MargaretAycock

Lemons and Magnolia Flowers

2012-02-01T16:27:00.000-08:00

This is a painting that I did as a class demo. Magnolia flowers have such a lemony smell. I thought about including the lemons and perhaps tea with lemon in the still life. It is for sale this week on my ebay auction. I have about 24 paintings left on auction this week which is coming to close in the next day. to bid click here

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Yellow Flowers in Reflective Vase

2012-01-31T08:47:00.001-08:00

I was going to set up a still life for my students and another instructor had left this great reflective vase w yellow flowers in the room. We created a still life around it. What fun! I have a painting video that details the process of painting reflective objects on my blog as well as a couple of other DVDs and my new full color instructional oil painting book. . This painting is on ebay right now and you can bid on it by clicking here

Petunias 16x20

2012-01-30T07:18:00.001-08:00

This painting was actually done in the studio rather than outside. I did want to create the feeling that it was outside though and added the typical ( for this part of the country ) prairie background. This painting is all about the flowers. I have it and about 40 other paintings on auction this week. To bid on this one or visit my ebay gallery, click here.

pg 17

2012-01-28T07:45:00.001-08:00

page 16

2012-01-28T07:44:00.001-08:00

Reworked version of Louise in the Meadow

2012-01-28T07:40:00.000-08:00

Picnic

2012-01-28T07:37:00.001-08:00

My adult class had been working on an outside scene w a table set for a ladies picnic. I had a new student who wanted to do the same but didn't know how to approach it so finding a canvas in the studio that needed to be painted over I demonstrated the process to her. Using a canvas that already has paint on it can produce some interesting results. This painting is a little darker than the 1st one as the underpainting affects the top layer of paint. I still liked the results and my new student produced a successful first painting. I have this and the first painting on ebay this week on auction w no reserve. It is 16x20 oil on stretched canvas. To bid or enter my ebay site to see my 40 other auction paintings click here

page 15

2012-01-27T08:59:00.000-08:00

page 14 from my book

2012-01-27T08:53:00.000-08:00

2012-01-27T08:50:00.001-08:00

Several weeks ago we had friends over for dinner. My friend, Louise went outside w my husband to tour the garden. It was chilly and I lent her a wrap. Her husband ( with the eye of an artist ) looked out the window and suggested that I take a picture of them as the red wrap on Louise looked so pretty against the background of green in the garden. I agreed and took several photos. this one ended up in a painting that I demonstrated to my class. I changed her location and put her in a hilltop prairie. This painting is for sale today in my ebay auction along with about 50 other paintings that I am adding to the auction today. To bid on this one and view my other auction items, click here

Page 13 of my book

2012-01-24T16:14:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Girl 20x24 oil

2011-12-09T15:47:00.001-08:00

This is the latest painting I did with my class. I was attempting to teach some glazing techniques and also some more impressionist brush stokes, dry brush etc. This painting has a little bit of everything. I have it on auction this week through my ebay site and also have a lot of daily paintings there as well. Click here to bid

This is what I am working on this week

2011-12-06T16:57:00.001-08:00

Page 12

2011-11-22T15:22:00.001-08:00

Louise in the Meadow, 16x20 oil

2011-11-22T15:17:00.001-08:00

I rushed outside to take a couple of pictures of my friend Louise as she and my husband toured our backyard garden. I liked the way my red wrap looked on her against the green of my garden. I had to demonstrate a landscape to my class and thought it needed a little bit of red in it and so my friend made it into my next painting. She is also an artist and makes the best Chocolate Cake. To bid on this painting click here to go to my ebay gallery/auction

I am also posting a page every day or so of my book on oil painting to my blog. I think I am up to around page 12 or so. Check back often and you can read the whole book or better yet, purchase the book here so you can hold it in your own little hands! It would make a great gift for your favorite artist. .

page 11 from my book

2011-11-20T09:41:00.001-08:00

Open Studio Arty Party Sunday, Dec 4 1-5

2011-11-20T09:34:00.001-08:00

I am gearing up for a big event at my home/studio. I have invited several other artists to join me in my endeavor. There will be a potter, hand crafted jewelry, a mosaic artist, several painters in several different mediums, knitters, and those who create one of a kind cards, painted purses and more. All of my artists are bringing snacks to share with our patrons and I will have something hot to drink. Any of you who live or are visiting Tulsa on that day are welcome to come. The address is 1135 N Denver in Tulsa. See you then. Bring a friend.

TCC class outing

2011-11-18T12:10:00.001-08:00

Goodness, is Oklahoma weather unpredictable. My students have been wanting to try their hand at onsite painting. Yesterday, driving to school I thought, " well, today is the day." We packed up our easels and hiked across campus to catch the last few leaves of autumn. This pretty little tree was lucky enough to still have it's leaves and so it got painted. I have it on auction this week on my ebay site. If you would like to bid on it or my other auctions click here While you are there see if you can find the painting that is listed for a start price of only $12 with no reserve. happy bidding!

page 10 of my book

2011-11-11T09:23:00.001-08:00

National Endowment for the Arts and us

2011-11-11T07:42:00.001-08:00

Our class trip to the Oklahoma Arts Conference netted us some National press! This is from the National Endowment for the Arts. http://www.arts.gov/artworks/?p=10554

Day one of Louise's Chocolate Cake 8x8

2011-11-11T07:37:00.001-08:00

This painting is on the last 8 hours of auction on ebay and I tried to post a better picture ( as I took the one on the listing at night 3 days ago ) but alas, Ebay won't let me change the pic. Anyways here it is pictured in much better light today. It features day one of my friend Louise's cake. I also have day 2 listed today as well. There was no day 3 as by that time we had to jump in and eat it! Click here to bid and visit my ebay gallery

Louise's Chocolate Cake 8x8 oil

2011-11-09T15:44:00.001-08:00

To eat the cake.... or paint the cake? That is the question. The correct answer is... Paint fast and eat the cake too! I have 2 paintings of this cake in my ebay auction this week ( over tomorrow ) One is bigger than the other. ( you know why :-) to bid on either one click here to go to my ebay gallery

Shades of Brown Student Art Show the month of November

2011-11-05T06:38:00.000-07:00

We had a great time at our opening the other night. These are some of my students. It was fun to get together outside of class and just hang out for a while. We had a great spread that we shared with patrons, got lots of great comments on our work. You can drop in any time during the month of November to see our stuff and perhaps make a purchase. It will be hanging at the Shades of Brown Coffee and Art, coffee house at 33rd and Peoria.

