Friend Me, Makenzie-My Favorite Social Media

Friend Me, Makenzie        12 x 12 oil             SOLD

I have at LEAST 1500 friends.

At least that's what my social Media Accounts tell me!

One of my friends told me she heard a buzz out there that "blogging is dead". I think Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter started those rumors!

I have done BOTH blogging AND social media extensively....here's what I think... I LOVE the "friendships" I have built with Blogging, and my Google Group....Though sometimes I feel like I am "rambling"... I sense that Instagram and Twitter are like that big high school gathering where everyone has a clever comment, but no one listens, and CERTAINLY 

nobody "goes deep".... Have you ever traded quips with someone (usually an argument) and they walk into the room, snap a comment, and then run away before you can reply?....Twitter feels LIKE THAT! I DO like being able to post a picture on Instagram (though EVERY pic is cropped to a "square"...NOT good for some artwork...I like saying just a few words, posting the pic, and clicking a button that will send it SIMULTANEOUSLY to facebook AND Twitter (though, with no pic on Twitter, there is a link to the pic, if someone will click it, but I doubt they do :) So there! I will be doing it ALL while I make up my mind! :) WHAT SAY Y'ALL???

Start SOMETHING

Willie Study in watercolor and colored pencil...I posted this on facebook  
 a few days ago. A scribbled study for my student "A....", who took a good photo of Willie at a concert. I was showing her how to see color in her "tonal" photo......and have you heard
Willie's new song "What'll I Do"?.... CLASSIC WILLIE!!
Below, I mention a DIFFERENT painting of him...

One good thing I learned in my art was to just START something!..I might only have 30 minutes till the kids needed me. So I would START.... and when I had to leave, that little "start" would call to me..."HEY! Here I am...come baaaaaack"....Whereas, when I stayed up all night to finish something, then there would be such a feeling of "DONE", that it was hard to start something new, later! I once stayed up for 72 hours STRAIGHT, to finish a job for Willie Nelson...(a promo poster for one of his albums)

 My best efforts have been projects that had lots of little pieces. An idea written on a napkin. A doodle in a doctor's office scribbled on a magazine subscription card...these were taken home and tossed into an "idea box"...the 1980's version of Evernote was a shoe box :)  Eventually, the little ideas would repeat themselves and I would take the little notes out of the box to put together! SO! My advice is to "doodle" at it...START something...it will be calling to you!!! ..."come baaaaack"!

On Facebook, I am "Virginia Pedro Vaughan"

St. Francis

St. Francis Study             8x10 oil study                 SOLD

I sat in the car with a friend and we chatted and sketched this pretty little church in Waco, Texas...Something about the PINK cast on the walls appeals to me, so I might do another version!...When you paint outside, you need to trust what you see, COLOR-WISE...did I really see pink???

HAPPY NEW YEAR, Y'ALL!

Cody

Cody     11 x 14 oil on linen   A Christmas Commission - SOLD

I wrote this note to a friend today....I don't share this sort of thing too often on my blog posts, but mainly just "art". There's more of that ahead, but for now, HAPPY 2015!

***

It can be lonely after the holiday "attention". Attention we GIVE to "planning" and "details"...attention that we GET from friends, family... Heck, even the retailers give us "attention", calling our name to make us feel special this time of year!!! 

That's some kind of attention!! 

I'm alone today and I think God brought to mind my "alone" friends. There's something very sweet about His presence in quiet stillness. He never leaves us...unchanging. Jesus has a sweet way of entering those moments...on purpose... And covering us with reminders of His faithful, steadfast presence. God often uses my lonely heart to fill up with Himself. What can be better than that? Thank you for your prayers for my family in 2014. May I order more of the same for 2015?

I look forward to getting to know YOU better in 2015!

Kooper

"Kooper"__10x8__a Christmas commission___SOLD

comment to:  vvaughan8@yahoo.com

I'M SSSOOOO SORRY that my replies are going to EVERYONE!!!

I LOVE to hear from everyone, but I certainly HATE to annoy y'all by having all my chatter appear in your inbox. If you are my facebook friend, you saw Kooper last week.

