Afternoon Sail

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"Afternoon Sail"

Oil, 12" x 12"

$550.00 unframed.

I am gearing up for a workshop next week in the Carriage House and have lots of projects and new things to try out. I am very excited! I am also very inspired with my "pending paintings" file in my studio. It's a wire mesh tray that has photos and canvases with sketches all ready to be painted. Usually there are only about two or three ideas in the file. But currently there are twelve. Yep. Twelve. And after yesterday's inspiring AHA show I am actually going to paint flowers this weekend. I cannot remember the last time I painted flowers. I can't wait!

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

Floating Along - SOLD

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"Floating Along"

Oil, 6" x 6" on museum quality panel

SOLD.

Now that I am back in my studio I seem to be painting boats ... hmmm. I am hoping today I can paint the Wilson Field at Davidson College which is a location my middle son is spending a lot of time these days! And a note to my oldest son (before you start complaining) ... I will paint something from one of the photos I will take at NCAA's next week. I promise!

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

My Three Boys

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"My Three Boys"

8" x 16" oil 

$750.00 framed

Available at Debra Huse Gallery

If you look at the date of my last blog post it appears that "life" has gotten in the way for me these past few weeks. Wow. I cannot believe it has been so long since I have posted on my blog. Which of course also means I haven't been painting as much in my studio either. But I do have a good excuse ...

January and February were the busiest two months ever in my art career and although it was amazing, it was stressful too. For the first time my art felt like a job as I was faced with deadline after deadline. I am not complaining as it was wonderful, but I was just a little tired. Combine that with the fact I had to "re-engineer" the AHA radio show, and it was a very busy time. So I just needed a little breather to enjoy my family and attend lots of sporting events featuring, you guessed it, my three boys.

But I am back. Painting in the studio and loving every minute of it. So watch out.

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

"Thinking Outside of the Box"

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"Entering South Pasadena"

Oil, 11" x 14" on museum quality panel.

$700.00

Every four years we get a free day. Tomorrow is February 29th and technically it's the extra day added to the calendar every fourth year.


So why not use this free day to do something really great for your art? I am calling it "Think Outside the Box Day". Take a minute to pick something to do to take your art to the next level. Maybe it's just getting out of your studio to paint plein air. Perhaps it's creating a Facebook Fan Page. Or signing up for Pinterest. Maybe you should head to your studio to paint an entirely different way or an entirely different subject. Why not write a newsletter? You could publish an art book of your favorite paintings from last year. Enter an Art Exhibition or contest on line. Or maybe you just need to get organized and clean up your studio. Whatever you choose to do, just have fun and enjoy your "extra day".  

I suggest you spend the day tomorrow doing something different to boost your art career. Why not? It only comes around once every four years so think outside of the box!

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

Coming and Going

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"Coming and Going"

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

$550.00

I can finally relax. Since the beginning of the year I have been faced with huge deadlines and projects that have consumed my life as an artist. I knew if I survived the first seven weeks of the year then I would be set. It's a miracle but I did it ... 11 commissions, two workshops, one ongoing show, 8 marketing consultations and the task of creating an entirely new financial system for my business. Done. Yippee.

Today I started tackling all of the "neglected" items on my to do list. It included ordering more paint and new easels for my 6" x 6" paintings. Scraping off all of the old paint I left on my glass palette when I rushed off to Atlanta to teach an amazing workshop. Organizing the "shipping department" in my studio that had started looking like the messy stacked box department. Depositing checks. And opening mail that was really old. But it was a glorious day! No pressure, no deadlines and back to normal.

I can't wait to paint tomorrow. It's time for some umbrellas. And boats.

Tomorrow I'll tell you about our workshop in Atlanta last week. It was amazing!

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

Golden Rays

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"Golden Rays"

Oil, 12" x 12" framed.

$625.00

Available at Gale's Restaurant

Believe it or not, I have started my book! I am very excited about the format I am using and so far I have the outline completed and I am starting to create all of the visuals (i.e. pictures). It's still going to take me a long time but I am hoping for a mid year completion. Which isn't bad, considering I originally was "hoping" to have it completed by the end of the year. The book is a "How to" book that is about, you guessed it, palette knife painting. I am also going to write a book about Marketing for Artists but that will be later on (yes ... reality check ...). 

This painting was a demo from my workshop earlier last month and its for sale at Gale's Restaurant in Pasadena. It's hanging along with 20 other paintings by yours truly. The show is up until mid March. If you live in the area, so check it out!