Louise's Chocolate Cake

2011-11-04T16:01:00.000-07:00

I am thankful that my friend, Louise is such a good baker and I am thankful that I have enough self control to not eat it all before some of it gets painted. I just got this great cloth at a garage sale and decided to include it in the pic. I am working on a second ( a little smaller ) painting that I will post soon. This one can be purchased through my blog for $100. ( only $3 shipping)You can have your cake and hang it too! :-) You can purchase the whole book ( not piecemeal ) through my blog as well.

pages 7, 8, 9 of my book

2011-11-04T15:47:00.000-07:00

pages 4, 5 and 6 of my book

2011-11-01T06:19:00.000-07:00

Page 3 of my book. I will be uploading a page every day or so.

2011-10-31T10:25:00.000-07:00

This is a test. Trying to turn a page into jpg from my book

2011-10-31T10:16:00.000-07:00

My Boy, "Boy with the Wind in His Hair" 6x6 oil

2011-10-27T15:35:00.001-07:00

This is a painting that I did of Dylan Aycock... (check scissortailrecords.com to listen to his music) Dylan is a musician who works in what I would describe as the ambient experimental genre. I have done several paintings of him and willing to let a few of them go. I really like this one. I did it to demonstrate to my class a technique that I wanted them to become comfortable with. Anyways It has a low start bid with no reserve on my ebay auction ( where I have hidden some real bargains this week) click here to bid

In the Garden

2011-10-24T07:05:00.001-07:00

This is a painting I did in my adult oil painting class. It was a demonstration in the process of landscape painting. I added myself in the garden as it isn't much fun to have a garden unless you can get out there and play in it ! I have this listed on auction this week at $125 ( it is 11x14 oil on canvas ) please jump in and place a bid ( or make me an offer I can't refuse :-) To bid and visit my ebay gallery where I have lots of paintings on auction this week, Click Here.

SOLD Dylan's Vintage Motorcycle, mixed media

2011-10-13T07:07:00.000-07:00

This is a painting that I did in my college class to demonstrate using Photoshop to tweak a photo of an object or a person and then use the tweaked photo to work from to create a unique painting. This painting is of my son's vintage motorcycle. I have it listed this week at $47 on ebay. To bid on it click here While you are there check out my other auction items and visit my online gallery. If you would like to purchase one of my teaching videos, my full color book on oil painting or learn more about me and my work, you may do so here in my blog.

Citrus and Stripes

2011-10-10T16:39:00.001-07:00

I told my students that we would be doing a simple study of citrus fruits. They were all excited as they thought it would be easy ..... until... ( insert the theme from 'Jaws' here) I brought out the stripes. They won that battle but I put the striped cloth in mine anyways. 'cause it's just fun! If you want to purchase this painting or visit my online ebay gallery ( check out my painting auctions this week ) you may click here
If you would like to read more about my work, purchase a teaching DVD or my new full color book on the oil painting process, Click here to visit my blog

My Secret Garden

2011-09-19T08:14:00.001-07:00

Sometimes you need only go as far as your own back yard to find subject matter for your paining. This painting was done when the roses were in full bloom and the cool shadows from the garage apartment stretched across my back yard. The shadows only made the sunlit roses look brilliant. Anyways here is the painting I did of my own little " Secret Garden."
To bid on this painting in my ebay auction today click here

Golden Dusk 6x6 oil on canvas

2011-09-18T09:47:00.001-07:00

When ever I have a big auction on ebay, I like to put a few surprises out there. Apparently no one found a couple of my surprises yet as this one is priced at $15 to start w no reserve and there are no bids yet. It is a 6x6 oil on canvas painted at the grounds at Gilcrease Museum at dusk. There are a few other daily paintings at even lower starting bids. See if you can find them. If you want to bid on this one and have access to my ebay gallery, click here I have about 80 paintings on auction this week.

Queen Anne's Lace at the Foot Hills of the Blue Ridge Mountians 16x20

2011-09-13T07:00:00.001-07:00

This is a painting that I did from sketches and photos taken during our trip to visit my sister in North Carolina this summer. I actually did this as a demo for my adult painting class and included a more dramatic sky. I have it listed on ebay this week. If you wish to bid, click here to visit my ebay auction site where I have a lot of daily paintings on auction this week. A lot of small 6x6 paintings that look great in groups.

Pretty in Pink 8x8 oil

2011-09-02T07:52:00.001-07:00

I used to belong to a portrait group before I started my job as a painting teacher. I loved the group. We would hire a model, chip in $3 each and have a finished painting after 3 hours. This painting started out as a 16x20 and got whittled down to this size as given only 3 hours to finish a portrait is one thing, but a figure, is a whole different ball game. I had a pretty decent figure but it had some problems and obviously, I got tired of dealing with the problems and cropped it down to the place where there were no problems. It is on my ebay auction this week for a mere $35 bid! To bid, click here

Spring Creek, oil and sunblock on canvas

2011-08-31T16:35:00.001-07:00

I tried to get a group together to go to the creek with me and ended up with just my husband and me ( he is that cute figure at the edge of the water ) We had all the makings of a relaxing afternoon; books to read, a fresh canvas, paints and mineral spirits. I ended up knocking the spirits over and found that sunblock lotion does a pretty dang good job as a medium and brush cleaner:-) This is a little 8x10 sketch that I did that day. I will have it in my ebay gallery. I have a ton of paintings on auction this week. Feel free to check them out. click here to go to my ebay gallery.

