My student's self portraits... Love them!

Violin with Moon Flowers

To Purchase

 My friend and excellent luthier, Jacob Mehlhouse, ( Tulsa Strings )  gave me this blank to paint.  The price for the violin includes a fully completed instrument, strung and ready to play.  Please allow time for Jacob to put all the parts together.  Shipping will occur only after completion.  I was inspired by the blooming moon flowers outside in my garden.  They seem like a musical, magical flower, blooming just as it begins to get dark, filling the air with a sweet perfume.  It is my hope that the one who purchases this instrument will also fill the air with the sweet perfume of your music.  Got a different design in mind?  Let me know and we will work with you on a custom instrument. 

Photos from my Plein Air Workshop

I recently lead a workshop on painting en plein air  This is one of the sketches that I completed in the morning hour.  I put it on auction this morning on ebay.  Click to visit my ebay auction

Red Roses on Terracotta

Normally I wouldn't think I would like a composition in mostly reds and oranges but I brought roses in from the garden and being in a hurry to capture them on canvas, set them up in my kitchen which has light terracotta walls.  I really liked how the roses looked against that color.  This painting is on auction this week on ebay.  If you are interested in bidding or visiting my other auctions, click here

Patrice Pike at our house concert this weekend. RSVP

http://houseconcertsunlimited.com

Deer in an Oklahoma Forest

My husband went camping w a friend and told me about finding this out of the way wilderness campsite where the deer were so tame they just kind of hung around.  He took me there last year and wouldn't you know, just as he said, we pulled in and there was a heard of deer there which hung around long enough for me to snap some great photos to use later.  This painting is on sale on ebay right now.  To bid click here  I am celebrating a 777 positive feedback score w new paintings on auction each day this week.  Clicking above will lead you into my ebay gallery as well.

Cowgirl Dreams

To Bid

This was inspired by a vintage print of a cowgirl.  See her in the background?

Provence Country Road

While in Provence this spring I took a lot of great photos of the area around the convent.  When I returned home I used several of them to create new works and to teach the process of painting to my adult students.  This is one of the finished pieces which is on ebay auction this week for you to bid on.  CLICK HERE to visit my auction ( around 25 pieces on auction this week )
or CLICK HERE to visit my blog where you can read about my life as an artist and perhaps purchase my new book on painting the landscape en plein air.

My TCC class project

For this project we all started out with the same photo of a lovely, costumed woman.  I demonstrate the process that we will all follow to complete the painting but allow each student to choose the model's surroundings and since I have a class full of animal lovers, they also chose an animal that would sit upon her lap.  This is turning out to be a lot of fun.  We are nearing completion.

Painting in the great outdoors in Oklahoma

We had a delightful plein air workshop at the RossMar Ranch this weekend.  I had 10 eager painters with me.  The weather held out for the whole day although it was a bit nippy in the morning.  Thanks to my layers of long underwear and multiple shirts, sweaters and jackets, I was prepared for what ever the day had to offer.  I demonstrated one oil sketch in the morning and one in the afternoon.  We will take both back into the studio this Thursday and will work with any students who want to complete their paintings.  ( Mine included as they are not quite ready for prime time :-)

Lots of paintings on Auction this Week, New ones added daily

Another week of new auctions on ebay.  I will be putting tons of paintings on auction this week, both large and very small ones.  This one is small, 8x8.  It was done as a demo in a workshop that I lead at the Tulsa Arts and Humanities Council a few months ago.
To bid and enter my ebay gallery Click Here

Pears from my Art Grab Workshop at AHHA

In Tulsa we have this new, amazing art center called AHHA.  I was invited to do several workshops there throughout the year.  I introduce adult students to oil painting by setting up a simple still life that can be completed within 2 hours.  Ok, so my first one took a few minutes past 2 hours but I had some great students who were primed to learn, who listened and followed directions excellently.  They did a great job, learned a lot about the process, and all went home with a small painting that they could be proud of.  I worked very quickly as I demonstrated the process to them step by step.  This is what I ended up with, and I must say, I love it!  I put it on auction this week on ebay.  It is an 8x8 oil on canvas.

To visit my ebay gallery click here

To sign up for an art grab class click here

Vintage Wild Flowers and Sarah McQuaid concert

The world comes to our doorstep.  We were honored to have Vintage Wildflowers ( of Tulsa fame ) open for Sarah Mc Quaid ( from the UK ) last night at our house.  We are so lucky to be able to host these concerts and share them with others.  These artists were all greeted with a very enthusiastic and appreciative crowd.  ballads were sung, Cds were sold and everyone's ears had a treat.

