tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29026072465331244272012-01-27T13:22:51.147-06:00Vicki and Randy are the founders of MyArtTutor and post here when time allows :)vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.comBlogger1761100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-64567412225431284762012-01-22T13:26:00.001-06:002012-01-22T13:26:24.715-06:00

"Spring Bluebird" 4x4" oil on panel $75 © Vicki Ross I'd better get back to chair painting or I'll catch up with me! The glass bluebird is a product of Terra Studios just outside Fayetteville, AR. You can read about the original "Bluebird of Happiness" on their website.  This little guy and I are going to have fun! He even traveled over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-45579223545852481132012-01-19T15:07:00.000-06:002012-01-19T15:07:13.131-06:00

I'll do anything to trick 'Victoria' into painting...she's my alter ego and will stop at nothing to keep me from painting. Can't tell you the devious tricks she uses...reading, research on painting, facebook, WORK that has to be done, too cold out, too hot out. Then there are the downright mean whispers...you'll never be any good, who do you think you are fooling, what a waste of time, just look

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-3144004761723660102012-01-15T14:53:00.001-06:002012-01-15T14:53:52.142-06:00

Well, we almost missed this month...but it was a point of honor for Diana and me. We hadn't missed a month since she started the challenge group 2 years ago. The challenge was something in a plastic bag. I got involved in doing a grisaille underpainting, and was having so much fun I didn't leave time for the color layers. SO, this will stand alone for now! We also welcome two new members this

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-51329444814825313422012-01-02T15:26:00.000-06:002012-01-02T17:48:18.430-06:00

Just finished this commission...two 18x36" oil on canvas paintings. Monte Ne, Arkansas (east of Rogers) was quite the resort in the early 1900's. Built by William 'Coin' Harvey it was a playground for the rich and famous...a health resort and planned community. Complete with its own railroad and bank, it was built around a natural spring. Other features included the first indoor swimming pool in

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-49338329240581824882011-12-15T12:25:00.000-06:002011-12-15T12:25:22.233-06:00

This month's challenge topic was mine. I swear I was not thinking 'emotional' blues...it was the collection of ultramarine bottles I have. Did I use them for my painting? Nope! Decided it was too involved...so did my first 'chair' painting. I'm liking having a kit right beside me. My most favorite part of this challenge is on the 14th when we all share our 'conclusion' with the group.  With much

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-4548386339473436952011-11-15T16:23:00.001-06:002011-11-15T16:34:24.157-06:00

Whew...the 15th comes around w-a-a-y too soon! But, we all stepped up to the plate again, always remembering the definitions of 'challenge'. Time is one of those :) "Wisdom"  pastel on paper 3x4 inches ©2011 Vicki Ross "Helping Hands" 10x8 inches, oil on panel ©2011 Robin Cheers "Morning Watch"  Work in Progress,  6x6 inches soon to be 6x12 inches ©Ruth Andre "Seek

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-27375002766018643582011-10-14T12:25:00.001-05:002011-10-14T12:25:55.206-05:00

Thanks, Robin (Cheers) for the creative challenge this month! Setting up the photo shoot must have been somewhat time consuming. Couldn't have come at a better time because I just started a series based on 100 year old photos...black/white. This was good practice. I decided I liked the photo flipped horizontally. "Laundry Day" Photo by Robin Cheers "Fresh Sheets" 11x14" watercolor

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-36052949044427500772011-09-15T18:40:00.001-05:002011-09-15T21:11:16.349-05:00

What a great topic for the month of September, 2011... "Party Dress" chosen by Ruth Andre. Enjoy... "Party Dress on the Beach" 9x12" pastel on paper © Vicki Ross Faire Dress 16x12 oil on panel ©2011 Robin Cheers "Stephanie"  12x6 oil on canvas by Ruth Andre "that party dress"   18x24" oil on canvas© Suzanne Berry 2011 "New Dress"  Oil on

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-82560408401524931422011-08-15T15:29:00.000-05:002011-08-15T15:29:57.401-05:00

"Cherry" 5x5" oil on cradled panel © Vicki Ross Whew. In by a hair...this challenge has become a badge of honor. No matter what excuses have cropped up to 'skip' a month, Wicki won't let me. The topic this month was by Sharmin Owings "paint something on or in your car. I whined that it was over 100 degrees for a month and I couldn't go out. Finally a break in the weather, some fresh

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-77731971990572267282011-07-25T16:32:00.001-05:002011-07-25T16:34:00.944-05:00

"Urania's Tulips" 18x18" oil on canvas © Vicki Ross $815 us This has some really cool things going on in the background. I used Mars Black (thinly) for a matte look, along with Ivory Black for shiny. Then scraped straight cobalt, carmine and ultramarine in spots.  Urania always has beautiful flowers in her house, and these just begged to be painted. 

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-37349319672195312002011-07-15T14:31:00.000-05:002011-07-15T14:31:27.375-05:00

Thanks to Diana, our sponsor, for the challenge she conjured up this month...EYES. Hope someone does 'mouths' next month :) "Brothers" each, 8x10 oil on canvas ©Vicki Ross "Helen's Eyes"12x12" oil on canvas©Suzanne Berry "Just Thinking About You"  4x4" oil/canvas board   ©Ruth Andre  "My Daughter's Eyes" 5x7" oil on panel ©Robin Cheers "Eye of the Storm" Oil

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-75368995160114763232011-06-15T18:32:00.001-05:002011-06-16T10:54:50.547-05:00

For the June 2011 Moses Botkin Challenge, I managed to come up with a real 'challenge'...a self-portrait. Started mine before we left for a week at IAPS, and worked on it 2 sessions after we got home. I think I should call it lobster-bake. However, when it gets dry, I can adjust those colors to my pale pink Irish complexion that better suits my flourescent red hair :) "Me...2011"© Vicki