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

Two Thirds

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"Two Thirds"

Oil, 8" x 8" framed.

$425.00

Available at Gale's Restaurant

626-432-6705

I have been so busy this month that I realized I forgot to post two of the demo paintings I completed in my January workshop. I am not sure how I managed to do that as I am ALWAYS posting paintings as soon as they come off the easel. Oh well, it's been a crazy month.

I am buried in my studio finishing a 4' x 6' commission for a new restaurant opening in Pasadena. Plus I have ten small commissions due in mid-February of one of my favorite colleges. And if you read my facebook post last week, I received wonderful news on Friday that images of ten of my paintings were selected by an art licensing company. If you haven't heard the show we did on "Artists Helping Artists" about Art Licensing, you should listen to it. It's called "Pimping Your Art ... Why Art Licensing Makes Sense". Click on the title to listen to the show.

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

Red Umbrellas - SOLD

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"Red Umbrellas"

Oil, 12" x 12"framed.

SOLD at Gale's Restaurant

I just realized I had forgotten to post this painting before I entered it in my show at Gale's Restaurant. I actually started the painting as a demo in one of my workshops in Newport Beach in November. It has been sitting in my studio for a month, unfinished. I quickly finished it, framed it and delivered it but forgot to take a photo of the finished painting! I rarely forget to photograph a painting and this time I got lucky. The buyer wanted a gold frame (instead of a dark one) so I was able to take it home, photograph it and change the frame.

So ... don't forget to ALWAYS photograph your paintings before they leave your studio! You may not get a second chance!

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

Early Afternoon Sun

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"Early Afternoon Sun"

Oil, 8" x 16" framed.

$600.00

Available at Gale's Restaurant

626-432-6705

I had a wonderful opening tonight at Gale's Restaurant. I saw so many great friends and met some really nice art collectors! It was a very successful show as I sold seven paintings. So thanks to all of my new collectors! I really appreciate your support!

If you are in the Pasadena area, the show will be up until March 14th so there is plenty of time to stop by for a wonderful lunch or dinner and a chance to see some art. All of my new umbrella paintings are in the show, although one is already gone ...

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

Early Morning Sun

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"Early Morning Sun"

Oil, 6" x 12" framed.

$475.00 framed

Available at Gale's Restaurant

626-432-6705

As you can tell, I have developed a new fixation with umbrellas. I am not exactly sure why I enjoy painting umbrellas so much, but I am hooked. I am hoping to put together a show of paintings all featuring an umbrella ... ranging from the understated to the obvious (as pictured above). I do seem to want to paint umbrellas that are used on sunny days rather than rainy days ... go figure ... ha!

This painting has a companion that is also 6" x 12". I am working on it and it will also be available at the opening of my show this weekend.

Speaking of my show, if you are in Southern California, please join me this Sunday for the Artists Reception from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. The show is at Gale's Restaurant located at 452 S. Fair Oaks in Pasadena, CA. The phone is 626-432-6705. And for all football fans, the game will be on in the bar, I promise!  

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

Resting Side By Side

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"Resting Side By Side"

Oil, 12" x 12" framed.

$750.00 framed

Available at Debra Huse Gallery

This painting was painted as a demo at my January workshop. I created a video which shows the environment in which it was created. Enjoy!

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

A Cloudy Day

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"A Cloudy Day"

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

$750.00 framed

Available at Debra Huse Gallery

I definitely have a new favorite subject to paint. Umbrellas! There is something about the umbrella folds, shadows and light that I absolutely love to paint. (So ... if you have any great photos please send them my way!). This is probably my all time favorite and it will be in the Gale's Show (unless it sells today!) which hangs tomorrow. Let me know what you think!

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

Leaving Pasadena

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"Leaving Pasadena"

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

$625 framed.

Available at Gale's Restaurant.

I absolutely love painting scenes from around Pasadena. There is always something wonderful to paint and between the classic architecture and the amazing trees, how can one go wrong?

I just now closed the door to my studio. I have been "locked" in there all day painting and framing. I have 20 paintings ready for delivery to Gale's Restaurant on Saturday. I cannot believe they are framed, labeled and tagged. And I start teaching a three day Palette Knife Painting Workshop tomorrow.

Next week I start on a 4' x 6' commission. 

