Sketching, back to basics

I used to have a daily sketching habit, and due to painting for some recent exhibits and the busy pace of balancing my painting, full time job, and family, I have not been sketching like I used to. I have started again this week and just try to work in charcoal or conte crayon for just a few minutes a day. When I do this, it makes my painting time much more productive because the daily sketching helps to improve your skills... in the drawing area, anyway.

This unfinished conte crayon sketch pictured above was done by a stream on my inlaws' rural property in Siler City. I had my paint box out ready to paint, and ended up just sketching instead. It was a nice change of pace. I sketched enough to use it as reference for a future painting, but quit when my fingers went numb from the cold!

Country club show - one day only!

These are some small pieces that I sent to Raleigh Street Gallery in Siler City, NC. The owner is taking these and some of the gallery's other inventory to a one day exhibit and sale at Starmount Forest Country Club in Greensboro, NC. This event is a ticketed luncheon and sale, so I hope I some of these pieces will move. The gallery suggested sending these smaller pieces because even the country club set have seen their share of financial downturn this year.

If these go unsold, they will be available at Raleigh Street Gallery. You can get their contact info on their website at http://www.raleighstreetgallery.com/ .

Happy Thanksgiving

No paintings today, I am set to enjoy Thanksgiving with family tomorrow. Off Friday to take new work to a gallery for a one day sale/exhibit at a country club. Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Thanks to all of those who have purchased paintings and supported my work. I am grateful. I will post some new work on Friday.

Alamance Arts Council Christmas Show

Here is a quick shot of the paintings I sent to the Arts Council Invitational "Christmas at Captain White's" show. I sent small pieces to have some affordable offerings for this show. They have everything at this yearly show from paintings to pottery to anything handmade. Sorry about the sunlight and shadows on this pic, I will post pictures of each piece when I have time. If you're interested in any of these, just call the Alamance Arts Council at 336-229-6995 visit their website at http://www.artsalamance.com/ to get their email address.

Trees Plein Air Study on Ebay

"Backyard Trees"

5 x 7 inches oil on stretched canvas, unframed

Click Here to Bid

A small plein air study done in late fall in my backyard. Enjoy!

FREE PAINTING WINNER

This months drawing was won by Elaine Rothbauer. I hope you enjoy your painting. Keep checking the blog here for more chances to win FREE original art next month. Also, sign up for my e-newsletter by going to www.justinholdren.com and click on "Email Newsletter" to receive my monthly letter by email. I include special offers for my subscribers, so be sure to sign up!

Late night painting in the studio

The main easel area

My acrylic palette during the middle of painting

Up late tonight finishing up a few paintings in the studio. I always finish the small studies in one go, but the larger studio pieces I usually leave and look at awhile and see if there are any adjustments I want to make. The pics above are of my main easel area. Artist Mike Rooney inspired the idea of using pegboard on my studio easel. His is the same way. It is easy to switch out paintings quickly with the hardware, and I can have multiple small paintings on the easel at one time. The pegboard is reinforced on the back with wooden boards so it will hold the weight of the paintings and stand up straight without bending. I works great for me. The idea came from seeing Mike's easel. I can't take credit!

To view Mike's blog, visit http://www.mikerooneystudios.blogspot.com/ . His impressionistic style work is awesome!