Friend me ! I'm called "Virginia Pedro Vaughan" on Facebook 

This little oil was for my friends Tiffany and Kim.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Are you planning to paint this year? How about sketching?

A Little Light

A Little Light___a little Texas December Sunrise, 4x6 on canvas___$150

Testing...One...Two...Three...
I left off with this blog sometime in May!
If you are connected with me on Facebook (Virginia Pedro Vaughan) or Instagram (@vvaughan8) or
 Twitter (@vvaughan8), then you have seen this...and some other art posts.
I can't wait to show and tell some recent art and news! For now, I just want to say HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Y'ALL!!
Are you surprised to see a post from me?
I would love to hear a "hi" back from EVERYONE!!!!
vvaughan8@yahoo.com 
V....

The Hard Way

The Hard Way_____24x24 oil___ Phippen Museum Western Art Show

 

The Hard Way needs to be seen up close! Zoom in and you can see some texture there! I'll have this painting at the Phippen Museum Western Art Show in Prescott, AZ over Memorial Day Weekend. PLEASE com e see me! Below is a funny story while I painted it.

 

YESTERDAY and below

I posted info about a special workshop coming up in June. CLICK HERE to see that.

 

 

I had just finished the detail on the horse's eye, and went to get a drink, but when I came back to the easel, there were smudgies all over the area I had worked! Sometimes my little finger steadies my hand while I paint, and I "step" into the painted area with it, but these smudges were too high....I was mad! Someone came in and slapped around my wet paint!!

see culprit below

 ...dang moth



Hello Workshop!

Robin on the left....V....on the right

 

What better way to jump back into life than to gather a bunch of friends together and PAINT!

Let me know if you would like to join me and Robin Cheers

Robin is an amazing painter of Contemporary Life, specializing figures busy at "LIFE"...

We paint together a lot...usually at Joel's Coffee House, where we START most of our paintings.

Our first workshop EVER will be all about how we start our works, and teaching TWO WAYS to approach places where "LINE MEETS LIGHT"

email me to sign up
vvaughan8@yahoo.com



Vijay

 

Vijay  aka  V....J

This handsome man was my first model at last night's art event at Joel's Coffee House! I've been talking about this event, "Chocolate and Chiaroscuro", and invited people to brig a "life" for some "LIFE Drawing". My friend, Priti brought in her son, Vijay, who I have known since he was a newborn!  He was real fun to sketch, because he never sat still or stopped talking! I LOVE that about Vijay...he is FULL OF LIFE...just perfect for LIFE Drawing!

It is not natural for a little guy to sit for something like this, so when I finished, I honored Vijay by "dotting" him!

His name is now "V....J"

With four dots!

****

Below is  my "signature" chocolate bar, by Austin Truffle Company, the chocolate company housed at Joel's Coffee House. Brad, the owner, created a special label dark chocolate bar for last night's event!

Let me know if you want one...$3

 



Dogs at Joel's

 

Harley and Shadow___Sketched at the Chocolate event tonight

These are a couple of "family members" of my old friend Lynda, who showed up at "Chocolate and Chiaroscuro" this evening.

Many friends were there...that's THE BEST PART of hosting such an event!

I appreciate all the RSVP's and will do it again soon, hoping that those of you that wanted to come can come to the next one! Stay tuned!

I'll bet that Robin will post some pics from her side of our "studio" at Joel's! Go see!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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UPCOMING EVENTS

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NOW thru Nov. 24 -  AWA Show, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

Wednesday, November 20 - YOU MISSED IT??

 Chocolate & Chiaroscuro....and Holiday CHEER

4 to 8 pm at Joel's

an open studio event featuring V....Vaughan and Robin Cheers...and CHOCOLATE

at Joel's Coffee House, Austin and it was so fun!!

 

Tricolor

 Tricolor Heron



***

 

SEE YOU THIS EVENING!!!

