Northern Lights - Aurora Borialis

With winter coming and we are getting ready for the deep freeze ahead, my paintings have taken on a decided winter look. I like painting with a combination of acrylics and oil. First painting with black and white acrylic and then layering the oils over this. It gives it a neat "icey" look.

Winter's Light a 6" x 4" OSWOA (original small work of art) listed on Ebay today. It's painted on sturdy canvas board, signed and dated on the back. You will find it here

Miniature Painting - Moon & Birch Trees

I am very partial to painting night scenes. They are dark and moody but also beautiful. This is another teeny tine painting. 1" x 1 1/2". Again I painted it black and white and then added just a tiny bit of colour. Keeps it looking mysterious.

I've put a penny underneath the painting so you can judge the size.

The moonlight reflects on the water as the moon peeks through the trees. Listed on Ebay. You can find it here: Moon & Birch Trees or search Ebay for Southshoreartist.

Miniature Painting - Northern Winter

Finally I've found the time to paint a true "miniature". Just 1" x 1 1/2". I've used one of my favourite styles: Black and White with just the tiniest hint of colour. Makes a truer winter night painting I think.

I've listed it on Ebay. You will find it here. Northern Winter

Miniature Painting - Catch a Falling Star - Dollhouse Painting

Another Dollhouse Painting today. Have you ever looked up at the sky on a clear crisp winter night. With any luck the Northern Lights will be out. And with even move luck you will see a falling star at the same time. If you are lucky enough to see this be sure to make a wish!

"Catch a Falling Star" 2" x 1 1/2" Acrylic Painting. Perfect for your miniature or Dollhouse collection. Listed on Ebay under "southshoreartist"

Miniature Paintings - Autumn Leaves

I'm still painting 1 1/2" x 2". I still plan to work smaller, but haven't worked up the nerve yet. I have checked out my paint brushes though, and have enough teeny tiny ones to do it. Today I'm in a autumn mood. The sun's out and this time of year the colours seem so sharp. The sky so blue. Our leaves are already gone, the Canada Geese honk overhead. The cranes are still flying high up giving there distinctive call as they head south.. Even the rabbits are starting to turn a little white. A hint of the snow ahead.

Autumn Leaves. 1 1/2" x 2" acrylic painting. Perfect for the miniature or dollhouse collector. Listed on Ebay under "southshoreartist"

A friend indeed. RAK to me.

Isn't it funny how I chose today to speak of RAKs. (or coincidence) I went to the mail and much to my surprise and glee was a parcel from a fellow artist on Ebay. Someone who has inspired me and given me lots of ideas when I had artist block. She is so giving and never asks for anything in return. So thank you Patricia. Your kindness and thoughtfullness is really remarkable. Look for "lotsasalsa" on Ebay to see her incredible fused glass art.

RAK - Random Act of Kindness - Free Art Piece

What is a RAK - It is a Random act of Kindness. It is made spontaneously to someone to lift their day. I will happily send a free OSWOA (painted by me) to the 10th person who contacts me on this post. These posts are moderated so it won't show up, but I will not cheat. It will be the 10th person. I will leave a message on this post as to the winner. If you see your name as the winner go to my website (linked on here) there is a "contact me" link. Email me and I can get your address privately then. Just a fun thing to do today.

This took an embaressingly long time to get enough participants LOL Anyway, we have a winner.....drum roll please........Ms May Terry. Thank you. May please contact me (you can get my email at my website liked on this blog)

Check back often. I will probably do this again sometime before Christmas.

Thanksgiving - Cornucopia

The American Thanksgiving is coming next month, so I decided to paint/draw something for that. I did a combination of painting and drawing with this piece. I muted the colours deliverately, because I wanted it to look in the shadows as if it was in a barn or garden shed. We didn't have a garden ourselves this year. I usually have a small one (tomatoes, peas, lettuce etc) I call it my bunny/deer garden because they always help themselves to what we are growing. I missed having one so I will definitely be planting one next summer.

This is a 6" x 4" oswoa. (original small work of art) Listed on Ebay under Southshoreartist.

Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis

I have always been fascinated with the Northern Lights. I remember when I was younger hearing about a Cree Legend that said not to whistle when the lights were present or they would come down and take you away. I have no idea if this is an actual legend or not, but I do know that my children never whistled when we saw them. The lights are particularly strong in the fall, although we have had some pretty spectacular shows in the summer. The real reward is if you see the coloured ones. Green, Pink. The further north you are the better. One day I'd like to go way up north and see these in all their glory.

I painted this 4" x 6" OSWOA yesterday. Acrylics as usual.

New Dollhouse painting - Northern Lights

I painted a new dollhouse painting today. 1 1/2" x 2". I can't get the ambition up to paint a smaller one. Besides, I need some new teeny brushes if I go smaller. I painted the Northern Lights, because they are one of my favourite things. I haven't seen them lately because it's been so cloudy and gloomy. It's a winter scene (not ready for that yet!)

Miniature Paintings (doll house paintings)

I can't seem to find the time to paint these days. It's already the middle of October and I should have a lot of mini's lined up to list. Not so this year. Maybe I'll sit down this weekend and get something done.

Here are a few that were sold to doll house collectors last season. These are all around 1 1/2" square or smaller.

Pig Lovers Galore at my Cafepress Store!!!!

I've made a new section at my store for all you Pig Lovers out there. They are from my "Pig" Series that I did last year. "Road Hog" is one of the items you will see there. Just trying to get a feel for the market out there. And with Christmas coming up, it seemed like a good time to experiment. Take a look at my store "Living Sky Art Print Emporium" at CafePress if you like.

cleaning out pumpkins?

Cleaning out pumpkins (after all.. pumpkin carving is an art form :))

Hate getting pumpkins ready for carving? Make it easy by using an ice cream scoop to remove the inside pulp and seeds faster. Carve and then sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg inside. When you light the candle inside, and it burns, the smell will be wonderful