The ultimate family portrait!

The Family Dog is such an important member of the family that clients love to include them in portraits of the children!

I created this 30" x 40" oil on canvas for the family and Roxie, the yellow lab, was right in on the action! 

We delivered the framed portrait a few days before Christmas and other than the older son seeing the prints the children managed to keep quiet (amazing in itself) until Dad opened it on Christmas morning. Originally they were going to prepare a place to hang it but portraits such as these deserve to be in a place where they can be viewed daily! Mom emailed me with:

"HE LOVED IT! absolutely loved it.

kids were so excited to give it to him...

and i was right, he thinks we should hang it on a different wall than where i planned!

Thanks"~ Amy Walsh, Raleigh NC

Portraits by M Theresa Brown

Busy at Christmas but Art from the Heart!

How can being busy and having too much business be commented on without sounding like a complaint? In the world of self employment you "cut hay while the sun shines" and that is exactly what happens during this crunch time. And I love it! I am a deadline artist. Give me a deadline and you have it. Don't give me a deadline and I turn into one of those "need to wait until I am motivated" artists.

Pastel by M Theresa Brown

So deadlines,with me, work!

This charming mixed breed dog passed recently. Friends of the owner came to me with two photos in which I combined the "head" in one and the "body" in another, to create this 14 x 14 pastel portrait. As a Christmas present from the group of friends to the dog's owner, it will be unforgettable! And this is really what giving gifts at Christmas should be all about. Gifts from the heart.

So how can many orders be too many with all these beautiful emotions attached? It's not.

Christmas is a time for thanking my clients for the orders and Thanking God for making it all possible!

Full workshops and SNOW!

Hardworking students-sunny, cold morning!

 You have to follow this link http://picasaweb.google.com/ipaintportraits/Dec4ARTCLASS?feat=directlink

to see ALL the photos that we took Dec 4 in our two workshops but read on and see how our day progressed!

The view from the Studio porch around 2:30 pm!

We had such a great time in our workshops! It started off sunny and cold and all the students worked in our naturally lighted studio. They did an amazing job. Ranging in age from 10 to 60 something, they all slipped into the art zone with no effort. A two hour limit forces most people (especially newcomers) to work outside their normal comfort zone! After all-many were totally new to this! But, undaunted they worked through their challenges and what a group of paintings!

Congratulations all!

And just think, our next workshop on Dec 18 is all about painting SNOW!

Further progress on the oil

Another day of progress in completing this oil! People have told me that they enjoy seeing the children emerge....it was Michaelangelo , who, when asked about his marble sculptures, commented that inside every large chunk of marble was a person waiting to emerge......sounds right!

But is not just this portrait that I am completing. I will be delivering an pastel today of a little girl and her horse which I will post after Christmas as it is a surprise! And I have a dozen more commissions to complete.

More progress on 30 x 40 oil

This, by the way, is the real life of an artist. Work. And if you are not creating your art for your clients, you are going out and finding it! That's how all businesses operate. LOL which is why I am behind in getting out my newsletters! I'm picking my challenges :-)

I will deliver a portrait today, paint more on this, work more on some of my other orders and get ready for art mini workshops in our studio tomorrow!. Yikes, it will be only in the 40's but with 15 attendees for each of the two classes, Steve and I will be spending the evening...LOL straightening the house and studio...OK maybe I'm feeling just a little pressure........:-)

Working on the oil for Christmas!

This large, 30 x 40 oil is for Christmas and since I am right handed, I work it in stages from left to right! Many artists work all over the canvas and often I do too, but with a Christmas deadline, the children are being created first and the background (scene from their porch) will be painted in with muted and soft focus detail!

People do love to see it in this stage and I am glad to show it. But I usually wait until all the faces are done before the client sees the portrait so they get a  complete feel for the expressions, rather than a partial one!  Any changes are then easier! 
The canvas has shadows from the backlight of the window.

It gets crazier!

Oh my, Thanksgiving came and went and I am thinking only of how behind I am! Running a business of any type requires self motivation and above all, discipline....OK maybe I shouldn't have played 5 games of Spider Solitaire, but I was determined to beat the thing!

