approaching.  On June3rd, a piece of my artwork will be displayed alongside the Rhubarb Pie Sales at the vintage camper on Main Street.  That piece, which I am still undecided in choosing...will be available for purchase.  It's an honor to be included and hope you'll be sure to take a look if you happen to attend.

June through September will be busier months with gardening, camping, and plein air painting outings.  I will most likely participate in Farmer's Market here in Conrad, MT but I hope to be there every other week at most.  Last year, taking artwork every week became too much so I will try to find a better balance this summer.  I would love to find a local spot for a pop up/limited time display where I can show artwork and meet & greet.  Watercolors do so much better indoors away from direct sun.  I keep thinking on locations that might do well for a 3 day set up that I can host on location.  Please comment or contact me with any ideas!

Lingering Attentively 5" x 7"
Sold.

Recently my subjects for artwork have been birds.  I began with European robins and then a chickadee.  Coming up, more European robins, another chickadee, a titmouse, American robins, bluebirds, hummingbirds, cardinals, and blue jays.  Sketches are being done and transferred to watercolor paper so those new pieces of artwork will soon be started.

Scrap of watercolor paper
with swatches of color.

I seem to be always mentioning the possibilities of teaching workshops and not following through.  I have the paper, brushes and palettes here so that helps with arrangement of supplies.  I now need to choose a few dates and announce so sign ups can begin.  I don't know whether afternoon or evening will work better...I personally prefer afternoons.  That will come together with time. 

Please be sure to check out art pieces available on my website!  Landscapes in a wide range, vibrant with color and texture.  Montana inspired watercolor artwork with my own personal style.

Thank you for following along and I would love to hear from you!  How is your spring going and are you finding time to be creative?  

Christy 

-She must make art.

Openings For Art Commissions Available Now

Art commission work is a very special process and filled with blessings!

I have been enjoying working with clients on a steady basis the past several months.  The process of working with a client on a custom piece is a welcome challenge.  I find that clients soon become friends and we enjoy the project together.  

There's a rewarding aspect to this process that thrills me as I provide the attention to detail and service from beginning to end.  In order to have the process go successfully, I have my own procedure for setting up these projects for best possible experience and outcome.  My clients are the people I seek to communicate with so I have no doubt what he/she will fall in love with when the artwork is finished.

One of the pages here on the blog (←linked) goes into specific detail about my process in art commission work.  Work?  Not really...somehow that seems ironic.  I love what I do and it's a pleasure to create custom artwork.  If you would like to read more about what to expect in working with me on a project together, that page will help you imagine yourself interacting with my art commission process.

Below, I am going to share some examples of artwork I have created for private art commissions.  You'll find they are all so varied in subject and dimensions.  

I will be ready to schedule one private art commission per month starting in June and throughout the summer into fall.  It does take a week or two to finalize all the details as we coordinate our calendars and daily schedules.  With one or two phone conversations, I can gather the information I need to begin to design the project.  I suggest allowing for four to six weeks minimum for the process from planning stages to final piece ready to ship.

Not sure about what you would have painted as an original watercolor artwork?  Here are a few ideas:  a memorable landscape in a place you love, a view from a family property, a favorite flower or bird.  I see these old and weathered places across our local area with barns and sheds...and the big Montana sky above with blue sky and gorgeous clouds.  Within a reasonable radius, I would enjoy taking photos of locations for new artwork.  When given the option, I would choose to work from my own photographs but that's not required.

If you find yourself curious to find out more, please send my a message.  I am ready to answer questions and give more information.  The page linked above also has more specific details of what you can expect.  

Thank you,

Christy

-She must make art.

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Walk 12" x 9" 2023

Gracie's Bison 9" x 12" 2022

relax-reset-renewed 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" 2022

Gratitude In Everything 4" x 6" 2022

Flourishing Daily 5" x 7" 2022

Persistence In All Things 5" x 7" 2022

Popping in to say hello!

Hello from the studio!  It's been a long while, I know.  I have been going in so many directions, not only with art studio activities, but with home and family as well.  There's so much to be done in this off season...and the weeks are flying by.  By the second half of March, I will be returning to nannying full days and that lasts until September.  With my most recent art sale, just three days ago, the buyer mentioned she enjoys my blog.  Well, the blog has been so far off the list, it's nearly fallen off.  Thank you, Julie for saying you enjoy reading these...this one's for you!

The past two weeks have been surprisingly busy with artwork sales.  To those who enjoy my work enough to purchase...a big thank you!  Each piece brings me a huge amount of pleasure to paint.  The fact that someone else is so attached and purchase a piece is a big deal.  It's an investment in my time and passion, an added little bonus to the supplies fund, and the hope that I can continue for years to come.  Some days, I confess, I wonder if I will run out of space to store the artwork.  My husband says not to worry.  He says to keep painting, even if I never sell another piece.  I love that man more than I could have breath to tell!

