Ready to Party! - SOLD

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"Ready to Party"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel

Sold.

Click here to buy a print of this painting.

This is another painting that I finised on Friday of last week. You can tell from my rpevios post I was using paint on my palette for all three of my paintings!
Check out my upcoming palette knife painting workshops at http://www.saetastudio.com/Leslie_Saeta_fine_Art/Workshops.html.

Waiting Outside of Balboa - SOLD

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"Waiting Outside of Balboa"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200.00 with display easel.

Sold.

Somehow I managed to not only finish all of the things on my TO DO list today, but also finish three paintings ... today. Everyday this week I have been slowly "crossing off" my TO DO list and I never imagined I would finish everything. Yeah!

I leave tonight for Alaska. I am going on an Alaska cruise with my parents and sisters and sister-in-law. Yes, we are leaving the boys home to deal with the kids. And hurricane Irene, as is the case with my youngest sister. I will post while I am cruising and take millions (ok, maybe not millions but I am sure hundreds) of pictures. Can't wait to photograph all of those fishing villages!

Check out my upcoming palette knife painting workshops at http://www.saetastudio.com/Leslie_Saeta_fine_Art/Workshops.html.

End of The Day - SOLD

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"End of the Day"

Oil, 30" x 30"

Sold.

Now that I am finally home for awhile I was hoping the word "routine" had finally come back in to my life. Having been gone for the last four weeks and with one more trip next week I am not really sure when things will be completely normal again. Perhaps never. Life is never normal. We all know that.

When we were in Atlanta this past weekend we shared a tragedy that really made me stop, gasp and hold my breath. A tragic accident which involved a young woman killed in the crosswalk instantly by a bus makes no sense. She was the daughter of close friends of my brother and his family and when something like this happens it just knocks you off your feet. It can't be explained. It can't be accepted. And in no way does it even seem real.

As a parent it is so easy to start thinking "what if" and I have to say, don't go there. Instead be there for your friend who needs you. All you can do is be there to pick up the pieces. It takes a long time and for some, perhaps a lifetime.

So, go hug your kid today. Life is precious and don't forget to be thankful for today, yesterday and tomorrow. 

Check out my upcoming palette knife painting workshops at http://www.saetastudio.com/Leslie_Saeta_fine_Art/Workshops.html.

All Finished ...

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So... the Carriage House Workshop Studio is done. It's been an amazing project and tons of fun. Surprisingly it went very smoothly. Only a few minor delays and I am so happy with the end result. I never imagined it would turn out this great.
The photos above show the completed studio. The single sliding door is in the back and the two double carriage doors are in the front. My taboret is the bright green table (which is a former potting shed) with my large easel to the left and my table top easel on top.

When my husband and I decided to convert the old carriage house in our backyard in to my new studio, I knew I had finally found the perfect location to teach.  Offering workshops in the Carriage House, which was built in 1915, allows me the opportunity to invite my students in to my home and share what I am most passionate about ... my family, my home and my art. Because of the studio size, the workshops taught in the studio will be limited to only ten students. But the intimate nature of the workshop allows me the chance to develop both the skill and the motivation of all of my students.  In three days students will rediscover their passion for art, learn the basics pertaining to values and colors and master the techniques of painting with a palette knife! 

If you would like information on my workshops, click on my workshop page. 

Check out my upcoming palette knife painting workshops at http://www.saetastudio.com/Leslie_Saeta_fine_Art/Workshops.html.

A Body of Proof

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I received great news this week that another TV show has purchased my art to feature on their set. The show is titled "Body of Proof" and it's a terrific show on ABC starring Dana Delaney. I already have the show programmed on my DVR so I can't wait for the new season to start with hopes I will be able to see my art. Please watch the show and let me know if you see any of the four paintings listed above!

The show purchased these four prints from my Print Library and they are much larger than the original paintings and should be easier to see. Keep your fingers crossed that they make it on to the final set for this season! 

Check out my upcoming palette knife painting workshops at http://www.saetastudio.com/Leslie_Saeta_fine_Art/Workshops.html.

Moving On ...

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"Taking the Day Off ... Again"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200.00 with display easel.

Click here to buy a print of this painting.

OK, so the tears have dried and my middle son is "safely tucked away at college". My husband and I have fulfilled our responsibilities ... his dorm room is set, we know there will always be enough food and there is enough toothpaste and shampoo to last until Christmas.  It is comforting when you know your child has moved on to a new chapter in his life. My sadness has been replaced with excitement for him. The amazing education and new experiences are going to be wonderful. And fortunately, I think he will do a good job in keeping his parents "in the loop".

For those of you sending off a child to college this fall, my heart is heavy for you. Congratulations.

Check out my upcoming palette knife painting workshops at http://www.saetastudio.com/Leslie_Saeta_fine_Art/Workshops.html.

When Life Gets in the Way - SOLD

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"A Trio Waiting"

Oil. 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

Sold.

There's a term that I have used before when I need to explain why I am not in my studio painting. It's called "when life gets in the way". This week I am in North Carolina dropping off our middle son as he begins his freshman year in college. It's a long way from California and it's been a pretty emotional few days. But as we have gotten to know his college more and more I realize he is so fortunate to be here. It's an amazing institution and the education is incredible. He is also going to play baseball so I think he will manage to fit in some fun in between studying.

