Raising Mango

Raising Mango___20x16 oil on linen___SOLD

Last year I painted a commission for the couple below...it was a special gift from her to him...the painting above is a specila gift from him to her! (I hope she doesn't see this...but if so...PLEASE act surprised, S....) Read the details of it HERE

OTH of these were tough because the photos were not great, but then again, I kind of like that, because I get to make up stuff I can't see. On this one I had to actually pose MYSELF for an iPhone photo to finish part of her...no, not her pretty legs...just the finger pointing hand.
SPEAKING OF GRUENE, TX!

PLEASE Mark your calendar!

Wednesday, February 14 is the artist reception for the exhibit

Passing America...in Texas

Cactus Jack's Gallery, Gruene

The exhibit that spent a few months in Nebraska is here in Texas till mid April.

Please go see it when you can, and I would prefer if you'd come while I am there, so I can show you around!
Here is your official invitation/directions and all

Christina 2_woman, sketch, Indian, pencil drawing

"Christina 2"___from my sketchbook__$90
Again, no "boundary lines" or "outlines" or "contour lines" to start this sketch. ..I learned to draw the hard way...trial and error and LOTS of erasing. After MANY YEARS as a busy artist, I now SELDOM use an eraser! It is my opinion that ANYBODY can be proficient with drawing...while teaching art for 19 years, I saw MANY students who approached every drawing with contour lines, or the "outline"...this SEEMS easy, but is the worst way to get a good drawing, unless you have a GIFTED eye, and can naturally solve problems of proportion, scale, perspective, and all those difficult things. Since not many are THAT gifted, I teach PRACTICAL lessons for ANYONE who wants to draw better! THERE REALLY ARE SECRETS and SHORTCUTS!...I will be teaching a FEW workshops next year...not as many as I have in the past. First one is Feb 5 - 7 at Fredericksburg Artists School, in Texas. Click the link and scroll down for info...MERRY CHRISTmas! (Happy Birthday, Tanner :)

Phone Call_sketch, girl on phone, woman

"Phone Call"__from my sketchbook
It all starts with sketching. Want to be a good painter? Start sketching! Want to sculpt? Begin by sketching! Put away the camera for a few minutes and pick up a pencil or a brush. (I know some of my pals are rolling their eyes at me, because I ALWAYS have a camera or two (three if you count the phone) in my purse. I am a happy snapper, BUT, I am a voracious sketcher, too. Doing a sketch is EXPERIENCING the subject...your eye has to fall on each part, you MUST make judgments about every detail compared to every OTHER detail, and you become FAMILIAR...whereas SHOOTING it is a fleeting moment and your eye approaches the subject as a WHOLE. Heck, I rarely focus my eyes when shooting, preferring to see the whole composition....sketching frequently will make you a better artist....more on the subject tomorrow...
JOIN ME at one of these events in October:
THIS Saturday, Oct. 24 in Waxahachie, TX at the Texas Country Reporter Festival ...then ,
Oct 25, I will be in Gruene, at the first annual Bovine Art Festival, painting on location at Cactus Jacks.
Oct. 31 All Day Workshop with Austin's PACT. Limit 20 students email me for details vvaughan8@yahoo.comMark your long range calendar to take a break from the winter cold!
Come to my FEB 5 - 7 , Workshop in Texas at Fredericksburg Artists School...sunrise to moonrise...
painting fast

Robin

"Robin" 8 x 10 V....Vaughan

OOPS! Yesterday I said that I would post the "Girls" painting...Today I am traveling and did not bring the girls' picture to put up, so...here is one from the beach, where I am for Ester, with my family...
Last time in Rockport, my friend Robin came to be our "beach figure". Tomorrow our workshop will begin at 7 am and we will have a "Sunrise Saturday"...finishing our day early at Cove Harbor. Join us if you can! The next Workhop will be in mid May...see my website for updates under Galleries and Schedule

Whisper

"Whisper" 6x8 oil Collection of Robin Cheers as soon as she comes to get it

My friend Robin and her daughter Anna were my roommates during my Rockport Workshop a couple Saturdays ago. Robin is a FINE painter (click the link to see her Painter's Journal)...She is also a fine friend, agreeing to be our workshop models for the day. She and Anna just visited with each other and let us photograph them. Robin knows the challenges of painting live models, so she was kind enough to move in slow mothion for us!!!

This little sketch is just a start! I can't wait to drag them down for another modeling session. I will announce it here when that will happen...probably in mid May or June. Please make plans to join the workshop!