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-45926714385577040482011-05-15T15:28:00.003-05:002011-05-15T19:19:42.131-05:00

Thanks to Suzanne (Berry) for this month's challenge...something with a camera. I played around with the pear and my camera, having to use my iphone for the photo. Good thing, too, cause Randy ate the pear before I could paint it from life! "Bite Me"Oil on canvas 8"x10"©2011 Vicki Ross "Study" Original oil on canvas 5"x7" ©2011 Diana Moses Botkin "The Camera"Oil on canvas 20"x16" ©2011 

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-47083016991501234602011-05-11T18:28:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:33:49.458-05:00

Yeah, I know how everyone hates acronyms..."His Holiness Dalai Lama" is a mouthful. JoAnn and I did as instructed and arrived in plenty of time...right before the doors opened for the second event of the day.  Early enough to get good seating, in the nosebleed section of Bud Walton Arena. We were an hour and half away from 'the event', but enjoyed sitting listening to the Tibetan music and

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-18833845428779574172011-04-23T10:52:00.000-05:002011-04-23T10:52:06.918-05:00

Obviously, I liked this pose. Had already painted it in August of 2009, but didn't realize it until yesterday! Both paintings have one 3 hour session...I figure I should finish at least one of them, what'cha think? Same same, but different! August 2009 April 2011

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-12284436369117760812011-04-17T18:34:00.000-05:002011-04-17T18:34:06.968-05:00

I forced me to be slow, and still got to this point in 3 1/2 hours. She still needs work, obviously, but no more than I've been able to paint for the past 6 months I'm happy. Here is the stopping point today: She looks pretty good until you compare with the photo...and, yes, I signed it because I like to carve into the wet paint. Doesn't stop me from going back into it again, though. Her skin

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-34961893082190050422011-04-15T11:11:00.001-05:002011-04-15T11:53:56.754-05:00

Well, this month was a REAL challenge. Thank you Robin! We've all stewed over this one. I almost did watercolor, but then decided to try Chinese technique in thin oil. I think I had 9 strokes, plus some wipe-out. no white. See my slideshow at the bottom! Great Job guys...this was a tough one...:) "7 Stroke to Place"13x9" oil on canvas©Vicki Ross One Duck in 15 Strokes 10x10"  oil on canvas ©

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-67548911910642256952011-03-23T19:00:00.000-05:002011-03-23T19:00:39.379-05:00

Check it out! Become.com Guess who was guest blog host today? Yup.  Check it out...and tell 'em Vicki sent'ya. I can't wait to explore this site. Thanks for asking, Ben... xxoo vicki

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-85842349138144558762011-03-15T14:25:00.001-05:002011-03-15T14:27:38.004-05:00

Great challenge this month, thanks to new member Ruth Andre, paint something on dark ground or with a dark background. I grabbed a black piece of Richeson Pastel Paper and went to work. That is the good thing about challenges, they encourage you to try new things. This paper has a very coarse surface, and I deliberated about trying to fill some of the texture, but decided to let it fly like this

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-10019964582785956412011-02-16T13:39:00.001-06:002011-02-19T10:35:16.969-06:00

This was Diana's idea...Converse Tennis Shoes. And, yes, there are really mine and I wear them alot (I can do that since I'm a funky painter :). Except mine are chinese embroidered purple satin! Was in a major hurry...had real good reason to bail this month, but since I've never missed a month...well you get the picture. ended up with a pretty good shoe on a great big panel. Randy suggested

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-91358993102065488372011-01-15T14:51:00.001-06:002011-01-15T14:52:36.860-06:00

I'm managing to blog once a month...hardly up to speed! This month's challenge was to paint whatever we could think of beginning with the letters 'pi'. Thanks Sharman for a good one! "Apples for Pie"© Vicki Ross11x14" pastel on pastelbord I had just finished writing a new 'Soft Pastel…an exploration' ebook+ for MyArtTutor and had done a demo showing 4 different techniques for the back cover. 'PI

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-46852146805428779562010-12-15T13:33:00.000-06:002010-12-15T13:33:06.281-06:00

Well, Suzanne threw a curve with this month's challenge..."paint our favorite cliché, phrase, game... e.g.: rock, paper, scissors or a bird in the hand..." Since I am 'RED' (with hair about this color), and these identical twins caught my interest in Paris...see slideshow below. Remember 'double your pleasure, double your fun?' "DoubleMint Twins at the Paris Metro"12x16" oil on panel© Vicki Ross

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-75977384725191195332010-11-24T17:00:00.001-06:002010-11-24T17:09:31.806-06:00

Green Pitcher8x10" oil on canvas©Vicki Ross Set up, mixed pigment. Started timer, 35 minutes. Not sure this is the best exercise for me since my tutors are always telling me to slow down :) Diana Moses Botkin did a quiet little challenge for these paintings so I'm gonna give it a shot! Worked this on a loose piece of canvas, so the horizontal wrinkles may be problematic...but perhaps the Garret

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-76629172875346056422010-11-16T11:20:00.001-06:002010-11-16T13:29:32.670-06:00

Challenge Group member Robin Cheers came up with this painful concept for us and instructed us to: "Set a timer for 30 MINUTES. And start painting!! When the timer dings, chirps, rings, beeps, whatever, you are DONE. Stand back and see what you accomplished! The idea is of course, to get in as much as you can - to mass in, to respond quickly to what you see and not analyze. You can work big or

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-69876409200488780132010-10-16T13:28:00.000-05:002010-10-16T13:28:02.320-05:00

Whew, made the painting deadline, but then completely blew the posting deadline! Life in the wicki-zoo is worthy of a novel...no one would believe the non-fiction version! The challenge was a 6x8 size with a 1/2" brush. I usually paint with that size and larger, but missed my small brushes for a wee bit of blending. See my paint box reflection? Had fun doing this outside with the constantly