Wednesday, November 20 - Chocolate Chiaroscuro....and Holiday CHEER
4 to 8 pm at Joel's

an open studio event featuring V....Vaughan and Robin Cheers...and CHOCOLATE

at Joel's Coffee House, Austin
 

Single

 Single___7x5 watercolor for Chocolate & Chiaroscuro

The small graphite wash  mission paintings that I have posted the past few days are part of a grouping available at Wednesday night's event. See links below to Joel's, and JOIN me from 4 to 8 pm!

These small works are meant to be small PRICED original works that are perfect for Christmas giving! We'll also be doing what we always do at Joel's...SKETCHING from life!

So, BRING YOUR LIFE, or someone else's and sit for a quick sketch portrait, while enjoying the chocolate and great coffees and teas at Joel's !...



***

UPCOMING EVENTS

***

NOW thru Nov. 24 -  AWA Show, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

Wednesday, November 20 - Chocolate & Chiaroscuro....and Holiday CHEER
4 to 8 pm at Joel's

an open studio event featuring V....Vaughan and Robin Cheers...and CHOCOLATE

at Joel's Coffee House, Austin
 

Maria del Presidio

Maria del Presidio___5x7 watercolor for Chocolate & Chiaroscuro

Wednesday is my first open "studio" event...if you want to call Joel's a "studio"...I DO!!!
Joel's is where I go several times a week, just to get out of the studio and the classroom. To sit with my artist buddy, or sometimes alone with a sketchbook. Robin Cheers and I solve all the world's problems over coffee, chocolate and sketchbooks...Come see some of our "coffee shop works" and enjoy a casual evening in our "studio". info below.

 



***

UPCOMING EVENTS

***

NOW thru Nov. 24 -  AWA Show, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

Wednesday, November 20 - Chocolate & Chiaroscuro....and Holiday CHEER
4 to 8 pm at Joel's

an open studio event featuring V....Vaughan and Robin Cheers...and CHOCOLATE

at Joel's Coffee House, Austin
 

Solemn Shadows - Goliad

Solemn Shadows - Goliad___5x7 graphite wash__available at

 

Chocolate & Chiaroscuro

My first Open "Studio" event with artist friend Robin Cheers is WEDNESDAY.
Robin and I meet each week at Joel's to sketch, and paint and share artist life. That's how this event came to be...We always have coffee (me) and hot chocolate (her) and some of Joel's wonderful artisan truffles (both of us). PLEASE JOIN US for our first studio event!
We will be sketching anyone who wants to sit for us! An original, personal sketch makes a nice gift...we are keeping this event focused on affordable, smaller works and sketches, just right for unique gifts...We hope you can drop by

 



***

UPCOMING EVENTS

***

NOW thru Nov. 24 -  AWA Show, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

Wednesday, November 20 - Chocolate & Chiaroscuro....and Holiday CHEER
4 to 8 pm at Joel's

an open studio event featuring V....Vaughan and Robin Cheers...and CHOCOLATE

at Joel's Coffee House, Austin
 

St. Mark's Shadows - Cuero, TX



 

St. Mark's Shadows__Cuero, TX___water soluble graphite on paper

One of many small watercolor originals available at our Joel's event.

PLEASE COME if you can! Info Below.

 



***

UPCOMING EVENTS

***

NOW thru Nov. 24 -  AWA Show, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

Wednesday, November 20 - Chocolate & Chiaroscuro....and Holiday CHEER

an open studio event featuring V....Vaughan and Robin Cheers...and CHOCOLATE

at Joel's Coffee House, Austin
***

Here is an updated video for my demo yesterday....

STILL NOT QUITE TOGETHER, BUT MY FRIEND BEV IS HAVING FUN PLAYING.

 

 

Thou My Vision___60 x 40 demo at HP

 

This week I gave a little talk and did a demo for High School students at Hyde Park High in Austin.

My theme was about SYMOLISM in scripture. Mainly Light and COLOR (the colors of light and the color of pigment)....There is a lot of interesting symbolism in all of this, one of which is depicted with contrasts: Light and Dark, Sky and Scape, Flesh and Spirit. After speaking I did a 20 minute painting demo, accompanied by some music.

