Case's Blog

Wow, I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted an entry. I mostly took the summer off, this year. I spent most of my time hanging out and doing fun things with our 3 chilns. What a great time we had!

But, I did get a couple of things done. First of all, back in May/June, I finished a commission for a friend in the UK. It was based on a photo she had taken of her two feline friends.



A couple of months ago, another friend asked me to render a very special story for her husband. It is a story about a fox and a weasel (a black footed ferret, to be exact) that has been ongoing between these two through their relationship. The story involves the fox becoming ill, so the ferret covers him up with blankets and captures his sneezes in a jar to release in a field.

Please forgive the photo quality of the progress images.

First, I started by making some (very rough) sketches in my sketchbook. I had never drawn a black footed ferret, so I grabbed some reference images from google and sort of made my own versions.



There were a few more of these, but this was the one I decided to go with as a step in the right direction.

Then, I started playing with different scenarios.


Originally, I wanted to include some household items to keep it quaint and give the impression that the fox and weasel actually live together in a cozy little forest home.

As you can see, I eventually left the lamp and the wall picture out, since I felt they distracted from the story. The canvas looks brownish because it isn't actually canvas. It is linen, gessoed with clear acrylic gesso, instead of white. I chose the linen for it's earthy look and its specific texture (which is more apparent in the final piece at the bottom.)



I started painting the weasel, first. I was happy that she was a black footed ferret, because it allowed me to make some distinct markings to identify her as such. I was working in acrylics, so blending was tricky...it eventually took several transparent layers to get the blending right. Below is where I began the first layer.



I started blocking in color to get an idea of what the rest of the painting would look like, eventually. I had some ideas of texture for the background, thinking I could make it look like there was wallpaper in their home.



But I couldn't help but think that the blue scaley things really distracted from the main characters, so I toned it down, but let a little of it show through to keep it interesting.



I thought it was finally time to get Mr. Fox looking more like himself. He needed some detail refinement.

I took a couple of days off to look at the painting and decide what else needs to be done. It's funny how my perception changes once I am standing back and just looking.



I decided that some areas needed cleaning up, some needed finer detail work, some colors weren't totally working and the painting really needed a softness that I wasn't getting quite right, so I did those things and I finally felt that it was finished.



I enjoyed creating this painting. It was an honor to be a part of putting a visual image on a sweet story about two people who love each other.

Lots of new developments in this household, lately. First of all, I have been working on some artwork. I have several pieces with Anointed Studio in Fort Collins. That artwork is hanging at Everyday Joe's on Mason in Fort Collins. Please take a look if you have a moment. And grab a cup of Joe! I have a few new acrylic pieces hanging, including...


"Adventure Awaits"
12" X 48"
Acrylic on Canvas

That's right, I am using acrylics now, too. It has been a challenge, not unlike relearning how to paint, but I am definitely enjoying it.

Also, I have working on a few drawings in my tiny sketchbook:







I completed a commission piece for a local patron. He purchased "Red African Daisy" and needed a companion piece, so I finished that last week:



The first piece is "Red African Daisy" and the second is "Gold Gerbers." Each piece is oil on canvas and 16" X 20".

Whew, well, now it is time to talk about gardening. I know, I know, it is a gear shift from painting, but I thought it might be fun to talk about something other than painting, for a change.

Here is has been too cold to do much planting. Until a couple of weeks ago we were still seeing snow. So, the weekend before last, we started our garden.

This is out back outside our backyard fence. My husband thought it would be nice to have some sweet corn, so this is what I call "DB's corn patch." It is going to need continual weeding, but it seems like it is going to do well.


On the left is the path on the side of the house...and right up against the house is...nothing yet. I might put some flowers in there or something.


DB is watering our cucumer seeds and just to the left are dill seeds and a few strawberry plants.


We bought tomato plants this year instead of growing them from seeds. We will see how they fare.


You can't completely tell, but there are 9 watermelon piles there.


I am not sure why I put this one in, but it's me.


Anyway, now, we are seeing things sprout a bit. The stuff planted on the side of the house might do really well, actually. The soil around here is mostly clay, but whoever lived here before had gardened there, because it was full of rich topsoil when we dug out the weeds.