I am painting, painting and Thank God that if I have anything to whine about, it is only being busy!

So what have I been doing?

Well first let me say that we hiked NC mountains Thanksgiving Day in Brevard! A beautiful day (started with rain) and my son was with us...many families enjoying the great outdoors in this land of the waterfalls!  

So I have added a photo of the stunning Triple Falls in DuPont Forest and one of my latest pastel cameos. Enjoy! Now, back to my studio!

9 x 11 cameo Christmas portrait

Triple Falls, Brevard, NC

Crazy artist week..wait, that's real life!

This promises to be one of those crazy weeks that . Steve and I have the evening seminars at the Art of the Carolinas  Nov 11, 12 and 13 and what possessed me to agree to demonstrate a brand of acrylic paints (all day) for 3 days is beyond me! Steve will be at the Duke  show with our art booth while I am at the Hilton in Raleigh.....whew...wonder where I can change my clothes?
Meanwhile I am trying to reschedule my teen art class  to avoid a conflict this week.....and heading to the Gallery that I partner with this morning to meet two clients, stopping at the bank, the post office .....oh yeah, the early Thanksgiving on Sunday for a son flying out Tuesday to Job Corp......wonder if they'll actually get the turkey into the oven?......LOL and I HAVE to start on that large family  oil painting, finish the smaller orders.......we even managed to get our custom Xmas cards printed and ready to mail out early this year (as in before Xmas)  but we need to hand address them all......did I mention getting out the newsletters to all of our clients and friends....oh, and I have to trim the hair off the Cockapoo...meet with the guys to finish the "we're in the middle" bathroom makeover of 3 months.......I think I started to say something about an overwhelming  week but in fact it's sort of typical (with the exception maybe of the workshops) of the real life that all artists cope with !

That's why so many of the art marketing sites on the Internet are so....unreal :-). From what we have seen, Very few, if any,  are written or presented by artists who are creating art as well as selling it....they fill their sites with tidbits from here and there, from many artists and so seem to have missed that essential element of real life as we all know it....living the day to day life that we all know and yet creating art within that same context. THAT is what the "real" artist's life is all about!
So regardless of where you are in your own world of art, stick with it! Embrace it and enjoy it. As overwhelming as some days or weeks may be, how you handle the challenges of real life as a working artist is what separates the artists who want to market their art from those who simply think about it!

LOVE the time change-I feel like I'm not starting in the middle of the night!

Cameo pastels

This charming little girl was created in pastel and is one of my popular "cameo" sizes.
That means they are usually around 9 x 12 in size with one subject.
Super popular at Christmas as gifts!

Her grandmother had sent me a number of photos and as usual, some were great for a portrait and others were simply cute photos !

Here comes the Bride!

This 24 x 36 oil of a lovely bride-to-be was completed in record time for one of my oils! The bridal dress did not arrive until 2 months before the wedding and I hurried to the home to get the photography handled :-)
I completed the portrait using the expression from one photo and the body pose from another....the bouquet and what it actually would look like was a very last minute  decision but finally, she's completed, the clients are delighted and life is good for this almost new bride!

Art as Comfort Food

Really, all we needed last night in our studio was a crackling fire to add a little more of the already present ambiance of the evening! Munching away on cookies and relaxing with hot coffee and lemonade (the wine has to be next for the all adult classes!) the two hour class zipped by. It was "comfort food" in the form of art!

Part of the idea behind the START (Stop Thinking Art is Really Tough) classes is to engage and re-engage artists of all ages and give them the opportunity to not only create but to experience new mediums and techniques.

In this class, we concentrated on dog portraits in acrylics. Our mother and teen daughter duo had never used acrylic paints. They travel a lot and were delighted to discover the ease of use and quick dry times of acrylic paints!
Our participating Dad, with his teen daughter, at the class after a long day at the office, relaxed completely as he became immersed in his painting! The interesting thing is how delighted the parents were at their own efforts. They easily slipped into the Art Zone after years of disuse!

I suggested to several adult siblings recently when they asked me how to get their mom back into painting, that with the holidays coming up, they purchase some art supplies, as well as an easel and taboret for their mother. Better yet, sneak into her home and set up a mini studio so that all she has to do is walk in and sit down to paint!

