KerryOriginals Gallery

New Work - Mr. Eye Opener

2012-01-29T23:33:00.003-06:00

Calling it done!
"Mr. Eye Opener" 12x16 inches, alkyd oil painting

New Work - High Nursery

2012-01-21T18:42:00.001-06:00

"High Nursery" 4x6 alky oils

See the ebay listing here;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140686736658?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

New Work - Gallant Run

2012-01-20T16:38:00.000-06:00

"Gallant Run" 4x6 alkyd

This is for sale and listed on ebay at
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140686045528?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

New Work - Rapunzel

2012-01-20T16:32:00.000-06:00

"Rapunzel in the Cold Stone Tower" 5x5 alkyds

Rapunzel-taur is currently listed for sale on Ebay at

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140685519784?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

New Work - Assman, Racehorse & Dog

2012-01-09T18:02:00.001-06:00

Here are three more new ones

"Assman" 4x6

"Ready to Run" 4x6

"A Friendly Host" 4x6

New Work - Unicorn Miniature

2011-12-31T01:54:00.000-06:00

I just finished this 3x3 inch unicorn and listed it on ebay. You can see the listing at www.KerryOriginals.com

I have a lot of new work coming out soon, including, 2 racehorses, a centaur, a pegasus, a dog, and, 2 more tigers.

New Work - Katie & Racoons

2011-12-20T13:55:00.003-06:00

These are two new works, a pet portrait, "Katie" 4x6

...and "Racoons" an ACEO

New Work - Tigers!

2011-11-29T20:47:00.001-06:00

I recently visited a big cat sanctuary in Bridgeport, TX, the Center for Animal Research and Education, or C.A.R.E. and got to see lots of tigers, lions, and, mountain lions! I decided to try to help out a bit (the only way I can) by painting and selling art featuring thier cats and donating half the proceeds to them. Here are the first two. Both are 5x7 oil paintings and are currently listed at auction or 'buy it now' on ebay at www.KerryOriginals.com.

"Dreamy"

"Intense"

New Work - Knight's Advantage

2011-11-23T05:27:00.001-06:00

This one has been in the works for a long time! Originally, it was done intended to be part of a mural project, which is why the original was painted as it was. A year or two later, I decided the painting had enough going for it to try and turn it into a better painting...which meant it would have to be completely repainted. The original composition was very cramped with all the figures touching or running off the edges of the panel, a fault that could not be fixed without starting all over from scratch with a larger board...but, I didn't want to start all over with it...just wanted to make it better with what I had. My solution, was to glue a linen liner to the panel that would add 2" all around, and, then paint the liner as if it was part of the original painting, thus adding a little more breathing space around the composition. See how it was done in this work-in-progress thread from Wet Canvas.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=925512

and here is the final painting;

...and some detail pics

New Work - Spring Herd

2011-11-23T04:53:00.001-06:00

"Spring Herd" 6x8 inches alkyd oils on Art & Enns panel. This is available for purchase HERE!

New Work - The Newest Spot

2011-11-17T16:50:00.001-06:00

Here's a new 4x6 of some appaloosas! Love those spotted butt horses!

On Selling Art

2011-11-17T14:08:00.001-06:00

Getting started selling art can be just as daunting a mystery for the expert artist as it is for the aspiring artist. We artists tend to dive into learning our craft heart, soul, and body...willingly and with great pleasure and satisfaction. We dream of being able to make a living off selling our art so that we can be totally and completely immersed in it.  Art consumes us and we can't get enough of it!   When it comes to selling that art, however, it is another matter entirely! How much of what you create is still stacked in your closets, overflowing your walls, stuffed under beds, and, foisted off on friends and relatives? If you are like many...many artists, myself included, there isn't room left for another single piece of art anywhere in the house, garage, attic, or, storeroom! Selling it all would be wonderful, but, it seems to be so hard, in fact seemingly impossible, to sell even one little piece of artwork.

Art just doesn't sell itself, unfortunately, no matter how good it might be.  Nor do those lucrative commissions just fall in your lap. If you have been trying to make money creating art, but, with no success, and, are becoming discouraged and frustrated, you are not alone! I have had several crisis moments when the lack of success had me ready to just quit! In fact, I actually did quit making art for 4 years because I was so demoralized that I couldn't sell it, couldn't even give it away!   (and, I really did try to give it away at the end of a very unsuccessful art festival...guy wouldn't take my best painting for free...just looked at me like I was insane and morally suspect, then walked away. Hmmmm. His loss! I did sell that painting for a nice price some time later!) I did finally start painting again, and once again, got to the point where I wanted to sell my work. Again I faced the same problem...how to sell what I do.

