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?

Stormy Thumb

Stormy Thumb___16x20 "Quick Draw" in oil
Yesterday's post showed my first "quick draw" at the Phippen Museum Western Art Show out in Prescott, AZ. Here is the one I did on Sunday last week. It also took one hour and was auctioned off along with 18 other artist's works. The scene is Thumb Butte, with the lights of Prescott twinkling.
I worked from a reference photo I took the day before, when I took a wrong turn on the way to the event, and saw a spectacular view from the hill top!
The painting is larger than my usual quick draw canvas....see ?

 

 

I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE that my works are now represented in Sedona, Arizona at the wonderful

Mountain Trails Gallery

_________________________________________________

 

Flight

12 x 36 oil

Available at Mountain Trails Gallery, Sedona, AZ



Getaway__The Phippen Show

Getaway ___16x20 "Quick Draw" at the Phippen Museum Western Art Show

 

Last weekend I was in Arizona at the Phippen Museum Western Art Show, held at the courthouse square in Prescott, AZ. The highlight of the weekend is the "Quick Draw", when 20 artists stand back to back, draw their weapons (paint brushes!) and have one hour to complete a work of art. It is then auctioned for the benefit of the Museum (AND the artist!)...the auction is a lively time with a lot of laughs...and a little bit of competition from the art patrons! 

I call this one "Getaway"...it's one of the biggest quick draws I have ever done.

The Grand Champion painter this year was Bill Cramer, a good friend (his work is breathtaking!)...He had fun bidding on my painting, but alas, was outbid...but THANKS, BILL, for the validation!

Prescott is just about THE place for western art. I think more prominant western artist live here than ANY PLACE! Some of them (Bill Anton, Cynthia Rigden, Dave Powell) judged the art and I won THIRD place in a very competetive oil painting category.

The award winning work is below

El Presidio_Sonidos de Paz__10x30

Colorado: August 7 - 11, 2014

 

 

 

WORKSHOP DATES:

August 7 - 11, 2014

 

Check back again for the details!

email me NOW for immediate help

 

Workshop Week....The Lessons

Accommodations

Nearby Attractions

On the Way :  Driving

Airport Info

Location Pics

 

 



#47 - Sitting Scissors

Sitting Scissors

#47 in the Birdseed Project

When you finally get a scissortail flycatcher to sit still, you can see AMAZING BEAUTY!

I painted this from a photo I took on Mother's Day, while playing golf with all my kids...it was US vs. my husband...he beat us bad, so the highlight of my day was being with the kids, and seeing this lovely bird sitting still!

 

46 - Scissor Tail Flycatcher

 Scissor Tail Flycatcher

#46 in the Birdseed Project

Every late spring, the scissor tail flycatchers return to Texas for the summertime. Seeing them brings back memories of childhood. It was my mom who introduced me to the scissor tail. We also had them at our farm. They particularly liked to perch on the barb wire, like the one I painted, here.

This is the state bird for Oklahoma. We are grieving with them over the tornado tragedy that happened just today...

Please remember that you can donate to the Birdseed Project!

A handsome little visitor who enjoys the birds at my mom's nursing home. The birds provide interest and distraction for visitors to the home. The residents enjoy them every day, but I see their family members escaping to the windows for a few minutes to watch little bird life outside. Please consider making a contribution to the Birdseed Project. Your tax deductible gift provides feeders and seed, and maybe a NEW BIRDSEED PROJECT to a home near you!. Click to donate to

Threefold Cord Ministries.

Mention Birdseed Project on the ENVELOPE



Rhino Lounge

Rhino Lounge

Today I took my high school artists up the road to the cameron Park Zoo in Waco, for a sketching trip. Here is a quick one from my sketchbook...a lazy rhino. She had just strolled by "fast enough" that I couldn't finish a first sketch. When she turned and lay down, I did this one....Sketching sleeping figures is "cheating" in life drawing, don't you think? 



Based on Daniel

Based on Daniel

Here is a sketch from a lesson I taught this morning, while preparing some high school artists for a sketching trip to the zoo. It often makes artists uncomfortable to draw from life, because they think that the outcome is only "good" if the drawing looks like the model! I remind them that this is NOT a portrait...Daniel is my reference, but not the "story". I use him to see shapes of values, and to put parts together, but as a FAST SKETCH (this one took less than 5 minutes), I am not too concerned with the likeness....SOME of the parts (mouth, left eye...part of the nose) look like Daniels parts, but the whole only bears a distant resemblance! Given more time, I could measure and evaluate the proportions and have a better likeness, but for a reference sketch I want the students to bravely put down lines and shapes and values only!

Join me in a sketch class sometime!

 

 

Platte River Perch

Platte River Perch__a study for larger commission

Like yesterday's post, this one was painted en plein air along a remote stretch of the Platte River in western Nebraska. I am working on a commission...groups of works for a ranch there. My friend, Tina came with me, and drove the "mule" while I photographed and painted...we had a blast!...This snaggy tree near the bank was a landmark for us, and every time we drove past, there was a different type of bird there. We saw turkeys at the base, then in the branches we saw, kingfisher, a cormorant or a grebe, hawks and eagles, and a king bird...I can't decide whether to put an eagle or a hawk in the final painting, but it will NOT be the awkward looking thing I painted here. I call this one a "hawkle"

 

 MY FAVORITE type of work is WHATEVER takes me OUTSIDE, on farms and ranches...ANYWHERE in America. I enjoy the process of discovering a location, getting to know it's light and shadows, and hopefully hanging around long enough to see changing weather and seasons.

These days, while in the midst of my Birdseed Project, I am noticing BIRDS and the role they play in the MOOD of a place

Platt Turkey Crossing

Platte Turkey Crossing___a study for ranch commission

Last year I painted out several times along the great Platte River in Nebraska. The study above was from last summer...a cool morning with a blazing sunrise!

 While standing on the bank looking into the sun, a gang of turkeys on my side of the river decided to cross right there in front of me. this is a small work painted with a big brush, so the turkeys are way too big for the size of this river. I can't wait to re-create this in the proper scale.

This study and a number of pictures I took will help me create a larger painting that I hope will convey the magnificence of this place.

I find that, as I work on my Birdseed Project, I put birds in all my paintings. Call this my "bird phase".