Happy Fall :) Shoe Sailing Mice

 

This year at Shenfest, the local frame shop, Get Framed, is holding a "Saddle Shoe Art" contest in honor of Chuck Offenberger, the saddle shoe wearin' columnist from Shenandoah, IA. Each entry must contain saddle shoes :) I thought this was such a fun idea and couldn't resist taking part.

We are so excited about fall! turning leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters and scarves, crisp air and cloudy skies, butternut squash soup, yellow fields, candle light and cozy nights!

These little mice are enjoying fall to the fullest!

Sailing by the Light of the Moon

Inspired by a lovely sailing adventure with my husband and brothers. 

Lots of waves, splashing, crashing

tumbling over, tumbling over

If only the lake's surface wasn't so hard

more like clouds in fluffy mounds

If only the water wasn't so wet

jibing, flying turning left

sailing into the midnight air

moon shining brightly, pulling, ducking

now its calmer way up here

bailing stars and calming fears

like a dream... dream... dream...

 

Chalk Stock Festival

A couple weekends ago I participated in Spirit Lake's 2nd annual Chalk Stock festival hosted by A Piece of Work art gallery. www.apieceofworkinc.com
The chalk work started at 6:30 am as artists lined Spirit Lake's main street sidewalks. We had until 4pm to finish our designated square(s), then the judging began!
It was a perfect semi-cloudy day with no rain which made the work pleasant. I had a great time socializing with other artists and watching each one complete their square.

I chose to draw a paddle fish, a prehistoric-looking fish that used to live in Lake Okoboji, a neighboring lake where I was staying with the entire Groves family. Last year on our Groves family vacation I came across the Chalk festival and kept all the information to enter the following year. This was a much anticipated event!

 

In a crazy fury I finished my squares (4' by 8') It was so fun! The judges then came around to determine the winners. There would be a first place, $300, second place, $150 and then four $50 categories: most original, best portrait, best landscape, and most 3-D. I was hoping for first or second place, but I won for most 3-D. Woo hoo! That was great, and I am looking forward to entering again next year.

I was just emailed a sneak preview of the Chalk Stock festival poster! The koy fish on the left near the bottom won first place and the "mad trio" musicians on the top left corner won second place :) You can click on the image of the poster to make it bigger. Enjoy!

Sign #4 MR & MRS KEMPSON!

This board underwent many changes in the creative process. I did several sketches before beginning the illustration. I began by dressing the foxes with a tux and gown in a "wedding cake topper" pose. I thought they looked very unnatural, like humans with fox heads, because they were wearing to many clothes. So I began undressing them so that they could be free! I gave the groom a yellow tie (like the one Jordan will be wearing) and a veil and bouquet of flowers to the bride. I wanted to capture the fun and movement of "An Outing for Foxes" so these two are either running to the ceremony or running from it about to embark on a new life together :)

Creating these boards was so much fun! I am so thankful for the opportunity and I hope that the future Mr and Mrs Kempson are blessed by them.

Chalkboard #3 CEREMONY

I have never ever ever done a chalk board this way! I think it was because my friend Buffy was in the studio with me working on a watercolor, so I was thinking about watercolor. I have never fully drawn out a chalkboard before coloring it! I usually color, draw and create all at the same time. 

With watercolor I have to think and plan and have my drawing completed before I paint, so maybe that process just carried over. I also erased and resprayed this chalkboard 3 different times in the initial stages before I finally got it drawn out. Whew! It feels good to have it completed :) 

I lugged this board to Sara's studio in Des Moines and worked on coloring in the words and branches there. We had such a wonderful time of fellowship and creativeness! It was a busy day, so I didn't finish this board until I was at home and worked until 2am. I have had some late nights! I think this is my favorite one so far. Btw: These boards (RECEPTION and CEREMONY) are bigger than the WELCOME board and measure 19'' by 38''

Chalkboard #2 RECEPTION

"Reception" masked off.

In progress, creating as I go. I didn't plan this one out.

Animals enjoying lemonade, strawberry shortcake and pie at the reception.

Back to the ol' drawing board.

I have a new project to work on the next couple weeks, I am returning to the chalk board! Some friends in Indy commissioned me create a series of chalkboards for their wedding. I am excited about this project and am especially looking forward to the next 3 boards. The couple suggested that I portray them as animals after seeing an "Outing for Foxes"...as long as the bride isn't a turtle :) I am looking forward to putting my watercolor characters on a chalk board. 

Today I finished this 15'' by 34'' WELCOME board. Can you find the little welcoming snail? He is all dressed up and very excited to attend the wedding and enjoy the reception with all the other woodland creatures.

Please click on the image for detail