20 more ATC Cards with cats and dogs

Here's the latest batch of 20 ATC cards I painted.  Now I am into painting pet portraits in miniature on masonite with acrylic, because of the little cats and dogs I did last week.

Anza Valley Artist's Group Message

MESSAGE FROM THE ANZA VALLEY ARTISTS GROUP:  From Laura 

Hi everybody,

This is just a short update on the last couple of weeks.

On Saturday, May 15, 2010, several of us went to the Hamilton Museum for the Spring Arts and Crafts Fair.   It was small but as usual a very pleasant day.   Penny sold a couple of her artist trading cards (for $5 each), which gives us an idea of what customers think they can afford and purchase in these times.   They are small yet very unique and can be personalized, too.  Sue also sold some cards which were printed from her watercolors.

At the Earth Day event on May 22, it was much windier, but we positioned the peg boards and had no problems with things blowing other than gritty dust.   Sue, Penny and I set up and then Ruben Arellano stopped by and had some paintings in his car, so he joined us.   Ruben has been to a couple of our meetings over the last year, and he exhibits in Idyllwild as well.  Sylvia was also at the event, spinning wool.   Penny was able to trade one of her painted saw blades, and we told as many people as possible about the upcoming show in September. There are only one or two spots available for people to exhibit!

Next AVA meeting: June 19, 2010 at 1:00 at Sylvia's house.    Sylvia has offered (thank you!) to have us paint in her yard.   She has large trees (shade!) and a pond, and the sheep and many really interesting areas to see.   Sylvia also created a card which we can use to mail out announcements for the show, so we'll look at that and figure out how much it will cost to print them.   We need to get those printed soon, as September is only 4 months away!

Tim Lauridsen has spoken to Valentina, and she asked him if the AVA would like to use her yard for plein-air painting.   I haven't called her yet, but Sue and I were thinking her place might be good for July or August, if she is available.

Sue asked if anyone was planning to attend Dory's event in Mountain Center on May 30.  I have never been there, but Sue and Colleen have both gone there in the past.   If you'd like more information about this event please contact them.  May 30 is a Sunday, if that helps!   If anyone does go, please ask Dory when the next year's event is scheduled.   Wouldn't it be good to set up the year's scheduled shows ahead of time, especially if some of us want to be available to exhibit at these shows and keep the AVA group name out there? 

So, see you all soon! ---  Laura

Art Show in Julian, California

Rene and I went to the Art Show at  Banner Queen Trading Post and Art Gallery in Julian on Saturday.  It was a perfectly lovely day, and everything went well, except the drive up there was very very curvy and I got quite ill.  We did find a way home that was not curvy, so that made it a better day.  My baby racoon is hanging very low on the wall, and that's probably good because he is pretty insecure anyway.  The look on his face says it all, like "I'm scared" and "I'm curious" all at once.

Here's Rene with a wall full of art from Carol Ravy's art students.  I wonder who will win the People's Choice award?

40 ATC/ACEO cards so far and counting

Well, it's official  I am obsessed.  I love to paint these little guys.  2.5 x 3.5 is a perfect size to try out my new techniques, take a stab at a new subject, or just goof around for fun.  Look at the results so far.  If you are an artist and have painted some of these ACEO or Artist Trading Cards, please contact me if you want to trade.  I am making more every day.  I have very little space in my single wide travel trailer, so I  need to keep the work in a manageable size.  This may be going a little too far, but I have purchased little vinyl sleeves for them and am starting to categorize them by subject. 

I also purchased some masonite cards to paint so they can be sold at the art shows I attend.  I thought people might like something more solid than paper, and I don't want to have to frame them.  I work in acrylics usually, but I am going to paint the masonite cards with water soluble oils.