Add a gift certificate to a START class and they have given back to their mother, all the encouragement that she showered on them through the years!
The cycle doesn't get any better than that!

Diligently working away

Figuring out your painting sizes

Of all the areas a client has trouble visualizing, it is the size of a portrait that stumps many of them. These photos of finished artwork hanging in a home can be amazingly helpful when your current clients are trying to determine a size! Steve drove to her home to deliver and hang the portrait. Even at 6'6", on a little wooden stepladder, it was a stretch! Roxanne, our client, kindly moved everything out of the TV console so it could be more easily pushed away from the wall.

These 30 x 40 oils for example were created 5 years apart. Hanging in our booth at a show, framed and ready to go, an oil this size looks large! Displayed in its final destination, it could actually have gone larger!

When creating artwork for a client and when sizes are discussed, it helps to have some images of a completed portraits or paintings in their settings to help the client visualize a work of a particular size in their own home!

In all the years we have been creating paintings, we have never had a client wish that their final portrait had been smaller. But we have had them wish that they had gone larger!

Enjoying going to the Studio

I made it into the studio to paint! After the weekend art tour, the set up at another show, the phone calls  and emails, the art classes and business matters, the escaping dog…..I spent a whole day painting. Maybe some people call it a Zen thing. I call it the “Art Zone”. No matter how long you have procrastinated or how many chores still need to be done,  clients  to see, bills to pay, kids’ games to see…….somehow, it all goes away when you are creating.
I suppose you can compare with that quiet time everyone tries to steal for themselves at some point in the day- that perfect cup of coffee, a good book,  an evening glass of wine, a peaceful moment .
All artists have their  Art Zone moments but it is the same universally. Lost in thought, concentration…..whatever you are creating seems to just …..happen.  For a few minutes or hours you can become immersed in another world-one known only to artists who create.  This is the art time that flies, the concerns of the outside world fade, and the immersion is total.
When all is said and done, it’s what makes you tick as an artist. Call it what you will, the Art Zone is  the balm of artistic people.  And for those creative people who don’t pursue this sanctuary in some form, nothing in your life will be complete or total until you make the time to go to the Zone.
So whatever it is you like to create, go do it!  Once you step into the Art Zone, however momentarily,  and experience what it does for you, you’ll make the time to enter it regularly. Not only will it change your life for the good, it will have a positive impact on the lives of those around you.  And really, life doesn’t get much better than that!

Helping the Rescue Dogs

When the call came out for Steve and I to help with a calendar for Danny and Ron's Rescue organization that we support, we were "doggone happy" to oblige :-)

It is hard to believe that two men who work full time jobs have been so influential in the lives of thousands of homeless dogs in so short a period of time! Visit their link above to read the complete story.

I was provided a photo of one of their success stories-a little miniature Australian Shepherd, and created the calendar sized image using pastels. Steve created two paintings.

Even if you cannot add another dog to your family (we have 5), take the time to visit the Rescue Organization's website  and donate to a cause where 100% of your donation is used for its actual purpose!
No salaries, no politics, just good old fashioned "rolling up the shirtsleeves" and getting the job done!   And look for the calendar-out soon!

Creating art for your friends

I received an email from a former art student of mine who now resides in Texas. What  a great little artist she is! And to top it off she is now in the Air Force and flies jets....just too unbelievable actually :-)

Any way she is still into her horses and I had created a pastel cameo of her beloved German Shepherd a few months ago. But now, her trainer's favorite horse has passed and she wondered if I could work from the few photos that they had?

Of course I would! I have done this a long time and have worked from some amazingly  poor photographs to create lovely little pastels that the clients will treasure.

So I completed this 9 x 12 cameo yesterday and hope that it helps ease the loss of a loved animal just a little :-)

Studio Tour! Oct 2-3

STUDIO TOUR!

We're easy to find at 2109 Old Mill Farm Rd in Franklinton NC 27525

Last weekend was hot and humid and with the incredible rain that came through the last few days...... well this weekend will be perfect! Cool, sunny and FALL at last!

