Finished- "Out of the Den"

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel NFS

If you would like one similar or with different animals please email me. The commission process starts out with you telling me what you want: size, subject matter, and colors. Maybe you have a picture that you like and want something similar painted. I can sketch out ideas from photo reference pictures I receive from you plus those I can find on the internet and at the library. I will email sketches to you for approval. I want you to be %100 satisfied. When the picture is finished I will send you a digital image and get your approval. There is no money down and so if you are not happy with the painting you do not have to pay anything. You will be shipped the painting when I have received the payment we agreed upon at the beginning of the process. Payment options are check, credit card, or Pay Pal. All sales are final once the painting is shipped.  

Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing one similar to this.

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Stages of a Painting

Stages of a painting with three cubs in the forest.  title: ("Out of the Den")

A follower asked me if I could show the stages of one of my paintings. Here they are.

Step 1

I spend many days researching. I look for reference pictures on the web and at the library.  

                                  11" x 14" pencil and pen sketch

After I know how I am going to arrange the composition I spend about 7 minutes sketching out the design. If I am happy with the sketch I use a 5B or 6B graphite drawing pencil and scribble the entire back of the sketch. I then place the sketch with the carbon covered back over my primed panel. I use a ballpoint pen to trace over the sketch, pressing down hard enough for the image to transfer.

Step 2

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel

Now that the image has been transferred to the primed panel, I color block using thin, transparent layers of acrylic paint. Using bright colors will help the finished painting glow.

Step 3

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel

I then put the details on the primary area of interest. This allows me to make changes before adding the background and foreground details; see changes to size of bear on the right. 

  

Step 4

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel

I added many layers of transparent acrylic paint to the fallen logs.

Step 5

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel

I decided to add bark to the fallen logs.

Step 6

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel

Added branches that have snapped off and their shadows to the fallen logs

Step 7

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel

Glazed the trees in the forest with layers of thin transparent paint. The color of the closer tree trunks are warmer and more saturated whereas the trees in the far background are cooler and faded. I also added color to the rocks. Notice I made the rock on the far right smaller; see in Step 6 how it is a similar height to the bear on the far right. By making the rock smaller,a visual pyramid is created, going from that rock up to the bears, down the back of the far left bear, over to the two rocks and then moving back to the right along the line of the log. This movement creates a strong visual composition. Your eye might also go from the two rocks to the single, right hand side bear because they are all on the same diagonal plane, making that bear the focal point. 

Step 8

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel

Added bark to the standing trees, darkened the left side of the trees and added highlights to the right side of the trees to show the direction the sun light is coming from. 

Step 9

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel

Added the grasses to the foreground and middle ground. This photo was taken on a cloudy day, notice the colors aren't as vivid as earlier steps.

Step 10

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel NFS

This is the finished painting. I changed the eyes so they are not so pronounced.

This painting is not for sale. Please Email Me if you are interested in commissioning one similar to this.

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BoldBrush Painting Contest

"Lady Beetles on a Log" has made it to the 7th row of the BoldBrush Painting Contest, Popular Entries page for July. 

6" x 6" acrylic on 3/16" wood panel

Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing.

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Canyon Reflection

30" x 20" watercolor on paper NFS

There are two sections to this Arizona scene. This is the larger of the two. It is the left side of the scene. Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing one similar to this.

14.75" x 22" watercolor on paper NFS

There are two sections to this Arizona scene. This is the smaller of the two. It is the right side of the scene. Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing one similar to this.

Bee's Birdhouse

15.5" x 11" watercolor on paper NFS

The aqua birdhouse hanging from the Chinese Tallow tree was my grandmother's. This was "The Outside Your Window Challenge" for an art group that I belonged to. This is an area in my backyard that I look out at from the kitchen window. Gazing upon such a beautiful setting may be the reason why I don't mind washing dishes.  

Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing one similar to this.
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Desert Song

11" x 15" watercolor

This is one of the many scenic spots in Arizona. "Desert Song" by Hillsong was the inspiration for this piece. I brought the mood of the song into the piece through my use of colors. 

Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing.

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Stages of a Painting- Three Cubs On A Log

A follower asked me if I could show the stages of one of my paintings. Displayed is a piece that I have been commissioned to paint for a woman in Wyoming.

