Did I hear Snow?

Private Commission
11 x 14 Pen and Ink

Beth S. Macre ©2013

I love snow. Love to watch it snow! Love to take pictures after it snows. I just finished this commission of this house in the snow. I like the contrast between the white of the snow and dark parts of the house. It reminds me of how I love snow.  And I would love to have one good snow before Spring.

It is the end of February, so I am hoping March will bring more sunshine.  I've been feeling the winter blahs. Not the blues, but I'm just feeling the urge to get outside, go for walks, and start planting flowers.  We haven't had any extreme winter weather, but we haven't seen much sun lately either. Just cold, dreary, rainy days.  I heard there is a chance of snow flurries, tonight and tomorrow morning, the first day of March. It would be nice to have one nice snow and then get on with Spring!

Beth  ♥

I Love to Paint...

"Untitled"
Acrylic on Canvas 26"x 32"
Beth S. Macre©2013

...and draw with colored pencils and ink, and sculpt with clay...to name a few.  But one day last week, I just wanted to paint with no expectations, except to play with textures, colors, and shapes.  I did buy the canvas to paint something for my son, who needed some art on his walls.  But I also, figured that if he didn't like it, I could put it in my own house. Because I used colors that I like too. I knew that I had to keep my 'girly colors' and subjects out of it, so I decided to go more abstract. I really had fun playing with the design and the textures. I used acrylic paint and Golden's Molding Paste applied with a plastic palette knife.  Adding texture into the paint tinted molding paste with a stiff ribbon with holes in it and a wire screen.  (Next time I'll take some photos of the process.)
My son liked it, so it will be hanging on his wall soon...which I love too!

This needs a title and I'm open to suggestions. Anyone?

I Love…
To Paint…

Beth♥

I Love...

... Artsy people. Crafty people. Creative people....

...Artists

I clearly have a little prejudice here.  Being an artist, of course I'm going to love other artists. Artists sometimes get a bad wrap about being quirky and weird.  Not all artists are quirky and weird.  Maybe we do think differently than the non-artsy type of people.  And yes, there are some artists out there...no literally... out there!  But that's okay.  But most of the artists that I know are very real, down to earth, and very nice people.  I am going to spotlight a few of my favorite artists during my February month of 'Things I Love". 

Cindy Haase
"Sunshine State"

I have met many artists online over the years, many of whom I have had the pleasure of meeting in person.  So today's post about things I love will be spotlighting one of my favorite living artsy people that I have met in person.  Not only is she talented, but she is one of the nicest people I've met. And she is very generous to share what she has learned along her art journey in one of her blogs, What are you Really Selling?

So I want to introduce to you,  Cindy Haase.  You can click on her name to see her blog about her own art, Cynthia Haase Fine Art.  She is one busy lady. She sells her daily paintings on Daily Paintworks  and on Etsy. She is also the President of the Colored Pencil Society of America.

I asked Cindy to answer three questions for me and she was sweet enough to take time out of her busy schedule.  Thank you to Cindy!

Question #1
What motivates you as an artist?
Cindy:  I'm motivated by mental health! Painting is what I look forward to in the morning, and if I can't find the time to paint for a couple of days I start feeling very "grumpy". So I think its an emotional release and a means of expressing my feelings.

Question #2
What is your favorite medium/media?
Cindy:  My favorite medium right now is oil, but I've also been in love with pastel and colored pencil at other times in my career. I love the process and discipline of daily painting in oil. Coming up with something new to paint all the time pushes my creativity, even though I mostly paint fruits and vegetables. It's not so much the subject but what the shapes, lighting, color and edges can become.


Question #3
What advice do you have for artists just starting out?
Cindy:  Same advice that was given to me. Do the work! Learn all you can about color, edges, shapes, texture, and value, and make sure you are constantly working on your drawing skills. Explore!


So be sure and check out Cindy's art blog, Etsy shop, Daily paintworks auctions, and start collecting her art now while they are still extremely affordable!  

Beth  ♥

We Love our Dogs...

"Dupree"
Colored Pencil
BethS. Macre©2012

February Love for the week.   Most people who have a dog, really love their dogs like a part of the family.  We love our two dogs and our two 'Grandogs'.  I've drawn, painted, and sculpted variations of dogs over the years.   Love your dog? Click here to order a custom portrait:
Custom Order a Pet Portrait from my Etsy Shop.

Dogs…

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself."   Josh Billings

Beth  ♥

The Month for Hearts....

...love, flowers, candy, gifts, friends!  February is here! Heart Art is fun to create.  I love to put hearts on many things, all year, not just in February. It can express how you feel about so many things.  Plus, they are so happy.  So, during the month of February I am going to blog, quote, draw, paint, and photograph, things with hearts and things that I love and post them here.  Feel free to share what you love and add your comments about the things you 'heart' too.

♥Friendship ♥

So for the first day of February, I want to share a few of my favorite friendship quotes...

"...there is no greater gift than friendship."   Anonymous

"...a friend is someone with whom you dare to be yourself."  Frank Crane

"...how rare and wonderful is that flash of a moment when we realized we have discovered a friend."                                                                                        
                                         William Rotsler

"...it takes a long time to grow an old friend."     John Leonard

Beth  ♥