New "Great Tit" Painting - Watercolor Art

I just finished this "Great Tit" bird watercolor painting.  I am back working in the schools as a social worker - my summer is officially over.  So now I'll be burning the midnight oil to get my painting done. Also, my dad just had surgery AND my water heater blew a gasket and flooded my kitchen floor.  So my house is completely torn up.  And yet, I paint.  It's been a crazy July!  So much so that I took a little trip to the North Caroline mountains.  Visit my travel4zen blog to see some pics!

Click on the painting to see the listing on Etsy.  If you would like a print, click here.

Be sure to follow me at www.twitter.com/rachels_studio for tips on how to pick good pictures for a reference photo!

I also offer an online "Learn Watercolor" blog.  It's $30 for 3 months and it's mostly videos.  It's like watching me paint over my shoulder as I explain my process.  Message me if you're interested in joining!

My first day of summer = a perfect painting day!

It's official: my summer has started!  I work as a school social worker, so I have the summers off.  While I LOVE my "real" job, it's so wonderful to have a change of pace and completely focus on my art, family, and fun!  Today, I'm working on two commissions, a cat painting for a special project, editing my videos for my "Learn Watercolor" blog, planning for a trip to Hot Springs, Virginia, and playing chase with my cat.

This painting is for a special 'secret' project.  If it works out I'll share more details!!  I've been videoing the entire process.

This is for a commission.  I've videoed the entire process of painting this guy and will be putting it on my "Learn Watercolor" blog.  I've got three other paintings videoed in their entirety, complete with my explanations as I go, posted there.  If you're interested in joining, message me!

Another cat commission, newly started!

I recently complete this guy, and videoed him for my "Learn Watercolor" blog too.

Be sure to follow me on twitter to learn tons of watercolor tips, art resources, and see latest creations!

Here's one of my upcoming adventures; I'm going to the "Jefferson Pools" in Hot Springs, Virginia.  Thomas J himself took the waters here, and I will too, soon!  It looks much the same as it did in his day, and although it's not fancy, it's a fun way to experience some history.  To follow my travels more closely, come visit me on Twitter at travel4zen.

My trip to Japan...

As many of you may know, I recently went on a trip to Japan.  If you didn't know, you should follow me on Facebook or on my two Twitter accounts Rachels_Studio or Travel4Zen!  To watch all the videos of my trip (and there are more coming) visit my Travel4Zen blog!

New Forest Painting - Nature Art!

I just finished this piece - and already sold it too - I had started it over a year ago and it got lost in my other projects, and then someone emailed me asking if I had any forest paintings so I finished this one just for her    : )

Prints are available by clicking here

What would you like me to paint next?  I'm doing a song bird right now.  Maybe more birds?  Hmmmmmmmm.  What are you working on?  Send me a comment : )

New Racehorse Watercolor Painting - Racing Art!

Part of the fun of painting is the opportunity to get a glimpse into other people's lives, and have a share in it, even if for a short while.  My relationship with the future owner of this painting, Doug, began several years ago when he contacted me to do the first painting of his winning horse, Sassy.  Not normally a gambling man, Doug was desperate; his daughter was ill and he faced mounting medical bills that he had no way of paying.  After much research, he took his last bit of savings and bet it all on the chestnut you see in the painting above.  She won and Doug was able to pay his daughter's medical bills.  Sassy was their hero.

A couple years later I received a surprise email from Doug again.  He shared that he had found out that Sassy was up for auction, and not the good kind either.  After a bit of a bidding war, he bought Sassy and saved her from certain death.  Now they were mutual heroes!  I love to tell this story and I love to be a part of it, even if in a small way, by commemorating Sassy and her amazing story through my art.  I hope you enjoy the painting!

New Applehead Siamese Cat Art - "Applehead in Repose" Watercolor Painting

This is a new painting I did of a picture I fell in love with on Facebook. I love the delicate look in this kitty's eyes.

This is available on my website by clicking here. Be sure to contact me if you want a different size or would prefer a giclée.

Come Visit Me!

March 23-24 I'll be participating in Open Studios, an event hosted by 701 Center for Contemporary Art  in Columbia SC.  The event is free to the public and is a great way to get to know local artists, who will be opening their studio spaces (including me).  Come visit!  

DATE AND TIME
The event is from 10am - 6pm on Saturday, March 23 & 12pm-6pm on Sunday, March 24.

PRICE
This event is free for the public.

You can also download the entire guide off the 701 CCA website so you can plan your route for visiting the other artists' studios that strike your interest: 
http://www.701cca.org/2013-columbia-open-studios-guide/  

For any other FAQ about 701 CCA Columbia Open Studios, visit:
http://www.columbiaopenstudios.org 

Spread the word! Invite your friends to the Facebook events!

Columbia Open Studios Preview Party, March 21:
http://www.facebook.com/events/453444471364782/ 

Columbia Open Studios, March 23-24:
http://www.facebook.com/events/160212477450109/


Hope to see everyone there!

