On Daily Paintworks Auction Today: "Red Onions"

Hi everyone. My gallery on Daily Paintworks is just chugging along. Sales for me mean I can paint more :-)...and that makes me happy. On auction today..."Red Onions" reference photo courtesy of Wet Canvas.

Link to the Auction

This is an original acrylic on 5 X 7 inch 140 lb watercolor paper.

PS: I do most of these works on 140 lb watercolor paper. Its tough, acid free and will last like forever. Besides those qualities it is easier to pack and to ship. Something novice painters should keep in mind, watercolor paper, even at 90 lbs will hold acrylics well. There is no need for canvas, masonite board or even canvas panels while you are painting practice pieces.

There's Always Something to Paint

I really enjoy painting deep space....the nebulae, some of which are just stunning. Last night, having no idea of what to paint I was surfing the net on my Ipad and came across photos from the Hubble telescope, one of which was the "Helix Nebula" nicknamed The Eye of God. So, left my Ipad open and painted it from what I saw on the screen. Here is my interpretation:

This is an 8 X 6 inch acrylic on canvas panel. Link to the Daily Paintworks auction: Eye of God

"An Assortment of Vegetables"

Coming up on Monday, July 15, this 5 X 7 inch original acrylic on 140 lb watercolor paper. I've become absorbed in vegetables and gotten away from the sweets...at least for a while. This is an acrylic that I used almost like watercolor. I love acrylics in that you can use them thick to resemble oils or thin to resemble watercolor. They are versatile, fast drying, clean up with soap and water and do not smell like oils do. If you haven't tried them, give them a chance.

Link to the auction: An Assortment of Vegetables"

New Daily Paintworks Painting "Tomato Salad"

A favorite work:

I've gone from candy to vegetables. This latest work is up on Daily Paintworks today. Its a 9 X 12 inch acrylic on 140 lb watercolor paper titled "Tomato Salad":

Link to the auction

Candy Apples for Two
(on the New Jersey Shore they are called Jelly Apples)

This 5 X 7 inch original acrylic on canvas panel will be up on auction on Daily Paintworks starting tomorrow. The image certainly doesn't show all the reflections and shading on the red apples. Somehow, scanning or photographing the color red is very difficult - at least for me.

Link to the auction for those who may be interested

I love to paint candy. My favorites are Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, M&M's, Jolly Rancher, etc. This is one up for auction right now on Daily Paintworks:

If you're interested in this little 8 X 6 inch acrylic you might be able to get your bid in at:

http://dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/137922

Some Chit Chat

I've been painting all my life. Its second nature to me. So when my neighbor told me she had started attending a painting class and wanted to know what medium I was using I kind of realized its not second nature to everyone. She began a class for oils and hated the smell and hated how it really didn't dry and wasn't very forgiving. I told her why not try acrylics since that is mainly what I use these days and she looked at me like I said a dirty word. No! They are not at all forgiving....my instructor said so. Well, to all those who think acrylic is cheesy, or unforgiving, or anything else I can tell you its a wonderful medium. As for drying quickly, you can stop that by keeping a spray bottle of water around and one other little trick that has saved me tons of expensive paint. I use a Sta-Wet Palette. It is a plastic box with a tight-fitting lid. It comes with a thin sponge on the bottom that you wet and then put a palette paper on top of that. Fill it with paints as you would any other palette. Occasionally spray it with water when you feel its getting too dry and always keep the lid on it when not in use. I go weeks and weeks with the same acrylic paint in that box. When you clean it, use some bleach to keep any mold from forming.

Don't be afraid to try any medium...watercolor, oils, acrylics, pastels, pencils, graphite. Each one has a charm and some magic all its own. If anybody is reading my blog and has questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

....and here's a graphite I did for a monthly offering from a group of artists who call this the Nibblefest Art Contest. On the 20th of each month we put an auction up on Ebay (the topic is different each month) and we start all of our offerings at only 99 cents. This month's topic is "portraits" so I did a scene with Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison from my favorite film "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir". This is a 5 X 7 inch on Bristol paper:

Link to this Auction

Enough Candy for Everyone!

I'm going crazy painting candy these days. I love the bright colors of the wrappers against the dark background. Also, it brings back childhood days when such treats were handed out. Here we have tootsie rolls and pops, M&Ms and Jolly Ranchers....Enjoy.

This painting is an original acrylic on 5 X 7 inch 140 lb watercolor paper. It will be up for auction on Daily Paint Works on May 13, 2013.

My Daily Paint Works Gallery

My New Kittens Are Now Four Months Old

Prince with a favorite toy

Merlin separating the morning papers.