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-88072961610210051072010-09-15T16:36:00.000-05:002010-09-15T16:36:56.365-05:00

"Paint it Red" is our Challenge subject for September, chosen by new member Elizabeth Blaylock. She says, "lets do a painting with a red, red violet or red orange color dominance. From Jerome's Paris Window aka"La Basilique du Val de Grace illuminée la nuit" 11x14" oil on panel©Vicki Ross "Sultry" 16x16" oil on canvas © suzanne berry Arrangement on Red" 6x6" Oil on Panel ©2010 Elizabeth

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-57553302491231331572010-08-15T13:12:00.000-05:002010-08-15T13:12:45.863-05:00

Thanks, Dianna for this month's challenge...Use a yellow, a black, and white. I chose Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black and Titanium White. I may decide to use this as a grisaille and continue to paint on it because the bottle is a beautiful cobalt blue! 'Grisaille in Yellow Ochre, Ivory Black & White' ©2010 Vicki Ross11x14 oil on panel  'Rose in Yellow Solo'(pale cad yellow, lamp black and titanium

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-91248204985375360972010-07-15T16:30:00.000-05:002010-07-15T16:30:49.978-05:00

Choice was mine this month...and from the looks of things, we all liked blue and yellow! I think Suzanne gets the prize for thinking out of the box! "Blue and Yellow"©2010 Vicki Ross9x12" oil on panel Summer Bouquet6x6 oil on panel©2010 Robin Cheers Amber Waves 16x20" oil on canvas © Suzanne Berry 2010 "Yellow Columbine"  Oil on hardboard 6"x4"  unframed $992010 Diana Moses Botkin "

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-87971764692157750312010-06-15T11:20:00.000-05:002010-06-15T11:20:47.180-05:00

Suzanne Berry chose our challenge topic this month: a bed sheet or a favorite blanket, shawl or baby blanket. I have a beautiful silk scarf with gold metallic weaving that caught my eye when I was exploring ideas. Yeah it is really that green, can just hear Tim telling me to 'kill the chroma'! I coupled it with a book I purchased at the weekly market in rural France and a pair of reading

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-49265155837665266942010-05-15T08:29:00.000-05:002010-05-15T08:29:44.987-05:00

We never quit amazing me! Artists, that is. This month's challenge was the brainwave of Robin Cheers...Do a painting with only two complementary pigments, in this case, purple and yellow (white allowed but no black). I used Cobalt Violet (Grumbacher Artist's Quality) and Cadmium Lemon (WinsorNewton Artist's). In retrospect, I wish I had used a stronger purple because my darks were limited. BUT,

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-23112768514828580772010-05-03T09:23:00.000-05:002010-05-03T09:23:47.488-05:00

Don't faint and fall out! VickiLou (aka Red), painted today (Sunday)! Strong light in upper left corner is my fault. "Sleepyhead"©2010 Vicki Ross18x24" Pastel on Wallis Paper 'Sleepyhead' still needs some final touches, but I cautiously optimistic that it is close. This little guy, Leo, is French. We met him on our first visit to La Bonne Etoile, and Randy gave Leo his white Arkansas Razorback

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-9871239662237991202010-04-15T12:09:00.000-05:002010-04-15T12:09:31.598-05:00

This month's challenge topic was by Jeanne Illenye, simply and succinctly "Spring". Again, I am so thrilled with the variations on this theme (I could have named mine pink spider): "Spring"©2010 Vicki Ross9x12 oil on panel "Stretch"©2010 Michael Naples 18x18 oil on canvas En Plein Air9x12 oil on panel©Robin Cheers 2010 Easter Sunday12x12" oil on canvas©Suzanne Berry 2010 "The Lost

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-5073479378460392442010-03-15T19:19:00.000-05:002010-03-15T19:19:36.998-05:00

I was actually working on my painting early this month, then realized last week that my memory of the subject from Michael Naples was 'Favorite Thing'! Close but no cigar...so...since I am not a sweet eater like my fellow challenge members, I did an apple."One a Day"©2010 Vicki Ross 4x7 oil on board"Cherry Cordials"4x4 inches / oil on panelJeanne Illenye"Marble Frosted"8"x8", Oil on Board©

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-62323110554392192102010-03-11T19:45:00.000-06:002010-03-11T19:45:02.123-06:00

I've postponed being an artist for the short-term. Sure did feel good with a brush in my hand today, and I'm hoping I didn't lose too much ground! MyArtTutor.com is showing what we call "MO"...momentum. I've even completely re-designed the website in the last month (it, like Liam is not finished). Can't wait to announce things for real. Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead! or whatever that

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-18171015196135110662010-02-15T12:46:00.000-06:002010-02-15T12:46:43.017-06:00

And the challenge goes on regardless of the rest of our lives! Striped Socks...an easy concept, don't ya think? Unless you are traveling when you should be painting,  as I was. I thought about doing an 'oops', I just can't get it in this time...but had an idea that worked. Diana chose this month's subject, Striped Socks...and from the looks of things it struck a chord with all of us. Enjoy! "

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-64998278976903326792010-01-15T14:41:00.000-06:002010-01-15T14:41:08.503-06:00

Moses Botkin Challenge for January...there is a real good reason for the word 'challenge'. And that is because some months we need a good swift kick in the butt to meet that challenge. This merry band of artists gets stronger every month when we click that send button for the joint blog announcement. This was my month to struggle. But, I persisted, finishing my theme painting and knowing that

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-21109067769187258162009-12-24T13:17:00.000-06:002009-12-24T13:17:33.482-06:00

While developing MyArtTutor, I have 'opened the door' to creative thinking. When we had our marketing company my title was 'Creative Actualizer'. That meant that I could be an idea person and have someone else develop the ideas. Kind of appropo for someone who exhibits ADD from time to time :) Good friend Susan and I were talking about this (her birthday is Dec 6 with mine) when a lightbulb

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-49663730211370306182009-12-15T16:05:00.000-06:002009-12-15T16:05:53.097-06:00

With it being full-blown winter here in Northwest Arkansas, and craze holiday stuff at the same time, 5 of us from the Moses-Botkin Challenge made the deadline this month. I've been doing nothing but computing as I refine MyArtTutor, BUT that is subject for another post! Without further ado, here is the challenge from Marie Fox, "Warm and Cool, or Hot and Cold: opposites must both be included.

