Angus Canyon

Angus Canyon___6 x 8 oil study

Here was a real quicky in the canyon just before I left last week..

HERE IS WHERE WE WILL PAINT during next summer's workshop in COLORADO!

Read a little bit about it and stay tuned!

.I am already back into the school swing, teaching a couple of High School classes at Hyde Park High School in Austin...Get ready, kids!

55 - Great Blue

 

Great Blue__7.5x11 watercolor pencil study

#55 in the Birdseed Project

 

I had a sweet visit with some family tonight and then ART making broke out!!!

Our cousin Kirsten and her beautiful family just moved to town and invited me over to see their new home! That makes the kids my first cousins once removed!

Few things are more fun than hanging out with 3 youngsters, loaded with colors and paper! WOOHOO!!!....We painted some trees, and bull dozers and then I had to try my hand at a bird! This one is #55 in my birdseed project!

I think I will OFFICIALLY DOT my little "cuzz-es". The younger two are now "I...." and "N"....Below, posing with the painting is

"lower case v...." !

Thanks "K" and "E"!!

Conejos Pop

Conejos Pop__6 x 8 oil study

This was a great summer for poppies at the family place in Colorado. On the Conejos River, in fact!

The guys in our family began calling it the "Cojones River" this year, after a certain incident which I will share tomorrow...

The poppies blaze for about 3-4 weeks and some years are better than others...The first few that "popped" open this year were beaten to a pulp by a HUGE hail storm. The hail also took out all the rhubarb that my father in law nurtures. Though there were JUST enough good stalks underneath to make a rhubarb pie!....my favorite!

The second batch of poppies were spectacular...

The Old Bridge

The Old Bridge___6x8 oil study__available at Firedworks, Alamosa, CO

LOTS OF EXCUSES why I have not posted in the longest time EVER since starting the blog!....mainly "life stuff", and travel...and school starting....and travel again!

I went back to Colorado to deliver paintings to galleries in Alamosa and Act I, in Taos, NM (click the link to see my "little dipper" on the home page :)

While there, I HAD TO paint some more. Here is a view of the old bridge near our cabin. THIS IS WHERE I will take our workshop group for a day of painting, next August!

I have big plans for this workshop and will post location works for the next few days...it is my FAVORITE place to paint.

email me  for a little e-brochure with pics!



Mi Mariachi

Mi Mariachi__water soluble Graphite sketch__12 x 9

Along with the watercolor pencils, this water soluble media is becoming my favorite

"doodle medium"...

I was at the San Antonio Missions (San Jose) not long ago, when the Mariachis came out of the chapel and played...loud and awesome, and the whole place (including ME!) sang along to "Cielito Lindo"...aka, "Ay, ay, ay, ay, Canta y no Llores!"

 

 

54-Ouzel...aka American Dipper

Ouzel__8x10 oil

#54 in the Birdseed Project

 

Slowly, my birdseed project is "catching on". Please read the link if you forget what it is all about. As school starts up, please remember this would make a great service project for students, youth groups, fraternities or ANYONE! If you start a project in your area, I am happy to provide materials for your use!

 

Really this bird is an American Dipper. A fun companion on the rivers and streams of Colorado...they are not shy, but walk alongside and dip their whole body under water looking for food!  I am sure it does NOT eat seeds, but bugs and worms!...I had fun photographing this little guy on the Conejos River and Rough Creek.

"OOzle" is how we pronounce it, and I had a heck of a time finding it in my bird guides (Sibley's and Peterson's were no help for my bad spelling!)...So once again I sing the praises of the world's greatest bird identifying place.  The Cornell  Lab of Ornithology's web site "All About Birds".Even if you don't think you are interested in birds, go look at it!...really cool!

 



53 - Flamingo

Flamingo ___12 x 9 watercolor pencil

#53 in The Birdseed Project

 

Click the blog image, to see some detail on this, and how the watercolor pencils work...I enjoy the drawing aspect...just LOVE scribbling...then finishing it off with the unpredictability of WATER!...add to that, the component of doing this "live" for my mom, while she sits by...watching quietly....

It brought back many memories... painting with mom watching. Almost ALL of my art memories as a child include mom there.

I was the youngest of seven kids, so there was never a "secluded" place to be doing my art. I often sat at the kitchen counter, with family coming and going...ALWAYS taking a chance that something would spill on my masterpiece...sometimes it was mom's coffee!

Mom chose this flamingo from a stack of my photos that I brought to the nursing home...it reminds her of her long legged daughter, and reminds ME of MY longER legged daughter!So, we sat on the hot patio, while other residents smoked nearby. Mom prefers to sit alone with me in the gazebo, but the sun was beating down at an angle, and the roof of the gazebo provided no shade, so we sat on the smoking patio.

Mom was especially quiet and several times I stopped to ask if she was OK?...bored?...hot?...she assured me that she was LOVING to watch....just like mom...

Southfork Trailhead

 Southfork Trailhead__8x10 oil

Below is the graphite (water soluble) wash I did just before my friend Pat and I settled in to paint at this location a couple weeks ago...This southern Colorado river valley is the place where I will teach a 5 day workshop during the August full moon-time in 2014.
Click here to read a little tease about it, and to see some photos. I will have all the details in order, in a couple weeks, after I spend a little more time up there!