Lemonade

I told my students to bring items for a summer still life that would include lemons and lemonade.  We added and subtracted till we came up with a pleasing composition.  It includes a lemonade pitcher that used to belong to my husband's grandma.  This painting and about 50 others are marked down this week on my ebay gallery in preparation for a big sale coming up next weekend.  The more I sell online, the less I have to carry to my annual sale at Tulsa's exclusive, Utica Square's Art in the Square.  Check out my gallery for all the items on auction this week and get your bids in early!
To my ebay gallery

Maybe the final version of this painting?

If you leave any painting long enough in an artist's studio, the chance is that they will find something else that needs fixin'.  I had 'finished' this painting several months ago and then took a fresh look at it.  Since most of it was a product of imagination, I had to figure out, would the flowers be that big?, would her neck be that long? head tilted in that direction? etc.  So today it looks like this and is on sale on ebay... auction actually.  Selling a piece is the only sure way to keep our artistic hands off of it :-)
To bid
To my blog where you can purchase my "hot off the presses," book on landscape painting or find a link to the Kindle version of it.

Roses

A little painting of the roses in my garden.  This painting ( and a bunch of others ) on auction this week on ebay.

To bid an visit my ebay store Click here

House concert this Thursday at our house

House Concerts Unlimited
Presents
Sarah McQuaid
with opening act
Vintage Wildflowers
sponsored by


 

When:  Thursday, September 26th
Where:  1135 N. Denver Ave. Tulsa
Time:  Doors open 6:30pm and show starts 7:00pm
Suggested Donation:  $20
RSVP is required, as seating is limited.  RSVP to scottapoet@yahoo.com  You may reserve a spot through paypal to scottapoet@yahoo.com
 

Note from your house concert host:   If you like Celtic and British Isles traditional music, then you will love both our opening act Vintage Wildflowers and headliner, Sarah McQuaid.  Expect, exceptional musicianship, coupled with lilting vocals and be transported to a place of castles and fields of heather.  Of course there might be a head chopped off or two.  :-) 
 

 

Rising star Sarah McQuaid’s voice has been likened to malt whiskey, melted chocolate and “honey poured into wine” (Minor 7th). A captivating performer, she seduces her audience with cheeky banter and stories from the road, as well as with stunning musicianship; in her hands, the guitar becomes much more than merely an accompanying instrument.
Her musical output reflects her own eclectic background: Sarah was born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holds dual US and Irish citizenship, and now lives in rural England. Refusing to be pigeonholed, she spans the genres with both her beautifully crafted originals and her interpretations of material from around the globe and down the centuries. Sarah’s third solo album The Plum Tree and the Rose has drawn critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic: “Impeccable,” wrote fRoots (UK), while Midwest Record (USA) called it “low key but glorious and incendiary” and Hot Press (Ireland) said it “should feature on many end-of-year best-ofs.” “A great songwriter and traditional singer, and a wonderful guitarist.” — Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2, UK

“Brilliant musicianship, a warm and welcoming stage presence and a voice as rich, matured and knowing as the finest thrice-distilled Irish malt whiskey.” — Geoff Wallis, fRoots, UK
“Sparkling guitar and compelling alto voice ... reminiscent of Pentangle’s best efforts.” — Tom Druckenmiller, Sing Out!, USA
“Likely to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck.” — Aled Jones, BBC Radio 2, UK
Watch Videos

My Landscape book is now available on Kindle!

My book is now available on Kindle!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F1IXB1GKindle book on landscape

Okies on the Shore 8x10 oil

Every now and then I pull out my old beach pics and do a fun painting of beach figures.  I usually pump up the colors, break down the planes and just have fun.  This one is 8x10 oil on canvas and is on auction this week at a very low start w free shipping.
To Bid click here

House Concert with Wendy Colona and Jesse Aycock

you tube video of Wendy at our house concert

Friday the 13th Book Release! Painting the Landscape Outdoors and in the Studio

It is finally done... my book on painting the landscape.  This is a very affordable way for you to have a Provence, France painting experience with out having to leave the country.  I packed the book with lots of great tips, for painting outside and then even more for studio work.  I will help you pack for a successful plein air painting excursion... hats, no sunglasses.... changing light... bug spray.....I will help you get set up... sun? shade? how little can you carry and be able to have it all when  you are out in the field?

I will guide you through the thought process of seeing a great composition in nature and translating it to the canvas.

I also have a great homework section at the back of the book to keep you motivated and inspired.

The book retails for $23 but I will keep it at $20 through the blog.  If you are ordering from outside the country, I would appreciate an extra $5 to get it to you.  Any overage, I will pay myself.

To purchase, click the button under the picture of the cover of the book to the right.

Here is a little sample of a few pages that include some 1 1/2 hour sketches.