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-32702531415735173842009-12-07T12:20:00.000-06:002009-12-07T12:20:37.883-06:00

(read the entire post here) For those who have missed my presence...hahaha...on Blogger and on Facebook, I'm b-a-a-a-c-c-c-k! My alter ego self, Victoria has been in control, immersed me in a new idea that is going live this week, and is making me announce it here and now! MyArtTutor.com will enable art tutors who live all over the world teach students from all over the world in a virtual

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-32726705899038866042009-11-15T17:48:00.000-06:002009-11-15T17:48:14.691-06:00

(If you read this from Facebook it is just a snippet. click title to read full entry) Michael Naples chose this month's subject...and once again the results are stunning! The wall behind our house used to be covered with beautiful vines until some rambo neighbor decided it needed to come off, and so it disappeared. The vine was the same as at La Bonne Etoile in France and would have added a

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-86267576547009605582009-10-25T19:38:00.000-05:002009-10-25T19:38:47.723-05:00

(facebook readers, click on the blog title for the rest of the story) "Copper Reflections" ©2009 Vicki Ross Pastel on Copper 4x10" I'm mostly caught up to my tutors on my new project...and spent today in the upstairs studio (breakfast room is my oil studio). It was SO good to get back after weeks of programming and creative thinking. I may edit the amount of copper showing...will let her

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-16009717517188592932009-10-19T11:45:00.002-05:002009-10-19T11:49:42.723-05:00

Facebook readers go to the blog! Whoo-hoo! what a surprise when I saw this email newsletter...and there is my painting 'Parrot Tulips'! This is a link to their gallery... I have had tons of fun with these...

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-58460757537295978172009-10-15T10:14:00.000-05:002009-10-15T10:14:13.999-05:00

...facebook'ers, be sure to read the entire blog...  A local weatherman did some research and found that normally sunny Northwest Arkansas has had under FIFTEEN sunny days in 3 months! No wonder we are all forming gills and webbed toes...:) This month's challenge was from new member, Suzanne Berry, and was simply 'water'. Be sure to visit everyone's blog...some great artists! Here is mine,

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-17480211317317684972009-09-20T20:05:00.000-05:002009-09-20T20:05:11.029-05:00

Finished several paintings that were languishing around...nagging at me. You need to go to the blog to see them all. Feels good to declare victory! Enjoy...this week will see some finishes on figurative works. "Tanyard Creek" ©2009 Vicki Ross 12x16" oil on linen panel $815 "Charles Bridge, Prague" ©2009 Vicki Ross 11x14" oil on panel $650 "A Green Toast" ©2009 Vicki Ross 6x12" oil on

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-74621065728859494562009-09-17T19:19:00.000-05:002009-09-17T19:19:52.177-05:00

Dam**t! lost an entire afternoon of painting. Was just getting into the rhythm and on target to finish another painting today when my Heart went pitty-pat. Problem was, it didn't stop. I had had another episode earlier this week, but it went away quickly and I forgot about it. 10 minutes...not going away. made a management decision to call 911. A bit of nitro sprayed under my tongue, 4 baby

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-17678297649325860992009-09-15T11:53:00.000-05:002009-09-15T11:53:38.743-05:00

I've been behind the curve this month due to my programming issues with a new website. Yeah, I'd like some cheeze with my whine! AND, this month we are welcoming Suzanne Berry for her first challenge painting...she NAILED it! Michael Naples has a 2 week old newborn at home. I'm impressed he was even able to remember a deadline! My excuse pales by comparison. "Coming OUT of the Cabinet"©2009

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-31144705217658051132009-09-13T19:39:00.001-05:002009-09-13T19:39:42.107-05:00

In order to feel better, sometimes it takes a step or 2 back to appreciate how far you have come. Randy and I have had one of those inexplicable 'coincidences' that culminated this last week in another layer of the onion being peeled back. The onion is my description of grief, if massive enough, your brain (soul) will allow you to put the event in cold storage until you are better equipped to

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-29434477438767035532009-09-07T22:27:00.000-05:002009-09-07T22:27:14.195-05:00

A friend brought a friend over late on Labor Day weekend for a glass of wine, and he chose FIVE of my paintings for his collection (must have been some wine)! MY paintings! He carefully looked at all my framed pieces and managed to choose some of my favs. (we definitely have to get the others on the walls instead of stacked in the floor). The ones he chose came from my experiences in France (

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-73441460452221315542009-08-26T17:47:00.000-05:002009-08-26T17:47:20.172-05:00

Plein Air Painters of the Ozarks meets every Wednesday 8 or so months out of the year and they always have a great time. I don't go often because Plein air painting is hard work...especially in August, in the Ozarks! Only 85 or so, but the humidity! and the rocks used to cover the hillside absorb the heat and reflect it back to you. (there was quite alot of socializing going on instead of

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-38072539705954881812009-08-20T18:47:00.001-05:002009-08-20T18:50:28.246-05:00

I'm having SO much fun with this idea...am taking my time and enjoying the process. 'Parrot Tulips'©2009 Vicki Ross20x24 Pastel on Sanded PaperTrompe l'oeil is French for 'fool the eye' and typically done in super realism in oils. Pastels don't quite work crisp enough, but someone else is known for doing Koi fish, oversize florals, Arkansas creeks, portraits, paintings of people looking at art

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-46487065224479879542009-08-15T12:52:00.000-05:002009-08-15T12:52:48.591-05:00

"The Boys" ©2009 Vicki Ross9x9" Oil on CanvasI think I'm playing with some sadists! Last month a self-portrait, this month an unmade bed...what th'...? (and all my partners know I'm teasing!) I could not come up with anything about an unmade bed that remotely sounded interesting...for me to paint or for anyone else to look at. And therein lies the value of these challenges...IT'S A CHALLENGE!