How do I get those commissions and how do I sell my non-commissioned art? I was focusing on selling online on ebay at this point and still, selling was eluding me. My work seemed to be as good, if not better, than work I saw selling for respectable prices, so, why didn't my work sell? Then I tried lowering my prices to compete with other artists selling work for ridiculously low prices, and, just got more and more frustrated as I still was not selling. Then , with my prices incredibly low at auction, hoping the work would be bid up to reasonable prices, I did sell one or two!   There was no joy in these sales. Actually I felt miserable because I sold good work that took me days to produce for less than a days wage! That is no way to sell your labors of love!

Again, it all seemed so hopeless and unrewarding, and, I was beginning to feel I should just hang it up and not even try to sell my art. I know many of you are going through this same thing, too, because I read your posts on art forums, blogs, and, facebook asking for help. I'm no expert in selling art myself, as I still struggle daily with making money from my creations. It just never comes easy for me, but, over the years, with help from many sources, I have learned some helpful tips on selling art that I would like to share here, hopefully to help anyone who is now struggling to get over that seemingly insurmountable hurdle to start selling thier art!

First off, Don't give up!   Getting started selling can be really tough. I know what you are going through because I was there, too.   For me, it helped to join an online art group that was dedicated to selling and self promotion. Other artists experienced in selling (this was for selling on ebay specifically but there are many such groups you could join for help or mentoring) helped me over those beginner hurdles and gave some very helpful tips and encouragement that got me going again.   Also, understand that art is NOT a neccessity for most people - even if it is for us artists! When the economy is bad, art is very hard to sell, but, not impossible. People love art, but, even when times are not so tough, most are not actively looking to buy art, so, we have to get out there and work at selling it.

    These are some very general guidelines on selling art based on my own experiences.

    To get commissions;
You need to get out and around the people you want to sell to. Go to horseshows, art festivals, ect. Set up a booth or just be seen sketching and painting in public areas...whatever it takes to get noticed by the people that will buy your art. Talk to them and ask about thier horse/kids/pets/ect and find what they are interested in. People will buy from YOU because they liked chatting with you and like your work, and...why not buy from you! When you find a topic of interest, ask them if you can paint/draw something for them.
Portraiture can pay well and keep you busy year around, but, you have to get out and talk to people, tell them you are an artist, show your work, act and look the professional, find out what they want/like, and...ask for the commission!
If you are not into commissions and just want to sell what ever you like to do, it is a bit harder, but, still works the same...show your work, talk to people...ask for the sale. When selling online, you still need to interact with your potential buyers by showing your work and telling about it in public forums, where your target clientel are, like FB, blogs, art forums, website, and, so on. Pimp your work in enough places on a regular basis and it will get seen and you will soon get a following of people who love your work...some of whom will want to buy it, too.

Some tips about pricing and selling.
*You need to set consistant prices on your work. If you have sold any work to date, use those sales as your basis to set consistant pricing for all your work. If you have not sold work yet, you can base your prices on what other artists that do similar work are selling for. There are many ways to set prices and it doesn't matter how you do it as long as it is consistant.
*Once you start selling, maintain your prices and don't lower your prices for special people or situations...this lowers the value of all your art, and, will upset your collectors when they see your work going cheap after they paid big bucks for it. What an art piece sells for in your studio should be the same when sold in a gallery, artshow, or, even to friends and family. Establish value to your art, by steadily increasing sales and prices...no lowering of prices (if you can possibly avoid it) and definately no yoyoing up and down.
* If you are selling well, you can increase your prices a little each year.
*Don't underprice your work. Never give it away or let it sell for less than a price you will be happy with.
*With art, the lowest price on the block does not usually translate into more sales. Trying to undercut the prices of other artists by selling your work for give-away prices can actually backfire on you. You may not make any sales because buyers perceive your work as amaturish, or, having something wrong with it...too cheap and you may not be able to give it away. Sometimes, raising prices can actually increase sales as some buyers won't even look at art if it is selling too low! (this is very true when selling on ebay)
* Selling art is not about the art! It is about the perception of the value of the art! People buy art because of its emotional value to them, or, intellectual value, or, even as an investment on your future greatness.
*Selling art for a price that is obvously too low, is obviously art that has no value. Pricing is a mind game...Show that your work is valuable and people will value it. Give it away, and, it will not be valued, or worse, will lose the value it already had.
*Don't give up on an artwork that just won't seem to sell. Just because it hasn't sold yet, doesn't mean it won't later. I've had work suddenly (seemingly) sell after languishing for months or even years. It seems just when I've about given up on them and start considering that big bonfire in the backyard, some angel art lover will buy it!

Don't give up! Just re-evaluate what you have and what you are doing now. Make changes. Keep learning, and, keep trying! Good luck!