Oklahoma Torndado

This is a tornado that we saw on our way home from playing in the creek. I have painted it a couple of times and this particular painting is on auction this week in one of my ebay sites.
To bid, click here

A cool photo

We just happened along this scene in western Oklahoma. I loved how the natural world seemed to be eating up this house... taking back what was once their own. 

Gallery openings in Tulsa

See a very short video of First Friday Art openings, Tulsa
I took this last night at one of the gallery openings.

Something Hot

I love to garden almost as much as I love painting.  Sometimes I get to do both in the same day.  This was from one of those days.  This little painting is an oil on stretched canvas and is for sale by auction on ebay.  there is no reserve and a very low start price.

To bid

First Friday Art Openings in Tulsa

I am excited to announce the both of my entries into the TAC annual show got in..... And.... I have 5 pieces in a show at Living Arts that is in honor of the author of " The Kite Runner," who is coming to town for a series of talks on his work.  I also have a piece in the, yet to open, Route 66 show at MEME gallery and another in the upcoming "Stacked Deck" show/fundraiser for Resonance, and... a piece in the 12x12 OVAC show in OKC.... I am breathless!

I am also continuing to paint and get ready for my show at Utica Square's annual Art in the Square.  Not to be missed!!

Here is just one page from my new book on Landscape painting.

Painting the Landscape Outdoors and in the Studio with Margaret Aycock

I am excited to share with you artsy folks that I just finished a book on painting the landscape plein air and in the studio.  If anyone has a moment, I would love for you to read a small portion and give me some ( hopefully, positive ) feedback.  I started the book after going to France earlier this year.  I stayed in the guest house of an abbey there and painted in the poppy fields, olive and almond groves that surrounded the abbey.  I was able to paint in the same areas of the pioneers of the French Impressionist movement.  I will try to get a link up today in my blog so that you can buy the book, if interested.
A link to read a portion of the book

a link to my gallery on ebay

First Day of School

Today was my first day back at school at TCC.  As expected, one half of my class showed up ( A+ for you guys :-) and half did not.  Looks like we are going to have lots of fun this year, yet again.  I always get to hang out with the best, most interesting people!   I am so lucky.  We are going to start out with a little 6x6 painting of peaches as I have been painting them till they were no more in the community garden, and now I am inspired to pass along the joy. I will post the next paintings soon and maybe even include a student piece or two.  Oh, I have 3 returning students this year. They were a joy to have in class last year and one, in years past, and I am looking forward to having them in my life again this year. 

For those of you who can't come to the TCC or Zieglers classes, Check out my mini workshops at the Arts and Humanities, Hardesty Center this fall.  There will be fun to be had.

Peaches update

There were tons of peaches in our community garden this year, up until about a week ago when several adult people who don't live in our neighborhood and had no part in purchasing, planting, tending the garden, came and stripped the trees clean.  Can you believe it? !  What nerve.  When confronted, they replied, " it's a COMMUNITY garden so we figured we are in the community so we picked them."  They had also picked veggies from several of the neighbor's garden plots there.  Oh well, at least I got several paintings and a couple of great desserts before they were all gone.  This one is on auction this week.

to Bid

Louise in the Prairie 16x20 oil

If you leave a painting too long in the studio, you begin to notice things that you could do to make it a better painting.  I pulled this one out and revisited it the other day.  I changed the figure slightly and cleaned up a couple of spots in the mid-ground.  This was painted from a couple of photos, one from the prairie above Turner Falls in Oklahoma and one from my own back yard where my friend, Louise had borrowed my red shawl and was looking over my garden, w my husband, Scott.  I thought she looked so pretty with that red against all the spring green in my back yard garden.  I combined the pair of photos to get to this painting.  It is on ebay auction for about 6 more hours today with a very low start price and no reserve.  click below to visit this painting and to see other daily paintings and larger pieces that I have on auction this week.  PS... the yellows in the painting are brighter than this photo shows.
To Ebay

Daily Studies

I Love how these little paintings look in groups.  At one time, last year, I had around 12 or 15 of them hanging in my kitchen.  They, of course, changed daily as one would sell and a new one or two would be painted.  I taught a mini workshop on painting them at the new Arts And Humanities Council in downtown Tulsa last fall and have been invited back to do two more of them this fall.  It is a great way to teach many of the skills needed for a larger oil painting endeavor, in a shorter period of time.  My students, last time were a mix of novices and artists skilled in other mediums.  They all had a blast and I must say, most of them walked away with a sellable piece at the end of the session.  Looking forward to doing the same this fall.  Anyways, I have quite a few of these on auction this week.  Here is a link to one of them which will gain you access to the whole gallery on ebay. ( some auction and some fixed listings )
To Ebay
To my Blog

Life IS a Bowl of Cherries... a little reworked.

