Under Wraps

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"Under Wraps"

Oil, 12" x 12"

Available at Gale's Restaurant

Leslie Saeta Solo Show 

November 30th - January 15th

Opening Reception is December 5th

I am painting like a maniac right now getting ready for three December shows. I have a solo show at Gale's Restaurant in Pasadena and the Opening Reception is Sunday, December 5th from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. If you are in the area, I hope you can stop by! I am also included in the Holiday Treasures Show at Debra Huse Gallery in Newport Beach. The opening reception is Saturday, December 4th from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. This show is going to be amazing as it also features the art of Greg LaRock, Debra Huse, Michael Obermeyer, Christine Hooker, Randal Sexton, Patti Cliffton & John Budicin. Click here for more information on my upcoming events. 
What a nice surprise to realize at 7:30 a.m. this morning that it was only 6:30 a.m. We were busy watching football last night (way to go Stanford!) and I completely forgot to set the clocks back. So I am very happy to have an extra hour of painting today!

A Blonde Moment ...

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"Blue Bayou"

Oil, 12" x 12" on museum quality canvas panel.

$550.00

Most of you are aware that I am a blonde. A natural one, in fact. You also need to know that occasionally (and I do mean occasionally!) I do a dumb thing. And on these rare moments, my children seem to think it is important to remind me of my natural hair color.
So yesterday, when I was making lunch for my ailing husband (it's ok to feel sorry for me here ...) I somehow managed to completely bend one of my toes in to a position that I don't think it's supposed to be bent. So, needless to say, I have yet another purple/blue/black toe and cannot really walk ... very well. So, as much as I wanted like to hide this from all of the male species living in my house, it just isn't/wasn't possible. (Just to be fair, I should probably mention that a few months ago I pretty much did the same thing to a toe on my other foot.)
So ... similar accident and now the dumb blonde jokes. Hmmm. Where are all of the "brunette" jokes? Or "redhead" jokes?
So, after spending this morning at the hospital with my husband (he is fine ... you should be feeling sorry for me ... not him) I went up to my studio, and proceeded to paint ... while elevating and icing my toe. Not such a smart idea. Have you ever tired to paint with one foot up in the air?
It's a miracle that I even have a decent painting to post ... and yes ... it's ok to send any good dumb blonde jokes my way. I think I have heard them all ... thanks to the "male species" living in my house! But I sense there might be a few more out there I haven't heard yet.

So really ... what's a girl to do? Oops ... I mean, what's a blonde girl to do?

One Fine Day - Sold

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"One Fine Day"

Oil, 30" x 30"

Sold.

Sorry I don't have a better photo of this commission, but I have discovered I am much better at photographing smaller paintings. I just can't get a good photo of a 30" x 30" ... even in 95 degree sunny weather (isn't it November?). The photograph does not do justice to the painting as you cannot see any of the highlights or detail work ... I guess you will just have to take my word for it!

Giving Thanks

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"Giving Thanks"

(#4 in a series)

Oil, 8" x 8" on museum quality canvas panel.

$350.00 with display easel.

November is the month for "giving thanks" and it's fun to stop and think of all the wonderful things we should be thankful for. I am so blessed with an amazing family and friends and try to be thankful for this every day.
This painting is my fourth in this series. I am still having a blast so I might keep at it for a while. I hope that is ok. I am about to move on to another wrapping paper style, in case you are getting tired of the polka dots!

Trick or Treat?

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"Trick or Treat?"

(#3 in a series)

Oil, 8" x 8" on museum quality canvas panel.

$350.00 with display easel.

