Re enactor Boy Muzzle Loader Rifle

Here is the progress so far. I like the rifle, but did not get to work on the boy's face.

Irene and Re enactor Boy

I brought home the Re enactor Boy to work on, knowing that I would be stranded without power at the house for a few days. But, no problems here from the storm. I did get the muzzle loader painted in, using my husbands antique muzzle loader for a model. He is very fussy with his guns and I did not dare take it to the gallery/studio for fear of damaging it and never being forgiven.

Anyway, he gave me the seal of approval on the finished painting of the gun. And that's high praise!!!!! I will shoot pictures today and post them tomorrow or tonight.

Rockwell - New Kitten

Rockwell is the favorite name so far with 5 votes. Rubens has 2 votes and Jeanne sent me the name Tux, short for Tuxedo. Visitors to the Ice House Galllery are really enjoying visiting the kitten and voting for his new name. I will accept further votes until Monday. After Monday evening the kitten will receive his official name and first vet appointment.

Check out the blog of Laura Young.....wonderful stuff!

Earthquake Hits Marshall and Warrenton Area

I experienced my first ever earthquake yesterday and hope I don't have to do it ever again. I was in the studio working at the computer when everything started to shake and a deafening rumble that kept building started. My portable house telephone started jumping across the table next to me and my art supplies danced about on the shelves. I actually thought a helicopter or plane was crash landing into our house. I picked up the phone and ran to the central hallway.... we do have the occasional tornado here and that is what we do. Find safety in a doorway away from glass. I could see the livingroom ceiling fan swinging wildly around and thats when I realized it was an earthquake and I bolted for the outdoors, telephone and kitten in hand. I was terrified and can't imagine how my friends in California deal with the quakes they experience. My fellow miniatures artist, Elinor, sent me an e-mail to see if we were ok out here. You should all check out her website www.blueribbonart.com. Elinor knows about earthquakes. Thanks Elinor.

Name The Kitten

I need your help in nameing this little kitten! In my efforts to trap an adult orange tabby that has been hanging around, this tiny little kitten showed up in my HavAHeart trap two days ago. He appears to be 8 to 10 weeks old and was suffering from malnutrition. He already has gained and is filling out nicely. He was covered in seed ticks and filth. You can see here how pretty he is after a bath. We are fortunate to have volunteer vet services at our local SPCA shelter and when this little guy reaches two pounds in weight, they will neuter him and give him his shots for free or a small donation. The orange tabby missed his appointment this morning, he is too smart for the trap.

Now we need to name him. Since I have had so many pets in my life, I have run through every normal name, such as Mittens, Boots, Smokey, Precious and the like. Lately, I name my pets after artists. I own a Matisse and Picasso right now and once had turtles named Michaelangelo, Donatello and Raphael. Below are a few suggested names we are thinking about, Please vote for one of these names and give this little fellow a place in history. The names are Rubens, Monet and Rockwell (my favorite). My husband likes Rubens. I am saving the name Degas for my next dog. Oh, and if any of you folks wants this kitten, just shoot me an e-mail at sha45rps@starpower.net.

More Re enactor Boy

Drat, added the image twice again......I have no idea how I manage to do this. Anyway, I worked on the grass areas again and have started to block in his face and hands. I will try for an accurate likeness tomorrow, although that is not my intent for this piece. OCD rules!

One More Mouth To Feed

Ok, this is not art related, but this little racoon will make a great miniature painting when my time frees up to start something new. Right now I have three projects going and new ideas daily.

The racoon is a very young one and showed up this weekend when my son came out for a visit with the old folks. He is definitely of my DNA. We both love all animals, art, Sci Fi and his father's world famous hamburgers.

My son called me the next day and just before he hung up he said, Don't forget to feed my new buddy. And so here he is, eating with one of our 5 cats. This grey cat was once feral and became a real gumby once we tamed him down. There is another feral cat hanging around and he has a date with the SPCA next week for neutering and shots, then we will release him. I wonder, How many cats before you become officially a crazy cat lady?

Further Progress on Re enactor Boy

I made lots of progress on the re enactor boy. Worked on blocking in the clothing and split rail fence. I have noticed that all my paints are drying very flat and dull to my eye. I am sure this is a result of not enough acrylic gel medium on top of the paper. My color pallet is usually very bright and I also have a very glossy finish on my art. I will rework the grassy areas as soon as they are dry enough that further work won't lift the colors as I apply the next layer. I build up my paintings very slowly.

Paper Question

I am still a novice at this computer and blog stuff and have not really figured out the reply process when someone leaves me a comment, so I will reply here .............Kim asked what paper the little boy is printed on. I am not really sure since the girl who helped me at Staples was a new employee. She did tell me that it is the paper that the contractors and architects use for the blueprints they get copied there. I will say this, it was much thinner than anything I would have normally used, but it held up pretty well during the mounting process.
I have another print order, stationery this time, at Staples and will try to find out what the paper actually is called.

Actor Sonny Shroyer Visits Ice House

The Dukes of Hazard reunion festival was held this weekend in Sperryville, just up the road from my little gallery. Actor, Sonny Shroyer who played Ennis in the Dukes TV series, came into my shop with his wife on Friday. I was working on the reenactor boy drawing, getting ready to start the painting and Mr. Shroyer was very complimentary. He really liked the reenactor boy. I am pleased to say that he also liked my Little Washington Notecard series and purchased a few.

Day 2 - Donato's Technique

I am finally trying out the technique that Donato Giancola demonstrated at the Illustration Master Class this past June. I previously posted the drawing of this young reenactor. This is the first painting session after mounting the drawing to the masonite board. I am very pleased with the background I have put in. It is based on a building just outside of town here.

Doug Hoppes is drawing great bugs

Hey guys. Check out Doug Hoppes site for some great bug drawings. Actually wasps and bees. Very well done!

Another Miniature Finished

I will be placing an ad in the Piedmont Virginian Magazine this month, to advertise the 3rd Annual Little Washington Miniatures Painting Exhibition. Most people are not familiar with miniatures and many artists claim to be miniatures painters, when in fact they are creating small works, not miniatures. As you can see in the photo, a miniature is extremely small compared to a small work. The image should be around 1/6 scale or smaller, in a petite frame and the image should stand up to scrutiny when viewed with a magnifing glass. This little portrait of John Adams is the same size as an egg. This is my second John Adams, created for my own personal collection.