I made a decision this month to give up my lovely studio. I've been so busy at working on our "new home" that I haven't had any time to go to the studio and paint over the past two months. You can see what's been going on there if you go to "the trailer dailies" that I've been posting on my website. I finally updated the pages on Wednesday night so it's now pretty complete.
It's been a busy few weeks for me. I've recently finished a commissioned painting of cowboy boots, attended my last meeting as an officer of the New Braunfels Art League, and now I'm moving into my new studio/gallery space.
This picture is the front door (the one on the right) to my studio. The building is a relocated Texas cabin originally built in the 1800's.
The first thing you see as you enter the front door is going to be the public room... a place to greet people, visit with them and present my available work. It's a really rustic and cozy space and it will look great with a rug, a few comfortable chairs and a selection of my work.
This last picture is from the kitchen looking toward the front door. The area in the foreground will be my work area. It's only slightly separated from the public room and anyone visiting the studio will have a view of the work space. They'll be treated to the sight of the clutter of a working painting studio and the controlled chaos it involves. Fortunately, I have a small back room for storage and the "not so picturesque" elements of a working studio.
Our Open House was a lot of fun. Many friends came to wish us well and we had a great time!
On the same day, I received confirmation on a commission that I will be doing for the St Regis Princeville in Kauai, Hawaii. I am looking forward to working on the two watercolors which will be featured in the rooms at the resort. I hope I will be able to visit personally to see the originals installed there. One of the prints will be in every room of the resort!
I'll try to keep my progress posted on these two watercolors as I progress with them.
Later today we'll be opening our doors to the public at Three Brushes!
I wish you could all be there to join in the fun. Since you can't, I'll post pictures of the space and the event.
See you soon!
I've moved all of my paintings, canvases and painting equipment to the studio and tomorrow I'll put things in order. We should be ready to open the space up on Friday, Sept. 14 as planned.
And I'm happy to say that I'll be receiving the materials and purchase order on Tuesday for two commissioned watercolors. Just in time to break in my new studio space! Perfect!
The Three Brushes studio is getting close to being a real workspace! We've painted the gallery area and with a little clean up and rearranging, we'll be able to work there! It's been fun getting it ready but I'll be glad when we're able to sit at our easels and get to work. We have a little bit of painting left to do on the outside, some more equipment to move in, artwork to hang & we'll be ready to welcome everyone to our...
This certainly has been a busy day. Actually it's been a hectic week with no sign of it easing up.
We are now officially in our new studio which we call "Three Brushes". I spent today buying paint and painting the walls in the gallery space. I have to say that I like the new gray paint better than the first color.
I also took a truckload of paintings and equipment there so now it's starting to look occupied!
Another week and we should be making art there!
Break open that bottle of Raspberry wine...
"Pride of Barbados"
Oil on Canvas
8" x 10"
These plants caught my eye in the parking lot across from my new studio. I just had to paint them.
Actually, I went to the new studio space this morning and took a few paintings with me. After that I came back to the house and put in an hour on a new painting before going off for a social afternoon with family.
It was difficult, once I started, to put down my brushes. I'm really liking the switch to oils from watercolors. I'm having to look at things a lot differently and adjust my thinking when planning a painting. I'm sure I will continue to do watercolors but it will be nice to have another medium to alternate with.
I'm finding that oils are opening me up to a much looser style and brighter color work. Interesting!
Here is a tiny little peek inside our new studio...
We've decided to call the space "Three Brushes Studio & Gallery".
We've painted one of the walls in the gallery area with a medium gray but it looks a little too blue. So we'll try again for a more neutral gray. It does look good with a little darker wall though. Our work should stand out very nicely. Watch for the next picture. There should be some paintings up by then.
I now have the keys to our new studio!
Tomorrow we paint and by the first of September, we'll be moved in. I'm looking forward to having a good space to work in and a place to exhibit the work I have on hand.
I'll take pictures and post them soon.
I'm so excited!
Over the past few days, things have really taken shape. Along with two of my artist friends, Kay and John Reinke, I found a new studio space. It's a quaint little space with "Charles Dickens" storefront appeal and a small courtyard to the side of it. I can't wait to fix it up and move in!
It's located in downtown New Braunfels, TX not far from the center of town. 725-B W. San Antonio Street to be exact.
We plan to do open studio shows in the front gallery and I'll post the information here when we have something scheduled.
Here is another one of my paintings that I'll be hanging up there...
"Dogwood"