Halloween, celebrated each year on October 31, is a mix of ancient Celtic practices, Catholic  and Roman religious rituals and European folk traditions that blended together over time to create the holiday we know today. For some of us Halloween is a big deal. That includes pretty much anyone that lives in my town. 
I live in South Pasadena and because we live in a very flat area with wide, safe streets we see a lot of tick-or-treaters on Halloween. There's a street in our neighborhood that gets at least 1000 trick-or-treaters. We will probably see about 600 or so.
So, candy selection is a pretty big deal in our town. And ... I have to admit that I do buy two different types of candy. Shame on me, but I must preface that it is all GOOD candy. I buy mid-sized candy bars for the kids I don't know and 3 ft. long pixie sticks for the kids that I do know. 
I also must confess that it has always been important to me that we are known as a "good house" on Halloween. This entails decorating the outside of your house and serving "good candy". So I have the cobwebs, orange lights and the scary music playing from the balcony. One year I even put a projector in my car in front of the house and showed an old scary movie on the front of our white house.
This year I am going have a "third level" of candy/dessert. I am going to make homemade ice cream using dry ice. It's really cool, you just pour homemade ice cream mixture in to a "dry ice bowl" and add all of the stuff to the ice cream mixture that sounds yummy. Keep stirring it and within 90 seconds you have perfect ice cream! It's kind of like "Coldstones" but you start from scratch. And I have decided this "treat" will only be served to family and REALLY close friends.
So ... what are you doing for Halloween?

Tis The Season

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"Tis The Season"

(#2 in a series)

8" x 8" on museum quality panel

$350.00 with display easel.

So ... boat paintings will be on hold for a while as I am having fun with my new "gift box" series. It's funny that something so simple is so much fun to paint! But I suppose since I love giving gifts that painting them would be fun too!
Tomorrow's painting will be more themed with the current holiday, so I will take a step back from Christmas ... I promise! Enjoy.

Fit To Be Tied

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"Fit To Be Tied"

Oil, 8" x 8" on museum quality canvas panel.

$350 with display easel.

Now that I am officially "in the holiday spirit" I decided to make an attempt at painting my "annual holiday painting". This is the painting that will appear in many places, including our Holiday Party invitation (ah yes ... that's the party I cook for three straight weeks ...).
I had wanted to paint a wrapped gift so I have been out searching for polka dot wrapping paper all week. I found this paper yesterday at Paper Source and thought it might make a fun painting.
I had a blast painting this and in fact, I loved painting it so much I am going to do an entire series of wrapped gifts for the holidays. And maybe in to the New Year. So ... stay tuned ...

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year ...

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Ah ... yes ... the holidays ...
Some of you may remember the show we featured back in July on the "Artists Helping Artists" radio show titled "Christmas in July". Dreama will attest to the fact that this was one of my favorite shows ... so I get the blame for the idea, the suggestions and all of the work that went in to planning for the show.
What I had completely underestimated was the amount of time it would take me to create my own "Holiday Specials" section on my website. I really did start this project a few months ago and yet it seems as if I have spent WAY TOO MUCH time getting it ready.
So, just so I can be as ridiculous and crazy as all of the department stores ... I have actually launched the "Holiday" section of my website today. Yes ... it's official. I have holiday/Christmas colors and photos all over my website ... a full four days before Halloween! Hah!
Now, the site will be officially launched via my November newsletter (which should go out on November 1st). But I just couldn't resist pressing the "publish" button on my website. After all, I have a total of 11 new pages on my site ... all which are links to the Holiday Special page you see above.
So ... will it work? Who knows ... but it was fun. And I love the marketing aspect of it.
Now ... go visit the site and let me know what you think!

Vintage Charm

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"Vintage Charm"

Oil, 8" x 10" on museum quality canvas panel.

$400 with display easel.

I love anything and everything "vintage". The more chipped, the better. And if the color is anything close to sage green, I am smitten. When my husband tried to clean out the garage last month he left a large pile of furniture for the trash man. Each piece had been originally painted sage green and were showing varying stages of "vintage" wear. Needless to say, I snuck them back in to the garage before the trash man came around ...
Some days I feel a bit "vintage" myself. I forgot when you turn fifty some of the aging starts to show. I know I am showing signs of wear but I do believe you are only as old as you feel. Fortunately, most days I still feel like I am twenty years old. I have so many things I want to accomplish that I still believe you should enjoy every day to the fullest. Even if you are starting to show a few signs of wear and tear.