I have been painting peaches like crazy as our community garden trees are loaded.  My husband brought home a bag of cherries from the market and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to paint them as well.  Cleansing the pallet :-).  There is something very soothing about looking deeply into one or two objects and reproducing them in oil.  The very best form of meditation around.... and... you get to eat, afterwards!
I just put it on ebay for a very low start price with no reserve.  have fun bidding.
I also put a link to my blog where I have my book and DVDs for sale.  I am almost finished with my book on painting the landscape which will soon be for sale on my site as well.  You'll be the first to know if you subscribe to my blog....Until then, Happy Bidding!

To Bid

CHERRIES FRESH FROM THE MARKET

To Bid

August is House Concert Month at our house...

We have some house cleaning to do to get ready for a month of house concerts.  Our first one is with David Olney and Sergio Webb.  I love those guys.  We usually out grow the house on that one so we have moved the show to the brand new Woody Guthrie Center down town.  I am also excited to have John Moreland open for them.  I am real picky about my music and was otherwise engaged as John hit the stage at someone elses CD release party in Tulsa.  Oh my gosh, I was amazed.  This guy is a poet with the voice of an angel.  Can't wait.  Later on in the month we are hosting, Josh Hardey, Grace Askew, Ben Bedford.  A host of amazing folks.  I need a maid!!!

Peaches III

One more in my series of peaches.  I am so glad I discovered the daily painting idea and the use of small canvases.  Something like fresh fruit needs to be painted quickly to capture it's essence before it changes.  This painting is the 3rd in the series and I can see, when I put them side by side that the leaves are loosing their color now.  hmmm... maybe I should keep them out and keep painting till they just wither away.... No, changed my mind.... gonna eat 'em before they go bad.

 This painting and it's companion paintings are all on ebay this week.  I put 2 of them on auction and one at full price.
To Bid

Peaches

I am having so much fun painting these little studies.  They are 6x6 oils.  I am taking a break from a 3rd painting to post these to ebay.  The peaches were so yummy that I have to paint fast so that I can eat them for supper.

To bid

 

 

Peaches 6x6 oil

We have a community garden in our neighborhood and several years ago a bunch of us laid our money down and invested in fruit trees.  They produce like crazy.  I went over there today and picked a few peaches and a couple handfuls of blackberries and rather than just eat them, I decided it would be better to paint them in the afternoon and eat them in the evening... This is a little 6x6 oil on canvas.  Anyone wishing to purchase for $100 may do so by email : artistswaygallery   at yahoo.com
Want to visit my ebay gallery?  Click here

Prairie Brook

We live near the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve ( you know, where the buffalo roam... )  Well we have a good friend and my husband's co host on NPR's  Folk Salad Radio Show, who loves to go tromping around in the prairie.  We allowed him to be our guide on this day and found ourselves resting beside this beautiful brook.  This was my perfect opportunity to declare a painting stop for myself and allow the guys to trek on without me for an hour or two.  I began this painting on site and followed it later in the studio.  This painting is now on auction on my ebay site.  For the lucky auction winner, I will be willing to take it down from its spot above my fireplace.
To Bid

SOLD! A walk in the Woods 16x20

steal!  I did this as a demo in my adult class.  I always like to start with a master or a great photo of a beautiful woman  and adjust it as I go to make it my own.  Everyone in the class used the same photos and we had a variety of interesting costumes and locations represented in all the paintings.  Anyways this one is on Ebay with no reserve, starting at only $29  just for the  fun of it.
If you would like to join, or start the bidding.... Click Here

sunrise on the Vineyard

This is a painting that I first did on site at a local vineyard.  My class loved it so much that they wanted me to demonstrate the process so that they might be able to paint a similar one.  This is the demo.  It is for sale through my ebay gallery.  By the way, I have one 16x20 painting of a garden picnic for sale through my ebay auction starting at only one penny, just for fun.  See if you can find it and BID!  If the bidding goes over $100 I will ship for free.
My Ebay Gallery

Peoney Garden

I have been working on writing a new book, this one, on painting the landscape.  The process had me up in the studio, looking through paintings to use as examples in the book.  As you might expect, I am coming across paintings that I thought were finished at the time, but having a fresh look at them, I realize, just a touch up here or there would make a better painting.  This is one of those. On the day that I painted this, the fence behind the flowers was a much darker value.  When I took a fresh look at the painting, I decided to grey it down a little and lighten it so that it wasn't fighting for attention with the flowers.   It is on auction right now in my ebay store.  To visit my store and this painting, click here