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-31680800136905256412009-08-11T18:03:00.000-05:002009-08-11T18:03:25.546-05:00

I took my source photo during the Kay Polk workshop, but did this painting at home. I regret I didn't get her name...was probably talking or something :) I had fun with this painting...would have to say it is as close to 'a Vicki' as there has been yet. I dearly love thick pigment and scraping and mark making into it! Photography does weird things to oils! Ms. Laney ©2009 Vicki Ross11x14 oil

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-39791009831154669882009-08-02T22:10:00.000-05:002009-08-02T22:10:50.408-05:00

Note to self: PAY ATTENTION! This was started during a 2-hour live model session during Kay Polk's workshop that was held in Fayetteville, AR last month. Little Olivia is a whole 8 years young...and for obvious reasons had trouble 'holding a pose'. AND that is my story, and I'm stickin' to it! Since I know I can't hold a pose, her patience was fabulous. For those of you who haven't any

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-65750565789006192052009-07-19T11:21:00.000-05:002009-07-19T11:21:59.390-05:00

Yesterday was a ribbon-cutting for the new public access trail through the woods 1.5 miles to an observation point. From this point you can see the museum, Crystal Bridges, rising out of the ground. I give full credit to the Morning News of NWA for the following article (read to the bottom and you'll see more purdy pics! Crystal Bridges Trail, Viewing Platform, OpenLAST UPDATED FRIDAY, JULY

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-75009409685327069562009-07-15T12:56:00.000-05:002009-07-15T12:56:40.275-05:00

Curses on you, Michael Naples! The dreaded self-portrait... I just completed a workshop intensive with Kay Polk, from Dallas, Texas who won a first place for her portrait of "Sunny" at the 2009 Portrait Society of America competition. Thought I'd give her techniques a try. That and 35 years of practice...maybe I'll get close! I refrained from scaring you with the wingies/dents all over my face  

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-43121999755798438182009-07-10T21:46:00.001-05:002009-07-10T21:54:46.699-05:00

Wow, and to think I just about passed on this one! Two of my good friends who are professional artists (Kippy Hammond and Urania Christy Tarbet) HIGHLY recommended Kay for her teaching and painting abilities. Her focus is portraiture, with a 35 year history to back up her credentials. In addition to winning a first place award from Portrait Society of America's 2009 show. Photo below: "Sunny"

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-30460829705751469952009-07-05T18:57:00.000-05:002009-07-05T18:57:47.918-05:00

A very quiet Sunday here, if you don't count the loud exclamations of 'we have too much damn stuff!' When you downsize to a more normal sized house, and don't clean out BEFORE the move...at some point, you have to deal with the stuff that won't fit anywhere else. We've been moving 'stuff' from one spot to another, to make room for another batch of stuff that could go into that spot. Kinda like

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-91142903051003155582009-06-30T19:25:00.001-05:002009-06-30T20:29:18.518-05:00

3 of 'The Painter Sistas' figured out how to coordinate our schedules and meet for lunch and a gallery visit. Present were Erika Nelson, Dustie Meads, and Vicki Ross (me). Missing were Shirley Mullin and Linda Cassidy. Leslie Newman stopped by for a little taste of fun. We are a very loose group...formal schedules just don't work. We all stay in good touch through Facebook, blogs and emails.

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-48227622064759841192009-06-23T22:53:00.000-05:002009-06-23T22:53:49.938-05:00

'Lil Sweetie for the Groom'©2009 Vicki Ross9x12 oil on board What a wonderful, loving idea...commission the groom's puppy for his wedding gift! Just look at those eyes...who wouldn't love this pup. And what a loving bride to think of this. It was so much fun to paint, and to design my own composition from the provided photo. It IS possible to paint from a source photo, here's proof. I won't bore

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-36612852298299016632009-06-15T11:30:00.000-05:002009-06-15T11:30:58.146-05:00

I am still reeling from the Santa Fe trip and just about missed this deadline. Then changed hosting plans for my websites last week, and messed up a couple email addresses, so didn't get the other paintings until this am...thanks, Mike (Beeman) for sending them to me! Here are the paintings: (and be sure to look for the July postings...the subject is a real doozy!) "Steel Cut Berries' ©

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-83127826392475385002009-05-30T18:54:00.001-05:002009-05-30T18:59:59.285-05:00

http://www.alanflattmann.com/ 1 day workshops are great fun, high pressure, less than ideal painting conditions (too hot, convention center lighting (can lights 30 feet up in the ceiling). In this case, new support paper that is WAY more coarse than I was used to...vine charcoal drawing first complete with shading...working from provided photos from a place you've not been. This is not too bad,

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-53080218166412684022009-05-27T00:24:00.000-05:002009-05-27T00:24:28.883-05:00

Monday night Randy came in and said we were leaving at 8am on tuesday. I about cried. Been working toward this for weeks, and was on schedule (mine). Framing for 2 juried shows done, 2 delivered to Tim for delivery to Ft. Smith, 1 ready for packaging to travel with us... Inroads made in getting 'stuff' from the move and garage upstairs and out of sight so niece Jessie could come housesit the