More new work

2011-11-04T22:13:00.000-05:00

Here are some more newbies. These are available for sale on ebay at www.KerryOriginals.com

"Alabaster Beauty" 2.5x3.5

"Christmas Gift" 5x7

"Christmas Star" 4x6

"Spirited Black" 2.5x3.5

"Grullo Mustang" 4x6

WIP - Arabian Montage

2011-10-12T14:42:00.003-05:00

Just started this one yesterday. It is 9x12 and will be in color, but, I am sketching it in with black and white to start out. When I do these kinds of montages, I work them out as I go, so, there can be a lot of changes and adjustments along the way. I do not work with any reference materials at this point. It is just 'made-up' images...whatever I think might work in the composition. Later, when it gets down to the nitty-gritty, I'll pull out the anatomy books and ref. photos to improve the details and conformation of my horses. New updates to this work in progress will be added to the end of this same entry. You can click on these photos to see larger views.

First session oct. 12...

2nd session....oct. 13

3rd Session oct 14

Oct 20

Oct 21

New Work - Red Roan Pegasus

2011-10-12T14:30:00.001-05:00

I just finished this one for a swap. It is 9x12 on canvas.

Click HERE to see a slideshow of this painting as it was painted.

Here it is in its new frame, about to go in its shipping box.

New Work - Percheron

2011-10-12T14:27:00.001-05:00

This is not a totally new painting, just one that got a new facelift! I reworked the background mostly and added some more color and highlights to the horse and added more forelock.

2011-10-08T09:14:00.001-05:00

This is a new 4x6 painting...a little something for christmas! If it seems too early, it's because if I don't do it now, it just won't get done! I may use it for my christmas cards this year, too.
"Christmas Star" 4x6

It is available at www.KerryOriginals.com

2011-10-01T16:38:00.000-05:00

OK, I have ignored this blog for too, too long...ever since I discovered...yes, I... discovered facebook! Well, I feel I already have too much invested in this blog to just let it die, so perhaps out of guilt, I do intend to begin regular weekly postings again. Sorry I forgot you blog...it's all Facebooks fault!

So, to help get back up-to-date, here are some artworks finished during the blackout! All of the ACEOs (2.5x3.5") are shown life-sized. You can click on the others photos to bring up larger views.

"First Blooms" 5x7 oil on panel

"Tempest" 16x20 oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

"Golden Unicorn" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Defiance" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Red Hat Centauress" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Winged Majesty" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Windswept Unicorn" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Gypsy Dancer" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Heart of the Storm" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Stallion's Overlook" 12x16 oil on panel

"Donkey 1" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Donkey 2" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Nessus & Deianira" 8x10 oil on panel

"A Great Pumpkin" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Bay Beauty" 4x6 oil on panel

"Black Nightmare" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Black Snowflake Appaloosa" 4x6 oil on panel

"Blazed Beauty" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Blue Leopard" 4x6 oil on panel

"Gypsy Prancer" 5x7 oil on panel

"Halloween" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Headless Horseman" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Human Doll" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Modern Girls" 4x6 oil on panel

"On Top of the World" 5x7 oil on panel

"Pegasus - Down to Earth" 4x6 oil on panel

"Traditional" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Spooked Paint" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

"Sunny" 4x6 oil on panel

"Surge 2" 4x6 oil on panel (this was painted to replace the original "Surge" which was broken)

"Red Halter" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

New work - "Dappled Beauty"

2011-03-26T01:19:00.000-05:00

Now on ebay!

"Dappled Beauty" 6x8 inches oil

I also relisted this one for the last time on ebay...and at a reduced price! It will only be there until Mon. afternoon.

"Donkey foal" 4x4 inch oil

New Work - "Tavern Dancer"

2011-03-08T06:38:00.000-06:00

This is 6x8 alkyd on ABS panel

"Tavern Dancer"

New Work - "Faithful"

2011-03-06T02:54:00.002-06:00

"Faithful" 6x8 inches alkyd oil painting on Art & Enns panel

Patient and steadfast when wilder hooves would fly, with a spirit undaunted, but, bound in trust and love, he is beautiful, strong, and, faithful.

This new small format oil painting is available for sale on ebay HERE!

New Work - "Eboney" & "Nine Hearts"

2011-03-02T22:16:00.000-06:00

Here are two new ACEO oil paintings, 2.5x3.5" each.

"Ebony"

"Nine Hearts"

New Work - "A Dream Fulfilled" 12x16 oil on panel

2011-03-02T22:11:00.000-06:00

Finally finished!

Close-up images

New Work - "Red" & "Donkey Foal"

2011-02-06T12:53:00.000-06:00

Two new works using a limited palette.

"Donkey Foal" 4x4 inches oil on hardboard panel

"Red" 4x6" oil on Multimedia Art Board

Artist's Portfolio of Kerry Lynn Nelson - Thumbnails Page 1 of 12 |

2011-01-29T02:40:00.000-06:00

Artist's Portfolio of Kerry Lynn Nelson - Thumbnails Page 1 of 12 : "Artist's Portfolio of Kerry Lynn Nelson Azle, Texas USA - Thumbnails Page 1 of 12."

