Just off the Easel: Wilson and Trey

Here's another holiday commission that I can share now:

Wilson and Trey
5" x 7" oil pastel
commission

These two fellas are big Redskins fans, so we had to show their team colors in the painting and in their collars!  According to Vikki, their mom and dad loved the painting!


It's so much fun working on pets and bringing photos to life in pastel.  Find out more about commissioning a portrait of your furry loved one here on my website.


Stay tuned for more completed commission posts this week!

Just off the Easel: Virginia Farm

Hoping your holidays have been magical!  Christmas has come, and  I can finally post some of the commissions I painted this holiday season.  Here's one of a Virginia farm:

Virginia Farm
oil pastel on board
12" x 16"

I'll be sharing more commissions in the coming week, so stay tuned!

Just off the Easel: Christmas on Salem

Happy Holidays!  I hope you are enjoying all of the joy that the holiday season brings.  We have been so excited to introduce our daughter to Christmas traditions, and one of our favorite places to celebrate is Downtown Apex!


This past weekend was the annual Christmas Parade on Salem Street in Downtown Apex, NC.  This painting is based on a photograph I took just as the sun was setting and people were lined up along the street waiting for the parade to begin...

Christmas on Salem
12" x 16"acrylic on canvas
available in my shop

I love the Downtown Apex, NC area with all of its history and charm! I have worked in the downtown area of Apex for 7 years and consider it to be a local treasure.  They close off the streets on Friday night for the Christmas tree lighting and carriage rides, and again on Saturday for the Parade.

The view is looking South down Salem Street. You can see the street lights which are decorated with lights and trumpeting angels. Along the sides of the street there are people lined up ready for the parade. You can also see the buildings of a few of my favorite businesses, among them are The Rusty Bucket and Anna's Pizzeria. If you are ever in the Raleigh, NC area, Downtown Apex is not to be missed!


I hope that you enjoy creating special holiday memories with your friends and family.  Please remember especially those in need during the holidays and our men and women serving in the Armed Forces.  Sometimes the happiest times for most can be the hardest on those dealing with loss or missing loved ones.  


I am donating 25% of the sale of this painting to the Western Wake Crisis Ministry, an non-profit based in Downtown Apex serving the community through employment counseling, food pantry, and financial assistance.  Visit their website at www.wwcm.org for ways that you can volunteer or donate.


Merry Christmas!

Just off the Easel: Blue Ridge Winter

This is the other piece that I finished and is hanging in the Apex Arts Council's Winter Holiday Art Show:

Blue Ridge Winter
16" x 20"
oil pastel on board

It is framed and hanging in the Salem Street Promenade near enV Salon through December 12th.  There are some great works available for auction, so stop by if you are in Downtown Apex.  It's right near Common Grounds Coffeehouse, so you can get caffeinated while you're there!

Just off the Easel: Snowy Lane

I just finished this for the Apex Arts Council's Winter Holidays Art Show:

Snowy Lane
16" x 20" acrylic on canvas

I took photos along the way so you can see the progress of this painting from start to finish:

underpainting

lay down color & refine shapes

more detail and shadows

finished! added branches,
more highlights and adjusted colors

Snowy Lane will be on display and available for purchase via silent auction in the Salem Street Promenade/Common Grounds Coffeehouse Dec. 1-12.  Auction bid starts at $150.  I also have another piece in oil pastel, Blue Ridge Winter, in this show.  Come by and see some great local art in Downtown Apex!

Remember that I have four paintings on display at the Visual Art Exchange starting December 2 (see posts here).  The opening for these shows is during First Friday, tomorrow night, December 2nd from 6-9pm!