NZ Art Guild Challenge #16 - Photo Challenge

West Yellowstone Angel Lodge

acrylic on 14" by 18" Centurion Wrapped Linen

Email me for availability beckielboo@comcast.net

Whew! I'm doing a little better about getting a few painting ready. This is for the New Zealand Art Guild Challenge #16 and it's their last challenge for the year. This is my 5th entry with them. It is also a piece I'm very fond of. The challenge was to paint the Angel statue. I added from one of my favorite places, West Yellowstone City, MT. When my Mother and I were there in 2003 on our 10 week RV journey, it started to snow on the beautiful lodge pole pines. Due to the weather, I was unable to stop along the road to take as many photo's as I wanted and have longed for them ever since. I used this opportunity to paint them as a backdrop to the statue. If only Mother could see this one!

GOOD NEWS UPDATE: I have also completed the Main Street Bridge, St. John's River view for the book cover of Dottie Fletcher's book, Remembering Jacksonville, to be published this spring. The best news is not only did Dottie like it, so did her publisher and they have accepted my painting. Since this is painted by request for Dottie's book, I will not be publishing the painting until her book is published. BUT, I couldn't wait to tell you the GOOD NEWS UPDATE now!

I have a few paintings in various stages of planning and progress and hopefully will have several more to post before the end of the year.

Hi to all my friends and thank you for being so patient with me since I have not been blogging as regularly as I would like.

NZ Art Guild Challenge #9 - old house

Taramea Bay Road, Southland, NZ
acrylic on 11" by 14" by 3/4" gallery wrapped canvas

Creative Mark "The Edge" painted on sides

available $179 plus $11 shipping

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The NZ Art Guild Challenge #9, this old house! I was very enchanted with this house when I first saw it. However, I had just finished a house on a lot for the London challenge with The Virtual Paintout. So, I turned the house around and visualized it as looking out the front door!

Then, I had to find something to look out onto. So, I went to Google Street View Maps and ventured around New Zealand. I started at the tip and ended at the middle where the country divides, near Nelson. I believe that is called the South Island. I loved everything I saw, but decided on the image I found at the bottom of the country in Southland. The house had a beach feel and look, so I thought it was important to have a beach or coastal look.

Then I got really, really interested in where I am, in Jacksonville Beach, Florida in relation to New Zealand. So, I went back to Google maps and finally to MSN encarta World Atlas.

This first globe represents about 1/3 of the globe. You can see in the bottom left corner, Southland, New Zealand and in the upper right corner, Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

The second globe represents the second third of the globe. It looks to me like Jacksonville Beach, Florida is about the same distance from South Africa. People go to Africa all the time and never think anything of it, but when you say you are going to New Zealand, everyone thinks you are going to the other side of the world!

This last globe just shows the last third of the globe. Now that is the other side of the world!

I've never had much interest in traveling outside North America. There is SO much in the United States to see, somethings I've seen and would love to see again and so much I've not seen. AND, Canada has a special place in my heart and interest.

However, now with the art challenges, meeting artists all over the world and Google Street View Maps, I am beginning to want to travel. South America, Africa, New Zealand and Australia to start with! Just think, with a computer, a bag of cloths and plenty of art supplies, you never have to go home again if you don't want too!

For your information, in case you're wondering, I DO still want to go home!

NZ Art Guild Challenge #8 - Lines

Lines #1

mixed media (wc & acrylic) on 10 1/4" by 14 1/8" Aqvarelle Arches hot pressed paper

available $35 including shipping

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Lines #2

mixed media (wc & acrylic) on 9 1/4" by 13" blue tinted Neptune WC paper

available $35

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Lines #3

mixed media (wc & acrylic) on 9 1/4" by 13" pink tinted Neptune WC paper
available $35 including shipping

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This is my 3rd entry for The NZ Art Guild Challenge. The theme for the 7th challenge is Lines. Provided is a list of definitions for the word "lines" from Wikipedia.

I decided to play with this one. Just have fun. I started out to practice and when I was through, I liked all 3! That was a surprise! The iridescent acrylic gold used on the watercolors really pops, especially on Lines #1.

Here is something to think about! Who knew there were that many?

Lines... noun
1. a mark or stroke long in proportion to its breadth, made with a pen, pencil, tool, etc., on a surface: a line down the middle of the page.
2. Mathematics. a continuous extent of length, straight or curved, without breadth or thickness; the trace of a moving point.
3. something arranged along a line, esp. a straight line; a row or series: a line of trees.
4. a number of persons standing one behind the other and waiting their turns at or for something; queue.
5. something resembling a traced line, as a band of color, a seam, or a furrow: lines of stratification in rock.
6. a furrow or wrinkle on the face, neck, etc.: lines around the eyes.
7. an indication of demarcation; boundary; limit: the county line; a fine line between right and wrong.
8. a row of written or printed letters, words, etc.: a page of 30 lines.
9. a verse of poetry: A line in iambic pentameter contains five feet.
10. Usually, lines. the words of an actor's part in a drama, musical comedy, etc.: to rehearse one's lines.
11. a short written message: Drop me a line when you're on vacation.
12. a system of public conveyances, as buses or trains, plying regularly over a fixed route: the northbound line at State Street.
13. a transportation or conveyance company: a steamship line.
14. a course of direction; route: the line of march down Main Street.
15. a course of action, procedure, thought, policy, etc.: That newspaper follows the communist line.
16. a piece of pertinent or useful information (usually fol. by on): I've got a line on a good used car.
17. a series of generations of persons, animals, or plants descended from a common ancestor: a line of kings.
18. a department of activity; occupation or business: What line are you in?
19. Informal. a mode of conversation, esp. one that is glib or exaggerated in order to impress or influence another person: He really handed her a line about his rich relatives.
20. a straight line drawn from an observed object to the fovea of the eye.
Even more Definitions here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Lines