Enough sad stuff!  It was overcast and looked like rain here all day...such days are fantastic for painting.  Just finished this one and it will be up on Daily Paint Works starting at midnight tonight! It is a 5 X 7" acrylic on 140 lb watercolor paper and its called "Sweet, Sweet Cocktail"

Click to go to my Daily Paint Works Gallery

I was really broken hearted over the loss of my precious companion, Angel. Eighteen years is a long time and I was so used to her just being here. I finally found a Blue Point Himalayan from a reputable breeder near Oceanside, Ca. I not only got my blue point...a male I named Prince, but I also fell in love with a seal point I named Merlin (aptly so for he gets in trouble at least a dozen times a day). Here they are at only 8 weeks old. The breeder took this picture and then I packed them up and took them home. We have been almost inseparable ever since. I love them dearly and though I still cry over the loss of my Angel, these two make the tears go away and make me feel better. The light one is Prince and the dark earred one is Merlin and they are almost 4 months old now...so I'll post new pictures of them soon.

P.S.

An alert to anyone in the Southern California area. Although I found and bought from a reputable breeder I originally tried to deal with a breeder in Corona, CA (Muffhyms Cattery). Please folks...don't go anywhere near that cattery or its owner! Find a reputable breeder and you won't be sorry.

Feb. 21, 1995 to Feb. 01, 2013

On February 1, 2013 my precious Blue Point Himalayan cat, Angel, lost her life due to kidney failure. She was just 3 weeks short of her 18th birthday. The light went out that day and its been bleak and lonely ever since. I miss her so much. I know she can never be replaced but I am looking for a Blue Point Himalayan kitten. If anyone knows of a breeder in the Southern California area, please let me know. Thanks.

Valentine's Day Soon

Something for Valentine's Day:

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?

Painting, Painting and more Painting

Its been forever since I posted here.  These days I'm back to painting almost full time. I try to keep my days uncomplicated but still....life has a way of rearing its head.

My precious cat Angel...who will be 18 years old in a few weeks is about at the end of her life path. Born with only one kidney, that kidney is finally beginning to fail her. I will miss her so much and giving her 18 good years is no consolation for me. I want to give her at least 18 more :-( So, please keep good thoughts for my Angel and hope that when she does pass on its a peaceful passing.

Here's a painting for today:
Luminous Red Poppies.
5 X 7" Acrylic on canvas panel.

Presently up for sale on Ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251217627794

I've Been Busy - Tatting Up a New Pattern Book!

My 11th tatting pattern book!

36 EASY ORIGINAL PATTERNS!!!

Angels, Stars, Snowflakes, Edgings (with corner instructions),
Bookmarks, Medallions and more!!

Check it out and order it if you want:

http://www.tattingjustforyou.com

Thank You Zenyatta

Something spectacular just may happen tomorrow, November 6, 2010. Superhorse, Zenyatta will go to the post in the Breeder's Cup and for the second time may have a good chance to "beat the boys".

I have so enjoyed watching this amazing animal. She wowed us with her 19 previous finishes, she amused us with her "Zenyatta dance" to the post. More than just a horse...she's a superhorse.

Whether she wins or loses tomorrow - I only hope for her safety on the track and wish her well in her well earned retirement. She's given the Sport of Kings so much...we can only hope that one of her offspring will carry on for her.

Zenyatta...thanks for everything.

Painting for today is Zenyatta - Look of Eagles

I Can't Wait for Tuesday to Come!

I think you all know what I mean. We've heard months of ads and debates for all parties concerned...we've been subjected to dirty laundry on all sides. At first the ads were all about what they wanted to accomplish (no details though) then they got to smearing each other...lately its mostly lies and exaggerations about each other.

Now, near Election Day 2010 its incessant....turn on the TV...political ads...turn on the radio...political ads. If you turn both off there is still the phone calls. Robot calls with the candidates speaking like your long lost friend when they wouldn't look you in the eye on the street before this time...and they won't after this time too! I think one of the worst things is having them interrupt you with robo calls all times of the day and being on the national do not call list means nothing! We somehow lost the right to not be badgered by political candidates!! If you are feeling brainwashed I'm afraid you'll have to suck it up till Tuesday night because even Tuesday they'll be calling you and offering to ride you to the polls. Saying you already voted (I vote in the morning) is not effective - they will act like they don't believe you! Thankfully, by Wednesday the ads will disappear and all you'll hear is acceptance and concession speeches over and over again. By thursday, life will start to return to normal...or as normal as it can get these days.

Election Day - can't come soon enough for me!

To those "trick n treaters" Happy Halloween!

Wow! Ebay.....FINALLY Something Good for Sellers

Jellybean Dreams

I can't believe that Ebay finally understands that it needs to give an automatic 5 stars to the seller's shipping cost star whenever he offers free shipping. The very idea that buyers - whether maliciously or by misunderstanding, were able to ding the shipping cost star when shipping was FREE made absolutely NO sense. I imagine the good folks at Ebay finally realized most sellers saw no legitimate reason to offer free shipping - they were still buried in the listings and could still get a ding on their shipping cost star even though shipping is free. Many realized that in having to raise their prices to cover shipping (YES buyers, shipping is NOT really FREE) they actually lost bids. Its nice to see someone at Ebay finally came to their senses however they were pushed into it.

