Pop In! Hico Popcorn Shop

Pop In!

Hico Popcorn Shop
4" x 5"
Acrylic
$100

SOLD

This is one of Hico's fun places to shop! I swear I think they have a hundred different types of popcorn . . .ok maybe only 20-30. Steve and Donna are always coming up with new types of popcorn - this weekend they had "Holiday Spice" which is kind of cinnamony. Yumm!

This is another painting done with Chroma's Interactive Acrylics. These are wonderful paints. You can use them like traditional acrylics, but more importantly to me is that you can use them like oils. They will dry quickly or you can stretch the drying time out. You can even 'rewet' them with a special unlocking medium.

Live Creatively!

Liz

4" x 6" Cityscape - Hico - Koffee Kup No. 1

Koffee Kup No. 1

4" x 6"
Acrylic on Panel
$100

A Hico landmark for many, many years and a regular in "Texas Monthly" highlights, the Koffee Kup is famous for its wonderful homemade food, but mostly for the PIES. Located at the intersection of 281 and Hwy 6, no series of Hico establishments would be complete without the Koffee Kup restaurant.

This painting was created using Chroma's Interactive Acrylic Paints. Unlike traditional acrylics, all 75 of these “interactive” colors do not suddenly form a skin. Interactive changes the painting process, giving you plenty of time to blend and rework and giving you more creative freedom. The patent-pending formulation allows even touch-dry paint to be reworked or ragged-off to blend or reveal layers. Archival quality and lightfast, the intense colors dry to a satin-like finish without a plastic look or feel and minimal color shift. I'm loving them!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Hey There! Texas Cougar in a Tree

Hey There!

Texas Mountain Lion (Cougar)
Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
24" x 30"
$1800

Or click here to email me about Hey There - Mountain Lion in Tree.

This painting is based on a photo that Jeff Heinatz took out in west Texas. Thanks Jeff!

The art show is over, and I really enjoyed it. I think I'm going to do that a bit more often! Be sure to check out my paintings for sale, I have more than usual since I was so productive for the show - you can see the available paintings here

(If you can call a mountain lion adorable LOL)
This painting is available as a canvas print as well! It's difficult to navigate the print page, but look for the "Photo Prints" for the most economical version.

I've been working on an interesting Scottie portrait for my number one collector. I can't wait to show you!

Live Creatively!
Liz

Study in Chickadees

A Study in Chickadees
11" x 14"
Oil on Panel
$495 Framed

I wish you could see this in person - the photo does not do it justice. There are so many colors in the painting, I am SO happy with this. I've wanted to show you this painting for a couple weeks, but there were some problems. I worked them all out this afternoon, and I LOVE IT.


The chickadee on the bottom is my favorite. They are so cute! I'm planning to do more still lives with animals.

Live Creatively!

Liz

Buddy - Search & Rescue Donation # 29

Buddy
German Shepherd
4" x 6"
Oil on Panel
Search & Rescue Donation #29

Buddy is certified for Human Remains finds, mostly he works to provide closure for the missing for the families. He is also is qualified to track for missing people, which most of the time it has been for children that tend to wander off. He and his human partner, Ron, the Canine Field Officer, work with Tazewell Emergency Management Agency. Buddy is now 8 years old, and Ron says he is an outstanding dog in what he does.

Thank you Buddy & Ron for your work!

On a technical note, I was not sure how this painting was going to turn out. It seemed like it would be too small to successfully showcase a full-body pose of Buddy. However, I'm really happy with the resulting portrait. It was challenging, but I think the final portrait turned out well.

I have finished all the paintings for my art show - whew! Now all I have to do is frame them all!

I think it's going to be a long weekend :)

Live Creatively!

Liz

Princess Zora & Chico Dog Donation #28

Long day today - finished up the portrait of the German Shepherd and completed a K9 donation painting.

First up, here's Zora, the princess - delicately gnawing on her bone -

Zora
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
Private Commission
NFS

You can see how her portrait coordinates with the painting of Indigo

Indigo
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
Private Commission NFS

I wasn't able to take very good photos for some reason. I really need to work out a trade with someone that's good at photos!