Peace!
~case

I just finished a new painting:



"Jelly and her Wish"
Oil on Canvas
24" X 36"

This piece will be displayed at the Oriental Theater for the Absolute event on April 12th. Please join us for aerial performances, dance, music, fashion and fine art!

First of all, I am proud to announce that my brother and sister-in-law just welcomed their adorable new daughter, Emma into the world yesterday morning. She is gorgeous and Aunt Case can't wait to hold her for the first time.

Also, I have begun 2 new paintings this past month and I thought I would share my progress on them. Neither is finished. Please view below:







This is just what I have so far. I hope to finish these in the next week. They are both 24" X 36" and both remain nameless for the time being.

Now, I will share with you a painting that my beloved best friend, Dakota created. His use of colors amazes me. Please enjoy the following image:



I do not know what he plans to name it, but I hope he decides to hang it in our house. I like the relationships between the red and green and the texture of the area at the top, center.

Thank you for reading and viewing.

Peace,
Case

First, I wanted to mention that Zazzle has once again chosen one of my paintings as image of the day. This time it was my beloved Achieving Balance. So, if you are interested in merchandise with this image, please visit the store. Of course, I cannot sell the original piece, as it was a commission.

Some folks have asked me for prices, lately, so I have devised a Pricelist with links to all artwork. Some prices have dropped dramatically, as my art is now moving in a different direction than it was in 2005 and 2006. Please, take advantage of the lowered prices. If you have any questions about the artwork or the process of purchasing a piece, please contact me at case@caseoriginalart.com.

As I have mentioned, Dakota and I are in the process of redesigning the main website. Right now, it may look a little disjointed, but all of the previous stuff is still there. Just click past the front page and you will see. If you have not seen the website, feel free to look around before it changes: www.caseoriginalart.com.

Well, I think that is all for now. I hope everyone is having a great start to 2008.

Peace,
Case

I have been anxious to begin a series of paintings on wood since returning from South Texas. The first of this series is to be completed as a special request. This is how I am beginning:



No Title as of yet.

Also, I have completed the painting of the fish girl. I have been anxious to share this one, as I am happy with its result:



"Unremitting"
Oil on Canvas
36" X 24"

I have finished the fish girl painting that I previewed in my last entry, and I have started two more paintings. Both of the others are 2' X 3' and "water" or "nature" oriented. Sort of. I will post fishie girl as soon as I get a good image of her and the other two will not be viewable until they are finished. All three of these paintings will be in the Birds of a Feather event. Please come to this event...I promise it will be exciting!

My family and I just got back from the south coast of Texas (Corpus Christi area) which we visited for Christmas. I had the pleasure of getting to know some of my husband's relatives a little better and we all enjoyed our stay. I had no idea I would be basking on the beach in the middle of December, but I had no problem with that! In addition to having had a nice time in nice weather, I was fortunate enough to acquire some quality painting grounds:



From these kind gentleman, who run a custom cabinet business out of Ingleside, TX. Pappaw on the left, Shane on the right:



Thank you, again, Shane and Pappaw. I hope to create some water inspired pieces on some of the donated "scrap" wood. Although, it is difficult for me to call it scrap, since it is such nice wood. Instead of gessoing these boards white, I want to use the lovely natural woodgrain patterns to their advantage. Perhaps there is a type of transparent primer i can use on these boards in order not to lose their natural grains. I will keep this blog updated as to their progress.

Also, since I haven't blogged about my painting progress in so long, I thought I would share a few previews. I have not finished this first painting, quite yet, and it is set to go into the Birds of a Feather event in February. It has taken me quite a while to get to where I am with it now, so I hesitate to show the entire piece unfinished. That is why I am giving you a tiny peek right now:



Untitled (yet)
Entire piece will be 36" X 24"
Oil on Canvas

I have also started working on a new series. I have always loved to draw and paint eyes, so I decided to start a series of small 8 X 10 pieces focused on human eyeballs. The following two are not complete, but they are the start of the series:





Those are both on masonite with oil paint.

Thank you for reading, again. I have created some new products with my work on them and they can now be purchased at my merchandise store.