I spend many days researching. I look for reference pictures on the web and at the library.  

11" x 14" pencil and pen sketch

After I know how I am going to arrange the composition I spend about 7 minutes sketching out the design. If I am happy with the sketch I use a 5B or 6B graphite drawing pencil and scribble the entire back of the sketch. I then place the sketch with the carbon covered back over my primed panel. I use a ballpoint pen to trace over the sketch, pressing down hard enough for the image to transfer.

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel

Now that the image has been transferred to the primed panel, I color block using thin, transparent layers of acrylic paint. Using bright colors will help the finished painting glow.

11" x 14" acrylic on gessoed panel

I then put the details on the primary area of interest. This allows me to make changes before adding the background and foreground details; see changes to size of bear on the right. 

Well, I better get back to work. Have a great day!

                                                                     Nicole

  

Where I Go

11" x 15" watercolor

This is one of the many scenic spots in the Butchart Gardens located near Victoria, British Colombia. Natalie Merchant's "Where I Go" was the inspiration for this piece. I was able to loosen up where I am normally a very tight painter. Using watercolor as the medium also helped keep the piece flowing and fresh.

Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing.

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Prayer Of Saint Francis Of Assisi

6" x 6" acrylic on 3/16" wood panel SOLD

    Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.

Where there is injury, pardon.

Where there is doubt, faith.

Where there is despair, hope.

Where there is darkness, light.

Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

This is my favorite saint because he is known as the garden saint. He preached to man and all animals the universal duty to praise God, protect and enjoy nature. 

Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing one similar to this.
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Let My Love Open The Door

6" x 6" acrylic on 3/16" wood panel

The garden gate is the "door to my heart". In addition to painting, I am an avid gardener. Pete Townshend's "Let My Love Open The Door" song was an inspiration for this piece. I have been wanting to paint this scene and others like it since our trip to see the gardens in Victoria, B.C. Canada.

Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing this or one similar to it.
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Nut

6" x 6" acrylic on 3/16" wood panel/ Sold

Seen on the porch, this chipmunk has found a Buckeye Nut. 


Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing one similar to this.

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Lady Beetles on a Log

6" x 6" acrylic on 3/16" wood panel

The inspiration for this painting was a photo taken by a friend who lives in Illinois, Gene Sands, a naturalist photographer. The multi colored Asian lady beetles look like they are discussing their plans before venturing out for the day.

Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing.
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Apple Study VI

4" x 4" acrylic on 3/16" wood panel
This is the final painting in a series of 6 apple studies painted on 3/16" thick wood panel. The sides are painted the same green as the background. The apples are from my trees, an Anna and Dorsett Golden.

Please Email Me if you are interested.

Apple Study V

4" x 4" acrylic on 3/16" wood panel
This is the fifth in a series of 6 apple studies painted on 3/16" thick wood panel. The sides are painted the same green as the background. The apples are from my trees, an Anna and Dorsett Golden.

Please Email Me if you are interested in purchasing.

Apple Study IV

4" x 4" acrylic on 3/16" wood panel
This is the fourth in a series of 6 apple studies painted on 3/16" thick wood panel. The sides are painted the same green as the background. The apples are from my trees, an Anna and Dorsett Golden. Please Email Me if you are interested.

Apple Study III

4" x 4" acrylic on 3/16" wood panel
This is the third in a series of 6 apple studies painted on 3/16" thick wood panel. The sides are painted the same green as the background. The apples are from my trees, an Anna and Dorsett Golden. Please Email Me if you are interested.

House Rendition IX

5" x 7" watercolor and ink SOLD

If you are interested in having a rendition of your home Email Me or go to my Etsy Shop.

This is the first rendition I have done using a combination of watercolor and ink. I like the cartoon quality. The homeowner moved to Arizona from the east coast so I brought the sand and surf to her yard. The painting was placed in a standing frame and is displayed in the guest bathroom.

Photo of Home in Chandler, AZ

Kitchen Chess

14" x 21.5 " watercolor 

Watercolor with 2 1/4" mat and 3" frame and glass, 
outside measurements 24.5" x 32"

This painting just glows. It will brighten the darkest of spaces and the rich browns go with all wood colors. It would be a great addition to a study or game room. If you are interested in purchasing Email Me

Photo of frame, mat and glass/ outside measurements 24.5" x 32"