Days End

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"Days End"

Oil, 6" x 12" framed

Available at Debra Huse Gallery

After putting away the last of the turkey leftovers and dropping two kids off at two different airports, I finally made my way back in to the Carriage House to paint. I put some finishing touches on five paintings I had going at the same time (I know, its scary but deadlines prevail!) and am ready to start on a few new ones tomorrow.

Today I made the drive south to Newport to visit two of my favorite people: Randy Higbee and Debra Huse. Randy owns the Higbee Gallery and Art of Frame Company and I needed some frames for three 6" x 12" paintings. After the paintings were nicely framed I took them to the Debra Huse Gallery.

I have two shows opening this weekend. The first, as I mentioned, is the Debra Huse Holiday Treasures show. It opens this Thursday night with an opening reception from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. The second is the Randy Higbee 6" Squared show which opens on Saturday. Don't miss the 6" Squared Opening Reception this Saturday, December 3rd from 5:00 until 9:00 pm. Click the links for more details.

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

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.

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.

Vintage Charm

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Palette Knife Painting by Leslie Saeta

"Vintage Charm"

Oil, 8" x 10" framed.

Click here to purchase this painting.

I am in Minneapolis at the Junior National Boy's Volleyball championships. This is a really wonderful town and a terrific place to visit. If you recall, I was here in late March but the weather was a bit cooler (ok, that's an understatement) and we didn't get a chance to explore the city. My husband and I are about to head out to visit some art galleries so I am very excited to do more exploring!

I hope you are following my fanpage on Facebook as I am offering a Daily Marketing Tip for Artists that you do not want to miss! Just go to my Fanpage and click LIKE and you can follow the tips! 

Break of the Day - SOLD

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Palette Knife Painting by Leslie Saeta

"Break of the Day"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

Sold.

This painting was a painting commission completed today. I painted it kind of as a "demo" for my summer intern so she could understand my style of painting and see how I paint.  Later this week we are going to paint together.  I enjoy "explaining while I paint" (I guess they call that teaching) and I loved her comment at the end ... "How do you do that and make it look so easy?" All I could do was remember all the times I have struggled and scraped and wiped off paintings ... and it made me laugh.


I made some major progress today on the plans for the Carriage House Workshop Studio remodel. I am getting excited as we are going to remove the ceiling and open up the rafters so that the ceiling is exposed and goes all the way up to the top - which is really high! I came up with an idea to build tiny shelves on the wall for my students to display all of their completed paintings where I can actually take a great photo. I can't help but think of all of the times in my previous workshops when we would put the paintings on the floor (and they would often get stepped on) and then I would have to climb on a ladder to try to get a good photo. I won't miss those days! I have also picked out the pendant lighting and just need to finalize the paint color before we get started on the project. 


I was reminded today that my dear friend Dreama is mad at me for the fact that I not only have an intern but also that I am remodeling the Carriage House for a workshop studio. She told me today that she can barely talk to me ... so please try to be nice to her. She is fragile and you never know ... tee hee ... I am just afraid that I might receive a box in the mail one of these days with a "meow" noise inside ... she is threatening to send Eddie to California so he can distract me from my fun projects!

Happy Hour - SOLD

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"Happy Hour"

Oil, 6" x 6" with display easel.

Sold.

Every once in a while I find a composition that I like and I usually paint the same composition in many  variations ... different scenes, colors, light, whatever ... This painting is a newer version of the one I painted in my workshop last week. The larger one, a 12" x 12" sold so quickly that I was bummed. So, I decided to paint a "greener" one and try it in a smaller size. Next up? A ... 24" x 24" canvas ... and I am not kidding!
And ... I should probably mention the title of this painting is based on how happy I was for the hour (ok, it was a lot longer than an hour) while painting this one!

Color Reflections

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"Color Reflections"

Oil, 12" x 12"

I participated in the Balboa ArtWalk last Sunday which is a one day, very high quality art show that takes place on Balboa Island. The weather started out a pretty bad in the morning (as in pouring down rain ...) but by 9:15 the sun was out and we all decided to make it a day.
I am so glad I did as the art sales were fantastic and I met a lot of great people and artists. This was only my second year in the ArtWalk but I decided to paint a demo while working my booth ... I mean ... why not? It caused a lot of people to stop and watch so in the end it was a very wise decision. I painted this bright but fun painting while talking to hundreds of people that stopped by my booth. It's from a photo I have used before but once again I decided to change up the colors. (The actual boats are white and dark purple.) I actually used this photo for a demo in my Atlanta workshop so there are a few more paintings of this scene out there .... I know!

The day was so sunny that I painted the entire painting with my sunglasses on. That's a big no-no in the art world but I think I got lucky. The hardest part about painting in front of a group of people is the beginning ... when the canvas looks pretty awful and mot much is going on. I tried to paint quickly in the beginning but still had to stop and talk to everyone about my art. I laughed when a couple came back just to see my progress and commented "Wow, you really did make that in to a nice painting!". They did seem a bit surprised ...

Waiting For ...

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"Waiting For ..."

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel

$200.00 with display easel.