WIP - Sequel to "Market Dancer"

2011-01-29T00:39:00.001-06:00

Ha! I don't have a name for this one yet, so, I just call it 'the sequel'! This commissioned painting is a follow up to the last belly dancing centaur painting, "Market Dancer" and takes place 5 or 6 years later when the young apprentice centaur, having learned well from her teacher, is called for a private performance before the royal Caliph! This painting is still a work in progress and if you like, you can view the progression as I work on this from concept to finish here; WIP Belly Dancer thread

Here is a current photo of the unfinished painting. Please do check out the link above and leave your comments on the thread!

New Work - Hippocampus

2011-01-28T23:41:00.000-06:00

This fun little painting was painted as a birthday gift to my nephew Matt. He asked me for one last fall when I visited him and my sister. It was a late gift...my apologies Matt, but, I hope you enjoy it!

"Hippocampus" 4x6" oil

New Work - Forest Unicorn

2011-01-28T23:34:00.000-06:00

Mysterious and beautiful, a wily unicorn eludes discovery as he gracefully disappears into the forest cover. This oil on canvas was painted in a slightly more impressionistic manner from my usual as a 'relaxation and loosen-upper' after the really tightly detailed work I have been doing on the centaur paintings. This was a thoroughly enjoyable little painting that now needs a new home...I'm out of room here, ha! It is currently listed for sale on ebay and you can veiw the listing by clicking this link or go to the ebay sidebar, or, if all else fails, http://www.kerryoriginals.com/ aught to get you there!

"Forest Unicorn" 12x12 inches on 3/4" gallery wrap canvas

New Work - "Summer Paint

2010-12-29T18:33:00.000-06:00

This is one I painted over Christmas. Started just before, and, finishe right after! It is currently listed for sale on ebay at http://www.kerryoriginals.com/ .

"Summer Paint" 9x12 alkyd oil painting

New Work - Pet Portraits

2010-12-29T18:25:00.001-06:00

Here are a bunch more Pet Portraits from the Wet Canvas Swap.

"Cody & Kaylee on a Moose" 4x6

"Emma" 4x6

"Gateway Window Gazing" 2.5x3.5

"KC" 4x6

"Lacey" 4x6

"Maggie" 4x6

"O'Malley the Alley Cat" 2.5x3.5

"Sandy" 4x6

"Sweet Moo" 4x6

New Work - Pet Portrait Swap

2010-10-07T05:44:00.001-05:00

Here's another lot of pet portraits done for the Wet Canvas Pet Portrait Swap.

"Maisy" 2.4x3.5

"Oscar" 2.5x3.5

"Pepper" 2.5x3.5

"Pirate" 2.5x3.5

"Rose & April" 4x6

"Peppermint" 2.5x3.6 color pencil

"Armand" 2.5x3.5

"Bob the Fainting Goat" 5x7

Sketchbook - Cassie, Pronghorn, Cricket, Saddle Bronc

2010-09-21T12:53:00.001-05:00

This is our little pretzle-girl Cassie.

This is Cricket a yearling we had for a very short time before she was tragically injured and had to be euthanized. She was a sweet filly and a real beauty.

From a photo I took at a Fort Worth rodeo

a study of a pronghorn buck done for practice for the painting, "Fleet Pronghorns"

WIP - Market Dancer - Finished!

2010-09-10T17:34:00.004-05:00

This is a new commissioned centaur painting...a belly dancing centaur! She is a professional working the market with her two young apprentices to help collect coins from her appreciative audience. This will be 11x14 and loosely based on a ancient greece as the setting. I will update this same post as new work is completed on this, so, all parts of this WIP will be in one place.

The first 3 sketches are approximately 3x4" and were to work out a basic layout. I used color pens to define the differant parts just to make them easier to see...the color here is not indicative of what the final painting will be.

This is a full sized drawing working with the chosen elements from the initial sketches.

Here is the final drawing transfered onto a toned Art & Enns gessoed panel. We decided to go a bit larger so it would have a bit more breathing space, so, now this is 12x16.

Finished. Following are detail close-ups

Hope you enjoyed the WIP!

New Work - Pet Project "Crabby Cat's Jewel

2010-09-10T17:06:00.001-05:00

I loved this cat's coloration and that eye is such an unusual clear green! Oil ACEO

New Work - Pet Portrait Swap - "Hank"

2010-09-07T15:06:00.000-05:00

"Hank" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO/ATC

One more little painting made it to its new home!

New Work - Centaurs

2010-09-02T21:27:00.001-05:00

These two centaur paintings got forgotten, but, now I'll post them here!

"Baby Centaurfold" 5x7 oil

"Daughter of the Moon" 4x4 oil

New Work - Portrait Swap

2010-09-02T20:22:00.001-05:00

At this point I have completed ten portraits, but, only a few have made it to thier destinations yet! Some of these are going global with some going to Spain, England, Austrailia, Belgium, and South Africa...so thier may be a long wait on some of these! Here are the confirmed arrivals;

"Girls At Play" oil 2.5x3.5

"Leo - Son of King" oil 2.5x3.5

Such a gorgeous gypsy horse!