Our studio was built by us from the remains of a 1910 house that was being torn down in Wake Forest. We salvaged the front doors, windows and the hardwood pine floors. The ceilings are 10' high and all we need is a steeple to make it look like the little church that people think it is at times!

Come on by and visit with us Saturday from 10-5 and Sunday from 1-5. We have a few specials going on inside the studio!

If you think you're lost, call us at 919-528-9703!   

Cameo Portraits

This lovely young lady was created with a new type of pastel called PanPastels and the pastel is applied...get this...with sponges! 

However, not being one to turn down a challenge, I persevered...and here is one completed image. I love the colors that can be obtained...there is a learning curve with using a utensil rather than the pastel stick itself and not all the colors are available but all in all I was very pleased, as was the client, with the end results!

My cameo pastels of one subject are created on an acid free 9 x 12 surface.  This charming young lady has a lovely, big smile in which both  her upper and lower teeth can be seen :-) In cases like that, in which her natural tendency is to smile, a portrait created from an angle solves the problem!

Welsh Springer Spaniel Pastel Portrait

A beautiful Welsh Springer Spaniel who arrived at my Studio for his portrait photography session. He approached things cautiously at first but when he saw the goats? Well, he lost all interest in anything but them!

This talented young dog is on his way to his championship but prefers the Agility training competition that he and his owner go to.

This cameo pastel is a 9 x 12 and created by M Theresa Brown on PastelMat by applying the containers of pastel with sponges. I Love the effect!

The Portraits: www.MTheresaBrown.com
The Paintings: www.sfilarsky.com 
The Team:    www.OnRoadArtists.com
The Career: www.ArtCareerExperts.com

Portraying the Mixed breed dog

Penny is a mixed breed rescue dog who is fortunate indeed to be rescued from the local shelter and into the arms of her loving owner!

This 9 x 12 cameo pastel portrait was created by M Theresa Brown on Pastel Mat using Pan Pastels. There's almost a watercolor feel to it!

The journey from the actual portrait to the steps in between to make it to this page always seems to dull the vividness of the actual colors but enjoy! The owner was delighted with her portrait-one of four that I created for her recently!

M Theresa Brown

Fine art Portraits of people, places and animals!

Intuitive Oil Paintings

The beauty of commissioned art is that it is personal. "Custom made" is a phrase used over and over but when applied to a commissioned art piece, the painting truly becomes a part of the history, likes and desires of the client!

This large 30 x 40 oil portrait is the second that I have created for this client. Her family is indeed her beautiful animals and on a very personal note, the Golden Retriever on her far left was her beloved Bailey who passed several years ago. Originally I was going to include Bailey in the distant background but as I progressed work on the oil, the painting seemed to call for a more definitive view of the old dog. Sometimes, as an artist, that is how I work...I go with an intuitive feeling! I did not consult the client. I have discovered over many years of portraiture that envisioning a change is difficult for most clients. Part of the artist mystique and its progress is to anticipate the unveiling of a painting-not see it all laid out beforehand in Photoshop! Was she pleased? Oh my yes! Intuitive painting is what it's all about!

M Theresa Brown

The Portraits: www.MTheresaBrown.com

Welcome to the world!

Well here I am with my daughter and her new baby, Molly who came into his world August 25 via C-section (ouch) and weighed her mom down by 7 lb 14 oz!

Ain't life grand?  :-)

Kids painting portraits

It is interesting to note that not one of my professors in college ever showed me how to paint a portrait. Either they did not know, or they were so locked into the fear factor of a university "what is art" wrath that I make a point now, of showing the ropes to anyone who wants to know!

The results are pretty amazing! And there is NOTHING better to a tween/teen's self esteem than creating a piece of art that goes far beyond what he or anyone else thought he/she could create! See the examples of these very first portraits!

Ashley age11

Joy age 17

Ray age 13

How do you describe HAPPY?

Natalie was delighted with her dog paintings!

Just like this! Amazing what learning to draw can do for your self esteem!

Dad took the class with his daughter!

Mother and Daughter portraits

I loved creating this pastel portrait awhile back. My client brought it to me to create as a memory of her late mother. Ironically, at first glance, the grown woman in front of me looked virtually identical to the woman in the original photo. When I realized that it was her mother and that the little girl being read to was HER, it was one of those fun "Oh my gosh" moments :-).
This was a large 18 x 24 portrait that can be handed down to the next generation and the family resemblances admired and appreciated!