Now, allow me to introduce a hard-working dog - Chico

K9 ChicoDog
Donation #28
Oil on Panel
4" x 6"

• Underwater Detection – International Police Work Dog Association, August 2009
• DHS/FEMA Canine Search Specialist October 2006, re-cert June 2009

He and his human partner, Susan, are affiliated with:

• FEMA USAR - Missouri Task Force One, Boone County Missouri: 2006 to present
• Illinois Search Dogs, Bloomington, IL: 2003 – present

Thank you ChicoDog and Susan! You are appreciated - and please explain how he does underwater detection? does he have scuba gear?

Now I'm going to go eat a slice of homemade custard pie with fresh strawberries and get to bed - another long day tomorrow!

Live Creatively!
Liz

Zora part 2

More work done on the commission of the delicate German Shepherd. Actually, today I spent all day on the background, but this photo was taken yesterday.

Zora
16" x 20" Oil on Canvas
(Closeup of painting)
Commissioned Portrait NFS

This is the second update to her portrait. Today I spent all day working on the background - it's really going to be striking. It is a retro-type fabric background. It is a companion piece to Indigo the Cat's portrait, which I did just about a year ago.

Indigo
16"x20"
Oil on Canvas
Private Commission NFS

I hope some of you can make it out to Stephenville to see my show. The reception is Thursday, May 6, but if you let me know you're coming, I can meet you out there any day. The show runs through the end of May.

Back to the studio!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Spring

Just Chillin'

8" x 10"
Oil on Panel
Tarleton State University Gate
$275

Or click here to email me about this painting.

These girls were enjoying the spring evening with deep conversation. The painting is not quite as bright as it appears here.

Working on my last large painting for the show. Whew!

Live Creatively!
Liz

American Dreams

American Dreams
Texas Bison
20" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
$1080

Or click here to email me about this painting.

There are bison within a few miles of here. I love seeing them in the fields, although they have just a tiny fence between them and us so I'm a bit hesitant to get too close.


In Virginia, they have 4x4 posts with huge logs on them to fence them in. Around here, they use little metal stakes and goat fencing LOL . . .

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Limon II

Lymon II
Citrus Tea

8"x10"
$275 - Framed

Or click here to email me about this painting.

This is the companion piece to the first painting of lemons & a lime. I had fun with the reflections on the pot. It was a challenge differentiating between the bluish green of the pot and the green of the lime.

Limon I
Sprite
8"x10"
$275 - Framed

Or click here to email me about this painting.

The paintings are framed in matching frames. If you'd like to see a photo of the framed paintings, just let me know. If you're interested in the pair, the cost if $500 with free shipping.

The very large cougar painting is just about ready to share! I haven't gotten his whiskers painted yet, but I will have it to show in a couple days. I want to make sure the rest of the painting is pretty dry so that I have a little leeway in fixing the whiskers if they don't land in the right places.

Live Creatively!

Liz

Hot Summer Day at the Pond

Summer Sunning
Turtles at Fort Worth Botanical Gardens
8" x 10"
Oil on Panel - Framed
$275

Or click here to email me about this painting.

Fort Worth has beautiful Botanical Gardens. In one of the many ponds these turtles caught my eye as they were sunning on some rocks last summer.

I have submitted the list of paintings for the artshow. Whew! Now all I have to do is finish painting 3 of them, and frame them all LOL Maybe I'll decide I actually like this and enter more shows, instead of waiting for people to find me and convince me to do a show.

I really probably won't do more shows, but I am planning to hang in a couple galleries that have approached me. I used to be in galleries in 4 states, but it was a hassle, and I really like dealing directly with my collectors. I'm debating the ebay route or the gallery route. . .. I also like to keep my prices reasonable and galleries cost between 30% and 60% of the sales price. (yes! some galleries take 60%)

In any case, after the show, I will be offering most of the paintings on ebay, so keep an eye out.

Live Creatively!

Liz

Get Along Girls

Get Along Girls

8" x 20"
Oil on Panel
SOLD
 

As I was driving through the hill country one evening, I happened upon a beautiful herd of Longhorns. I stopped to take some photos, but I made them uncomfortable, so mostly I got shots of them going away :)

This is a painting that looks MUCH better in person, I wasn't able to get a good photo. Partly because it's a lovely drizzly day here. Sometimes I think I should live in Oregon, I love rain!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Limon I

Limon I
Sprite
8"x10"
$275 - Framed

Or click here to email me about this painting.