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

The Crab Cooker - SOLD

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"The Crab Cooker"

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

Sold.

I have been busy in my studio finishing up some paintings for a show at Gale's Restaurant in Pasadena. The show hangs this weekend and I am fortunate to be hosting the show with another artist, George Scribner. He is really talented! The Artist's Reception is next Sunday, January 22nd from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. If you are local, it would be great if you could join me! Good food and good art, I promise! Here's the info:

Gale's Restaurant

452 South Fair Oaks Avenue  Pasadena, CA 91105-2634
(626) 432-6705

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

Fun with the video camera

Pin It I was inspired after today's "Artists Helping Artists" radio show as artist Ric Nagualero shared some wonderful advice as to how we can use videos to promote our art. As you can tell, I I had fun with this one. And there is more to come including the actual tour of the Carriage House. I also filmed a demo of the painting I completed today but it will take a short while to edit the video. So look for that one in a few weeks.
If you have a smart phone, flip video or video camera you too can film a short video. I used imovie to edit this but there are some great on-line editing programs. Raw footage is good too as there is no need to edit anything!
Now, go out and break a leg. I am kidding, it's just a figure of speech.


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

Three Thirds

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"Three Thirds"

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

$550.00 with display easel.

I know I never paint still life or fruit. But yesterday's painting (titled "Two and a Third") was so much fun that I decided to do just a few more. I am painting for my upcoming show at Gale's Restaurant in Pasadena and thought it might be fun to include some non-landscape and seascape paintings. Now yesterday's painting sold ... so I am still behind ... but please know that I am not complaining! 

I am afraid that 2012 is showing true signs of Global Warming in Southern California. I was actually really hot in my studio today. We have had four days in a row of over 80 degree weather. And ... isn't it January? And yes, please know that I am not complaining!

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

Two and a Third - SOLD

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"Two and a Third"

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

$200.00 with display easel.

Sold.

Having just re-organized my entire studio I found it easy to finish this painting today! I absolutely love the colors and composition. I know the composition different ... but that's what I like about it! I think I might try this one for an exercise in my Palette Knife Painting class next week. I usually never paint fruit because so many other daily painters do it so well, but I like the different look with the palette knife.

Hope your new year is going well.

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

Sunflower II - SOLD

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"Sunflower II"

Oil, 6" x 6" framed.

Sold.

This painting was a commission for the holidays. The owner of the original painting asked me to create a similar one for a gift. Since it's one of my all time favorite paintings, I absolutely loved painting this one.

New Year's Day is quoted as being one of the most "underwhelming holidays". But I think today is a very important day. It's the day that all of us should take a minute to reflect on last year and decide at least one thing we want to accomplish for 2012. It's the day we can step out of our comfort zone and decide to try something different. It's the day we can look back and decide what worked best in 2011 and realize we need to do more of the "good things". It's the day we can set a few goals and put the one, really exciting opportunity at the top of the list. Why not? It's a new year and a great chance to go out there and make this the best year ever in our art careers.

I've got my goals for 2012. The lost is a lot shorter (yes Dreama, I have learned from you!) but I am so excited about my list that I can hardly wait to get started. In fact, I am going to get started right now. Here's to another great year!

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

The Best of 2011

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The Best of 2011 - My Favorite Paintings

(at least according to me ...)

OK. So I realize selecting my favorite paintings of 2011 is completely subjective. I am sure you might disagree with some of my selections and if you want to take a look at the entire collection from the year, click here. But these are my favorites ... and not just because they sold or I like the colors. Some of them were painted quickly, others  took days. Some sold and some did not. In fact, the ones that are not sold are: the "two sailboats" and "rooster" in the top row, the "under the umbrella" painting in the second row and the "yellow umbrellas" and "reflection of the pavilion" in the bottom row. Some are 6" x 6" and some are 11" x 14". The most interesting fact about my choices ... less than half are paintings of boats! So, what do you think? Which is your favorite?

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

Calming the Soul and Sitting Still - SOLD

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"Calming the Soul" - SOLD

"Sitting Still" - SOLD

Technically, the holidays are behind us. I am pretty exhausted as I have been cooking for about three weeks, ever since the day our power came back on. I am planning on taking a few days off to relax and re-energize. I have a lot of big plans for the year as they relate to my art career and January is starting off with a big bang. Eleven commissions, a show opening on January 22nd and sold out workshops in January and February. I can't wait!!!

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