Heading off to Mexico!

I wonder just how early we have to be at the airport to make my daughter's wedding in Mexico?
Time sure does fly!
Leaving tomorrow and coming back on Monday! Good thing I have my animal sitter!

Paint and Sell DOG PORTRAITS! Art Marketing, painting

What a fun class we had on June 12!

It was a full house and the participants were all delighted to leave with a completed portrait!
Whether or not they ever wanted to sell a portrait was not the real motivation-it was the desire to learn a new skill and then continue with the practice!
Ah well if you missed it you can order the DVD!

1st PLace in the Professional Division

Ah, always good to have a brag or two !

"Will" captured the first place spot in the recent Kerr Lake Art Society Show. Nice little check with it as well :-)


Complete write up here:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-Career-Experts/281201728760?ref=sgm#!/notes/vance-granville-community-college/kerr-lake-art-show-on-display-at-vgcc-through-june-11/395530336509

Regal Pit Bull

And from one breed to another....this rather regal looking pit bull. 

I knew those years as a dog show handler would come in handy!

Each breed of dog has it's own "eye." Not everyone should own a pit bull nor should everyone own a corgi, or a poodle......

Created with pastels, this 11 x 14 portrait captures just what is necessary in this breed!

Corgi Eyes!

How can you possibly resist such a face? 

This 11 x 14 pastel of  Pembroke Welsh Corgi was created from my photo using pastels and sponges. The effect is soft, yet clear! 

The Art Studio in Spring

Well I went on and on in our newsletter about our many blooming old roses at our studio! So I have included some of my favorite photos!
This is a view of the studio from the garden. The fencing, did you notice, are old tobacco sticks!
To really enjoy our spring garden and see more of our studio, click here!

Graduation Portraits

It's that time of year again when the Graduation Portraits become popular! Parents love the childhood portraits but there is something about that "coming of age" time where many new chapters both open and close in the life of a parent and their young adult.

This is a pastel of "Candace". It's the very popular gift sized, "cameo" portrait created from a photo that her mom gave me. Ah, 18!

Our May workshops and updates!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Upcoming events at the studios!

News from our Studio!
April 22, 2010

More  News Alert! More Art, Workshops and Classes!
We're lining up our May workshops and continuing to enjoy meeting everyone who is stopping by our 727 North Main St. location!

NEW ART:
The uniqueness of our 727 Gallery location is that our artists cover a wonderful  range of diverse talents.  We offer Photography, Fine Art Portraiture, Clay sculpture, wood sculpture and Original oil paintings for the collector in you!   All of our artists are professionals. What does that mean to you?  Well,  not only do you receive exceptional quality artwork but you are also working with artists who understand YOU, our collectors.  You can invest in our art with confidence! Come on by Thursday from 11-5. Friday from 11-7 and Saturday from 11-5 to visit with us!  You are welcome to sit with us on the front porch and watch us work, or step into the coolness of the lighted galleries and absorb the colors and visions of our art work. Either way, we welcome you!

MAY WORKSHOPS and CLASSES! 
Houston-we have a schedule!
Hey this is no small matter! In between the many activities that artists do, (we are always creating) and the traveling that we do to art shows and art opportunities, we never forget that many of you have requested workshops or classes to enhance your own skills. All classes, unless otherwise noted, held in our convenient Wake Forest location at 727northmain.com!

ART For the kids:  9-12 year olds-Super fun, super creativity!
Theresa Brown: instructor 919-880-7431
Track 3
May 3-7      This week's creative theme: The Maritime oceans and forests of NC
May 10-14  This week's creative theme: The Wild West!
Track  2
May 17-21  This week's creative theme: The Maritime oceans and forests of NC
May 24-28   This week's creative theme: The Wild West!
Complete details at http://www.portraitsnc.com/whatsnew.html

UPCOMING EVENTS!
We are constantly changing our displays and adding to our Galleries! Watch for new evening mini-classes for adults where you will enjoy learning new skills and meeting new like minded artists!