SOLD Finding Shells

2011-08-13T09:26:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite subjects, sisters, families on the shore. When I can't make it out to the coast, I still try to paint from my past vacations there. This one is 8x8 oil on canvas and is on auction this week in my ebay gallery. To bid on it, or check out my other auction paintings click here

Iris series 6x6 each

2011-08-10T11:09:00.001-07:00

This is one in my Iris series. It is a 6x6 oil on stretched canvas. I have a lot of daily paintings on ebay this week. To bid on the blue violet iris click here

12x12 Citrus on Wrapped Canvas

2011-08-09T07:48:00.001-07:00

One of my students brought a handful of lemons and limes to class the other day and I did a little 6x6 painting of them which lead to this.... a larger painting which is scheduled to head to OKC for a big annual fundraiser. But first....... I decided to see if it would sell on ebay. If you would like to bid on this before it heads to OKC for a much higher start bid... They require that all pieces start at $250.... check out the ebay auction where there is no reserve. click here to visit my auction

The New Tulsa Sound at Living Arts this month $2400

2011-08-08T07:49:00.001-07:00

Thanks to my involvement with this daily painting group, I have been in the practice of painting smaller paintings which served me well when asked to do a piece for the up coming "Oh Tulsa" Show at Living Arts In Tulsa OK. This one is called " The New Tulsa Sound" and features many of the young musicians who are making a living in the music field in Tulsa. Two of them are my sons, Jesse and Dylan Aycock ( Top and Bottom Left )

This is for sale right now as a whole piece through Living Arts for $2400. If it doesn't sell as a whole, I am planning on selling individual paintings for $225 ea.

To see more of my work, click here to go to my ebay gallery http://midwest-fine-art.com

CITRUS 6x6 oil $120

2011-08-03T07:44:00.001-07:00

It is way too hot to go outside so I decided to paint some COOL fruit. I really enjoyed painting these and loved the outcome. I tried some new techniques on the foreground and think I was successful. This is on my ebay gallery . To see this and other daily paintings on ebay click here

Yellow Field at Gilcrease Museum 6x6

2011-07-26T14:55:00.001-07:00

I am posting a LOT of my little daily paintings on ebay this week. This is one of them. All of them are no reserve auctions and this one starts at only $15! It was done on site at the Gilcrease Museum. It is 6x6 oil on canvas. If you want to place a bid and see the rest of my auctions on ebay click here

French Convent

2011-07-22T07:26:00.001-07:00

This is one of my new favorite paintings. My best friends have a daughter who has lived for around 18 years at a convent in France. They brought back beautiful pictures of the lavender fields and vineyards that are tended by the sisters there. I have done several paintings from them. This is my latest ones which I did as a demonstration for my adult oil painting class. I have also recently put it on auction through ebay ( where it can also be purchased through my ebay gallery at full price if there are no bids on the auction ) If you would like to place a bid or visit my auction where I have a lot of small, affordable for anyone type paintings, and some higher priced ones as well, click here

SOLD Blond Girl in Black Top 8x10 oil

2011-07-19T11:55:00.001-07:00

I just got the great news that I will be the featured artist, next summer, in the Oklahoma State Capital Gallery. To celebrate I am posting a lot of my larger paintings on my ebay auction along with some very very low priced studies in oil on canvas. All are no reserve auctions. I will be posting at least one painting each day for the next 3 days at .01 - $10. range. This one begins at $28 so check it out and bid here

Gilcrease Museum Family Days in the Fall

2011-07-09T07:35:00.000-07:00

I will be helping Gilcrease Museum create some fun, family projects this fall. Some of the programs will be on Saturdays ( held in the children's classroom just down from the gift shop )and others will be held on Sundays in the Vista Room. The Mathews building, once finished, downtown, will house some of the events as well. To be announced. We will have a lot of free, fun, family activities just around the corner. Check the museum schedule for times. click here to visit the museum

Margaret's Paintings to grace the State Capital's Gallery in 2012

2011-06-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

I am proud and pleased to announce that I have been selected to show my work at the Oklahoma State Capital Bldg in the summer/fall of 2012. I am very excited about this opportunity and hope to have some wonderful new work featuring some of my favorite places and people in Oklahoma.

Looking for Shells 8x8 oil $100

2011-06-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

Since I won't be getting as far east as the beach this year, I have to rely on paintings to take me there. This is one of several little beach paintings on auction this week through my ebay gallery. I also have a few $5 starting bid daily paintings on auction. See if you can find them and get your bid in. I never have a reserve on any of my auctions so high bid, even if that is $5, wins the painting.

To visit this particular painting click here

New! Art Tiles

2011-05-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

I just got hooked on a new thing and I love it! I am creating art tiles out of jpgs of my paintings. The tiles are vivid in color. They are 6x8 and can be hung or they have a support in the back that allows placement on a table top. I have them all in my ebay gallery

SOLD Hot Peppers starting bid $39

2011-05-25T07:24:00.001-07:00

We like it hot around my house and my garden supplies lots of fodder for great little studies like this one. This little painting is one of about 15 daily paintings that I just listed on auction this week on ebay. This one has a very low starting bid ( w no reserve ) of $39. I have around 8 items starting at one penny so see if you can find them and get your bids in. The penny auctions are fun for me and I know they make it interesting for my buyers so have fun bidding. ( no reserve on those either )

To go to my ebay gallery click here

SOLD Just for Fun

2011-05-14T07:02:00.000-07:00

I had several new students who wanted to complete a painting in a day and several other students who were working on a still life. Since I teach demonstration style I was getting a lot of exercise that day. So here is the little painting that my new students worked from ( painted by me ) Just for fun, I posted this on ebay this week for one penny. If you want to get a bid in, please join the fun and bid here

Please check out the other auctions that I have going this week. There are about 25 of them I think. This is the very best deal though.

