Mini-fun, Maxi-value





Postcard Paintings, a new series of 4"x6" oil paintings on gessoed hardboard, available now in my store on eBay: http://stores.ebay.com/Sandy-Farley-Fine-Art

Don't take them seriously, if you don't want to.  But these are plenty of fun to paint, and fun to display, too.  Tiny oil paintings on hardboard I've handcut and triple-gessoed, and just the size of a postcard.  In fact, you could mail them if you put proper postage on them.  Really!  Instead, buy a pretty 4"x6" frame or a mini-easel, and bring affordable original art to work, or to a cozy spot in your family room.

While I'm working on some larger pieces in the studio, these little gems give me an opportunity to work on special settings in landscape compositions before bringing them to a bigger canvas.  They're real art, and real versatile.  A great small gift, too!  Think Mother's Day, birthday, just for fun.

Enjoy art, for fun, of course!

Sandy

Other Peoples' Eyes

Sedona Morning Path 8x10 Oil on Panel
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Sedona Red Bluffs 10x8 oil on panel
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Both these paintings were completed in Sedona in the company of artist/teacher friend Becky Joy, whose kind advice helped me learn a few new ways to look at my artwork and my art business.  Sometimes, when an artist's eyes are glazed over from studying her own work, another pair of eyes are just the thing to help move a painting along.

I call my husband Bob my muse.  His perspective is so refreshing and unique, and he keeps protesting that he "doesn't know what he's talking about" when he makes comments I request from him.  On the contrary, everyone knows when something pleases their eyes, and when something doesn't quite look right.

Eyes are reputedly connected to hearts, minds, souls, according to various cultural conventions.  When Bob comments, it's coming straight through one of those wonderful places by way of his eyes, and his observations always help me in some way to redirect my efforts.  Get stuck on something?  Not a problem -- let others' eyes help get your creative stream flowing again.

Paint Happy!

Sandy    

The Reason People Flock To Arizona

En Plein Air Work In Progress at Lost Dutchman State Park

It's downright gorgeous here right now!  In a couple of months, after the winter visitors have fled to more temperate climes, it'll feel like ... well ... Hades!  There's no way to sugarcoat it.  That's our time of year to go north, or to hide inside and venture out only in early morning or late evening, after the temperatures have dipped below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  But until then, this is Heaven.  For hikers, bikers, and - of course - artists.

This morning, a gentleman on a business trip from Scotland approached me as I was wrapping up my painting for the morning.  He said his wife likes to paint out of doors, and he's so impressed with the scenery and weather, he's planning to come back and bring her with him.  I insisted he take a photo of my plein air set-up, completed artwork, and scenery from which I was painting.  I love that people come here from all over the world to paint, and I hope she does, too.

Plein air painters are often the best advocates for preserving natural spaces, and we're not too shabby as  proponents of local tourism.  Painting out of doors is just another great way to enjoy living wherever you are, even when you're obliged to share that "special place" with so many others.

If you happen to be in Arizona between March 30 and April 11, take a trip to Sedona and visit Arizona Plein Air Painters 4th Annual Members' Show & Sale at the Sedona Art Center Special Exhibition Gallery.  Check out page 39 of the April issue of Southwest Art for more details.

Until then, Paint Happy!

Sandy