A little time off

I have been painting, but I haven’t been blogging or posting a lot lately.  I got really caught up in this portrait of Stella which is staying in the house, as well as some other smaller works for inventory.  I have been spending less time in my home office and more in the studio.  At the same time I have been on a mini-vacay for a long weekend and need to catch up.

I’m doing some exercises (writing) to boost my creativity up a knotch  (summer, it’s so busy with social things, and my life has been really crazy.)

Getting ready for the 12×12 Show at SKG

I’m dropping my work off at SKG (Sylvia Kania Gallery) to day for the 12×12 show. I think the show hopens in August. August 8th the Co-op (SKG) is also hosting an art sale, I think it’s being billed as (clean out your studio) – I think that I will be at the gallery with some art for sale at least the morning half of the day (other committments.)

I’m hoping for some studio time today if not to just organize for some of the upcoming events. Truth be known, I’ve been a bit distracted with life, but I plan to be charge full speed ahead.

I attended the planning meeting for SEA Holiday Sale which is going to be held in Portland the first Friday and Saturday of December. It’s my forth year doing this show at this location and my fifth doing the show itself. I am already creating small works for this big show. Let’s home people get out and buy local.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Stella in profile

I worked outside again for a part of Sunday on my profile view of Stella. The painting is progressing nicely, but it’s not finished. Yesterday was the quintessential Maine day. It was a lazy day – perfect for doing whatever makes you happy. I avoided the laundry & anything that resembled a chore & took some time for myself. A long walk with my family, a lazy afternoon nap, painting outside, and reading my book. Hard to get back to work after a day like that. I should have pictures soon of new works.

Behind the scenes – thanks

Ok, maybe I haven’t given a few people enough credit lately, but I think it’s high time. I have been working with “D” for some time. His photography always has an edge & I admired his skill. As my friend, and a co-worker to my husband, he agreed to shoot work for my site. He has a high powered NIkon Digital Camera that makes my work look exact on screen as it does in person. We trade art for photography, but I try to pay him with beer when it feels lopsided. My Webmaster, Sabrina of Picturesque says how much she loves the high res JPGS that I send her. She (a facebook friend) is also someone that I appreciate. Although we have never met in person, I feel like we are friends. She makes my changes, additions, etc. like a Pro & I have been known to change my mind and she hasn’t complained….well I love working with her to say the least. Last, but NOT least is my husband Rich & my friend Liz who have both served as editors for my website and newsletter. Thanks all -

I realize that I can’t do it all myself (though I would like that) – I know where my talents lie and it’s not in photography, webmastering, and editing my own writing! I also have a whole bunch of artist friends that keep my wheels spinning on a regular basis and challenge me to try new things.

ArtFire

I have posted some of my figures (mostly the flowing female figures) on ArtFire for sale. This is something new I’m trying. I found an article in Forbes Small Business (a great magazine that comes to my boss, I read it before passing it along.) Anyways, it was talking about how people are not pleased with Etsy and about the creation of ArtFire. From the website
“Welcome to ArtFire, your home to buy and sell handmade items designed by artisans from around the globe. Our free community is designed to let artisans promote their handmade products and crafts while celebrating unique handmade items and designs.”
I have posted 9 small paintings for $100.00 each – you can also take an offer. Every few years I go back to figures, it’s such an amazing subject matter to paint. I think this series is sassy. For more information see all my figures on http://www.wetpaintstudios.com/figures.htm

Two new paintings started

I started a study of Stella today, and even though she is my pup – we only have one painting of her and that was when she was a puppy and looked totally different.  I am working on a side profile of her (no she is not posing, she is sleeping) – from a photo that we took on News Years day this year.  The light was streaming in our room just right, Stella looked very picturesque, so Rich grabbed the camera.  I have only started the sketch and the underpainting, but it was feeling right.  I got to a point where I wanted to step away and give myself another chance to work on it later.  I also layed down a very rough sketch of a Jeep that is pink and green chamo that we found in Arizona – it has a skull and crossbones bumper sticker – I love this jeep – so I want to paint it.  I’m between commissions, so I’m painting for inventory.  Show above, a Skye Terrier that was donated to an animal cause.  It was 18×24 Oil on Linen.

Four day work weeks for the summer

 Tuesday starts my 4 day work weeks for me (from the day job), which will give me extra time in my studio during the week.  This is exciting news – with Tuesday this week already packed with projects, appointments, and playtime with Stella.  I am trying to capture different perspective on Classic Cars & will likely start working on a few different canvas at the same time tomorrow during my studio time. I’m going to work small, which is a change for me. Stella is getting used to the balance of being an active dog & taking her mid-day nap sometimes in my studio….she is great.  Have a great day!

Another great day to paint outside

Since I paint at least one weekend day, I have been bringing my gear outside and enjoying the amazing weather.  Today I started my Fish and Chips painting from our pictures from the Catalina Island Honeymoon in 2007.  I worked in acrylic,  and it’s not done, but should be this week.  I wasn’t in a hurry. This will either live at home or be for inventory (future shows) – It’s a subject matter that I’ve been meaning to paint for a while.  I worked on 11×14 Canvas, laying down my sketch, underpainting, and started to detail in some of the quirks of this building.  Incidently, although I don’t eat meat, I do LOVE fish, but this establishment was closed during off season when we were there.  We have some great wedding pictures around this building, I’ll have to see if I can post one.  They are fun.  Thanks for reading my blog.  Happy Weekend.  Lori

Stella Pup (A fun puppy picture)

Currently in between art projects, so I was digging through some Stella puppy pic’s and found what Rich and I think is a great one. This was around six weeks old (I think) and she just had her first meal that didn’t come from her doggy mom, and appears to be wearing it.  Stella is now fourteen months old, will soon her have her own Facebook page featuring our Little Brown Clown. She is NO longer a messy eater.

Except from my First Edition Newsletter

 

  Wet Paint! Studios 

Classic Car Artwork by Lori Rae – Featuring Corvettes
 

 

      1956 Corvette “Red Molli”

     

 

As far as subject matter, those who know me know that Vintage Cars  appear on my darling list of favorite things to paint. I am fascinated with the shape of older cars. I love their curves, their lines, their shapes, and their greatness. When painting these classics my stylized self emerges again. The first vintage car I “had” to paint was a rusty, little, aqua colored Nash Metropolitan. Sitting, slanted on a curb in a historic, shotgun-house-filled neighborhood in New Orleans, it begged for my attention and eventually found its likeness on canvas. This spiraled into the eventual sale of Car Portraits. Although I have painted cars from the 1940’s to 1990’s of all makes and models, there is one car that I have a special attachment to. It’s the Chevrolet Corvette. The word “Stingray” has special meaning in my home, and the love of these cars truly does catch on. If you ask me which year  I desire? I will tell you that I love C1 (first generation) cars. The 1969 also have a special place in my studio as you can see in Fathom City – named after the original GM color with a play on words (Gotham City)!  Since there are two Corvette enthusiasts in the family (three if you include Stella our Mini-Doxie who has been for a ride in the Convertible), we decided to join NCRS (National Corvette Restorers Society).  I have been attending events such as “Vettes for Pets” & “Corvette Day” with my artwork in tow, dog at my feet & my husband Rich by my side.

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

   1959 Corvette “Irene”
 

  

 

 

 

                                    1969 Corvette Stingray “Fathom City”

Sign up to receive updates and quarterly Newsletters at http://www.wetpaintstudios.com/welcome.htm