You can have YOUR caricature done too! You can see from the caricature above, I do kind renditions.

A small black and white caricature is only $25. An 18″x24″ color caricature is $125

Or have a regular portrait done.

A traditional color portrait painting begins at $300. Click here to learn more or email your request to me now at colleen@colleenreynolds.com

Thanks for visiting my blog.

And on the art front:  I have at least three paintings swirling in my head, asking for brush and paper. But I’m in the house-keeping mode right now with the biz. “They” say every artist should spend about 50% of the time creating art and the other 50% doing the “biz of art” – Sigh. I must admit, the housekeeping part is not my fave. But I have to pay for that studio, those frames and art supplies. So accounting, paperwork and marketing are a must. When I get all rich and famous, I’ll hire it out, eh? Sigh.

On the good side, though: calendars and cards are shooting out of the printer, three newly framed paintings are hanging on the wall. I’m really quite pleased with the ripped edge, floating mounts, and in one case colored mat. Gasp! She put a non-white mat around a watercolor painting, you say! Daring do, indeed.

Here are the newly framed paintings. Two of them are gracing my Christmas cards. Did you get one?

Winter’s Dawn, Watercolor, 6″x8″, framed with floating mount in 8″x10″ frame.

“Pyracantha”, watercolor, 6″x8″, framed with floating mount in 8″x10″ frame, $225. This painting is part of my featured artist sale at Reuel’s Art and Frame in Holladay, Utah for  Buyer will receive a complimentary HAND GLITTERED note card, with purchase. Jus’ sayin.

“Dream the Dream”, watercolor, 6″x8″, framed with floating mount in 8″x10″ frame. Part of the same sale at Reuel’s for $225. The sales lady thinks this one will go fast.

Reuel’s has already sold two of the four original paintings in the show… so if you’re interested, you might want to get there soon.

The Reuel’s show is located at
1931 Murray Holladay Rd
Holladay, Utah
(801) 278-4931

These are the other three paintings available in the show.

“Peony” watercolor, 8″x11″ image, framed with floating mount to 12″x16″ silver/gold frame, $300

“In the Rose Garden” watercolor, 8″x11″ image, framed with floating mount in 12″x16″ silver/gold frame, $300

“Quail Lookout”, watercolor, 8″x11″ image, framed with floating mount in 12″x16 brown frame, $325

As always, the photos are nice, but the paintings look much better in person. A camera just can’t quite capture all the nuance.

Right, back to work. I have calendars and cards to get in the mail. Thank you everyone for you orders. I’ve pushed past 30 orders for calendars this year. Yay! Best year yet!

Despite the absence of my blog in the “ether-sphere,”  I’ve been very busy since my last post. I have participated in a half a dozen shows, held an open studio, sold a few paintings, been to two painting workshops (in California and Utah) and even managed to win two honorable mention awards! In between all that I’ve met dozens of “new-to-me” amazing people and artists. I’m now in the middle of fulfilling holiday card and calendar orders. Want to join in the fun? See the details on my 2012 calendar selection here.
These are two of the holiday card images I’ve printed this week.

“Mountain Spruce” watercolor painting, SOLD

“Snow Cones”, 5″x8″ watercolor. Painting will be featured at my Reuels Art and Frame “Artist of the Month” show in February 2012. It framed up beautifully. Jus’ sayin’.
“Mountain Spruce” sold and the new owners want the image for their Christmas cards this year. Thank you, Shelane and Brett!
You may note that one of the images, “Snow Cones” is also the front cover on my “Branching Out…” calendar. Normally, I have a policy of not printing cards unless the original painting has sold, but during the holidays, I make an exception. Any image is fair game for holiday cards.

Now it’s time to get back to work. Thank you for reading my blog. All comments and suggestions are most welcome.

“Is There a Problem?” watercolor on hot press, 12×16.

Compare to first stage.

As you can see I have come up with at least a temporary title. What do you think? Any other suggestions?