Online INFORMATION

 

701 CCA Open Studios Website w/guide and map: 

http://www.columbiaopenstudios.org/

 

Online Interactive Map: http://www.701cca.org/map-columbia-open-studios-2013

 

Online Program Guide: http://www.701cca.org/2013-columbia-open-studios-guide

 

701 CCA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/701CCA

 

Twitter Handle: @701cca 

Here's a commission I just finished.  I love how the eyes came out!  If you'd like to purchase a print, click here.

New Friesian Horse Watercolor Original Painting of a Yearling

I LOVE the Friesian horse breed. I recently went to an event in Charlotte, NC called a keuring. Judges come all the way from Europe to judge the horses. They decide whether or not the horses get listed in the official Friesian registry, and it's a big deal. To judge the younger horses, they let them loose in the arena and they frolic about - it's a great photo op! This boy was showing his stuff - blissfully ignorant of the importance of the moment. Isn't he gorgeous?

I have both prints and the original available.  Click here for more info.

New Watercolor Painting of a Friesian Horse "Friesian Show"

This is the second painting I did from the Friesian Keuring that was held in Charlotte, North Carolina this year. Be sure to view my post about it that I made earlier!

This is a available as a print, giclee, and an original.  Click here to inquire or here for the original.

To buy a print, click here

Watercolor Painting of a Black Cat - "Boss II"

Once in a while I have to give in to the luxury of painting my own cat. Here is the latest of the one, the only, Sadie! Isn't she cute when she crosses her legs like that? She is SO in charge.

Click here for purchase info!

Here's a link to the print

You can also purchase from my website!

Painting Distractions

I think I'd get a lot more painting done if it weren't for my cat ; )  The real fun starts at :30
 

New Watercolor Painting of a Tabby Cat "Carlos"

This is a watercolor I did of my friend Karin's cat. I met Karin online when I contacted her to paint her beautiful Siamese kitties. Since then, I've traveled to Costa Rica and Europe with her, and even met her cats in Switzerland. She's great to travel with, since she knows FIVE languages!!!  We're hoping to go sailing in Greece next year. This is one of the many ways my art has enriched my life, through the wonderful people I meet! And isn't her cat Carlos adorable??

If you would like to purchase  this print, click here

New Figurative Watercolor Painting "Lauren and Alex"

This is a watercolor painting I did of my friend Lauren, who's also a talented artist. Alex Powers is one of my favorite watercolor artists, and he had a show in Columbia, SC. Thus the title "Lauren and Alex". What could be better, a painting celebrating two of my favorite painters!!??

This painting is available by clicking here
It can also be purchased off my website by clicking here

New Original Cat Painting of a Tabby "Boots" pet portrait

This is a new watercolor painting of a tabby cat. He's another new friend I met on Instagram. There are so many gorgeous cats on Instagram I don't even know where to begin!!!

To purchase, message me or click here

I do offer pet portraits (and people too!)  Just message me.

New Watercolor Painting of a Tabby Cat - Pet Portrait "Tabby and Friend"

Here's a painting I finished recently of a tabby cat I met on Instagram. He lives in Brunei!!!

To purchase this, message me or click here!
I paint pet portraits.  Message me if you'd like me to paint for you : )

New Watercolor Original Painting "Granada Diners"

A few years back I went on a trip to Costa Rica - my adventurous friend Karin and I decided we needed a little more excitement, so we hopped a bus to Nicaragua.  Sometimes when you take a risk the reward can be great, and this time the prize was the wonderful town of Granada - allegedly the first European settlement on the American continent.  The buildings are crumbling, the people are friendly, and the digs and grub are cheap!  This is a painting of a couple backpackers in a restaurant.  They told us their hostel was $5 a night.

To buy this painting, click here or message me!

Covering Ground - a new foxhunting art painting

This is my latest foxhunting painting.  I have the original, prints, and giclees available!  I borrowed this image from the wonderful photographer Russ Cross at https://www.facebook.com/russ.cross2 who described this scene as:

"The Hunt is Quorn, in the heart of the Midlands the county of Leicestershire and is probably the best hunting grounds in the whole of the country", the country being England.

Eiffel Tower Art - A New Painting!

In the book "The Secret" a whole chapter is dedicated to the power of art and how it can bring new energy into your life. After reading this, I decided to create some paintings to bring more travel energy into my life. This is one of my first pieces in this series. I hope it brings positive energy to all who choose to live with this art!

This is available as a print, Giclée, and the original!

New Cat Original Art Paintings!

I've been painting a lot of cats! My latest addiction is Instagram, an app on my smart phone. There are TONS of adorable cats on there just waiting to be painted!

@kittycaster on Instagram

Click here for the print or here for the original

This is the cat of one of my eBay patrons.  His kitty was so beautiful and had such a compelling story I couldn't resist!

Click here for the original and here for the print

@lblovvorn on Instagram
Click here for the print and here for the original

I'm rachelsstudiodotcom on Instagram if you want to follow me : )