"Belle" 2.5x3.5 oil

I love a happy face!

"Sandy" 4x6 oil

Such an elegant beauty, I just had to paint her!

Most of these portraits will be ACEO/ATC sized, but, I will have a few 4x6 as well. Be sure to check out the other artists work here;

Gallery of Swap Art

Pet Portrait Swap!

2010-09-02T20:05:00.001-05:00

I joined in on the Wet Canvas Pet Portrait Swap for the practice in painting pet portraits, and, just because it sounded like fun! The swap is limited to 30 artists participants and each member sets up a gallery of thier own pet photographs for the other members to work from. Each member commits to painting at least one portrait for each of the participants and sending it to them. In return, each member should receive at least one painting from each member...paint 30/receive 30. It is a lot, but so far has been well worth it in experience gained, comraderie, and good art, seen and received! I will list my contributions here as 'New Work' as they are received by their recipients...don't want to spoil thier surprise by listing them too soon, so, I must wait until I hear back that their art has arrived. You can view the completed art here:

Final Artwork

This project will continue for several months, so, check back often to see the new work that has been added!

New Work - A Chance Find

2010-09-02T19:48:00.000-05:00

Here is the final version..finished, and, delivered...

WIP - A Chance Find (bathers)

2010-08-12T11:51:00.004-05:00

This has been an ongoing work in progress that is undergoing quite a bit of changing and correcting. Here is a progression of photos from the current state of the painting back to the beginning! I will update this same post as new work is added to this painting. In reverse order showing the full painting view...

The two above show the new face on the female centaur and a bit of refining of her body

New Work - Fleet Pronghorns

2010-08-12T11:15:00.001-05:00

I'm playing catch-up again! This was finished a little while back now, but, I am just now getting it posted here as a new finished work! Here are the final images of the finished painting;
"Fleet Pronghorns" 12x16 oil on panel.

WIP - Pronghorns

2010-06-11T11:31:00.002-05:00

I have this very nearly complete now. I need to go in and do a little cleaning up and some detailing on the pronghorns yet, then, just sign it and it's done!

New Work - "Marwari Pinto"

2010-06-11T00:50:00.001-05:00

"Marwari Pinto" 2.5x3.5" oil ACEO

This one is not totally new, but, with a few little dabs of paint I have given it a make-over and it is now better, and, newer than it was before! This is a Mawari horse, a breed from India that were the brave and trusted mounts of the royal families. They are also known for the unique feature of having ears that curl backwards at the tips giving the horse a very unusual (to westerners!) look!

Some detail images

New Work - Tending Crops

2010-06-02T01:22:00.001-05:00

I have a little catching up to do here as I have a few new pieces that didn't get posted to my blog! So, here are the new ones in newest first order!

"Tending Crops" aceo oil painting

"The Chase" oil 4x6

"Shiney New Shoes" oil 4x6

"Best Friends" oil 4x6

New Work - ACME Salestaur

2010-05-19T06:55:00.000-05:00

Even centaurs have to make a living! This hansome fellow really knows how to turn on the charm to make those sales. This normally skeptic home-maker is more than a little mesmerized by the unusual variaty of salestaff knocking on her front door!

Life-sized image 2.5"x3.5"

Close-up enlargment of details.

WIP Pronghorns 2

2010-05-08T05:15:00.000-05:00

Here's an update on this painting. I have gone back into the background and built it up with textured paint. I'm using alkyd oils on this with Liquin Impasto medium to add texture. Next up will be to establish all those legs and build up the background around them. Then I will go into the pronghorns and get them finished up with the textured paint, and, finally finish off the foreground. Here are picks of it as it stands today.

...and a close-up to show the brushwork

WIP - Pronghorns

2010-05-03T02:11:00.000-05:00

This is one I just started today, but, I have done a bit of researching and studying to get the anatomy down and to make sure I don't do something silly in my composition like make the pronghorns jump a fence...lol! (Pronghorns do not jump!) Anyway, this is just the start and even this drawing will likey undergo some changes before I get too much farther into this.

This was my intial sketch that inspired the paintings.. I'm not re-creating this in the painting. Rather, I am drawing a similar but differant image.

Here I started drawing onto my hardboard panel using soft vine charcoal. I then went over the vine charcoal with the hard charcoal pencil.

the finished drawing...

and, the roughed-ing under painting. More to come soon!

Sketches - Centaur Market Scene

2010-04-26T06:47:00.000-05:00

I finally decided to start working out some ideas for another centaur painting, this one with a market/bazaar theme. These intial sketches will be very rough, without details until I settle on the layout to paint. Once I have my plan, I'll work it up into a more detailed and exact drawing, but, for now, this is as much detail as it needs. This is about a 10x14" vine charcoal sketch. More to come as I work out varying ideas on this same theme. Any comments or suggestions welcome here!