A Conversation with Kevin Macpherson

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"The Beach Club"

Oil, 8" x 10" framed on canvas panel.

$400.00 framed.

There are a few artists out there that have really set their mark when it comes to plein air impressionist painters. I think my favorite is Kevin Macpherson and I cannot believe that I get to interview him this week on my radio show, "Artists Helping Artists".  Most of you know I co-host the show with Dreama Tolle Perry and we are both so excited this week to have Kevin Macpherson on our show! I met Kevin and his wife Wanda at his show in Pasadena a few years ago and I absolutely love his art.
So, join in live at 9:00 am PST this Thursday or listen to the show after it is recorded. I promise it will be a great one!

Sunset Reflections

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"Sunset Reflections"

Oil, 12" x 12" on museum quality canvas panel.

$550 with display easel.

I had the wonderful opportunity to teach a palette knife workshop this past Saturday at Cannery Paints in Newport Beach. The class consisted of 12 students and we had the most incredible day! Everyone had the chance to paint two paintings and as you can see to the right, the results were amazing. Dreama and I have a unique way of teaching/demoing and I love the fact that the students are all so thrilled with their finished paintings.

My demo is posted above and we really had some fun with some yummy colors! I gave away raffle prizes every hour and we even had time for lunch ... a very full day it was!

Life Sucks ...

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"Late Fall in Portland" by Annie Salness

Life has a way of sneaking up on you and sometimes things happen that are not fair and offer no explanation. Sometimes I just don't get it.
So, today, I need to ask all of you to join me in praying for a wonderful artist and dear friend, Annie Salness. Annie is a young, vibrant, strong and talented woman, mother and wife. She is in ICU as of yesterday and needs your prayers. Thanks.

Waiting ...

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"Waiting ..."

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

$200 with display easel.

It is so wonderful to be back in my studio and home painting again. I have two shows in December that I am getting ready for and all I need to do is paint ... and paint ... and paint.
I am teaching a workshop on Saturday at Cannery Paints in Newport Beach. I am really excited and the class is full, which is always fun! Some of my favorite paintings are from scenes in Newport Beach and Balboa so I am thrilled to have the chance to paint down there.
So ... where is your favorite place to paint?

Two More on Modern Family

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I promise this will be the last time I post a "screen shot" of my paintings on the TV show "Modern Family". But I was happy last night to see that the other two paintings purchased for the set were featured in the Dunphy house. They are the ones on the left and bottom right. I am curious if any of you can tell the location and building featured in the painting on the bottom right. Hint: My oldest son is very happy this painting is on the show!

Hawaiian Reflections

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"Hawaiian Reflections"

Oil, 8" x 16" on museum quality canvas panel.

$650.00 framed.

I am officially over my jet lag and back in my studio. It feels absolutely wonderful to be home and back into my routine. I missed my boys terribly ... and it is great to be home and cooking their dinners again!

I am pleased to announce that I have been asked to participate in the "Holiday Treasures" Show at the Debra Huse Gallery on Balboa Island from December 4th - January 6th. I am truly honored to be showing alongside Greg LaRock, Debra Huse, Michael Obermeyer, Christine Hooker, Randal Sexton, Patti Clifton and John Budicin. I am really intimidated ... but absolutely thrilled at the same time! Yippee!

Hanging with "Modern Family"

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From the set of "Modern Family"

I have received a lot of emails requesting a photo of my art on the "Modern Family" set. This makes sense, since it is REALLY hard to actually see my painting in last week's show. Anyway ... my painting is hanging in the Dunphy house in the photo above and it's crooked because the episode featured an earthquake. I am just glad it made the "directors cut" and made it on the set. Don't look too hard for it on the show ... it might be impossible to see! 

I am back in town and getting ready to head to my studio. So sorry that I haven't had much to post while I was out of town. But I promise there will be lots of new paintings this week!

