Nature: Canvas and Inspiration

Over thirty years ago, I lived in Florida's panhandle and it is where I started painting with oils. The area provided me with the inspiration I needed: beautiful white sand dunes, topped with sea oats, beaches and skies. The local artists could not paint these seascapes fast enough for the tourists. I joined the local artists and started painting these seascapes on sand dollars. The downtown shops would place orders for a dozen at a time. The business went so well that I started shipping them to Miami and my father-in-law would sell them to the shops in Key West.

I had no idea that 30+ years later I would continue to paint these seascapes, but this time on palm fronds. A sample of this can be seen at:

El Capitan Marine & Fishing Center
1590 NW 27th Ave
Miami, FL 33125

At a time when "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" has become our "green guide", this way of painting is the way to go. Mother nature provides the canvas and the inspiration. Having been recycling even when it was not popular, I find it challenging to find ways to paint on things that would otherwise be discarded. Going to Georgia a lot these days, has provided me with another one of nature's canvasses.......gourds.

I challenge you to look for things around you that can become a thing of beauty with a little help from an artist...................................and please tell me about it!


www.artistamundo.com/rosiesart
http://www.redbubble.com/people/rosiebrown
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I'm Coming Out

Last month, a big white peacock was delivered. It has been completed. Final details are being worked out before he can come out. Want to see the rest? Stay tuned for the unveiling date, video of the painting project and details of the live auction.

http://www.coconutgrovepeacocktour.com/artists
http://www.rosiebrownartworks.com/
http://www.redbubble.com/people/rosiebrown
http://www.artistamundo.com/rosiesart

Time's Up

Time's up..............for the Sketchbook Project. It is a project where artists work on sketchbooks that travel around the country for others to see. Each artist selects a topic and I chose, "If You Lived Here". The project comes to an end on January 15th, when the sketchbooks are mailed in. The tour begins in February. Artists are able to follow the book electronically and know when someone checks the book out.

Since I started sketching, I have had a Thanksgiving vacation with the family, Christmas shopping, gift wrapping and shipping, baking and decorating. Add to that "Noche Buena" (Christmas Eve) dinner at my house for thirteen people and a huge peacock to paint by year's end. Are you wondering how I did it all? I was able to do it all with extreme time management. Yes, even artists must manage their time if they want to complete projects and meet deadlines. Above are some samples of the sketches in my book. This is the first year I do this and look forward to following the book around the country. If anything, this project helped me to look closer, use my imagination and sketch. All three of those things can only help me become a better artist.

Come back and read about the road ahead for my little sketchbook and for the reveal of the painted peacock. The New Year has begun!!

http://arthousecoop.com/users/rosiebrown
http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject/exhibitions
www.artistamundo.com/rosiesart
http://www.redbubble.com/people/rosiebrown