New Work - "Black Elegance" & "Palomino Beauty"

2010-04-26T06:35:00.000-05:00

These are two new ACEOs now available for sale on ebay. Both are oils on multimedia art board.

New Work - Forager's Return

2010-04-26T06:30:00.000-05:00

I'm running behind in posting this one to this blog as it is finished, sold, and, long gone with it's companion piece, "Hunter's Return".

New Work - Hunter's Return

2010-04-15T00:12:00.000-05:00

Finally, I got one finished! His mate will follow as soon as I finish her, too, but for now it is just him. 5x5 inches, oil on multimedia art board.

On The Easel - update

2010-04-09T02:19:00.000-05:00

I worked on these two 5x5s a bit today...see, I did cloth them! Ha! I often sketch in my figures in the buff simply because it is easier to get the form right if I don't worry about clothes! Once I'm happy with how the bodies are looking, then I can decide how to dress them.

....and another short session and they are starting to take shape. I will have to go back over the backgrounds - they are just blocked in and need detailing yet. Long ways to go still.

On The Easel (or under it, or behind it, even nowhere near it!)

2010-04-06T17:11:00.001-05:00

I really have a lot of work in the works, lol! Sometimes I will start something, but then, set it aside to start on something else that just seems more important at the moment. Most of these I will finish at some time, although one or two could end up completely abandoned...or worse still...end up as a quickie palette to mix paint on and ruined forever with big globs of dried paint all over them! Here's the latest assortment, some actually getting some work done on them...

This centaur aceo is suffering for lack of inspiration at the moment...it may become a repository for dried paint glob..or, it might suddenly get a streak of amazing inspiration to save it!

This is Norman my sister/BILs deceased pet...must get back to this one!

I like how this one started, really will finish it sometime!

I like this one too, but, it has been languishing for many months now...hmmm. must do something about this!

Foxy Fae one of our cats...and a real struggle! Those eyes are still lopsided! Ack!

This appy if from the WetCanvas RIL and I really like him, but, I hate working from photos on the computer but my color printer is permanently out of ink, so.....who knows what will become of him!

These two really are currently on the easle! Now, I just need to turn this computer off and get back to painting!

New Work - "Desert Gallop"

2010-04-04T19:43:00.000-05:00

Here's another OSWOA oil painting, some arabians streaking across the desert...
4"x6" "Desert Gallop"

New Work - American Original

2010-04-03T00:28:00.001-05:00

This Morgan horse is a 4x6 oil on multimedia art board.

New Work - Domestic Bliss

2010-03-29T20:28:00.001-05:00

Hi, y'all! I'm back! I have something new...finally! More centaurs! No spring chickens this time, either. Granma and Granpa taurs in a quiet domestic scene where he is relaxing after a long days work, just mellowing out with some wine and music and she is keeping warm by the fire and catching up on some mending. This is a 9x12 oil on hardboard panel.

Art Supplies for Sale - Used Alkyds

2010-03-11T01:17:00.000-06:00

I'm selling off a few tubes of paint that I just don't use. They are used, but, in good workable condition. Here's a chance to try out some alkyds at a reasonable price! These 5 colors are enough for a decent limited palette of colors...just add white. See it HERE!

New Work - Fly Like a Bird

2010-03-11T01:04:00.000-06:00

ORIGINAL 2.5" x 3.5" ACEO OIL PAINTING

Galloping fast and leaping as high as he can, an energetic young centaur plays in a game of make-believe...to fly and soar above all, like a bird!

New Work - Mustangs - On the Run

2010-02-27T17:19:00.005-06:00

A herd of wild mustangs gallop for sanctuary over the side of a steep hill. With the future of America's wild horses in question, I find myself dispairing of thier fate, and, I am impelled to paint them (always a favorite subject of my art) once again, perhaps in an attempt to capture the freedom, beauty, and, dignity that our wild horses have always represented...at least to me! New 12x16 oil painting on hardboard panel. Just click on the title to see the Etsy listing!

Texas Tiller

2010-02-25T00:30:00.001-06:00

This little armadillo has been living under our deck for years and usually we just get quick glimpses of him and hear him rooting around at night. Today, he came out early and spent several hours foraging among the fallen leaves in the back yard. He was timid at all. I stood within 20 feet to take pics of him and he didn't even act nervous. Here are a few pics of the 50+ I took. Notice the scars and tattered ear. I think he had a run in with a coyote or dog. Most likely coyotes as there is a pack that lives in the field just out back of our house. We hear them howling at night when the pack congregates.

Note the tooth scars on his upper and lower shoulder.

Something tried to chew his ear off.

Digging....plowing the yard

Digging....

Going in deep!

New Work - Soldier Boy

2010-02-23T17:05:00.001-06:00

This is another centaur ACEO oil painting, a boy centaur playing soldiers with his trusty wooden sword and shield!