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-36789532823853963112009-05-23T22:47:00.000-05:002009-05-23T22:47:37.596-05:00

heh, heh! I'm such a funny gurl...luv the title! I promised Erika that I would post the two sides of the 'Party Pig' Moses-Botkin Challenge for may. This is the painting that sent me off on research of Sorolla, and the idea to make 2 paintings out of one. One half was left abstracted, and the other was finished out a bit. small slideshow at the bottom. Party Ears 1 and 2©2009 Vicki Rossoil on

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-18722867693253201142009-05-19T22:54:00.001-05:002009-05-20T01:09:00.389-05:00

©2009 Vicki RossNew York 6x12 oil on panel Different Strokes From Different Strokes entry for this challenge. It was a fun one... Sold 'Le-Go My Sake', and found a perfect frame for it from Roger at Franken Frames... It is a walnut finish 'floater' frame. Be sure to tell him I sent ya. They have GREAT customer service and quick delivery. ©2009 Vicki Ross'Le-Go My Sake' 6x12 oil on

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-64651665321172701362009-05-15T10:57:00.000-05:002009-05-15T10:57:01.250-05:00

"Party Ears"©2009 Vicki Rossoil on panel 7x12 I've been threatening to paint these little guys' portrait for a couple years now. Yes, their ears are REALLY ruffled! I thought it was some new kind of grafting or something like with lacy tulips. Was disappointed to find out it is a method of marking which shots they've had or some record keeping like that. It started out as an 11x14" panel, and

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-4003947956940478812009-05-10T19:16:00.001-05:002009-05-10T19:20:43.255-05:00

"A Peel-ing Tree"©2009 Vicki Ross Oil on Panel 9x12"I was so busy doing art related 'stuff', finding the perfect frame for a big show I was chosen to participate in...working on updating my website...getting paintings ready for another show submittal...well, I just felt like I had too much on my plate to 'art'.But, Leslie Newman called me and shamed me into coming out. And it was a pretty day...

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-77321086351249619202009-05-05T22:16:00.000-05:002009-05-05T22:16:37.599-05:00

"Red Lily" © Vicki Ross 200911x14" Oil on panelWell, after the success of my Peony painting, I tackled another. Totally different... The Peonies (see previous posts) were done with a grisalle underpainting (grey values) and then overpainted. This one I just jumped in! over my head, I might add. But I'm pleased with the final result. Enjoy the slideshow!

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-70644802550887342372009-04-28T22:15:00.000-05:002009-04-28T22:15:13.144-05:00

After painting 6 or so hours, in my own world...audio tape helping me stay in the zone...I quit around 6pm. Went to wash brushes and saw the most wonderful scene out the window. Randy was sitting on the driveway with our new neighbors, Jill and Scott, and their precious daughters...Demi (3) and Steely (8). The girls were running up and down the driveway, Demi in her ubiquitous pink tutu. Both

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-33433221343857945312009-04-26T21:53:00.000-05:002009-04-26T21:53:49.214-05:00

See all the fine entries at Different Strokes From Different Folks...competition is getting tough! This was a fun one...Be sure to go peruse all the different versions! Diana ©2009 Vicki Rossoil on panel, 11x14Here is the original photo. Karin Jurick wanted everyone to paint the entire statue, not just a piece of it.

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-56443486193976739052009-04-22T18:59:00.001-05:002009-04-22T19:01:55.406-05:00

What an absolutely gorgeous day! This morning the temp was a balmy 68°. Of course, I'm usually not out and about at 9am...but anything for art. I sat on the front terrace and enjoyed the birds and flowers while I painted. After lunch it was edging up on 85° and my perfect spot was in the sun. Thought you'd like to see the final paintings from the last blog. I knew there were a couple problems,

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-11326661844541838882009-04-21T20:03:00.001-05:002009-04-21T20:05:17.307-05:00

"Tim's Corner" ©2009 Vicki Ross11x14" oil on panel"Montmartre" ©2009 Vicki Ross12x16" oil on panel"Black Iris" ©2009 Vicki Ross11x14" oil on panelI have been so busy painting, I forgot to blog! And this is not all for the past 2 weeks. I have a new challenge painting for DSFDF due next week (I'm done early), a half-way at Tim's last week that I will finish tomorrow, and a new flower.Check out the

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-73204285620890903452009-04-15T18:33:00.000-05:002009-04-15T18:33:50.327-05:00

Drumroll, please! The April Challenge is now coming out of the closet (pun intended). Here is my painting: "Shoo-Fly" ©2009 Vicki RossOil on Panel, 8x10 And, yes, I really have a pair of these shoes...2 pair, actually. These are hand-made, bench made in the old fashion...the softest leather you will ever have on your feet. Originally from Alaska, these craftsmen do selected fine-art festivals

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-69595564902274076722009-04-11T19:50:00.001-05:002009-04-11T19:51:56.792-05:00

I think Tim stays up at night dreaming of wierd challenges! It is really fun. As he says, he teaches 400 level classes and you will absorb what you are ready to absorb. I'm hangin' in there! This was an exercise in complimentary colors and mark-making. Discussions were lively...about 'my kid could paint that' to 'I can't believe that stuff sells' to 'painting abstractly is harder than realism'

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-50986016550250945072009-04-02T20:12:00.000-05:002009-04-02T20:12:33.730-05:00

Peony©2009 Vicki Ross 9x12 oil on panelI really slowed down with this painting. Very much enjoyed the process and learned alot. I was supposed to use more of the damar/oil/turp on each layer and it would have had more of a glow, I think. I will definitely use this method again...it satisfied my niggledly/anal/OCD tendencies. Peony©2009 Vicki Ross 12x16 pastel on paper The oil painting looks

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-23427529999586117932009-03-30T19:37:00.000-05:002009-03-30T19:37:55.572-05:00