Look for Theresa at the Saturday May 1 Meet in the Street art festival in downtown, historic Wake Forest. The event runs from 10-5.


ART MARKETING Workshop
This unique workshop for artists will be taught at the Jerry's art store in Raleigh, NC. For complete details: 
http://www.jerrysartevents.com/may12.html

Feel free to contact us for special requests and commission work. Visit Theresa  or Steve where you can find additonal information and comprehensive Galleries of their work.

Pencil portraits for clients

Pencil portraits of client's dogs continue to be a big part of my art business. The clients love them! Simple, unique and affordable, they are either created singly or in groupings....like a collage. Some clients who have many dogs or perhaps work with rescue dogs will have me create a collage of 4 or 5 dogs and leave plenty of room to add others on!
The scroll work with the name is a big favorite!

Corgi puppies

How can you resist these cute little faces? Our little Corgi, Rosie delivered 5 cuties Feb 15. Here they are at 5 weeks!

The Simplicity of red charcoal

I have not created a conte (con-tay) sketch in a long time but really enjoyed doing this one! The colors are warmer than my more traditional black charcoal on a blue/gray background.

Conte is a reddish colored charcoal medium that, when combined with white conte for the highlights, creates that soft, almost ethereal look in a portrait. ......and I just love it!

I had this photo from a series that I took when creating this young lady's portrait along with her sister, in pastel. It is a 16 x 20 portrait so the image size is consider "three quarter" life size. That's a wonderful size to have on your wall. Any larger can be a bit "too much in your face!"

All art stores carry the Conte sticks-pick up a pack and try them as a fun alternative to charcoal!

Bridal Portrait created in Pastel with Bride and Groom

Sometimes it's hard for clients to visualize the sizes of paintings, so it's always a good idea to include images that do display the sizes. 

So here I have a recently created  Bridal Portrait. The completed size is 28 x 40 and it is created in pastels.  In the original reference photo, the bride and groom are flanked by other individuals but I  added the ocean which was indeed, behind them!

A beautiful, heirloom portrait that the whole family will enjoy for generations!

Animal Grouping: 5 horses and two dogs!

This very large 30 x 40 pastel of 5 horses and two small dogs was worked from a variety of photographs-some of which I took and some that the owners had. It was challenging to come up with a viable solution to incorporate so many animals of such diverse proportions! Finally I hit upon the idea of putting the little dogs on a more even level with the horses by sitting them on top of the tack trunk! I'm happy to report that the owner was thrilled and  as a portrait artist, well, it doesn't get any better than that! I have since added the farm initials to the tack trunk :-)

Theresa

The Portraits

My second model for the DVD

Louie was my other model for the DVD being created by Burning Oak Studios. 

I enjoyed working in acrylics and using Effect brushes-very useful for hair!

Louie is a little 8 lb cockapoo rescue dog and he and DaVinci patiently posed so that people can later learn how to take good photos of their dogs!

FiIming at Burning Oak Studios

Working with Burning Oak Studios out of Raleigh NC, this is me on the set demonstrating
"How to paint the Family Dog in Acrylics for Fun and Profit." Participating was fun-a professional group with an easy going atmosphere.
Earlier I had both DaVinci, our Rottweiler, in the studio as well as little Louie, a Cockapoo, to demonstrate the best lighting to photograph a dog.
To the right is the demo I created in acrylics of DaVinci.

Child with Rabbit

OK so it's a stuffed toy bunny ! Still, anyone with a child knows the attachment that children form with their little stuffed animals!

This cameo pastel was created from a client's supplied photo as a present for the dad. Big success!

"Everyone loved it! The problem was everyone was thinking the pastel was for them!. So yes, I will need some prints!. Thank you again!"  J. Morton

A Tribute to our Family Dog, Jesse

Our 16 year old, deaf, family dog, Jesse snuck out of the gate 3 weeks ago on that bitter Sunday and never came home. Despite out tireless efforts, we have not found her. I am so pleased that my artist husband, Steve created this little 4 x 6 oil portrait of her last year. She disappeared as we originally found her-wandering. It is SO sad!  It's a very fitting and lovely tribute to a little "Lassie dog" who was the ultimate family companion!