That is about life-sized and here is a close-up of the face

New Work - Beachball Babe

2010-02-22T06:05:00.001-06:00

This latest little centaur is another oil ACEO, just 2.5"x3.5". The detail image is much larger than lifesize!

Hot News! Artwork chosen for EBSQ Art of the Day

2010-02-13T06:09:00.000-06:00

How 'bout that! EBSQart.com picked my canine miniature "Howie & Sammi at the Beach" 3"x4" oil painting for thier art of the day! They are looking forward to summertime...no more snow! LOL!

New work - Puppyface

2010-02-12T19:01:00.002-06:00

This is a portrait of my sister's dog Howie as a pup. Oil ACEO on multimedia artboard.

This is close to lifesize of 2.5x3.5 inches. Here are two close-ups

Winter Wonder - Record Snowfall!

2010-02-12T18:49:00.000-06:00

It's been snowing! Snow is pretty rare here in the DFW area of north Texas. Usually we only get one or two snow/ice episodes per season and then usually just an inch or two at most. This snowfall dropped a whopping 13" in the day and a half of downfall! (And the city grinds to a stunned halt...texans can't drive in the snow! And they really should close everything down, which they do...LOL!) I didn't step out the door the entire time except to snap a few pics!

This is the welcome sign beside the front door.

...and the front door. These first pics were taken at 8am on the first morning of snowfall, feb. 10.

Oak branches

Viatec shrub in front of neighbor's big magnolia

Back patio. This is still the 8am shots. We had about 6" snow at this time.

backyard...yes that birdbath and trellis are leaning!

our car. Note the dark magnolia tree in the background. In photos of the next morning you will see all the broken branches around its base.

Later the same day, the crepe myrtle trees are starting to hang over the walkway.

Everything was coated in snow and it had that quiet stillness that only snowfall seems to generate.

I don't think I've ever seen this much snow on the ground here...ok, I know I haven't, LOL...it is a record high snowfall for the Dallas/Fort Worth area!

Predawn on Feb 11. The view out the front door...where'd the walkway go! The trees are so weighted down by the snow that they are laying almost on the ground now!

Digging out the cars...the cars had over a foot of snow on them this morning!

Here's that other photo of the magnolia I said to watch for! Notice all the broken branches.

The front door buried behind snowtrees...yes there really is a door behind that! My sister took these 2/11 pics. You can see her footprints where she had to plow under and through those wet, snowy branches!

Last photo, the oaks, azaleas, and shrubs in the front yard. Thanks for looking!

Updates

2010-02-09T04:16:00.001-06:00

I don't want to see another cake for at least another year! I've O.D.'d on birthday cake and icecream! My b-day was the 5th, but, we celebrated my big day on sunday and had a combination b-day/superbowl party, and, yeah...my team won! (usually, I think I jinx my fav teams by watching them, lol!) I still don't have any new work to show, but, I do have work in progress...two ACEO dog portraits, three small horse paintings, and, one centaur ACEO. I should have something new to show very soon.

I should hear from my printer any day now about the prints being made of "Anniversary Adornment", the new centaur painting. I'll be offering a very limited edition of only 20 signed and numbered 16"x20" prints on canvas of this painting. I'll repost here when these are available for sale and will be offering them for sale through my Etsy store, www.KerryOriginals.etsy.com.

New Work - Braiding Mother's Hair

2010-01-30T01:17:00.001-06:00

Finally it is done! this oil painting is 16x20. I will be offering a limited edition of 16x20 prints on canvas of this and will list them here and on etsy once they are available. Here are the final photos with some detail close-ups. You can click on the photos to see enlargements.

WIP - 16x20 Centaur Braiding - Part 9

2010-01-19T21:42:00.001-06:00

Almost Done! After being forced by a bad modem to stay off the internet, I managed to put quite a bit of time into this and have it very nearly completed! Whoohoo! There are a few things that still need finishing off and a few touchups here an there, but, the majority of this is done! I really had a blast painting this! Trying to come up with the interior of thier home, with all the decor and furnishings was very challenging and has been an evolution with many changes along the way. That archway and the pillars was by far the most difficult part and is still not quite where I want it, so, I may yet make more changes to the upper archway and the uppermost walls before I call this done. I replaced the framed painting and the oil lamp from the back wall. The painting was just too modern-looking and the lamp was too distracting by appearing to sprout from the littlest girls head. Finally, the mother is now holding a hand mirror and sporting the latest in upper class centaur fashion and accessories. Here are a bunch of close-up images. Click on the images to see enlarged photo images!

WIP - 16x20 Centaur Braiding - Part 8

2010-01-07T01:20:00.000-06:00

This is actually two sessions of painting on this, but, I decided the first sessions didn't show enough difference from the Part 7 session, so, I'm combining them instead. A lot of detailing going on now, especially on that back wall. I generally work from background to forground and left to right...when I'm not jumping around that is! Here is a pic from where I left off on the first of these two sessions, just the full painting image.