White Iris, 6x6 oil on canvas

2011-05-10T09:26:00.001-07:00

I CAN'T PAINT FAST ENOUGH!!!! My garden is in full bloom and I do mean full. Everything that could possibly be in season has decided to bloom. Irises with peonies with roses, primroses and more. I don't know where to turn or what to paint. They all came at once and now they are all disappearing at the same time. :-( I have listed several new little Iris paintings on ebay this week and put this one on auction ( along w the others ) If you would like to bid click here to go to my ebay gallery
To find out more about me and my work, or to order one of my teaching videos or my new book on oil painting ( w tons of color pics and great instruction ) click here to visit my blog.

Summer's End

2011-04-19T08:20:00.000-07:00

I just finished this painting with my adult class. I was teaching glazing and layering techniques to them. I put her in the osage prairie in Oklahoma where I live. She looked like summer to me and so I decided to give her a background that matched her hair which around these parts is a nice mix of the last greens mixed with mature ochre/orange grasses. If you would like to see this painting or

Upcoming workshops

2011-03-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

I have two workshops coming up in the next couple of weeks
The first is at the Gilcrease Museum. Sign up is through the museum. It is a one day painting workshop where I will lead you through the process of painting the Oklahoma, Osage landscape. Class is Saturday, March 26th from 9:30 - 4:30. Bring a lunch or order from the restaurant there and we will enjoy the grounds w a picnic. The other workshop is in OKC and addresses selling your work online. It is also on a Saturday, April 2 from 1-4. There will be another speaker before me. Sign up for that workshop is through ovac... http://ovac-ok.org

SOLD Avacado

2011-03-19T07:23:00.001-07:00

I just finished teaching a workshop at the Gilcrease Museum and in the process, demonstrated techniques that I use to paint my little 6x6 daily kitchen series paintings. It was a great way to teach students the process of oil painting that they can use to create larger still lifes or use it to paint more one object studies. They all enjoyed the fact that they would be taking home at least one finished oil painting that day. Many completed 3 of them. Anyways I just put this on ebay with a very low starting bid of $29 with no reserve. In my ebay gallery I price these at a buy it now price of $99 ea. You may bid on this and check out my other auctions by clicking this link http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180639837525&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Granny Smith

2011-03-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

This is a painting that I just finished during my workshop this week at the Gilcrease Museum here in Tulsa. We did several 'kitchen ' paintings that were inspired by my work with this daily painting group. I put this one on ebay at a very low starting bid with no reserve. To visit my ebay auction click here http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390297665113&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Red Apple 6x6 oil on canvas

2011-03-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is one of several paintings that i completed this weekend after a Saturday workshop at the Gilcrease Museum. I taught a little class for beginning oil painters using only one or two objects. That way they could learn the process with out being overwhelmed . It was a beautiful spring day and we all had a lot of fun and several of the participants ended up with 2 and 3 paintings. I am glad I brought extra stuff! I put all of them on ebay today at a very low start price and no reserve. Check this one out through the link below.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180639836536&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

SOLD Testing the Waters, 8x10 oil on canvas

2011-03-11T07:36:00.001-08:00

This is a little painting that I did after a larger, commissioned painting. One of my students saw a photo of the larger piece and wanted me to teach the process. The best way I know how to do that is by demonstration, thus the smaller beach scene... I have this one on auction this week through my ebay gallery. To visit the auction and view several other pieces that made it to auction this week, click here

Osage Prairie 12x12 oil on canvas

2011-03-09T09:04:00.000-08:00

I have never been to a casino, but I have snuck down the dirt road behind one to paint several beautiful landscapes featuring the Osage Prairie lands. This is one of them that I particularly like. In it are cedar trees that are the bane of Oklahoma farmers ( but I rather like them ) and sumac which was used by the native people for tea and flavoring. I make a great sumac lemonade. This and other paintings like it are featured in my ebay gallery. I have about 25 paintings that I have put on auction in the last couple of days. Feel free to check them out and as always, you are free to make an offer that I can't refuse on any paintings that are not on auction. To check out my ebay site click here to find out more about me and my work or to purchase one of my teaching DVDs or books you may want to visit my blog

Dylan's new Bike

2011-03-07T09:21:00.000-08:00

My son bought this old motorcycle and fixed it up and got it running ( much to my dismay ) He took this great picture of it though and I played around with the photo on photoshop and painted it with acrylics and used markers for accent and to make it look a little more like a beefed up cartoon. Anyways I just listed it in my ebay gallery for $250 but put on my auction at $125 minimum bid with no reserve. To bid or to visit my ebay store click my link...Old Motorcycle on Ebay

Petunias in the Sun 16x20 oil on canvas

2011-03-05T12:35:00.001-08:00

I just finished this painting and thought I would post it here to brighten up your winter as it has brightened mine while painting it. I just put it on auction in my ebay gallery/auction site for those wishing to bid on it. I usually have a lot of my smaller, one item, daily paintings there as well. If there are none on auction, please feel free to make an offer. Here is a link to the ebay auction:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=390294887355

Nancy's Pets 6x6 oil on canvas SOLD!

2011-01-12T07:45:00.000-08:00

My sister hired me to paint portraits of her best pals. These are the finished products. Thanks to the daily painting group, I was already in the habit of painting small and finishing in a day. These are the products of 4 days. To bid or purchase a painting of your own pet you may contact me or visit my online ebay gallery at http://midwest-fine-art.com where I also have several instructional DVDs and one full color instructional book for sale.