This is one of two coordinating paintings that are framed in matching frames. If you'd like to see a photo of the framed paintings, just let me know. If you buy both, the total is $500 with free shipping.
If you're interested in the pair you can see the second painting here

I have a larger painting that I've been fussing with for two days - but decided to take a break. My husband went out and got me fruit to paint :)

Hope you're enjoying your day!

Live Creatively!
Liz

Relic I

Relic I
Six-Shooter Cylinder
8"x 10"
Oil on Panel
$250

Or click here to email me about Six Gun Relic I

The other day when my husband was tilling the garden, he turned up an old revolver cylinder. We live in a tiny town south and a bit west of Fort Worth, Texas. When he brought it in to me, I imagined who the original owner of the gun was. I thought denim jeans would make the perfect background for this painting. What do you think?

$223,000,000 in Milk

$223,000,000 in Milk I
8"x 10"
Oil on Panel
$275 framed

Or click here to email me about 223,000,000 in Milk Cow Shadow 1.

In the town square in Stevenville, the nearest town to me, is a giant cow on a stick . . . I love this cow. In the evening, she also casts a really neat cow-type shadow which is the subject of today's painting.

Busy busy busy . . . piling up paintings for the show. Let me know what you think of my cow shadow - might be a series??

Live Creatively!

Liz

Bird Watching

Here is another painting from my backyard. It's not painted from life, though the scene did happen. Three pairs of cardinals have been stuffing themselves on our birdseed all winter. I think there's only one pair now, because it's probably breeding season, and they drew the lucky straw that let them have the territory with the bird feeders. So, this guy is probably the biggest fattest cardinal in the group. We have a silly Sylvester-looking wooden cat that holds a hose. I put him next to the bird feeding area and one fat little cardinal found him rather intriguing.

Bird Watching
Oil on Panel
8" x 10"
$275

It's a very bright painting and doesn't translate well to the internet.

I've been looking around at the paintings for my show, and I think I need to find a color other than green :) Even the fabric that I was going to use for a still life is green. I don't even LIKE green.

Let me know what you think!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Angel & Shadows

This is another plein air painting I did - the weather is too beautiful to be inside. I've been working on paintings for my upcoming solo show in Stephenville, Texas. Hope you can make it here if you're in the neighborhood. I have some interesting paintings to show you!

Sorry I've not been posting, but I've been so exhausted at the end of the day that I keep putting it off. I do have quite a bit to show you.

Angel & Shadows
6" x 6"
$150 Framed

Or click here to email me about this painting.

I don't generally frame my work, I like unframed paintings. This was a problem with this show, they require all paintings framed, but didn't tell me until just now. They are going to let me hang my unframed paintings, though :)

Here is a good start on a painting of a cougar in a tree. I really went too far with his face, but he is so cute! He is a young mountain lion that Jeff Heinatz photographed. I'll keep you posted on the progress.

Hey There!
Texas Mountain Lion
24" x 36"
Oil on Canvas

Now I've got to get out of here - it's another long day tomorrow!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Spring Day I

Spring Day I
Oil on Panel
4" x 5"
$100

It was a beautiful day today. My oldest son came out and painted plein air in the yard with me. He painted abstracts, and I painted the view :) In case you're wondering, that is a bronze fish in the bird bath. I've been busy with paintings for the show, I'll have some finished paintings to show you soon.

Live Creatively!
Liz

How Do I Get Down?

How Do I Get Down?
Bear Cub
4" x 5"
Oil on Panel
$100

I look at all the beautiful photos that people take, and I think I can do that. Until I try to do it! I never get the 'right' shot to paint from. Fortunately, tonight I met an amazing photographer. His name is Jeff Heinatz and lives in west Texas. Jeff has taken the most amazing photographs of animals in the wild. He has a few of his photos online here: Don't bother clicking on his website, though, it's down. If you are interested in any of his photos, let me know and I'll get in touch with him. He has offered to let me use some of his photos for my Texas wildlife series.

This is the first painting from one of his photos - a study for a possible larger painting. I also worked on a still life and blocking in a few larger paintings. It's getting to be crunch time :)

Live Creatively!
Liz

Texas Mountain Lion

This small painting is a study for a larger painting I am planning. It is under 4" square, but you can feel the power of this beautiful Texas mountain lion.