Ciao,
Case

I use to create little paintings on small pieces of heavy watercolor paper. Most of them were done in acrylic paint, which is water based. Last week, I found some of those blank watercolor cards and decided to try gessoing and then painting on one in oil. This was the result (look for the calculator):



"Hooked on Math"
2.5" X 3.5"
Oil on Gessoed W/C board
$15.00

I also found one from 2006 that I painted in acrylic. I created this one when I lived in a beautiful old Victorian style house in Fort Collins. I was constantly fascinated with the woodwork in the house. The doors looked like they were originally installed when the 1897 house was built.



"Open Door"
2.5" X 3.5"
Acrylic on Gessoed W/C board
$15.00

Now on with the fun stuff.

Last month, I finished a piece for my best friend and husband. He is a Systems Analyst at a company in the Tech Center in Denver. He works hard all week, putting up with deadlines, traffic, weather, and so on, while I get to spend my time in the studio, pursuing my creative ventures. There aren't proper words to accurately express my thankfulness to Dakota for his constant support and love. Here is my piece for him:



"Achieving Balance"
24" X 24"
Oil on Canvas

Finally, you might be wondering if I ever finished the second portrait from the class at ASLD. Well, the good news is I completed the class for October. The bad news is, I never completed the still life part of the painting. Still, here is where I am with it, now:



So, that is my world, right now. For anyone who is curious please check out my website at www.caseoriginalart.com. You will want to check often, because I will be updating it over the next day or so. Also, if you have an interest in purchasing one of the paintings from the blog or from my website, please contact me at case@caseoriginalart.com. Yes, I do accept checks, money order, and paypal.

This has been a busy week, with Foco Loco which happened on Saturday night and the upcoming holidays! I am honored to be an artist included in the Foco Loco show at Hodi's Half Note in Fort Collins, CO, organized by Studio Gallery Wright. I have 3 pieces in the show, so if you are in Fort Collins, please check it out.

On top of that, I just finished a commission:



"Hilton Head Sunset "
8" X 10"
Oil on Board

Here are the images I used for reference for this one:



Also, last week, I completed some new paintings:



"Anticipating Arrival"
11" X 14"
Oil on Board
$250.00

and another



"Unexpected Discovery"
8" X 10"
Oil on Board
$120.00

Yesterday, I worked some more on my second portrait for my Portrait Painting class. I am sharing an image of my progress. You may notice that there is some weirdness in the lower left. I had originally painted the arm out of proportion which messed up the relationship it had to the other objects in the scene. So, I am in the process of moving things in accordance to the arm.

It has been almost a month since I have posted any progress, but I am happy to say that I have new developments to report. First of all, the sweet and tasty dessert is finally complete (please excuse the glare):



"Cherries and Cream"
18" X 24"
Oil on Canvas
$300.00

Next to report, I completed the painting of beautiful Sagit for my Portrait Painting class at The Art Student's League:



"Sagit"
12" X 16"
Oil on Canvas

And finally, I have begun a new portrait for the same portrait class this month. I will be working some more on this one tomorrow, when class resumes:

Today, my portrait painting class resumed. I was excited to continue working on the portrait of the lovely model. I was afforded some time today to refine some of the finer details of her face and to correct a bit of the color problem I had had the previous class session. I believe I have one more session to paint this particular model, so it will get finished next week. I promise, I will give her arms!

I have decided to give zazzle.com a try for generating prints of my paintings. My first has been published:


create & buy custom products at Zazzle

I am feeling adventurous, so I may as well order one for myself, just to see how it turns out, the quality, colors, etc. I will update as to the results.

It isn't often I decide to paint a still life. Monday, I made a snack of ice cream with maraschino cherries. I wouldn't ordinarily choose a sweet treat like this for a snack, but we still had some leftover from my son's birthday party, so I thought I would do the family a favor and help deplete the ice cream supply. When I had finished preparing my snack, I noticed how pretty the scene was. Yes, of course, I took a photo of the bowl of ice cream and cherries and decided to use it as a still life reference:



Yesterday, I began work on the painting. This is 18" X 24" canvas:



Here is my progress from today:



I also included a shot of some of the details:



I will post more photos as I progress on this one.