SOLD A Little White Cup $95

2011-01-07T16:05:00.001-08:00

Over Christmas break I decided to do a little teaching video to advertise my workshop at the local museum that is coming up this spring. This is the one object painting that I did for the video. The painting can be purchased this week on ebay. click here to bid ebay where it is on auction w starting bid at $49 and no reserve.....and if you would like to watch the video you may do so on you tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLy5nQlqmkE

a little painting demo

2011-01-05T10:28:00.003-08:00

Another Macantosh painting w stripes

2010-11-22T16:49:00.001-08:00

I just think these stripes look like Christmas. I have been having a lot of fun with this striped cloth and apples. This is one of several that I have on ebay this week. One of them has a very low reserve price. This one has no reserve if I remember correctly. To visit my ebay site and possibly bid on this piece or another one click here

Hot Cup 6x6 oil on canvas

2010-11-19T06:18:00.001-08:00

This is one of several little "kitchen" paintings that I have been working on in preparation for small works shows and holiday giving. I love doing them.... instant gratification ! This one is on auction this week on ebay with a low start price and no reserve. Feel free to make a buy it now offer if there are no bids :-) I also have a few w very low reserves and a penny starting price so check them out as well. I am hoping some folks want to get creative with their gifts this year AND support the arts by supporting the artists. To see and bid on this painting click here

To check out my blog... click here

SOLD 12x12 Macintosh on Red and White Striped Cloth $250

2010-11-16T15:52:00.001-08:00

I just posted this 12x12 piece to my ebay gallery along with it's little sister, a 6x6 macintosh on stripes. I put both on auction and the smaller one's auction begins at .01 just for fun. It feels kinda Christmasy. To go to my ebay gallery, click here or visit my blog

Watching the Gulls

2010-11-14T15:57:00.001-08:00

I have been working on this little commission piece and I love the way it turned out. I put the commission opportunity on auction on ebay last week and this person won the bid. I put it out there again for this week but offer it any time for $99 for a 6x6 or 8x8 oil on stretched canvas. I love working with people's family beach vacations as they were always my own favorite vacations. Doing nothing all day but playing in the waves, hanging out w the family, watching the little kids play, walking the shore.... ahhhh... that's the life. If you want your own little painting you may contact me through email ( artistswaygallery at yahoo ) or through ebay.... http://midwest-fine-art.com This can be a unique gift for a far away family member or just for yourself :-)

Want your own beach painting? you can buy it now for $99. just email me a pic or two to the above yahoo.com address.

Hot Cup of Coffee 6x6 oil on cavas

2010-11-13T06:11:00.001-08:00

Hot Cup of Coffee daily painting 6x6 oil canvas Aycock. Well it is that time of year again. I am going small for holiday giving. It seems like when ever I am painting this time of year, I always have a hot cup of coffee or tea near by and they often sneak into my paintings. Want to bid on this painting? visit my ebay gallery....http://midwest-fine-art.com

Prairie Road

2010-11-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

Casinos are popping up everywhere in Oklahoma. I have never been to one but I have traveled down the little dirt road right next to the casino that goes off into the wilds of Oklahoma prairie land. There are a lot of dirt roads out in the prairies that provide a way for oil companies to go check their oil pumps that are plentiful out here. I got lucky this particular day. The landscape still held on to the greens of summer but allowed the red of sumac to enter the scene and the bane of allergy sufferers, beautiful golden rod.

Petunias 16x20 oil on canvas

2010-11-01T08:10:00.001-07:00

I am laid off from one of my very favorite jobs :-(

2010-10-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

I got the phone call as I was walking in to go to work ( early ) . The person I answer to at the Arts and Humanities Council was very upset and very sorry but the hospital... Hillcrest ... has chosen to shut down the program due to $$ problems. I am sure they didn't give an ounce of thought to what they have and what they will miss out on. You can't buy this kind of marketing.... This is a program that costs next to nothing and yields huge benefits in patient satisfaction. It lowers depression, fear, speeds healing times and gives patients a general feeling of good will and warmth rather than cold poking, prodding, boredom, pain, worry etc that fills the rest of their days. I hear from sooooo many patients that this is the one thing they look forward to during their week at the hospital. It is one of the things that makes them inclined to recommend the hospital to others. I could go on but at least I got that off my chest. I guess I better get to my other love, painting :-)

A happy ending to this story.... I GOT MY JOB BACK! After a letter writing campaign from nurses, doctors, therapists and staff and of course, me.... I got called into the principal's office.... ok, not really the principal, the CEO's office.... just felt like going to the principals office. Anyways after a 20 minute conversation with him concerning the value of the program, I was reinstated!!! Cool huh?

SOLD! 6x6 Vineyard

2010-10-30T12:10:00.001-07:00

My students asked me to demonstrate painting a landscape. Several wanted to know how I painted my Vineyard painting and so I demonstrated from that original, changed it up a bit and came up with this little 6x6. I stuck it on ebay today with a starting bid of $43 with no reserve. I have a ton of stuff on auction this week considering that I just got laid off from one of my very favorite jobs as facilitator for the Arts and Healing Program at Hillcrest Hospital.. Gotta ramp up painting sales to make up for the difference. Check out the auctions at http://midwest-fine-art.com

You will find a bunch of pretty little landscapes and a lot of one item kitchen paintings.

Bouguereau w an Oklahoma Twist

2010-09-23T06:26:00.003-07:00

I teach oil painting to adults and every semester we pick a master to play around with. Last semester it was a young girl painted by Bouguereau. I teach demonstration style and so it is a great tool to have a photo of a beautiful face to work from when teaching the glazing process. By trade, I paint more in the style of the post impressionists and you can probably see that influence in this painting as well. I used the face as a jumping off point, added my new scarf, put her in an Oklahoma prairie and put a red ribbon in her hair. I have several of these demonstration pieces in my ebay gallery and this piece is on auction this week ( soon to be over ) Check them out here... http://midwest-fine-art.com

You may also visit my blog for more about me and my work or to purchase my teaching videos or my new book on oil painting. http://margaretaycock.blogspot.com

Peoney 6x6

2010-08-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

Just listed this on auction w no reserve for $39 and free shipping through my ebay store http://midwest-fine-art.com/ I did a whole series of these earlier this season and somehow this one got lost in my studio. Just found it and put it out there for bids ( at a very low price, I might add :-) I will not be painting the peoney again until next spring.

flaming red head

2010-08-01T08:55:00.001-07:00

I usually work from life but during Tulsa's Mayfest celebration earlier this year I took several photos of street performers. This young woman was a multi talented performer who played the violin and also juggled! Due to Ebay's greatly reduced listing fees this week, I have this and about 80 of my other paintings on auction this week. See if you can locate other full figure paintings of this girl. I have also listed 2 paintings with no reserve at under $10 just for fun. Check out my ebay site at http://midwest-fine-art.com/ if you are interested in finding out more about my work, purchasing a teaching video or my new book on painting the still life in oil, you may do so at my blog at http://margaretaycock.com/