The art room looks much the same, but there's quite a bit of new artwork collecting on the back counter.  I have moved most of it from here to the next steps in completion.  The paper takes on some faint buckling by the time the artwork is finished.  I have a process for flattening it before I sign it.  This time, I counted over 50 total.  Many are miniatures but still quite a few 4" x 6" and 5" x 7" in the mix.  Beyond those, I am finding maybe a dozen more that are close to being finished with a few brushstrokes.  I have one art commission project in progress, to be finished by the end of February.  At this point, my goal is to finish up the steps needed to list this great amount of artwork by mid March.

Our snowy season began earlier than usual, with first snowfall in September.  By Thanksgiving, I had lost count of how many times it had snowed.  On Thanksgiving day itself, we were on day 2 of a snowstorm that was more hefty than expected.  We had the whole meal ready and only my husband and I at home.  The value of a 4-wheel drive vehicle cannot be impressed enough.  We were well stocked for supplies and power and heat stayed on.  It was a memorable holiday for sure!

In a moment of pure silliness, I challenged a friend to do a free fall into the snow.  This snow was so light and powdery.  We were out often to shovel...again.  I had my husband's help as I shared this on Facebook Live.  My friend took the challenge and soon she was free falling though I think the ski goggles might be counted as a cheat.

I guess it's obvious by now that there's been no shortage of inspiration for snowy winter landscapes.  As January is drawing to a close, I have got to say...I am snow over it.  (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)  I have a collection of gorgeous winter watercolors to share now.  I enjoyed each one.  They were a relaxing way to spend cold days indoors, with hot tea, and lovely music playing in the background.  I spent two afternoons hosting a winter landscape workshop here in the studio.  These were completed around that same time.  There are probably more, but this gives a good peek at what I've finished so far.

Thank you to Cath for the nudge to try this one.  She took my winter landscape workshop...she was the one who requested a workshop.  She asked for some tips during our time together.  She was wondering how to paint snow on branches.  

So as the ladies painted on their projects, I headed outside to get a few photos to work from to demonstrate.  I took the photos on my phone, later shared them in a google album online, and began this painting.  I was able to show how to quickly sketch the basic details, lay down a first wash of color, use masking fluid to save whites/lights...and then after laying down the second wash of color, our time was up.  

They asked for me to finish it and share a video.  It's been a while since I have saved and posted a video.  On the day I was ready to finish this piece, I set up my phone on a tripod and recorded my process.  They were able to go online and watch this with a link.  My skills are improving a bit at a time...both artwork and technology wise.

I think I have fallen in love with this one.  I love all of the work I create but sometimes there is a painting I think cannot go anywhere.  This one needs to stay put here, hung on my wall for now.  In 2020, one of my goals will be to add more paintings larger than 5" x 7" so we'll see how that turns out.

  

I am sure many readers have wondered at where I had gone.  It's been such a long time but not to worry.  While I may not be sharing the in-depth posts with how to and recommendations for products, I am still actively creating artwork.  My time is limited and I am using it with painting the watercolor artworks.  I will soon be at the one year anniversary of my website launch.  My plan is to have it updated with quite a few new artworks in the next month or two.  I am very active on Instagram because it's become so familiar with the use of my phone camera.

Perhaps, one day I will figure out a great and simple method for staying consistent with blog posts once again.  Thanks for stopping by and hoping you enjoyed a glimpse of what I have been doing creatively.

Christy

She must make art.

website:  christysheeler.com

instagram:  @christysheeler.artist

facebook:  @ChristySheelerArtist

email:  christysheeler.artist@gmail.com

The Ivy Ranch on the Brazos River: An Art Commission

An adventure begins with a thumbnail watercolor sketch.

A friend of a friend, Julie and I were bridesmaids in a wedding more than twenty years ago.  She has been following my artwork online.  She sends me a private message.  She's interested in commissioning an artwork.  This sounds interesting to me!  We message each other about the basic details, then she shares the photos with me.  From there, I begin to doodle away with pens and watercolors...I see where my inspiration takes me.  The vision for this artwork becomes clearer in my mind.

The vision for this artwork becomes clearer in my mind.

We arrange to chat on the phone, talk through more details and make a plan.  I need to hear about what is important to her, the buyer/collector.  She tells me about this place on the Brazos River in Texas.  She talks about the wonderful history; it was built in the early 1800's, a stagecoach stop between Austin and San Antonio.  I'm drawn in and curious to know more.  I am caught up in imagining what stories this place could tell and the people it's sheltered there.  

Wildflowers and a dog named Frindle

She would love to have the little dog, Frindle included along with the types of plants and wildflowers that would be growing there.  We talk about sizes and prices.  With that decided, I begin to write up a contract, we take care of the deposit, and the real work begins!

The buyer gets a sneak-peak

As I work, I stop to take photos often which is how this blog has developed until now.  Throughout the process, I share updates through photos for the buyer.  An online album with a link by email makes it a breeze for the buyer to see what's taking place in my art room.  It's a sneak-peak, behind the scenes way for me to make sure we're on track.  It builds the excitement on both ends of the arrangement!

