When I paint in oil I use water-mixable and have for many years.  Started out of necessity.  I paint many pet portraits and have found this paint works great.  Over the years I have learned through experience how fun and creative you can be with these paints.  I like watercolor, love thin washes.  You can do that.  I love texture.  You can acheive that.  I love gloss and matt.  You can do both on one painting.  It is so much fun the painting takes on a life on its own.  I have found a new artists supply store and I will be doing a demonstration using these oils .  The date hasn’t been set yet, but will be soon.  It is free.If you would like to attend see Ettie Hough(pronounced rough)w/a”H” SUNSET ART SUPPLY space 60 (outside) northeast at Sunset Center, 3701 Plains Blvd Amarillo, TX.  806-353-3766  If you haven’t been there yet, get by, we are so fortunate to finally have an ART store not another hobby store.  This is a store for the serious artist.  If they don’t have it they will order for you.  Hope to see you there!

I have three brand new paintings that are being displayed at The Colony Frame and Gallery on Wolflin Blvd.  The gallery located between Silverland Jewerly and Peppermint Garden on Wolflin  blvd in Amarillo Texas.  One is quite large at least for me and would look gorgeous in a large home out in the Canyon area.  “Deer Spike” modeled for me out in Palo Duro Canyon.  I took his pic right off the road.  I whistled at him and he turned and looked at me before he went into the thicket.

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Have Happy Holidays and a Merry Christmas

I have a deal for you!   I am going to try something that they say cannot or should not be done in the art business.   Why should I allow “Them” to dictate my business.  Here it is!!! 

If you send me a collector that gives me your name and purchases a piece of art (commissions count)  You receive an unbelievable discount on a painting of your choice. 

Tell  someone that loves art to call and make appointment to see my portfolio and Gallery

The sooner the better (discount)

Word of Mouth is still the best form of advertisement! 

Wanted to share the excitement. My friend and collector came to see the unveiling of her commission.  “My Moma’s Baby”  I placed it in the window of my gallery/studio .  When she saw it she squealled and cried.  And Laughed.  She had the live Ruth with her as she peered at the painting.  Painting of little Roo-Roo all wet looking up with love only her mom appreciates.  After our embrace (Charlotte and I),  we stepped back and we noticed   Roo-R00 was excited too!!  At least that’s what I think she was conveying in her dogness.  She Pooh Poohed.  We  laughed and were relieved we didn’t step in it.  Ruth ( the dog) was just relieved with a big smile on her face.This is Charlotte Braddock’s third commission I have done for her over the years.  She has”Roo-Roo”on display in her grooming salon. You can see my other paintings of her other pooches too.  Mention Charlotte to me when you call and I will give you both more than a hug. (A Discount)Take home a gift you will treasure forever!!!  “Need-Us-Bark-Us” 3229 Commerce St.  Amarillo, TX 

I was asked that question.  At first I thought of the color, contrast, and temperature change.  All that is true.  What is also true is creating a three dimension on a flat plane.  There must be distance.  Usually the background is greyer.  Not gray like the color, but not as an intense color.  The foreground is where the darkest darks and the most intense color are painted.  The most contrast too.  Remember the details in the foreground.  You cannot see every branch far away.

The focal point is best placed in one of the thirds.  I looked at my landscapes and tried to look at them with a critical eye.  The thing that excited me the most was the atmosphere.  I felt that I was there.  That is it!!  The very most important thing that makes a great landscape is being there.  All of my landscapes were painted “En Plein Air”  a fancy French term meaning painting out in the air or outside.  Painting from life.  That is definitely what makes the painting real.  The viewer can feel as if they are there.  Hopefully bringing a feeling of peace and tranquility.  (Mine that is)   Every one of my landscapes I painted on location is mainly in pastel.  You must paint fast.  This is where I use watercolor washes. “ Real fast and loose.”  Try to get close the right value and color.  I mainly use Kitty Wallis Paper   It has great adhesion and has a backing that will withstand the watercolor.  It is acid free.  I have found this works best because the weather can change rapidly.  The sun is constantly moving your shadows.  So that is what I try to paint first.  I try to get on the paper what excited me.  Usually it is color and contrast.  The painter is not only fighting all the challenges of painting, but also the wind, heat, bugs, rain, cold.  And that can happen all in one day.  That is what is so exciting.  The elements dictate your speed.  I remember painting one my paintings where I bungee corded my easel to a tree so the painting and I wouldn’t blow away, with sticky tree sap running down my hand, all the while red ants were crawling all over my pastel box on the ground.  I didn’t know they liked pastels!   It was well worth it.  I sold that painting on site.

Sometimes I am not able to finish the entire painting but I try to get the colors, shadows and get the composition right.  I do take a picture of the place but it is amazing that I do not even need it. (I was there).

Also something very important and this is for any painting are shapes.  Interesting shapes.  Not all the same not all small, not all large.  Never taking up the same amount of space.

I have heard several artists mention that landscapes are the easiest.  Well you might be able to move things like a tree or bush, but you then have to make sure you do not add the shadows.  Really all paintings are just shapes.  Not unlike a puzzle.   If the shapes are right it is right.

The answer is paint from life.  Paint what you see!   In order for a landscape to look vibrant the painter must be there.

Cheral Squyres

www.cheralsquyres.com

“Walter” is his name. Belongs to two wonderful people who live in Amarillo, TX   He is a very handsome well-trained yellow lab.  (Steve gets the credit for that.)Martha gave him his honorable name.   Walter, the yellow lab is one of my most favorite models!!! The painting is a pastel.  (Not chalk; but the purest form of pigment in a stick form; not oil pastel.)I did an oil of “Walter”, a commissioned piece.  I got so many great photos that I just had to do another one.  The title of the work is “My treat” chosen because he  appears waiting patiently for something. I am sure I will do more!!  It is amazing the attention that this painting gets.   He has become my mascot. It is definitely a stand out. Not sure I want to sell this one!  So those of you who were thinking about it, might just be SOL.