Now, waiting for next time!

NZ Art Guild Challenge #7 update

When good things come, there is such a relief and such joy that someone takes the time to let you know things are OK. This is a comment I got after yesterdays post where I was doubting myself for participating in this challenge.

Hi, These are fantastic! Great to see an artist from the other side of the world be encouraged to step out of their comfort zone by our challenges. :-) Look forward to seeing more of your artworks int he future. I'm pleased you enjoyed the challenge and learning about one of our kiwi artists.

Kind Regards
Sophia Elise
Manager
NZ Art Guild
www.nzartguild.co.nz

Thank you for making me feel comfortable in my own skin!

NZ Art Guild Challenge #7 - Master Artist

NZ-AG Challenge #7 - after Marilynn Webb
acrylic on 8" by 10" canvas board

SOLD

NZ-AG Challenge#7 - after Marilynn Webb

acrylic on 8" by 10" canvas board

NZ-AG Challenge #7 - after Marilynn Webb

acrylic on 12" by 16" canvas sheet

The #7 Challenge for The New Zealand Art Guild Challenge is:

The Masters Challenge, Artist: Marilynn Webb

RULES: N.B. Artwork must be an original interpretation based on the artistic style or subject, a straight reproduction, or your individual interpretation of the Master Artists' work.

I am so out of my element here. I question why I'm even participating in this challenge. It is open to everyone and they invite artists from all over the world to participate, but it is dedicated to New Zealand artists!

Reminds me of my favorite old joke from THE FAR SIDE. An elephant sits on a stage at a concert piano. He is dressed in a tux and is ready to play. A caption above his head tells what he is thinking: "What am I doing here? I'm a flautist for crying-out-loud!"

However ...

Again, I am forced to try an art I would never have thought of by myself. Additionally, I am introduced to the master artist, Marilynn Webb and her lovely work. Her work and bio can be found at Gallery De Novo and toi o tahuna.

These are Marilynn Webb's paintings that I used as references.  Although similar, there are distinct differences!  Hers are perfect!

Going Through Fiordland Series by Marilynn Webb

Chalk Pastel

Thanks for looking and be sure to check out Ms. Webb's work!

Good night

NZ Art Guild Challenge #6 - Memory

Memory of a Rose

acrylic on 8" by 10" canvas board

Available $45 including shipping

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The other day, I received an invitation on Facebook to become friends with Sharlene Schmidt. We did not have any friends in common, so I visited her website and found out she was an artist in New Zealand and I liked her work. She had found me through a link we both have on out Blogs, Widgetbox Network.

While I was looking at her Blog, I ran across a Challenge that I had not heard of. I asked her about it and she invited me to join through Facebook. Their Web Site is NZ Art Guild and members submit their work there. However, I am affiliated through Facebook on their Fan Site and it is open to all. Sharlene asked me to invite my friends, too!


Now here's where it gets fun! You all know how I enjoy the Challenges. This one is completely different from any other I've found. Every 2 weeks the theme changes and so do all the rules. Here are the rules for Challenge #6:

The Theme: MEMORY

You Must Also Use: A LIMITED COLOUR PALETTE

Use a limited colour palette of 2 colours plus black and white (e.g. Orange plus Blue)

You may use any shade or tone of the colours you choose (e.g light blue through to dark blue) and since grey is a tonal variation of black and white you may also use that as well.

My Palette: Baltic Green, Neutral Grays 4, 6 & 8, Soft White, Light Portrait Pink, Cadmium Red Medium, Sap Green Permanent

God gave us memories that we might have roses in December.
~J.M. Barrie, 1922

I hope to participate in this Challenge often and as I do, you will see how the rules change.

AND FINALLY, I have not entered nearly as many painting as I would liked during the month of July. I don't even have a really good excuse! It seems like I stay busy, I have all kinds of projects laid out. But, I do have to tell you, sometimes I just don't feel like I have anything to paint. Maybe it's painters block - not really. I am in a period of time where I am doubting myself, my ability to paint anything of interest. I am working to get over this 'hump' and know it is perfectly normal. Thank you for your continued interest in my Blog and my work. I hope I haven't let you down and I am trying to get back on the 'productive' road again.

Good morning to you all