My Shining City 8x10 oil $150

2010-07-31T09:08:00.001-07:00

They tore out a lot of houses near my neighborhood in order to make way for the expansion of a near by university. As luck would have it, that never happened and so we are left with beautiful grassy hills with lots of shade trees that is kept mowed by our city. It provides me a wonderful place to paint with out having to go much further than my own back yard. From there I once caught a beautiful glimpse of my city as billowing clouds filled the sky and the sun began to set. This is the result. I put it on my ebay auction this week along with a huge amount of my other paintings ( ebay had a great listing sale ) There are a lot of my daily paintings on the site along w larger works. my ebay gallery is at http://midwest-fine-art.com/ Just for kicks, I put 2 paintings in my gallery on auction for under $10 with no reserve. find them and bid for a great bargain!

Gilcrease Workshop

2010-07-29T07:05:00.001-07:00

gettting ready to teach the kiddies all next week at the Gilcrease. I am really looking forward to working with the teens. I love that age. Actually I love all the ages. We are going to be working on landscape, still life and portraits. Hope they can keep up with me :-)

My Secret Garden

2010-07-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is my back yard in early summer. I must admit, I painted this from a photograph as early summer is a battle between actually gardening and painting in the garden. Thank heaven for cameras to capture what you can't get to. I just posted this in my ebay auction site.This is on auction this week as I take advantage of ebay's great listing sale. Almost everything else in my ebay gallery is on auction this week ( over 80 paintings ) See if you can find the 6x6 painting with the starting bid of $10. My ebay site.... http://midwest-fine-art.com/

SOLD! One in my Oklahoma Sky series

2010-06-18T19:26:00.001-07:00

Out in Oklahoma we can all lay claim to some of the most beautiful skies in the world. This is one in a series of sky paintings that I am working on. There are several of them on my ebay auction . Feel free to go check them out here I have started the auctions at $39 w no reserve or if you wish to buy it now, please make an offer of at least $80. If you would like to check out my DVDs, my Book on oil painting, go to my etsy store

Notes for drawing the human head

2010-06-05T12:05:00.001-07:00

Measuring the Human Head

Many artists use measuring of one form or another during the process of drawing or painting the human head. We will begin with some of the basic measuring rules that exist in a majority of human heads. Remember, each face is different and these rules need to be checked if you are trying to obtain a likeness

1. The eyes are placed in the middle of the face (not to be confused with the middle of the head)

2. The face can be divided into 3rds. Chin to bottom of nose, nose to brow, brow to hairline.

3. There is a distance of one eye between the eyes and enough room for almost a full eye on either side of the face from the outside edge of your eyes.

4. If you dropped a line straight down from the inside corner of the eye, you would run into the outside edge of the nose.

5. If you dropped a line straight down from the middle of the pupil, you would run into the outside edge of the lip.

6. The hair on top and side of the face has bulk. If you are drawing a portrait of a person with hair you will add at least the distance of one eye to the top and both sides of the face.

7. You should draw the head life size or smaller as slightly larger than life may seem monstrous to the viewer.

8. Life size of human face is aprox. The same size as the span of the human hand.

The Drawing Process

1. Measure the span of your hand and put a mark at the top (forehead) and the bottom (chin)

2. Divide the span into 3rds and mark the thirds

3. Look at your model. Are her brows at 1/3^rd? Is her nose at 1/3^rd? Adjust the mark to fit the model.

4. Measure your model’s eye

5. See how many times the model’s eye measurement fits into the space from the chin to the forehead. (Let’s say it is 6 times)

6. Find a measurement that will go between your forehead and chin marks 6 times. This is the size that the eye will be on your drawing. Make a note of it on a straight piece of scrap paper. You will use this measurement to measure everything on your drawing. If your model is a photograph you will also mark on this paper the actual size of the eye from the photo. (write the word photo next to one of the marks and drawing next to the other) Working from life you will use the tip of your paintbrush and fingernail to mark the distance of the eye, always holding your arm straight without bending the elbow when measuring the actual model.

7. Using your eye measuring stick, mark the distance in eyes from the chin to the forehead.

8. Let’s say that you notice that your model’s eye is located 5 ½ eyes from the chin. Count 5 ½ eyes up from the chin and place the mark for your first eye. You know how big to make this eye as you have it on your measuring paper. Now mark the other side of the first eye.

9. You are on your way. You can now see where to put the 2^nd eye by seeing how many eyes fit between your model’s two eyes. You can see how far out from the eye does the side of the hair begin, how far out does the hair go? How wide is the nose? How far up do I put the brow?

10. You can also employ some of the tricks I talked about above such as checking to see if your model’s lips are directly under the pupil or a little less or more. Does their nose span the distance between their eyes?

11. The trickiest thing is to not get the two marks on your measuring stick mixed up. You will use “photo” measurement to only measure on the photo and “drawing” to only measure on the drawing.

Tips on Painting a Still Life from my Videos and Book

2010-05-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

Notes for a Still Life Workshop

Setting up a Still Life.1. Put objects together that might normally be seen together (or not)
2. Keep it balanced
a. Remember that cast shadows and color intensity are part of the balancing act.
b. Use a variety of objects (large, small, short, tall etc)
c. Think about what colors might look good together. Opposites in the color wheel are an easy and sure bet. Opposites work well to form a uniform composition, for example, orange may be used to grey your blue objects when you want to create a shadow side and blue may be used to create shadow on orange.

Abstract Design
1. Begin with a viewfinder or create one with your hands.
a. Lightly sketch abstract shapes and lines. Use a little paint and lots of turp as you should expect to erase as you refine your composition. (Using a clean brush and turp)
2. Give a little thought to your focal point.
a. Decide what to leave in, move around or take out.
b. Avoid putting your focal point in the middle.
a. A focal point is a place where one or more of the following elements exist: 1. The most detailed or interesting object. 2. The lightest light next to the darkest dark 3. Side by side opposites. ( blue/orange red/green violet/yellow)
c. Allow objects to leave the painting area in at least 3 places. Make good use of the painting surface. (Don’t put all the stuff in the middle of your canvas with nothing on the edges)
Your beginning idea in abstract form may look something like this.

