Turquoise Cow Skull

This week, I painted a cow skull using my turquoise painting technique. This was a fun challenge. Painting a 3 dimensional object, like a real bone animal skull, is a lot different than painting a flat canvas. There are so many nooks and crannies on a cow skull.

Tom found a box of skulls that had been stored away for years.  This is Colorado, after all, and I assume everyone has cow skull and deer skulls in their storage units. What to do with them? I suggested pitching them. Tom decided to give them a good cleaning, then asked me if I would paint them.

The first one I painted was a massive cow skull. First, I gave it a good coating of gesso on all the surfaces I could reach. This step ensures that the turquoise paint will adhere and gave me a white background just like my canvas paintings. Then I used my professional grade, artist acrylics to create the turquoise look.  This cow skull turned out so nice, that we decided to post it for sale in Tom's Etsy store, Tom's Critters.

I think it would look great in a western or southwestern decor. For more photos and info, see this turquoise cow skull and more for sale at Tom's Critters

Contemporary Art "Spring Creek" Painting Done

24" high x 30" long. Acrylic, April 2007. Painting # 071706
Contemporary Art painting, "Spring Creek 101", is finally done. Whew! Now I can take my glasses off. What fun all that color was to paint. Each rock is unique. Looks like you could pluck them right out of the painting, they look so real.
To see details and pictures see the link below: Spring Creek101 Details

"Spring Creek" Painting Almost Complete

Here is the current painting in progress. The rocks are all done. Colorful, huh? Now I have to paint the ice. The 3 big, light blue rocks have ice on top of them, and the water flowing at the top has some ice on it. I have never painted ice before, and I am eager too try. So, I'm just going to sit, with my canvas, in front of the computer screen, and paint what I see.

New Original Artwork Painting Started

I went on a hike to Zapata Falls last weekend. The falls were still mostly frozen, but the creek was thawed with a little ice left on the rocks. Took some pictures and ran them through the computer. Wow! The colors were amazing. With just a bit of tweaking, I got a photo I just had to paint.

Why do I get so excited about rocks? I just love them. I see each rock is a unique work of art, created by God, free of charge. I pick them up, bring them home, and squirrel these treasures away. My boyfriend is no longer surprised when he finds rocks in his truck. Good thing he loves me and understands my obsession.

I picked a 24 x 30 inch canvas, so I have room for all that detail. I am using acrylic paint, thinned down like watercolor paint. I love the effects achievable with watercolor paint, but I need the permanence of acrylic. Let's face it, I am a klutz. And, my kitties are still too rambunctious to be trusted around jars of water and brushes. With watercolor, one little splash could make me an unhappy camper.

This painting has got me so excited, that I don't want to put the paint brush down. I want to do more, and am planning the next painting in my head, as I paint. I'm thinking of calling this one "Spring Creek".