As promised, here are the efforts of the last week (and one that was a hold over from the week before). And before you ask yourself if I do anything else but paint, let me tell you...not much. Although working on the new La Bonne Etoile blog for Kippy...an ad for the IAPS convention magazine...some floor duties, open houses here and there, NOT MUCH! I've developed my habit (30 days is supposed

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-91246393687927287452009-03-27T19:58:00.001-05:002009-03-27T20:03:20.617-05:00

La Bonne Etoilecreating and recreating together Those of you who know me, know that Randy and I are convinced that this spot is much more than 'a vacation'. The stress of the outside world stays outside. For at least 2 weeks, you get to relax and not do anything you don't want to do! Randy and I have been twice together, first time for a month, second time for 2 weeks. I've been back twice by

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-36333904661058970032009-03-23T19:30:00.000-05:002009-03-23T19:30:08.822-05:00

Tim got me interested in books on tape while painting. I returned one he had loaned me "How Green Was My Valley", and it was so good, I got my own library card and checked out "Mists of Avalon". I've read it before, and re-purchased it in hardback, but it makes a better door stop than entertainment! 'For My Soul' is credited to Leslie Newman for bringing them to me. We've had so much fun on our

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-78408502646406191372009-03-19T23:10:00.000-05:002009-03-19T23:10:05.223-05:00

After ZornTim came up with a good one wednesday...to copy a painting by Anders Zorn. Zorn repeatedly only used FOUR pigments on his paintings, so that became part of the challenge! Ivory Black, Yellow Ochre, Cad Red Lt, and White.Believe it or not, I did everything but the green with those 4 colors! We both decided there was NO EARTHLY way to get a bright green with the 4 colors. Tim got back on

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-55703417030662689422009-03-15T12:56:00.000-05:002009-03-15T12:56:43.404-05:00

The secret is out of the bag...we are all posting our paintings TODAY! This was my month for the challenge idea, and since it was our second 'formal' challenge we were a bit late with the communication about the March subject. On the fly I came up with an eggplant...not very original, but everyone stepped up to the plate for it. What a group! From super-realism to the wacky and insane. Of course

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-61515114052667658052009-03-12T22:24:00.000-05:002009-03-12T22:24:29.418-05:00

I've had these in progress for several weeks, but for some reason wanted them 'finished' before posting. The Peony was started with an acrylic underpainting, emulating (in my mind) the Flemish method I bastardized. Not sure it is worth the extra effort because pastels are opaque...oils used in this manner are more transparent. BUT, it was an excellent roadmap. I worked it from the top left to

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-57088217942375046952009-03-11T22:32:00.000-05:002009-03-11T22:32:08.465-05:00

I feel behind on everything! No wonder...out friday night (art salon at Tim's) and saturday night (Rhonda's birthday dinner out)...time change...up early on Monday for all day continuing ed class for real estate. Actually a great class! Our agency, Lindsey & Associates is recording ONE MILLION page views a month. Things are getting good there. Tuesday was Village Art Club board meeting. I

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-61279197492516084592009-03-06T17:15:00.000-06:002009-03-06T17:15:15.194-06:00

Lame Mountain ©2009 Vicki Ross 9x12 Oil on Gessoed PanelWell, Tim did it again! Not only a setup with shiny gold lame fabric, but he put a mark on the floor 4 feet from the easel and made me paint from there! Sight-size method of painting. You step back, study the setup, determine where your next mark goes, and walk up to the easel and make your mark.Verrry Interestink! Looks more like a Georgia

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-83942441069633358132009-03-04T20:22:00.002-06:002009-03-04T20:22:27.678-06:00

Whew! Just under the wire...a place I hate to be. Painted all last week on a couple of figurative pastels for an upcoming show, and realized on Monday that this deadline was HERE. Almost blew it off, and then remembered that I made a commitment to me about this challenge. Yeah, I know. It is just 'busy' work. NOT. To be assigned a photo that is off the wall (Karen, what are you smokin'?) then

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-35701194816826697882009-02-26T19:41:00.004-06:002009-02-26T21:31:47.129-06:00

There are a few people in my life that I trust implicitly when it comes to matters of the art. Specifically, my art. Being my mentor is a title that I don't give easily...it has to be someone I trust, someone who wants to see me 'take it up a notch' with no ulterior motives. Cheerleaders are nice, and their opinions always welcome, and always feed the ego. Mentors, on the other hand, are

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-11886603091918686092009-02-23T19:32:00.000-06:002009-02-23T19:32:18.146-06:00

Just now got decent photos of last wednesday's efforts at Tim's . Seems oils do not want to behave until they are somewhat dry. I think Tim stays up nights thinking of things to challenge me with...or at least things that will stump me. I'm SURE they exist...teehee. He just keeps throwing them at me! Well, setting them up for me. Each has a twist of some sort or other. #1 was a brass teapot. He

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-36119280746693045972009-02-16T20:54:00.000-06:002009-02-16T20:54:01.787-06:00

Thank goodness I did two versions of the subject for our first Diana Moses Botkin Challenge! It is so difficult for some of us to conform. I worked on this painting for 3 weeks, and just at the last minute decided to do a real L**O (brandnames unacceptable) painting. To put things in scale, most of the eight artists involved painted 5x7" or smaller. My first one is 18x36" and the second 6x12".