The proper perspective is drawn out

The first sketches begin on a large sheet of tracing paper.  Below it, I lay a sheet of posterboard with a drawn grid.  Because the perspective in this drawing is the key foundation, I work through finding the vanishing points at far left and right.  Once the drawing is completely ready, it's time to transfer it to the watercolor paper.  The buyer has chosen 22" x 30" for the final artwork size...a full sheet of 300 lb. watercolor paper.

The color mixing fun begins!

Working with the art reference photos and the inspiration watercolor sketch, it's time to work through color mixing to set the tone.  This takes time but it's part of the process that gets the plan more worked out in my mind.  By the time this step is complete, I'm all excited to move on and begin to paint with these beautiful combinations of pigment.

I am ready to move to the next stage: the watercolor on paper!

Before any color is applied to the paper, I mask out the small details that need to stay white.  Now, I can begin the large washes of color.  I use a large brush and make sure I have a generous amount of color mixed so I can completely finish an area without interruption.  The sky must be completely filled without stopping or unwanted hard lines will form there.  This artwork progressed so smoothly from one stage to another.  Pre planning makes a difference when the painting begins.

A spattering with the toothbrush in a contained area

Spattering with a toothbrush comes in handy at this point!  It's also makes a mess.  I need a plan for keeping the spatter where I want it.  The top right area of the painting will have tree branches with light coming through all dappled and delicate so I need to have a plan.  A large roll of freezer paper is a terrific way to protect surfaces.  Here, it protect the rest of the painting surface.  I place the freezer paper over the painting, cut away to reveal where I plan to work, and mix up my greens.  There's a bit of spattering and then I step away to pause while I study the artwork.  Without some caution, I'll take it further than I had meant and feel some regret...a little restraint is a good idea!

From one area to another, with careful thought...

It's time to turn my focus to the main subject, the cabin itself.  I work in layers of pigment so the base layers will build a rich vibrancy at the end.  From one area to another, I study the reference photos and go from there, developing it one piece at a time.  One day, I might focus on the rock work of the fireplace.  Another painting session, I focus on the window and door frames.  When two wet areas are directly touching, the pigment flows between those areas.  This means there's strategy that must be in place.  I carefully select the layers in each area and which area is ready for more brushwork.

Wow, what a beautiful mess?!

As these photos clearly show, I have a large yet controlled mess in my art room.  There are painting sessions where I need to work quickly without interruptions.  At other times, I can frequently take breaks for a snack or a few stretches before I return to do a bit more.  At the end of each work day, I spend about 15 minutes cleaning up and preparing the flat surfaces for the next day.

The artwork is reaching its final stages

Once the artwork is completed, it's time to take it to the framer!  I do not ship framed artwork usually.  I have been very afraid to ship with artwork under glass.  The buyer is sure she would really prefer to have it arrive framed; she won't have that extra detail to arrange at her end.  There's a local frame shop here and I've had work done there in the past.  As we talk, I am pleased that Chary, the framer, is happy to help me with these arrangements.  We actually meet 2 weeks before the painting is finished and go over mat and frame choices.  We narrow down the best options and then I send the final options to the buyer.  The buyer makes the final decision within minutes!  The framer is able to make sure she'll have the mat and frame for our appointed done date.  What I love about this process so much...the frame molding was made here in Montana as well.  When all  put together, it really is a fantastic presentation!

What do you think?  Are you tempted to walk into this relaxing and serene place?  Can you see yourself enjoying an hour in one of the porch swings?  The cactus have their blooms and Frindle is ready to give you a hearty hello!  There's a rugged feel to the building but it's not neglected in any way.  The strength of its construction with hefty logs and rock outfitted with so many windows.  What a haven and retreat it must be!  One day, I hope to be able to visit this place on the Brazos River, to plant my feet on the ground there and take it in...I'm just sure that I captured its charm.

Thank you to Julie for this opportunity.  She is a dream buyer/collector!  I'm so thankful that she chose to work with me.

Thank you to Chary at Framing Etc. for working with me on the matting, framing and packaging.  She does excellent work! I had peace of mind in the final steps of the process, due in part to her skill and attention to detail.  We spent several hours together as this artwork was carefully packaged up and shipped off to the buyer.

Thank you to my family for making it possible for me to create work like this from home.  My husband and two teens are supportive and encouraging in so many ways.  I counted on their input for several critique sessions.  My husband would come straight from work and go right to cooking the evening meal for us.  My kids have pitched in at home and have developed an eye for detail!

Thank you to all of you who stop by to visit me here.  I look forward to getting back into writing and sharing in the weeks to come.  I have been sorting through reference photos for upcoming artworks.  Several have my attention and I'm working through test runs toward the final artworks.  When I'm in the middle of a creative flurry, I post more frequent updates on Instagram and Facebook so check out my profiles there!

If you are interested in a private art commission, check out the Private Art Commission information.  There you'll find all the details for arranging to have an artwork created just for you!

From my messy and chaotic art room, I wish you a beautiful and creative week!


Christy

-She must make art.

An Update:

July of 2017, Julie (the client) sent me photos of this artwork hanging in its new home.  It has been my intention to add these photos here as the final reveal.  So here is the finished artwork hanging in its Texas location.