Waterfalls & Rivers Collection Now Available

 

New artwork is now available!  The recurring theme in these pieces - water.  The year 2020 did not make it possible for many of us to travel as much as normal.  Not much about 2020 was normal.  As I sorted through art reference photos, my mind transported me to the locations I love most.  We were able to venture out with a few day trips close to home.  Being in the landscape is best but painting these landscapes was also a delight.

Here's a small preview of some of the collection:

Interested in seeing the rest of the collection?  These and a few more available on my website linked here.  Be sure to subscribe to my mailing list when you are there.  Those who subscribe receive my updates first.  

More artwork coming soon!

Christy

-She must make art.

Ethereal Expressive Collection Now Available

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

New Art Releases Soon!

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.  

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.

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.

New Artwork: Garden Blooms Collection!

Garden Blooms Released!

It's very rainy here this week and though it is a bit dreary and chilly here in northern Montana,  I am hopeful for gardens sprouting new life.  It brings me joy to spread a bit of good news from my art studio...new artwork is available on my website at christysheeler.com!  They are sizes 5" x 7" and smaller so very easy on the pocketbook for sure.

Thank you for popping in to see what is happening here with my art creating space.  I am making time in the early morning for art...and then on the occasional day off and weekends.  While my time is a bit more challenged for being in my art room, I continue to make it there just the same.

Here is a limited preview of what you can find in this collection:

More artwork is ready to be added again soon...next collection coming is Ethereal Expressive Collection, loose and refreshing landscapes.  While you are on my website, be sure to sign up for my newsletter.  Early notice of upcoming art releases will be sent out each time, giving insiders the news first.  Three days earlier than on social media!  

Thank you for stopping by to spend a few minutes here...see you again soon!  Have a great week.

Christy

-She must make art.

Garden Blooms Collection Releases Soon

I am so ready for spring.  Montana spring is full of the occasional snow.  Gardens full of peas and lettuce will be a welcome sight.  And flowers.  I am excited for flowers.  The year 2020 has brought so much unpredictable and strangeness for daily life.  So while we might be feeling impatient for some beauty in the garden, I can bring you some blooms earlier than they will bloom locally.  Color so vibrant and touches of playful watercolor effects are on the way.  They are titled, in my art inventory,  have been photographed and now being uploaded on the website!

It has been my goal to remain  creative.   I find that even if no one needs my art, I need it.  I crave and heal through the process of creating art.  This outlet helps me cope with what is happening around me.

There are roses and sunflowers among the artworks coming soon to my website.   Nearly twenty in all, ranging in sizes from miniatures to 5" x 7" with prices that are super budget friendly.   My target date is May 21st, 2020 for these to be available online to purchase. 

I would like to add a few larger pieces to this collection though that may take a few weeks.  I have limited time available now.  I have returned to my seasonal nannying position on weekdays.   The small pockets of time available are key to making art and getting it ready to release online.

Would you like early access to see new artwork? 

My plan at the present is to release an art collection every 2 or 3 weeks.  That is dependent on a lot of things but it always helps to have a target.  There are seven collections ready to be released.  I will need to create the listings on my website which takes a few hours for each collection.  At this time, the collections are as follows:  Garden Blooms, Ethereal Expressive (landscapes), Summer Memories (landscapes), Waterfalls and Rivers, Trees, Autumn, and Winter.  I have plans to add two more collections, Wildflowers II and Prairie.

My website is www.christysheeler.com so go visit and you will be invited to sign up for my mailing list.  I have not been brave enough to actually try sending out a newsletter...until now.  Do it scared, right?  I do plan to send out an announcement for the release of each collection.  Sign up and you'll know before I publish it on social media!  What can be better than that?

I have two private commissions in the planning stages.  These will be larger pieces considering the sizes I have been working in lately.  I have been trying out studies in watercolor to prepare myself for working out the composition and values and color pigment choices.

One of my goals for this season is a better morning routine,  with about an hour reserved for being in my art room.   

Along with this, I have been bringing a small bag of watercolor supplies to work and I can find time to paint one or two times a week.  Even 30 minutes helps my outlook so much.

The two palettes shown are the Cornucopia Empty Watercolor Palette Trays.  They come as a 2-pack with 72 empty half-pans.  I ordered them from Amazon and they were under $20 total.  Dick Blick sells a larger variety for sizes of empty palette and full pans or half pans.  I chose pigments that would be lovely together, either just the one palette by itself or both together.  They have primary pigments and other favorites for pairing and mixing.  The sketch journals are Global Handbook Artist Journals.  The collapsible water cup is the Faber-Castell Clic & Go

I have been searching out a small and medium size bag perfect for organizing and protecting my art supplies.   Another of my goals is to have a perfectly packed for small quick day trips and longer ones as well.

It's great to be able to post this update and I will be working hard to make this spring and summer productive.  Thanks for stopping in to join me for this chat and let me know if you have any comments or questions.  You can comment below or send me a message through the link off to the right.

Christy

-She must make art.