I painted this sideways (see below, and click the link to see a video that my friend, Bev made while there....some could'nt see the symbolism until the canvas was rotated...I LOVE when that happens :)
See the video clip
http://www.magisto.com/video/PVsFP14bRTQhTR5hCzE

NEXT DEMO is Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Joel's...see below!



 



***

UPCOMING EVENTS

***

NOW thru Nov. 24 -  AWA Show, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

Wednesday, November 20 - Chocolate & Chiaroscuro....and Holiday CHEER
an open studio event featuring V....Vaughan and Robin Cheers...and CHOCOLATE
at Joel's Coffee House, Austin

http://www.magisto.com/video/PVsFP14bRTQhTR5hCzE
 

Behrens Creek

Behrens Creek at the Pedernales___6x8 oil study on linen

Last weekend went out to Fredericksburg, TX for the opening of the American Women Artists show, but before I went to the festivities, I visited my friend, artist Nicole Kroeger. She is an expert at "Painting Parables" and her figures are exquisite...she tells a story with each work. Nicole's place is on Behrens Creek, right where it runs into the Pedernales...You could just HEAR and FEEL Texas history floating by...it was a calm, blue fall day, with color just turning the leaves....HEY NICOLE!, I'll be back!!!!

 

Trivia for my NON TEXAN friends...How do you pronounce "Pedernales"?

 

I'll have this little painting at Joel's next Wednesday for Chocolates and Chiaroscuro. Who's coming? Robin and I will do some live sketching, so come early and bring your kids or pets if you want a little sketch portrait for Christmas!...see info below



 



***

UPCOMING EVENTS

***

NOW thru Nov. 24 -  AWA Show, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

Wednesday, November 20 - Chocolate & Chiaroscuro....and Holiday CHEER
an open studio event featuring V....Vaughan and Robin Cheers...and CHOCOLATE
at Joel's Coffee House, Austin

 

Quarry Willow 1

Quarries Willow 1___8x10 oil on panel

As fall starts turning the leaves a new shade of golden green, here in central Texas, I've been getting outside to paint. My friend, Terri Wells, a watercolor pro, met me early one morning at this location called the Quarries in Austin. When the sun was just hitting the treetops, we were treated to a great color show.

How are the fall colors at your place this year?

Thank you, dear VETERANS. YOU bless!



 



***

UPCOMING EVENTS

***

NOW thru Nov. 24 -  AWA Show, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

Wednesday, November 20 - Chocolate &  Chiaroscuro....and Holiday CHEER
an open studio event featuring V....Vaughan and Robin Cheers...and CHOCOLATE
at Joel's Coffee House, Austin

 

Rockport Storm Spread

Rockport Storm Spread___10x8 oil on panel

When Robin and I rolled into Rockport on 

our painting road trip, we we t straight to the marina bait shop area and sat in the warm sun to stretch out our paint legs. This was my warm up effort ... A small painting of a place called  "Claws and Taws"... But really, it's all about the spread of sky... Fabulous storm clouds increased while there. 
Join Robin and I at our first "studio" event on Wed.  Nov. 20..info below

***

UPCOMING EVENTS

***

NOW thru Nov. 24 -  AWA Show, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

Wednesday, November 20 - Chocolate & Chiaroscuro....and Holiday CHEER
an open studio event featuring V....Vaughan and Robin Cheers...and CHOCOLATE
at Joel's Coffee House, Austin

Cow Study 1

Cow Study 1___Oil on oil paper

That weekend paint trip with Robin was a typical "stop and sketch it" session, as we stopped all along the way to photograph and paint....We stayed a little bit with friend Barbara, but really, I only remember the road and the things we sketched. This was a quickie cow...Part of a small herd that settled down to watch us watch them!

 



***

UPCOMING EVENTS

***

NOW thru Nov. 24 -  AWA Show, RS Hanna Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX

Wednesday, November 20 - Chocolate & Chiaroscuro....and Holiday CHEER
an open studio event featuring V....Vaughan and Robin Cheers...and CHOCOLATE
at Joel's Coffee House, Austin