Back from Charles Reid workshop

"Charles Reid en Plein Aire" 9x12 watercolor

Last week I attended a workshop with Charles Reid. The first couple days I worked as model for him and his workshop. I painted this on the 3rd day when I was finally able to participate as a student. It was a great experience and I extensively discussed my take on the week in my blog. Please read more if you're interested http://artbyerika.blogspot.com/

Pastels for a change and enjoyed it!

"Watching the Red Balloon" 11x14 pastel
I can't believe that it's been so long since I've worked with pastels. I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity for my work to go before a renowned portrait artist Leslie DeMille so I made sure I had entries to this show. But after I finished it, I realized it was really my 4th pastel portrait!

"Teacups and Roses" 14x37 pastel on paper
I managed to keep myself together and finish this big piece for the Ozark Pastel (juried) Show. I was also sleepless for 33 hours as a result so I could finish both pieces and frame them then deliver them to Springdale Art Center of the Ozarks and finally to get home in time to attend our niece's baby shower. After all the sugar they had at the party I was pretty alert for a few more hours lol I had to chase all that sugar with some veggies and dip.

Well it would have been nice to be able to see some fellow artists and their works at the Art Center but when fellow artist Shirley Mullen and I arrived there, my van ramp wouldn't go down so I could get out :(

I also won't be able to attend the reception as the hubby and I will be out of town so I guess I'll have to catch the rest of the show another day.

After about 10 hours of sleep I'm feeling a little more like myself. For now I need to do some yard work and check into some portrait commissions waiting for me .

I will be painting still life with a group mid-week so hopefully I will have something to show for the effort :) http://artbyerika.blogspot.com/

Working the venues

Currently I am preparing for my first one-woman-show in the state I've recently moved into - Northwest Arkansas. It will be at the Fusion Art Center at the famous Bentonville Square in November. I've been contracted to have 25 pieces of various sizes and prices that are no older than 12 months (yikes!). My pieces so far range from the popular ACEO 2.5"x3.5" to 4'x5' acrylic on canvas. It's been a bit challenging to supply works in my Ebay and a co-op gallery I belong to where I work 3x/month. I think it's good to have multiple venues however. In the meantime, I am also offering prints through Ebay.

Shown above is one of my ACEO pieces I've chosen for the show, a watercolor on paper of a (detail) Rembrandt study I've done of one of his self-portraits. Incidentally I've also done a montage of my more favorite watercolors I've painted recently. Click here to view more of my work and hear me sing :)