"Peaceful Pastels" prevail....

Here is a good one to sit and savor... "Peaceful Pastels."

When I paint something this simple, I tend to have the thought, Oh anyone could do this - it's too easy.

Then I try to create something similar and I get an entirely different painting! I do think this speaks to the emotional content of a piece of art work - each one is a unique and unrepeatable experience.

That makes it ever the more awesome to see the effect of giclee reproduction - it comes so close to "repeating" - in a manner - the original work, it's uncanny.

Now for any of you budding artists who also want to forge ahead into the world of reproduction, Scott Moore of Bellevue Fine Art Reproduction is your man. Time and again, I get high quality, consistent work from him. He is truly about "Fine Art." Visit his website for details. http://www.bellevuefineart.com .

And check in to see the imminent unveiling of his artist galleries, of whom I am one! You will be able to order reproductions of my work, and others, directly from him. I'm close enough to his studio workshop I can drop by to sign them before shipping. Be sure to state that you want a signed copy when you make your order. Or you can email me to make your order sunraysheryl@gmail.com .

"Smokey Mountain" compared to "Peaceful Mountain"

"Smokey Mountain" has an interesting story to it, and so here it is.

A few months ago I took my paints along on a trip to my mother's. (I usually only paint at home.) My thought was to paint with my ten year old niece, which we did, and very much enjoyed. (Actually, she painted her own complete painting!)

My mom made a comment that she had never seen me in the process of creating a painting. It turned out I had brought an extra canvas, so we were in business!

While I was showing her the colors I'd brought, she commented how she really liked gray (a very good thing when you live in the Pacific Northwest!). I also recalled that one of my brothers had liked some aspects of "Peaceful Mountain," but found the colors on the feminine side for his liking. So gray was the order of the day!

Without having "Peaceful Mountain" in front of me, and not particularly intending to copy it, I am amazed at how closely the lines of the mountains match. No doubt an indelible impression of the mountains I see every time I drive to my office has made its mark on me, and this is coming up in my art!

Order your copy by emailing me at sunraysheryl@gmail.com .

(Soon you will be able to order directly from my repro guy, Scott.)

PS Do you prefer to spell it "gray"or "grey" ???

"Champagne Dreams" and "Moonlit Dreams" await....

"Champagne Dreams" and "Moonlit Dreams" are two of the largest I have painted, being 24" by 36" - you have to see them in person to really appreciate them!

You may order them in the original size on gallery wrapped canvas. This format looks so much like the original, you need an expert eye (or an artist's eye!) to see the difference. Or for the budget minded, they are also available on fine art paper in a smaller size.

Happy art hunting!

"Painted Canyon" and "Avalanche" - two more new ones!

Happy Thanksgiving to Americans home and abroad - and to expatriates hanging out with the American crowd on this day!!

I have much to be thankful for, and express it with my words and my paint.

Here are two of the new paintings as promised, "Painted Canyon" and "Avalanche."

The story of "Painted Canyon" is not overly profound, but people who have looked at it say they see all kinds of things in it. What do you see?

I had slathered a lot of paint on a different canvas (the one that ended up being "Peaks and Valleys"), and had taken some of the overflow paint and quickly slapped it on another canvas, working with quick strokes. I noticed I was getting some earth tones - not my usual palette - which really intrigued me. This became "Painted Canyon."

The overall effect of "Painted Canyon" reminds me of an overcast day at the Grand Canyon. Though the colors are very earthy in Arizona, haze in the atmosphere can make the canyon look almost pastel colored. So I coined a term for it - "Earthen Pastels."

"Avalanche" has its own story!

These two are as usual, acrylic on canvas - these ones being 11" by 14" - available either on fine art paper or on canvas. They are available in the original size or as 8" by 10."

Call 425 369-1314 to place an order, or email me at sunraysheryl@gmail.com .

One third off prices apply through December 1st.

"Water Dance" is here, a new favorite the last few weeks!

Here she be, and ain't she a beauty? (Sheesh, gotta get off the computer and call it done!)

Lots of time on Facebook pages for Sheryl Brown Art and Sunray Counseling today, besides enjoying my lovely granddaughter.

Yes, "Water Dance" is proving to be a real favorite - I made up a cool survey with thumb size images, so all 20 "availables" were on one page. Folks that came to our art show parties were able to select their favorites by checking the boxes.