***
ONCE AGAIN, I want to apologize for the group hacking I endured this weekend....
I have adjusted every possible security measure with Google, and will have my tech man polish up details on Tuesday, just in case.
I feel pretty safe with my new 15 digit password!!!
NO WAY to hack that...I hope!



This Summer's Poppies

This Summer's Poppies___10 x 8 oil Study

 

Hi again!

It has been a fast summer for me, with lots of travels but VERY FEW POSTS!

THANK YOU for missing me, (SOME of you!), and the nice comments on "old" posts!

FIRST, I want to apologize for some recent "spam"!

It seems that someone was able to take advantage of my inactivity, but we seem to have fixed it quickly, thanks to many friends wondering about my new interest in ISLAMIC WALLPAPER!

???   what   ???

Y'all are GREAT to let me know, because that helped us fix it fast :)

I hope

 

I have spent time in Colorado recently, (see preliminary info on my Colorado 2014 WORKSHOP!!)and this study above is a small oil from dad-in-law's garden!

I will be adding the workshop details soon, but click the link to see a few pictures of the locations.

 

But, what has really occupied my time lately is that I am compiling images (photos and paintings) and writings for a book about The Birdseed Project...A book publisher in the D.C. area has asked me to do this and tell the story for others to enjoy and hopefully keep the project rolling along!

The book will be out in the spring, and YOU will be first to see it take shape....

Mom is doing pretty well!

 

52 - Rufous Hummmmmm

Rufous Hum__8x6 oil on canvas panel__$250 framed, shipped

#52 in the Birdseed Project

Yesterday's Bear lives in the same Colorado canyon as this little hummingbird.

Our family place on the Conejos River is a secluded place with beauty and LIFE everywhere!

This time of year, the wildlife are just beginning to pack on the calories, getting themselves ready to hibernate or migrate! This Rufous Hummingbird laid claim to one of the feeders and attempted to have it to himself. He burned more energy than he ate!

I have this one and a dozen other works on sale at the Annual Fire House Fund Raiser this weekend (July 27-28)...I hope you can go see it and support the fire prevention efforts all over the Rockies.

NEXT YEAR I will teach and lead a few painters all over this area, capturing some of the diverse beauty of Southern Colorado. I have prepared a little pdf flyer with LOTS of location pictures. Let me know if you are interested!

vvaughan8@yahoo.com

Canyon Bear

Canyon Bear

6x8 oil

Available at the Firehouse Sale on the Conejos this weekend

Framed $250

 

I just returned from a few weeks in the mountains...ahhhhh....a nice break from our Texas heat (which seemed to go away... while we were gone there was eight inches of rain in Austin!)

Our Colorado place has bear visitors from time to time..BOY could I share some stories! This one visited last fall and several friends shared photos so I could paint !

On July 27-28 a few of the artists here have a small art event to benefit our volunteer fire department...as you know, fire fighting is SERIOUS BUSINESS in the dry Rocky Mountains.

Please let me know if you would like to help the Conejos Canyon Rocky Mountain Estates Fire Department by purchasing this Bear...tomorrow I will post another one for the show...

a hummingbird!

WANT TO PAINT HERE??? NEXT AUGUST 7-11, 2014 I will lead a painting workshop at this great location in Southern Colorado. click  V....Colorado Workshop - August 2014  for brochure and info.

 

Below is the Firehouse, and across the river is our place under the mountain. (you can see it above the rear view mirror :)



51 - Dancer

 

"Dancer"

"Dancer"___8x6 oil on linen panel___$190

#51 in the Birdseed Project

My newest little bird painting is a bird that spends wintertime in Texas. Rockport, TX is home to the great flocks of Sandhill cranes that travel America's central flyway.

Rockport is also where I am for the weekend Art Festival. This is truly a terrific event. A gathering of some of the most CREATIVE art things you'll ever see! I am humble to bring "boring" paintings amidst such FUN and well crafted works. Artists here create things you'll never see anywhere else.

Please come say hello if you are nearby!

Mission Sketch and Cheery Birds

Mission San Jose Sketch

 

A few weeks ago I spent some time in San Antonio....mostly photographing, but I managed a QUICKIE sketch with a water soluble graphite stick (above)...Click image to see this one BIG...it's better bigger :)

 

Below are a couple of BIRD WORKS, by my first "guest artists" for the birdseed project!

Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing either of these! You will recognize the famous artist's name - Robin Cheers....the other artist is her mother! That explains Where R.... got her talent!!!

Please contact me if you would like to purchase one of these for the benefit of the

Birdseed Project.

 

Robin by Robin___By Robin Cheers__6 x 6 oil___available for the Birdseed Project

  

 "Sparrow" by O....Cheers__6x6___available for the Birdseed Project

 

 

 

Dusky Docks - 40 x 30

Dusky Docks___40 x 30 BIG oil on Gallery wrap

Available at Rockport Art Festival, July 6-7, Rockport, TX

or available from ME!

