New work

Hi everyone... It has been a whirlwind last few days, but I did manage to go out painting this morning.  The weather was gray and overcast, the wind was cool, but the temp was a balmy 65.  My painting chum and I found a treasure trove of distant vistas to paint just south of San Antonio.  We laughed and observed that we could just drive around all day taking pictures of the gorgeous views we found.  We did finally settle on one area, and this is my result.  There is something so enticing about the colors on a gray day with the winter browns in the landscape.  I love it so much.  Never get enough!

 

Here are a few paintings I have done in recent weeks.  These three are destined for the Plein Air Southwest Salon show in Dallas:

These were done during a few days R&R at South Padre Island:

As always, these and many of my other works are on my website and available for purchase.  http://www.marenphillipsartlines.com

 

Marketing!!!

My posts have been lacking lately due to my concentration on ways to market my work.  So far, I have 5 different web sites, this blog, a newsletter, an eBay store, an Etsy shop, a Facebook Page, a LinkedIn account, and a Twitter account.  I will link all those below for those of you who are interested in seeing my entire presence online!  This is a real struggle for me, far more difficult than the painting which is my lifeblood, my very breath.  If anyone has ANY comments, criticisms, suggestions, amusmements, or any other reaction to any of these online links, PLEASE DO tell me via the comments area below.  If you are not a Blogger member, you may email me at headlinesart@yahoo.com to comment.  I sincerely do want to know your ideas and observations.  Be honest, I can take it!

OH, and I have been painting... but I need to do photos of them to post, will do asap.

Also, I have entered 3 different major exhibitions/competitions.  I am waiting for results on two of them, but I have been accepted into the Plein Air Southwest Salon held at the Southwest Gallery in Dallas, Tx.  I will let you know about the others just as soon as I get the word..

http://www.marenphillipsartlines.com  
 http://www.marensartlines.com     http://www.marensdogart.com
http://www.wildlinesart.com     http://www.headlines-art.com

on Facebook, go to:   Maren Phillips' ARTLINES
on Twitter:   Maren Phillips@marensartlines  https://twitter.com/marensartlines
Etsy:    http://www.etsy.com/shop/marensart1
eBay:    http://stores.ebay.com/Headlines-Art
LinkedIn:      http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=48827012&trk=hb_tab_pro_top
You may sign up for my newsletter by emailing me:  headlinesart@yahoo.com

Luv you all!
Maren

Good morning.  The weather today is blustery and crisp, our high is expected to be less than 60 and the wind is gusting up to 40mph.  I went out painting because the sunshine was irresistible, but I was fighting the wind the whole time.  It's NOT fun painting in the wind.  I don't mind the cold so much, altho, my hands go numb and it has nothing to do with my carpal tunnel!  I don't mind drizzle or even light rain, but I wonder if my wooden easel can take much of it without warping.  I painted in sleet in Nevada once, not a fun experience, but everything else was so exhilarating I didn't really notice it! 

Lately, my paintings have concentrated on certain specifics, trees, blowing grasses, clouds, the lay of the land... whatever I feel I need to learn for that day, I force myself to work on that specific thing.  For a time composition was foremost in my mind, and then it was drawing, getting the forms correct, and then I had a period where color and matching the things I was seeing exactly with just the right tone, warm or cool and, of course, value!  Value is the biggest challenge for me all the time!  I am finally seeing some progress, but those gray days are still very difficult.

Painting outdoors has many many challenges, insects, weather, location, time, and DANG IT... forgetting your brushes/canvas/turp/paint!!!  Have done all of the above!  But it is one of the MOST rewarding of all types of painting.  I start out with a song in my heart, the world is wonderful, nothing can go wrong (but it sometimes does) and I usually end on a high note.  You should all come out and try it with me sometime!  I am holding a one day workshop on Plein Air painting in April in New Braunfels.  come give it a GO!

Ebay holiday sale

Hi All... I am listing here 32 paintings which I am offering for auction on EBAY, 8 paintings each day until Friday, December 14.  Each auction is a 7 day auction, and you may bid on each painting by going to my ebay store at this link: 
 http://stores.ebay.com/Headlines-Art?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 

Remember, I will list 8 different paintings each day.  And each days paintings will be available to bid for 7 days.  I am also showing them on my Facebook Page, Maren Phillips' Artlines.

Thanks for visiting... 

 

Exhibition of my work

I have a little bitty show ( ;-) )  hanging now at the Schertz Civic Center Gallery in Schertz Texas.  It is a show sponsored by the Schertz Area Artz Council and will hang through the month of October.  I wish all of you could come see it.  All work is for sale..

Preparations

I've been gathering paintings in preparation for my Artist of the Month show that starts in a few days.  I still have to frame 3 of them, print tags, sign contracts, and figure out the placement, but I'm nearly ready.  We won't have a reception per se, but there are several local political groups and service groups that will meet in the Civic Center and each of them will be seeing my work.  I have high hopes for sales.

Posting a few of the paintings waiting for framing in my living room...

Rainy day news!

It's raining.  REALLY REALLY raining.... enough that our house might level out and all the nicely patched cracks will probably re-crack back to the old 'normal'..  Anyway, if it continues through the day (and it is supposed to) then our drought will have been conquered for the time being.  Hope it is raining over the area lakes, Medina, Canyon, McQueeney.  They have all been so low.

I was painting with the Outdoor Painters Society group for the last 3 days.  We had sprinkles, gray skies, and damp air, but our paintings were beautifully done.  A good time was had by all, including great Mexican food, lovely wine and cheese  'happy hour' and Olive Oil tasting!  Yes, we did get some painting done, too!

Oil Plein Air from Espada Aqueduct

Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard, Plein Air

I am also including the dragonfly paintings I did during the Dragonfly Festival at the Bitter Lakes Wildlife Refuge in Roswell, NM and the painting I did at friends property in Laguna, NM.  I have really thrown my energy into plein air painting, lately.  I'm loving it a lot!  But I have 2 dog portrait commissions to complete in the studio, so I will be working on them this week. 

today, however, listening to the rain and getting some rest!