That's right ... what have I been waiting for? It's been so long since I have actually painted in my studio that I was afraid maybe I had forgotten how to paint. I know these "stages" happen, and I had a lot of valid reasons why I haven't been painting ... but ... it was time to get back to what I love most ... painting!
I think I was inspired by our AHA radio show with Carol and David Marine yesterday.  If you think about it ... Carol is almost a month ahead with her paintings ... yes ... that means she has an entire wall full of paintings that are drying and just waiting to be posted on her blog. I still don't have any "waiting" to be posted, but at least I have one to post today!
I think I underestimated the response I would have to my private marketing consultations so I have been very busy working with artists to sell more art through their blogs, websites, newsletters and facebook. It's been fun but has kept me out of my studio for too long. Dreama even "threatened" me yesterday. She said if I didn't find something to paint today she was going to pick the subject matter ... and I believe the word "Eddie" was part of the conversation.
One final thought ... one of the good things about being so busy is that I just didn't have time to take advantage of the fact that today is April Fool's Day. Over the years I have been pretty creative and have pulled off some pretty funny pranks ... my favorite was when I put my girlfriends house up for sale. I know this sounds harsh but if you knew the pranks she had pulled on me this was actually pretty tame. Although I advertised a price that was less than half market value so she did get a lot of calls ... for months ...
So to my dear best friend Dreama ... you are safe for yet another year ...

Good Things Come in Threes - SOLD

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"Good Things Come in Threes"

Oil, 6" x 6" .

$200.00 with display easel.

It's true. Especially for me. I have three wonderful boys.  My workshop with Dreama lasted three incredible days in Atlanta last week. And I love creating paintings with three boats! (I could go on and on but I will spare you ...  promise ...)
You may notice the colors in this painting are a bit different from my normal palette. Last week Dreama and I stayed at my brothers house and I was inspired by the color palette in their house. So I decided to switch it up a bit in this one. Next one will be much larger!

At Ease

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 "At Ease"

Oil, 6" x 6" on museum quality panel.

$200 with display easel.

Close-up of palette knife strokes

So they are filming a commercial in my house and I am locked upstairs on our third floor, enjoying the peace and quiet. Finally ... I am ready to start painting ... . Apparently they are about to move outside and start all of the "Halloween" scenes.  I just can't get used to the pumpkins and spider decorations in front of my house. It's January!
Dreama and I had a very fun "Artists Helping Artists" radio show this morning. Our guest was Randy Higbee, owner of Randy Higbee Gallery and www.kingofframe.com. Randy talked all about the success he had with his 6" Squared Exhibition and Facebook. It's a great show and you can listen to it here.

The Good Life - SOLD

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The Good Life

Oil, 6" x 6" on museum quality canvas panel.

Sold.

Close-up of palette knife strokes

The Good Life ... that's how I look at it. It's a new year and it's going to be a good one. I can just tell. I am blessed with an amazing family and husband who let me pursue my "late in life" discovered obsession with oil painting. Actually ... I am obsessed with palette knife painting to be a bit more specific.
So ... I know this painting is colorful (probably too much for some of you out there - you know who you are ...) but I am having a great day. So I decided to take the colors to the next level. Why not?
Oh ... and did I forget to mention that Stanford won the Orange Bowl game last night? Smile.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Day Four

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"Middle Child"

Oil, 6" x *' on canvas panel.

$350 framed.

The winner of the Third Day of Christmas 24 notecards is Carrie Waller. Congratulations!

The prize for Day Four is a set of my four favorite palette knives. These are the knives I use to paint about 99% of my paintings and I am thrilled to give one of your own set! I am really excited about what you need to do to be eligible for this prize ... because this will help me a lot! Most of you know I paint a lot of boats so all you need to do is suggest potential names for "boat paintings"and every suggestion earns you a chance to win! You can leave a comment here or on facebook! Below are some of my paintings and titles ... just to get you started ...

 

Many of you have asked to see the menu for our party this weekend and I hope this will help you understand why I have been cooking like a maniac ...

Menu

Spicy grilled shrimp cocktail in shot glasses

Smoked turkey with cranberry/orange muffins

Smoked salmon and dill sauce

Chinese Chicken salad in won ton cups

Assorted veggies with Roasted Red Pepper Dip

BLT tomatoes

Caesar salad on parmesan cheese flat cups

Blue cheese, Walnut and Cranberry Crostini

Butternut squash, ginger and coconut soup

Martini Salad Bar

Skewered chicken with peanut sauce

Skewered flank steak with peanut sauce

Brie cups with pomegranates

Cape Fear crab cakes and dill sauce

Sesame Ahi with sauce & rice in shot glasses

Sweet Hot Thai sliders

Pesto stuffed mushrooms

Four cheese puffs

Tart shells with spinach/artichoke dip and parmesan cheese

Whipped sweet potatoes with brown sugar topping in pastry shells

Crab quesadillas

Desserts

Cranberry, chocolate & toffee oatmeal cookies

Peanut butter fudge

Frosted sugar cookies

Cranberry shortbread

Chocolate Mint Marvels

Taking The Day Off ... Again

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"Taking the Day Off ... Again"

Oil, 6" x 6" on museum quality panel.

$200 with display easel.

Just to set things straight ... I did not take the day off! Dreama and I recorded our 18th episode of our "Artists Helping Artists" radio show this morning. We talked about "Pricing your Art" and had enough notes left over to fill up two more shows on "pricing" ... so the subject will be discussed again I promise!

We did forget to mention one thing on today's show ... and that's the new Monthly Painting Challenge. Basically, we are asking artists to paint a painting that fits within the theme of the month. So, in two weeks you should see paintings all titled "September" appearing on the "Artists Helping Artists" blog. We hope you will participate so ... start those "back to school" paintings soon!
Now ... back to the title of this painting. Just a few weeks ago I painted a painting using the same photo reference. It sold immediately so I thought I would try it again. So I changed up the colors and tried another one. I am very happy the outcome and thought you might enjoy it. Here's the painting I painted two weeks ago from the same photo.
This was fun!