 

A few months ago I did the study for this one, which sold in Charleston...since it sold, I have been chomping at the bit to do a large version....

I love SUMMER and the humid coastal areas this time of year. Yes, I LOVE the humidity and even the SMELL of the coast and boatyards!...so much so that RIGHT NOW, I am headed to New Orleans to gather more "steamy reference"...My sister is tagging along, and we will catch up to my artist friend, Robin Cheers, who is there right now, hanging out in all the cafes, and eating her way through the restaurants and urban areas, sketching and texting me to "hurry up" and get there....We are hoping to do some sort of collaboration on the theme, so I can't wait to see what she has done!...

Actually, the plan is to work separately while there, and then get our stuff together afterwards to see what each of us did! (but since she and her family got there first, they are keeping in touch, to make sure I don't miss something I NEED to see!...or eat!!!)

I'll be looking for a boatyard or a farm!...and a beignet

 

Cow - Palette Droppings

Cow__8x10 oil study__$250

 

Saturday was the last of my little sketch classes at Joel's Chocolate and Coffee House. Robin and I did a couple of fun demos and steered everyone to the truffle display...My favorite pecan truffles were fresh, so we made the display smaller!

I have painted a lot these days and there were a lot of "puddles" drying on my palette...that semi-dry sticky blobby stuff I call "palette droppings"...when I got home, I used the droppings for this one above...Catchy title, eh?

#50 - Spoonbill Balance

Spoonbill Balance__6x6 oil on canvas panel__$150

#50 in the Birdseed Project

I painted this from a photo I took at the zoo not long ago. Did the little painting at Joel's Coffee House (and CHOCOLATE!) last Saturday, where artist Robin Cheers and I are conducting Saturday Sketch and Chocolate sessions this month!

THIS SATURDAY IS OUR LAST SESSION! 9 am till noon

It is very informal...we both demo a little bit, and bring lots of supplies to share...Your job is to come PLAY with our stuff and learn a little bit about sketching and ENJOY some free coffee...you will WANT some chocolate!

If you think you can come, let us know! Cost is $20



49 - Scarlet Ibis Birdseye View

Scarlet Ibis Birdseye View___$150

#49 in the Birdseed Project

As I get ready to take works to the Rockport Art Festival early next month, I did a few little tropical birds last week at the Chocolate Sketch Class!

Join us on Saturday for the last sketch class this month... I plan to demonstrate a small one with my "palette droppings" and Robin has something fun planned with sketching. Joel's, once again, is providing the coffee and tempting us with Austin's best truffles!

Please click the Birdseed Project link and consider a small donation to help provide seed to nursing homes. Better yet, ASK ME how to do a Birdseed Project at a nursing home near you!!!

#48 Rooster Highlight

Rooster Highlight___6x6 oil on canvas panel

#48 in the Birdseed Project

 

This little rooster painting was actually painted at the nursing home while mom looked on from under the dryer! Each Wednesday she gets her hair done...the HIGHLIGHT of her whole week! When she was in the hospital a few months ago, I am petty sure it was my pep talks about going back to the salon that helped her get through!...I like sitting with her and visiting with Tina as mom gets "washed, rolled, dried and styled"...since she can't hear me while under the dryer, I painted and she watched...between dozing off sessions :)

Robin Cheers and I are sharing sketching, coffee and chocolate again Saturday, June 15th at

Joel's Coffee House. 9-noon. We supply the materials, and coffee!...you come and enjoy!

email if you are coming! $20



Spring Fed

Spring Fed___24 x 30 oil on linen

This is the one I worked on at the Chocolate Sketch class on Saturday. A typical Texas Hill country bluebonnet painting!

Many of our streams are "spring fed" as are the cattle!

I have some little things left to do, but you might not notice them so I decided to post it tonight...bigger paintings take a little time to "see". I like to hold them for many weeks and place them on walls around my house (or at coffee/chocolate shops!) to see things in different lighting conditions.I have planned this painting for a long while, after doing something outside that was very similar...

Goliad Guns

Goliad Guns__8x10 oil "palette droppings"

I used my "palette droppings" from yesterday's work at Joel's to create Goliad Guns, above.

Using B.C's photo and a palette knife...now my palette is clean!

Yesterday morning I met at Joel's Coffee House in Austin with Artist, Robin Cheers.

Click the Joel's link for the BEST PART of what we did, yesterday...a little sidetracking with CUPCAKES...Really "good" artists would have painted them, but Robin and I just ate them. We did not know it was CUPCAKE SATURDAY, so we had to find our way with the distraction...somebody has to...

As usual, the time at Joel's passed too fast.

COME NEXT WEEK!
On Saturday, June 15, and June 22 we'll do it again! You can join us with your sketch supplies, or USE OURS! We will each do a short demo...Mine will be a quick draw like the video below...

And we persuaded Calli to do her cupcakes again!

Cost is $20

 

V....Vaughan's Quick Draw at Cowgirl Up, 2013...Thank you MIKE'S ROAD TRIP

I wonder where Mike is, TODAY?