My repro guy, Scott, is finalizing the finishing touches on the beta site to add artists' galleries to his website, so you all can order directly from there, complete with shopping cart. Of course you can always order from me directly as well. But just a little heads up, the introductory one-third off prices won't last too much longer...!

If you are very interested, contact me at 425 369-1314 or sunraysheryl@gmail.com and I will put in your order, honoring the special prices.

More new paintings coming up in the next few days....

"Dancing Mountains" follows "Peaks and Valleys" - one more show this year tomorrow!

What a lot of fun it is to see what comes out of my paint brush next! I've been promising to show you the newest and latest, and now I have the files available to share.

From all over the world, my Facebook friends have been expressing a deep emotional response to "Peaks and Valleys."

Some of it has been written personally to me, some of it you will find written on my Fb wall. From this I gather that there is hope and healing coming as a result of this painting - what a momentous way to see the blend of my gifts and occupations as both Marriage and Family Therapist and artist. I am both humbled and excited to imagine the possibilities.

"Dancing Mountains" was painted a few weeks after "Peaks and Valleys" in an attempt to portray a lighter emotion but with the same pattern of paint squeezed directly onto the canvas. That, I believe, was accomplished! These mountains want to bounce right off the painting!

I jokingly thought I might call it "Peaks and Valleys 2" but that would be "boring!" Then I thought it looked so enthusiastic I might call it, "Blazing Holiday!" (But I think I'll reserve that name for a future painting that fits it better!)

By the time I got to "my repro guy," Scott, we decided on its current name, "Dancing Mountains." Now I admit, the theme of dance does appear repeatedly in my art titles and I promise you, it will no doubt will continue!!

So, these two are a matched pair in my mind, and in fact, there is a third called "Water Dance" that makes a nice trio. You'll see that shortly.

In any case, let me report on our local art shows last Friday and Saturday - they were a big success, and we had a blast!

We met old friends and made new ones, both from friends bringing friends, and from neighboring offices. Hey even the pizza delivery guy was included, though he was on the clock and could not linger. I counted over 70 original works I had brought to be displayed. (And my walls at home were scarcely looking much emptier!)

And yes! we had another drawing - and another winner! More on that later.

If you are psyched to come see my art in person, we have one more pre-holiday show/party this year, which will be tomorrow - Saturday, November 22nd from 3 to 5pm in Redmond, in the Seattle area.

Call me at 425 369-1314 or email me at sunraysheryl@gmail.com for the location if you are interested.

So, it looks like I'm pretty chatty today!

Look me up on Facebook - you can be my friend by clicking on my profile http://profile.to/sherylbrown .

Then you can join my art group (even without being on my friend list) http://groups.to/sherylbrownart .

And the very latest is you can be my fan!

http://tinyurl.com/sherylbrownartpage - A Facebook Page is a feature Facebook has for folks to promote their business. I believe you can access it without having a Facebook account.

If you try it out, let me know how it works - thanks so much!!

Later!

November Already! Art Parties and Surprise Drawings...

Exciting news here - I have the proofs back from ten more paintings I took to my repro guy last week. They look fabulous! Most of them are brand new paintings done in the last few months.

A couple of them are larger - 24" by 36". One of these is called "Moonlit Dreams," and just might prove to be a favorite. It can be ordered in the original size, or as small as 8" by 10".

Pictured here is "Chakra Dance," which might look familiar to you. I painted it right after "Chakra Shower" earlier this year, then posted both of them on this blog (scroll back to earlier posts in March and April).

Soon you will be able to order directly from Scott Moore (I've been calling him my "repro guy!") of Bellevue Fine Art Reproduction. All of my paintings available as giclee reproductions will be featured in a "gallery" on his website, as well as the works of other artists. I am so looking forward to this!

Remember to join my Facebook art group at http://groups.to/sherylbrownart where you get the latest news on discounts and surprise drawings to win an 8" by 10" fine art reproduction.

If you are local, be sure to visit one of my art parties taking place this weekend and next in Issaquah and Renton. I'm joining with other vendors to make this a great opportunity for holiday purchases. Call me at 425 369-1314 or email me at sunraysheryl@gmail.com to let me know your email address. I'll send you an evite with the details.