Texas Mountain Lion Study I
3.75" x 3.75"
$100
SOLD

Contact me to see what other wildlife painting are availbale.

I have decided to start focusing on some of the wonderful Texas wildlife. There is such an abundance of creatures in this state. I am interested in becoming the resident artist at some of the state and national parks, so I am working toward building up a portfolio of wildlife art.

Live Creatively!

Liz

Berry Picking

This is a painting of my oldest son when he was about 18 months old. We were berry picking and he ate the whole container LOL (It wasn't very full) This is when he was walking up looking for more :)

Berry Picking

8" x 10"
Oil on Panel
Collection of the Artist NFS

Again, just a quick note, been very busy today - I will have lots to show you soon!!

Live Creatively!

Liz

Long Shadows

Long Shadows I
Hay at Sunset
20" x 8"
$475 Framed

Or click here to email me about Long Shadows

I enjoyed painting this - I think I'm going to like landscapes after all. Only a quick note, I'm exhausted. More soon!

Live Creatively
Liz

My first Longhorn Steer Painting

I hate to admit it but I've lived in Texas for 12 years and never painted a Longhorn. I look at them, and think, gee I ought to paint one! but I've never done it until tonight. Hope you like it. I need a name for this painting. "Look Homeward Angel" is all I can think of LOL . . . coming from Virginia where Thomas Wolfe's novel is based, it comes to mind, but I don't think it's the best title for this Texas Longhorn.
I've had to edit this post as it was pointed out to me that this is not a "cow" - so it is correctly designated as a Longhorn steer. Thanks Pete!

Look Homeward
8" x 10"
Oil on Panel

Or click here to email me about Look Homeward Longhorn Steer.

We saw this Longhorn when we were camping in San Angelo State Park. It's a beautiful park - here's a link to some info about it - San Angelo State Park The painting is a bit larger than usual, because it will be hanging in my solo show in Stephenville in May.

I'm not sure that I'm completely finished with the painting, but I'm done for tonight. Since it's been awhile since I posted any paintings, and I'm going to be out of the studio for the next two days, I thought I'd post it. If I make any changes, I'll post the revised painting. The more I look, the more I think I'm not quite finished. It is much more colorful than it appears on the internet, so in any case, I'll be taking a better photo later this week.

Hope you're all staying well, I'm not quite back to normal, but feeling much better :) Take care, stay warm and dry and

Live Creatively!
Liz

Base, in Uniform

Practically by the time I finished typing, I was sick! I didn't get out of bed for almost a week. Today was the first 'normal' day in the studio since my last post. I sure hope you don't get this, it's awful. I still have laryngitis, so my hubby is enjoying the peace LOL

On to today's painting

Allow me to introduce "Base" a beautiful English Bulldog. His owner admires Robert E. Lee and for a gift, his wife had Base painted in Lee's uniform. I do extensive research to make sure that I get the details accurate in these uniformed paintings.

Base
English Bulldog
Oil on Panel
5" x 7"
Private Commission

This is a very small one, only 5" x 7" - I never thought it would work out to do one this small, but it really turned out great! I'm enjoying doing the smaller paintings, and they are more affordable while the economy is so awful.

WIN A FREE 4" x 6" PORTRAIT!

Send me a photo of your choice - the photo that gets the most votes will win a free portrait! This will be a monthly contest. So find a great photo and send it in! Remember, the backgrounds can be changed.

Can't wait to see the photos!

Live Creatively!

Liz

German Shepherd Commission

Zora
16" x 20"
Oil on Canvas
NFS

This is going to be a great painting - this dog has the best expression! She is a huge German Shepherd, who thinks she is a tiny princess.

Below is the photo that I am working from:


I see that I have her leg too long . . . I had it right, but it looked short LOL . . . guess I'll be fixing that when I paint again. I will be putting a 'mod' look background to this painting. This is a second commission for this patron. I painted her cat with a 'mod' background, so this will coordinate. She has another dog, so hopefully, there will be a third in this series :)

My husband has had the crud for the past week, and now my throat feels funny . . . wish me luck that I don't get sick for 2 weeks! I don't have time!!

Live Creatively!

Liz