So, as the saying goes, "life has gotten in the way" and I haven't been able to paint in my studio. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. Not a chance.

Check out my upcoming palette knife painting workshops at http://www.saetastudio.com/Leslie_Saeta_fine_Art/Workshops.html.

South Pasadena Icon - SOLD

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"South Pasadena Icon"

Oil, 12" x 12" on canvas panel.

$550.00 unframed, $700.00 framed.

Sold.

Click here to buy a print of this painting.

Fair Oaks Pharmacy is a famous icon in South Pasadena. It's located at the corner of the most popular spot in town and it's a fun place to go for ice cream. In fact, my oldest son had his first solid food here ... ice cream. Yes, I am a bad mother and at the age of 20 my oldest son's favorite solid food is still ... ice cream!

Check out my upcoming palette knife painting workshops.

Relaxing in Newport

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"Relaxing in Newport"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200.00 with display easel.

So we have been at the beach for almost a week and it has been heaven.  We are so fortunate to have all of our boys here with their friends. Each day there are between 11 - 15 guests staying here. And every night I cook a gourmet dinner for the hungry mouths (as a long day at the beach playing volleyball always seems to create a big appetite!). I am running out of ideas for menu's so if any of you have any suggestions, please help! We have already made BBQ steaks, chicken, burgers, Italian night with pasta and lasagna and taco night. Some of you must have some suggestions as to what I can cook for the next five nights ... and did I mention we will have 40 over here for dinner on Saturday? And this is supposed to be vacation ...

Actually, I am cooking in a kitchen with a fabulous ocean view so I don't mind it a bit. I guess you could say I am "relaxing in Newport" ...

Free Daily Marketing Tips

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My dear friend Dreama mentioned to me this morning that I need to promote the fact that I offer Free Daily Marketing Tips on my Facebook Fan Page. The tips are really good (if I do say so myself!) and if you are an artist you might want to follow them. In fact, today's tip lets you know how to take any photo and create the "stacked" image pictured above.

If you follow the link to my fan page, you should LIKE my page so you will be able to see my daily tips on your facebook home page. There are already 40 tips posted on my page, many of them are tips that every artist should and can use! The tips pertain to blogging, websites, facebook and general art tips so don't miss out. And I post five tips a week (that's right, I take the weekends off ... hah)!

This week I will also post a tip as to how you can add your signature to your blog posts ...

Palette Knife Painted Ladies

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"Palette Knife Painted Ladies"

Oil, 12" x 12" on canvas panel.

$550.00 with display easel.

The very famous houses in San Francisco are commonly referred to as the "Painted Ladies".  I have wanted to paint them for quite some time and finally got around to it today. We are at the beach and I am trying to keep the sand out of my paintings but it is not easy! But this is my favorite time of the year ... family, all of my boys together, great volleyball matches and lots of time cooking in a kitchen with an awesome ocean view!

Hawaiian Afternoon

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"Hawaiian Afternoon"

Oil, 11" x 14" on canvas panel. 

$550.00 with display easel.

There's something about Hawaii and palm trees that cause me to take a deep breath and sigh ... it's time to put away the day's worries and put your feet up and relax. Ahhhh ... I love the beach. And the nice warm breeze. And the quiet sound of the wind rustling through the palm branches.

Colorful Afternoon Reflections

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"Colorful Afternoon Reflections"

Oil, 8" x 8" on canvas panel.

$350.00 with display easel.

There's something about the colors in this painting that just scream from the canvas. I really love the orange (it's my new favorite color ...) and it realy works with the blue water. Ever since my workshop last week with Darrell Hill I have been trying to push my colors and paint faster. So far, I have been able to work on both! I love painting faster ... it forces me to stop before I wreck the painting!!!

Summer Vacation - SOLD

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Summer Vacation

Oil, 8" x 8" on canvas panel.

Sold. 

I had a request to paint another boat scene with "no blue". It's always tough, but certainly can be done. It just takes a bit of interpretation. And green paint.  

My best friend Dreama was here last week and we spent the day together in South Pasadena. She had a chance to see the Carriage House Studio up close and in person. So we thought we would take a photo inside. We probably should have set up our easels and panted ... but sadly that did not happen. Some of you may not know that I am A LOT taller than Dreama so in this photo I am lamely attempting to not look so tall ... oh well. Finally, you should check out my incoming workshop schedule. Dreama and I have one spot left in our September 2011 workshop (it will be held in Pasadena) so if you are looking for an incredible four day painting and motivational experience ... sign up now!

Docked

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"Docked"

Oil, 8" x 8" 

$300.00 on canvas panel with display easel.

This palette knife painting of a small sailboat was completed this past weekend while I was in Balboa Island at a painting workshop with Darrell Hill. He is an amazing artist and has truly mastered how to "tell a story with as few brush strokes as possible".  I think Darrell's two favorite colors to paint with are orange and sage green - so we definitely agree on color selection! Darrel paints quickly because he doesn't over paint his paintings. His brush strokes are deliberate and his colors are pure and clear. He seems to have mastered a routine and style that allows him to create some of the most stunning paintings I have ever seen.  If you ever get a chance, take one of his workshops!