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-79652032376888309502009-02-15T18:11:00.005-06:002009-02-15T20:49:19.856-06:00

We've all been toiling in secret over this month's challenge...a L**o Man! Eight artists all received the subject mid-January, and had until Feb. 14 (yesterday) to email our masterpieces to each other. Then each of us posted a blog containing all paintings.This has been so challenging...I had so much fun I did two paintings, one a bit twisted (see next blog)! Glad I did a conformist painting, too

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-78815384469595721312009-02-09T19:14:00.070-06:002009-02-09T19:36:33.307-06:00

WOW! Great painting day. Good thing, too because tomorrow I work my last day at Poor Richard's Co-op. Don't know if I will leave any paintings there or not, it could go either way with the owners. Artist Leslie Newman came over this afternoon and we painted together. I am still enough of a beginner to be amazed when a painting looks really good and I am not sure if it is finished or not. I'm

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-39594319150859653972009-02-03T20:26:00.010-06:002009-02-03T20:36:00.405-06:00

My painting for Karin Jurick's challenge site, Different Strokes From Different Folks . It really is fun, because the challenge photo is not always what you would choose to paint. Couldn't resist putting me in the window...this is oil on canvas. Check out the site...you can see upclose photos of each entry, and then Karin does a composite window with all entries together. That's all for today

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-36720955403238985562009-02-01T21:01:00.036-06:002009-02-01T21:19:29.363-06:00

We have had a nice quiet day, here in Northwest Arkansas! Our roommates, Ron and Pam are ready to be back in their own house...both have to go back to work tomorrow. There has been no notice of work being done to get their electricity back. Pam made her world famous cheese dip with hamburger and sausage...and a new recipe for rum punch. While all the pregame stuff was going on, she made a few

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-24714560822985638082009-01-28T17:45:00.073-06:002009-01-29T12:53:09.438-06:00

Half the people we know are, and have been, without power for over 24 hours. While the sun came out...peeked out, really, soon it was late afternoon and clouds moved in. Virtually no clearing today. Randy, the hairy kids, and I just stayed in did whatever we wanted to do. For me, a new painting.Last week when I was complaining about having to take a whole day to go to Poor Richard's Art, (my art

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-14932095923798491382009-01-27T18:06:00.031-06:002009-01-27T19:00:43.841-06:00

I have been painting, but on a challenge that is secret until posting date! Getting my first taste of waiting for oil paint to dry...these new methods build on previous dry layers. I learned alla prima (all at once) so you are in and out in 3 or 4 hours. Friend/mentor Ann Templeton made the comment about me 'if I could just get her to slow down'. Well, 4 hours today on just skin tones is slow

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-62708660950759855822009-01-24T18:04:00.001-06:002009-01-24T18:12:01.116-06:00

Now, this is interesting! Blog entry from Gurney Journey showcasing a new 'process' or 'experiment' with ultra-high resolution and photos of museum art. These are paintings from the Prado in Spain. this is the blurb from Gurney Journey: FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 2009 Google’s Prado ProjectGoogle has cooperated with the Prado in Spain to scan major works in the museum in a fully searchable and

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-23260566742742597392009-01-19T21:53:00.002-06:002009-01-19T22:01:12.848-06:00

Watching Oprah's special show today from the Kennedy Center. Goosebumps.Talked with Kippy today in France, who is staying at the apartment in Paris to immerse herself in the moment. French people and American Expat's are happy, hopeful, and anticipatory. Excitement in the air...in Kippy's words 'I just can’t watch for more than 2 minutes without tearing up. It is really touching me down deep, I

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-47195856989507354922009-01-19T18:49:00.000-06:002009-01-19T19:09:10.412-06:00

Stayed up way too late catching the HBO/Obama/Lincoln Memorial event. There was NO WAY I was going to cut that short...even though we were Tivo'ing it. Spent the first couple hours of my day getting Baby B's oil changed, then caught a quick lunch with Randy and Al. By the time I got home, I tried to talk myself out of painting...and lost. So I gutted up and went to the easel. I quit around 6:30

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-52289621840365181032009-01-16T19:40:00.004-06:002009-01-23T10:30:44.724-06:00

WOW, 7 hours without one phone call...Worked on the 1st color layer of the Peony. Was halfway intimidated to touch the 'dead' layer because it looked pretty good. Gutted up and did it anyway...otherwise how are you going to know if you can do this technique? BUT, before that, here is a painting I did at Tim's over 3 class sessions. He was showing me how to get smooth skin tones. Not sure I

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-65095926527822072009-01-14T22:29:00.000-06:002009-01-14T22:37:38.354-06:00

OK, first back to normal challenge (the first was the portrait exchange) for Karin Jurick's Different Strokes From Different Folks . Photo is posted, artist have 2 weeks to post their finished rendition. Had fun with this one...below is the original source photo: Decided to do an extreme crop...way too much uninteresting sky and foreground. Love the lights and the spaceship dome. Here are a

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-37330112319904683452009-01-12T21:13:00.000-06:002009-01-12T21:27:48.705-06:00

Pulled a Flintstone today...wheels went round and round and I went nowhere...just like Fred! Had to get utilities changed over to our name today...and found out that you just can't sell ice cream without the cone! (that is from a real life experience in California in the 80's with Sharron and Susan. we went into an ice cream shop and Sharron wanted hers in a cup, not a cone. After a lengthy

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-70964510692619667952009-01-10T16:47:00.000-06:002009-01-10T17:03:23.879-06:00

Productive day already today. Glazed a bit on my rainy day europe piece...darkening the buildings because I know that is the only thing that will make it read 'rainy'. Even though it was daytime, and everything was mid-tone...I put the photo away and am now trying to salvage this one. where I left it after session 2 Session 3...I know I glazed the buildings, but you sure can't tell! Forgot I had

vickiandrandyrossarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09258305858132024962noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2902607246533124427.post-40482297092129788622009-01-08T17:59:00.003-06:002009-01-08T18:12:52.405-06:00

Couldn't wait to get started on this 'niggledly' painting. As I was told by Delmut , this is the most important layer...if you get this correct, the color layers sing! End of 3rd layer...burnt umber underlayerWith one messy finger on the instructions and the other mixing colors, I made the 7 'grey' colors for the 'dead layer'. Hit a bump with the scraping, tho. Smeared an onion over the surface

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