Firm up The Drawing
1. Make sure containers are symmetrical
2. Check the ellipse on containers. Top ellipse should be similar to bottom
3. Pay special attention to your focal point. Draw it really well.
4. No need to draw each pedal on flowers. Leave that area vacant.

Add Color1. Block in all local colors first (the main color you see when you look at the object. This is usually a medium value and painted as a solid mass like if you were coloring in a coloring book. The only thing not painted solidly are groupings of flowers and leaves. Lay those in transparently with soft edges. Firm them up in the last stage.

Finishing
2. Add darks, then lights and then highlights (in this order) You have already painted in the medium values in the block in stage and they may or may not need further work. You may have to repaint the medium values when you are trying to create a transition area between the dark/meium or light/medium.
a. Ask yourself “ Where is the lightest light and darkest dark. Compare all other values to them.
b. Squint a lot when comparing but keep your eyes open when applying paint.
c. Use the biggest brush you can for the size of object you are painting.
d. Make your brush strokes interesting, going up, down across, diagonal using the sides of the brush rather then the point unless working on detailed areas.
3. Pay attention to where edges disappear (where one dark value meets another or medium value meets medium or light meets light.)

Applying thick paint is the last stage to be
used in the lightest areas only. Brush is
almost flat and parallel to the surface of the canvas

Finished Painting

Cool Route 66 T Shirts designed by yours truely

2010-05-22T15:45:00.000-07:00

Description

Once upon a time my mom, then a spry 23 year old, traveled from NY to California along that great highway, Route 66. She stopped in the desert to take a picture of a cacti that looked like it was kicking up his leg. She had her pal take a shot of her being kicked. That is her, doing the hand stand. Very cute! I have sizes sm, med, lg in Black and extra large women's in Pink and and teens large in Pink.( that one would work as a women's small as well )

They all have, what I believe are called cap sleeves, kind of 1/2 sleeve except for the teens shirt. They are all a cotton,spandex mix with just the right amount of stretch and softness. They are also longer than your typical t shirt.

Please excuse my lousy picture taking. The caption on the T shirt reads I'm still gettin' my kicks! It is quite readable in real life:-) If you would like to own one please click here to go to my etsy store.

Coffee Cup Series

2010-05-22T13:21:00.001-07:00

I am so thankful for the daily painter group. Because of them I have been having such fun doing these small paintings. I have a series of irises, peaches, cakes, pears, coffee cups.... the list goes on. What fun! Anyways these little paintings can be purchased directly through me $80 ea or go to my etsy store, or my ebay store where you can also see some of my larger pieces and some really cool route 66 T shirts that I just designed.

Peaches and Pears ( Pears SOLD! )

2010-04-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

I have been painting as fast as I can to get ready for an upcoming show in my city, Blue Dome Arts Festival that runs concurrently with Mayfest . Thank God I got in the habit of these wonderful small paintings through the daily painting group. They are such fun to paint and I love the way they look when hung in a group. I have a bunch of them for auction on my ebay site and for sale in my etsy store . Anything not sold before, will go to the Mayfest show. On a side note, I also have a piece that just got into the Richard Schmid Art Auction. to bid on that piece, click here. As always, if you would like to keep caught up on what I am doing, buy my book or video tapes, you may do so here on my blog

Come and see me at the Blue Dome Arts Festival May 14-18.

Peach / Pear Series

2010-04-16T15:19:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a series of 6x6 paintings that I will display at an upcoming festival in May. I got started doing these after reading about the daily painting idea. Since then I have had a great time painting these little paintings and have been able to make a decent living doing so. I love the idea as it makes it affordable for anyone to start collecting original art. These little peaches and pears make me feel happy when I look at them and they look great in my own kitchen till someone comes along and buys them. If interested in purchasing, please write to me. I don't know that I will post these on ebay as I am trying to gather a nice group of them for the festival but would be happy to sell them to anyone interested in them. They are $99each and you can purchase directly from me by writing to artistswaygallery ( at ) yahoo.com I will send a pay pal request if interested in purchase. Please do feel free to visit my ebay gallery for my large paintings at http://midwest-fine-art.com I do have an instructional book and several videos for sale at both sites

SOLD! Still Life with Lemons 6x6 oil on canvas by Aycock

2010-04-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

I've been playing around with old canvases. Cutting them down to 6x6 stretched, repainting portions and then framing in bright little frames. This one looks great in the little red, deep frame. It is on my ebay auction starting at $47 with no reserve. my site is at http://midwest-fine-art.com/

Happy Bidding.

Find more about my work at http://margaretaycock.blogspot.com/

SOLD !You can have your cake and eat it too! 6x6 oil

2010-03-22T16:25:00.001-07:00

.

My friend, Louise came over the other night, bearing cake. She left us with a healthy share. Just before dividing the piece for our lunch, I thought ..." hmmm ... this might be fun to paint." and IT WAS! I had fun putting on the frosting.... just as if I were actually frosting it. I loved the painting and the eating of this wonderful cake... now I would love the selling... I will post this on auction on ebay in a couple of minutes. Will start low with no reserve or you can buy it directly from me for $99 if there are no bids. my ebay site is htttp://midwest-fine-art.com or you may purchase here.

Oh, I can include a great frame for an extra $15.

Oklahoma Vineyard SOLD!

