9 x 12 in.

I’m in a show opening here in L.A. this Saturday, August 2nd! Titled "get the lead out", the opening reception is from 7 - 10:30 pm at Black Maria Gallery.

With many deadlines arriving at once this past month, I only had time to submit one piece to the show, and here she is Ruby and her feathered friends. The show features mostly the works of many talented artists in pencil. Since detailed pencil drawings are not my present style, I was still invited to submit a painting accompanied by a sketch that lead up to the painting.

I realize that you might not actually know how I arrive at my designs, so this is a good opportunity to share a little of that process with you, also one of the main intentions for the theme of this particular art show. As it turns out all of my paintings begin in pencil, sometimes with a rough, very loose sketch in a sketchbook and sometimes with the same loose sketch right on the wood panel. I tend not to want to invest a lot of details and time into a sketch. I’d rather invest that in the original painting. If you look closely at any of my originals you might see hints of pencil peeking through the paint. Many times the pencil lines become part of the what creates the personality of the characters. Not something I can plan, it just happens. It’s just how the mediums choose to combine on that given day.

So here’s my sketch below. Flip through any of sketchbooks and you’ll find them filled with simple line drawings like this one. And above you can see the finished painting which includes pencil, conte crayon, acrylic and paper.

It looks like a fabulous show, featuring a great collection of talented L.A. artists. And might I also add in continuation again of last Friday’s topic regarding art. My "cute" painting is in a show accompanying many styles of art, including a wonderful piece of a skeleton with two heads. So you see, we can all co-exist combining to make for a very eclectic and compelling show.

I’m not yet sure if I will be attending the opening this Saturday, but if I do maybe I’ll see you there! In the meantime, you can get a sneak preview of all the pieces right here.

happy creative thursday to you!!

...almost forgot to tell you that I have added "we all flock to Ruby" over as a print at Etsy.