I started by masking off the white, then doing an all over pour. Because of the size of the paper and board, I had quite a mess! Next time I should take it outside to pour, huh? I like the random splashes and soft blending of the color. All the “pours” I’ve studied are done on cold press paper. I quite like pouring on the slick surface of the hot press. Anyone else out there ever tried it?

After the pour, I went in with my brush to paint in puddles. I really wanted to keep the splashy energy and looseness I felt from the pour. I tried to let the existing colors tell me how to interpret the birds’ feathers and not to be “tight” and literal.

In the end I made up the pond after discussing an intermediate stage with my artist bro. I wanted to bring out what I consider my focal point with some dark, darks and Asian-style grasses. What do you think is the focal point? Let’s see if I pulled off my intention.

“She Had His Full Attention” 19.5″x29″

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. I appreciate all comments and suggestions.

This one has a working title of “Tasting Candy.” I’m not sure that will be the final title. This little girl was trying out my friend, John Waldrip’s, custom yard furniture. I enjoyed how her blouse and flower brought out the orange in the chair. The chair is John’s “Candy Chair” design, hence the painting title. Check out John’s amazing Carefree Furniture on his website, or pay him a Saturday morning visit at the Salt Lake City Art and Farmer’s market at Pioneer park. I’m debating whether the painting is finished or needs some more work. Maybe a few finishing touches? Any suggestions? Okay, look at the second image. Did it get better? Hope so, ’cause now there is no goin’ back now. Ha!

I’m not sure what to title this one yet. I couldn’t resist snapping a couple of photos of my kitties catching the morning sun from the windows. I combined several photos to come up with this composition. I incorporated the “golden ratio” to position my focal point as part of the teaching process. I may need to bring out my focal point a bit more, and the “supporting cast” needs quite a bit more attention.

Thank you for taking the time to share my process. Feel free to leave me a comment or suggestion.

Here is the signature piece for the show, which I’ve dubbed: “Life in Bloom” – A solo Exhibition of works by Colleen Reynolds. At the University of Utah’s Hallside Gallery, August 1 – 31, 2011. See directions and contact info below.

“They Discussed It Over Snap Dragons” acrylic, 36″x24″ $1200

“Berry of Marion” acrylic/oil, 16″x16″ $650

“Blossom of Apple” acrylic, 16″x16″ $650

“Me Mums” acrylic/oil, 10″x10″ $400

“He Decided to Sit and Reflect” acrylic, 24″x36″ $1200

Okay, that’s enough of a teaser (for now). I would be seriously honored if you have a chance to stop by and see my show. It’s not often an artist gets to fly solo.

University of Utah / School of Medicine / 30 N. 1900 E. Salt Lake City, UT 84132 Rm#AC115 – 801.587.3435. The gallery is on A level C wing, room 115, of the School of Medicine, which is at the back end of the University Hospital. It is within the Medical Graphics office spaces.

Here is the signature piece for the show, which I’ve dubbed: “Life in Bloom” – A solo Exhibition of works by Colleen Reynolds.  At the University of Utah’s Hallside Gallery, August 1 – 31, 2011. See directions and contact info below.

“They Discussed It Over Snap Dragons” acrylic, 36″x24″ $1200

“Berry of Marion” acrylic/oil, 16″x16″ $650

“Blossom of Apple” acrylic, 16″x16″ $650

“Me Mums” acrylic/oil, 10″x10″ $400

“He Decided to Sit and Reflect” acrylic, 24″x36″ $1200

Okay, that’s enough of a teaser (for now). I would be seriously honored if you have a chance to stop by and see my show. It’s not often an artist gets to fly solo.

University of Utah / School of Medicine / 30 N. 1900 E. Salt Lake City, UT 84132 Rm#AC115 – 801.587.3435. The gallery is on A level C wing, room 115, of the School of Medicine, which is at the back end of the University Hospital. It is within the Medical Graphics office spaces.