2010-03-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

I was working with one of my adult students today and she pulled out a photo of a painting that I had done years ago that she loved, an Oklahoma Vineyard. She asked me to show her how I did it and I guided her through the process using a 6x6 canvas ( I was working with one of my adult students today and she pulled out a photo of a painting that I had done years ago that she loved, an Oklahoma Vineyard. She asked me to show her how I did it and I guided her through the process using a 6x6 canvas ( the original was 16x20 and was a bit different than this one ) Anyways after a few hours she went home with a painting she loved and I got to experiment with a new product ( the masonite canvas ) and went away with a little mini painting that I loved. If you would like to purchase it you may, for $99 or take your chances on my ebay auction... I am starting it at $49. http://midwest-fine-art.com ( my ebay gallery ) If you want to find out more about my work, order an instructional DVD or my new book, check out my blog at http://margaretaycock.blogspot.com

New Book on the Way

2010-03-12T08:59:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to have just written my first book on Painting the Impressionist Still Life in Oil. It will be for sale through my websites and on amazon and createspace next week! For those of you who can't find the time to take one of my classes or are too far away, this is a great learning tool. I packed everthing I know about painting the still life into this book. There are tons of color illustrations and photos throughout. The book retails for $23. I will have a clickable link to the book and pay pal by next week.

( first one SOLD )Blue Dome Art Festival ( Mayfest ) Tulsa, Street Performer,Margaret Aycock

2010-02-14T15:17:00.000-08:00

This is one in a short series of Street Performers that I am working on. They are fun, and bright and warm me up! Each is 8x10 oil on stretched, wrapped canvas and are on my ebay auction starting at $149 or buy it now for $225. If you love the auction process, jump on in, the water's fine! If not, contact me for sale ( if there are no bids ) at artistswaygallery ( at) yahoo.com

Blue Dome Art Festival Street Performer

2010-02-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

It is as cold as the dickens out here in Oklahoma and we are expecting to get another 3 inches of snow. What better way to warm up than gather up last year's photos of Tulsa's Mayfest and Blue Dome Art Festival. I have been working on several little 8x10 oil paintings of these street performers. What fun!
This one is on ebay right now on action. You can check out my ebay gallery at http://midwest-fine-art.com or my etsy store at http://margaretaycock.etsy.com

9 days in the life of a daily painter, Margaret Aycock

2010-01-24T15:57:00.000-08:00

I have been painting these little 6x6 oils on canvas for the last several days getting ready for a valentines show at that gallery that represents me here in Tulsa. Anyone wishing to purchase one or a group please contact me before the show. I take these in later this week . They will sell for $100 each through the gallery. Make me an offer for a group!.... artistswaygallery(at) yahoo.com

feel free to visit my etsy store at http://margaretaycock.etsy.com/ or my ebay store at http://midwest-fine-art.com/ and last but not least... my blog at http://margaretaycock.com/

SOLD! Fairy Princess 16x20 oil on canvas by Margaret Aycock

2009-11-13T10:54:00.000-08:00

Well I usually post my little 6x6 daily paintings ( check my ebay auction) but We just finished this little 16x20 painting in my class. I usually use a master painting as a jumping off point and allow my students to get creative while learning glazing and measuring techniques. I just added this painting to my ebay store and put it on auction there yesterday. click here to visit my ebay site I also have several paintings on etsy

Dogwood by Margaret Aycock

2009-10-28T18:01:00.000-07:00

I usually like to paint flowers transparently first and then work with opaque paint. For this painting I tried only using opaque paint and I really like the way it turned out. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to achieve the appearance of a transparent paper thin petal without transparent paint.... so I guess I was wrong. I have this in my ebay store along with many other daily paintings. Just click on the daily painting tab after going to my store at http://midwest-fine-art.com I also have some instructional DVDs there ( I teach adult painting workshops ) and lots of full size oil paintings.

TORNADO SKY Daily Painting by Margaret Aycock 6x6 on canvas

2009-10-26T16:49:00.000-07:00

I never have to look far for inspiration here in Oklahoma. I need only look up. We have amazing skies out here and yes, I have experienced a tornado or two. Here is one… you have to paint really quick when doing a tornado painting…. Only kidding  I have more sky paintings in my ebay gallery and often put them on auction. This one is on auction this week.

Fall Sky on the Prairie 6x6 oil on canvas by Margaret Aycock

2009-10-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

This is one of my little sky paintings. The size is 6x6 and is an oil painting on stretched canvas. I love the idea of daily painting. What a great, affordable way to start collecting art and keeping our artists painting..... a win win for everyone. Right now I have a great collection of my series of local musicians hanging on my kitchen wall. I used to have some sky paintings there but dang it, people kept buying them :-) They are pretty and fun to paint. If you want to purchase this one you may do so here. It costs $99 with $5 for shipping. If you want to see more of my work click here to go to my ebay store. To find out more about me and my work click here to go to my blog

Yellow Sky

2009-10-19T17:51:00.000-07:00

This is one in a series of little sky paintings that I have been working on. I live in Oklahoma and one thing about Oklahoma is that there is an endless supply of beautiful skies here. I live near the Tall Grass Prairie and many of these little paintings depict the landforms that exist there... mostly flat. If you want to see more of these little paintings keep an eye on my ebay store at http://midwest-fine-art.com/ where you can bid on this painting or contact me for purchase price. To find out more about my work click on my blog at http://margaretaycock.blogspot.com/.

Vampire Cure 6x6 Daily Painting oil on canvas, garlic

2009-10-16T16:16:00.001-07:00

I suggest hanging this little painting in the place where you feel you might experience the most trouble with vampires... I find the kitchen is the perfect place in my house, I have had this little painting hanging in my kitchen all week and have noticed the place is vampire free. I will give it up if need be as I can always paint another one as I have plenty of volunteers for models that I grew in my garden this year. I have this on auction this week on ebay starting at $45. If you would like to buy it now you may contact me and pay full price at $99. with $5 shipping
To go to my ebay store and bid click here ebayTo find out more about me and my work click here blog

A Pair of Pairs. Oil on 6x6 canvas by Margaret Aycock

2009-10-15T15:38:00.001-07:00

Both of these are listed on ebay this week. If you want to take your chances and have some fun bidding you can check them out there by clicking here.. http://midwest-fine-art.com/ They were a fun little exersise and they kind of remind me of Christmas... They are both oil on stretched canvas and are 6x6. If you want to find out more about my work or purchase an instructional DVD check out my blog at http://margaretaycock.blogspot.com/