Watching My Art on the Big Screen

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I have mentioned in previous posts that my art was purchased for the sets of Modern Family and Law & Order Los Angeles. I was very happy to receive texts and calls from friends that saw my paintings on both shows on TV tonight! The photo above is from Law & Order Los Angeles. I am thrilled that my painting is located in the District Attorney's office on the set. How cool is that!
I tried but wasn't able to get a photo of my "three boats" painting from the Modern Family set. I will try later. It's funny though as it is in a "post earthquake" scene and it's very crooked on the wall!
Oh well, I am thrilled. Watch these two shows ... they are both great!

Windy Hawaiian Shores

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"Windy Hawaiian Shores"

Oil, 8" x 10"

$400.00 unframed.

I am on the beautiful island of Hawaii just north at Kona in the Mauna Lani area. The weather is beautiful and of course I wish I had more time to enjoy the incredible beach here at the hotel. But each morning I am able to take about a 75 minute walk along the shore and I must say ... what an incredible way to start out the day!
I had a chance to sneak over to Lahaina Galleries yesterday to see Darrell Hill's latest paintings. He is one of my favorite artists and I really enjoy seeing his art up close and personal. His colors are stunning and I just love his art. I will probably get back there again sometime this week to see his paintings again!
Finally I have to wish Stanford good luck today up in Eugene, OR. They have an interesting game today and the winner could easily be headed to the Rose Bowl. It sure would be fun to host a big Rose Bowl party this year if the Cardinal win! Keep your fingers crossed!

Workshop - Day Four

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"Reflecting Hawaiian Palms"

Oil, 6" x 6"

Sold.

Day Four of the marketing workshop was all about marketing. The day was created to help ALL artists in attendance .... from those already selling their art to those who aren't sure if they will ever sell their art. Dreama and I shared our personal experiences, tips and recommendations as it pertained to mailing lists, newsletters, websites, blogging and marketing. We were able to share all of our resources on the big screen. This was not a time for us to hold back ... we shared everything!

Dreama and I are pleased to announce we will be holding another workshop in February in Atlanta, Ga. Signups will open in about a week. We are very excited to come east and were so thrilled with this workshop that we hope to teach again many times in the future. I also have some two day workshops scheduled in 2011 so visit my workshop page on my website for more details.

I head to Hawaii tomorrow to coordinate a large incentive program for my favorite client, so you should see some Hawaii paintings this next week. Mahalo!

Workshop - Day Three

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Workshop attendees (not listed in order): Nancy Goldman, Kadija Behairy, Fiddy Hakim, Julie Regan, Christine Benz, Carole Gentile, Jane  Copper, Lois Olsen, Sue Feldmeth, Jerry Stocks, Teressa Sliger, Stevie Denny, Carol O'Toole, Linda Phillips, Theresa Paden, Beverly Koldon, Joyce Dodd Harcharik, Gail Alexander, Dina Adamson, Susan Drake (not pictured), Drama Tolle Perry and Leslie Saeta. 

Randy Higbee from Art & Frame Company shows how his "floater frames" work perfectly for canvas panel paintings.

The third day of our workshop started off with a very fun painting exercise! I won't give out all of the details, but all I can tell you is that the group finished 19 paintings in 40 minutes! And they were all wonderful! And yes, I should probably mention that seven of them were painted upside down yet you could not tell which ones they were ...
Our group then broke off and painted yet another beautiful painting (if you are counting, that means they are on painting #4!) and Dreama and I each had a lot of time to spend with each artist individually. The paintings were beautiful. That reminds me, if anyone has pictures of the 19 finished paintings or any of the paintings competed that afternoon, please send them to me. Thanks!
Later in the afternoon we had a wonderful visit from Randy Higbee from Art & Frame Company. Randy showed us all his wonderful floater frames and then offered great prices to the class on the many, many frames he brought with him. So many of us took home finished paintings in beautiful frames!