Now, if they could just understand that telling buyers a 4.0 is okay while telling sellers a minimum of 4.3 will keep them in good standing......but, I guess THAT will take yet another three years!

Grannygoodpaint
happy to deliver some good news for a change ;-)

Some jelly beans all around?

Ebay - No! Where Else Can I Sell Online?

"Cats in the Iris"

Once people find out I have been selling online for years they always ask me about Ebay. Upon hearing about the "new Ebay" they are generally turned off from trying to list and sell there. Then I tell them about other online sites - and to my amazement, they are completely oblivious to the fact that there ARE other online sites except Ebay, Amazon and Craigslist. Maybe its time to set the record straight here...and I'll attempt to do just that. I'll be honest and tell you what I know and perhaps you will begin to see the large world of online sites where you can list and sell your items.

Bonanzle.com: - you can set up a free store there. I like the fact they have a little chat box right in your store so that if you are there you can chat with others. Its free and easy to list your items and you pay a small commission for anything that sells. You need to do some socializing and networking to get traffic to your site. This is generally done by visiting other sites and leaving messages for the owners.

Online Auctions.com: - you pay by the month for a store. It was $8.95 the last time I tried it. For the monthly fee you can list and sell whatever you like and as many listings as you like. This was a great site for interacting with the community but I could not make many sales there. I'm sure it was the items I was offering but it seemed to me there simply was no traffic other than other sellers.

Etsy.com: - this is THE place for handmade items, vintage items and art and craft supplies. For 25 cents you can list an item for 4 months - your store is free and you pay a small commission on your sales. This is another site that depends on how well you can interact with the community and network.

Overstock.com: - this was the site I felt could have put a dent into Ebay in a big way. There are two parts to this site - one is retail and the other is auctions....yes!, auctions - they seem to want to keep that part a big secret. I have done pretty well with auctions on this site in the past. I sure wish they would advertise auctions and let people know they are there. They're missing out on a LOT of revenue. Prices for listing are a bit lower than Ebay and, of course, you can accept cash, checks and moneyorders or any variety of money movers such as Paypal.

eCrater.com: - far as I can see its free to list and free to sell! They give you a store and you can list as many items as you like. I have yet to make a sale on the site. Perhaps I'm just offering the wrong items.

eBid.net: - I hit a sale and paid them $49.95 to be able to list there free for life. I can have up to 5 different stores going. I have two right now - one for art and one for other things....neither has made a sale. They don't seem to have as much traffic as is needed to make good sales.

Boocoo.com: - chances are you haven't heard of them. They are brand new, still in beta I think and listing is free right now. This site is owned by a variety of newspapers across the country. Its easy to list there and they give you a free store. I believe there is a small fee if you sell an item.

These are just some of the online sales sites presently out there. There are many others (Atomic Mall, ePier, SpecialistAuctions, PlunderHere, Blujay, Ioffer to name a few) that I did not include here. Those above are sites I've actually listed on and still list on many of them. So, when you feel you're trapped by Ebay's high fees and draconian policies why not give one or more of these a try? On most of them you can't lose anything but your time.

A little watercolor painting today. 5 X 7" Cats in the Iris

Sellers: Ebay.....Needs Your Help!

Life Cycle II

Yep, that's what I said, Ebay is soliciting the help of its sellers to sign a petition against the Main Street Fairness Act.

"The Main Street Fairness Act was introduced by Massachusetts representative Bill Delahunt on July 1, who said the bill was designed to help states "retrieve billions in sales tax revenues that are owed but currently going uncollected while providing long overdue relief to Main Street businesses by restoring fairness and competition to the marketplace."

Before you yell out "help WHO????" consider this, most online sellers faithfully collect the state sales tax on purchases in their own state. Under this bill sellers would be forced to collect state sales tax for almost ALL states! A horrendous job considering how many different states and counties within those states one would have to figure out.

There's another point to consider - this would let the tax people "get their foot in the door". I'm sure we all realize that once done, it will never be undone and the tax that is presently aimed at larger sellers will eventually fall deeper and deeper until it encompasses ALL sellers both large and small and will reach out to their own websites and into every site they list on until nothing can be sold on the web without paying a tax!

Most sellers simply want to throw up their hands and say they would never do anything to benefit Ebay. Plenty of them are and were being manipulated, squeezed for fees and treated like criminals by that site and plenty of them left because they could no longer profit there. Okay...Ebay is soliciting help to fight this - but YOU should sign the petition to help YOURSELF! Consider it folks...it does make sense. Hold your nose, close your eyes - do whatever is necessary, but sign up to fight against this. In the end if this bill passes it will boil down to just another imposition on YOU, the seller.

My painting for today is called Life Cycle II. Its an oil I painted and sold back in 1976.