The rest of the pics are where this stands now.

WIP - 16x20 Centaur Braiding - Part 7

2009-12-31T02:10:00.000-06:00

Now I'm starting to paint! I have been putting a little time into this here and there as time allowed over the holidays and have done some decorating on the pillars and just in general cleaning up edges and defining the objects and shadow shapes. On the 29th Dec. I started painting the face and hair of the mother centaur. Faces tend to be very absorbing and require several seperate sessions using dry brushing techniques to build up opacity and detailing.

These two images show most of what I was working on on the 29, detailing the pillars and starting the face of the mother centaur. Sorry for the glare on the painting.

I also spent most of my time yesterday painting the same face and today, I also worked the stone floor, the rug, the side table and the legs and values of all three centaurs. I do a lot of skipping around when I paint, LOL!

Here's a close-up of the mothers face. This will get a bit more work, mostly on the details such as eyes, lips and jewelery, ect. I'm just starting to lay in the daughters features here.

This side table was just a bit to plain, lol! OK, I really had planned it to be a carved and inlaid table all along...I just wasn't sure what was going on it until I did it. Notice the dragon carving with taloned foot on the chaise.

This last image shows some of the flooring detail and the rug. Much more to be done on all of this, but, it is starting to get there!

Season's Greetings!

2009-12-24T15:56:00.001-06:00

I'd just like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season, whatever your beliefs, and, however you choose to enjoy them!

We are going to have a white christmas! This will be the first in 14yrs for the dfw area of texas! Here's the view out back.

New Work - Winter Stroll

2009-12-16T20:46:00.001-06:00

Finally something new to show! This is my first winter piece of the season...where did the time go! I had planned to have a whole series of winter scenes done this year, but, it just has not happened yet, and now, it may never get done...at least not this year! I'm dreaming of a white christmas, and this little painting may be the closest I'll get to that living here in central texas! Oh, it does snow here... usually 2 or 3 times each winter, but, I don't recall having a white christmas as long as I've lived here! So, I'll just paint a wintery scene instead...less shoveling to deal with, ha! This is an 8x8 oil on panel.

"Winter Stroll"

WIP - 16x20 Centaur 'Braiding' - Part 6

2009-12-03T06:46:00.001-06:00

I have spent a few days working on this and it finally has enough to show some progress. I spent most of this painting time working those columns, over and over again...why, oh why did I subject myself to not just a single pillar, but, to TWO matching pillars! Painting precise geometric shapes in oils, freehand, without masking is about as difficult as it gets, as far as I'm concerned. It is just so hard to get it right! Well, these pillars have come a long way, but, they still need a lot more work just to get the base shape and values right. After I am happy enough with that, I'll decorate them! Same goes for the archway and walls. I am starting to block in the colors now and some of the details. I won't get into the figures too much more until Iget the background closer to being finished.

Sorry for the wet paint glare.

I promise I really will give that poor child and her cat faces!

New Work - Lone Rangertaur

2009-11-28T23:52:00.001-06:00

This young centaur lad loves to play the good-guy with white hat, silver star and six-shooter, and, his favorite character to play; the lone ranger! This is an ACEO oil painting on birch.

New Work - Eat My Dust!

2009-11-28T23:36:00.000-06:00

Finally, a new one! I love the drama and excitement of horse racing, so, this is an ACEO of a thoroughbred kicking up a dust storm as he streaks to the front!

New Work - Three Amigos

2009-11-22T23:49:00.000-06:00

Here's a fun new ACEO of three black and white paint horses, one a tovero pattern, one tobiano, and the youngster an overo.

WIP - 16x20 Centaur 'Braiding' Painting 5

2009-11-20T14:55:00.000-06:00

Here's a brief update: I didn't get a lot of painting time on this and there is not too much to show yet. I did work the backroom and worked the color of the colums and walls. Made a change to the mothers arm, and, added a wall oil lamp with silver reflector. Over all I just did a bit here and there.

Sketchbook - More Centaur Sketches

2009-11-20T14:42:00.000-06:00

Here are two new ones in the centaur sketchbook.

WIP - 16x20 Centaur 'Braiding' Painting 4

2009-11-11T00:09:00.001-06:00

Today, I made a few changes to the background. I spent part of the day studying photographs of ancient Italian architecture and egyptian relics to get some ideas for the structure and decor of the rooms in this painting. It is not my intention to mimic any one culture, rather, to create a plausible sub-culture that might exist if centaurs were real and living among human cultures of the ancient times.

This family is obviously well off with a palacial estate and many luxuries. Here, the mother is having her eldest daughter braid her mane and help her with her dressing for a night out with her husband when he returns home. The youngest daughter entertains them with chatter and play. She and her pets find the occassion very exciting and festive and as a result is always getting underfoot.

I changed the doorway columns and wall structure and also changed the table and pictures on the right side. I thought they were just too modern looking. There will be a tapestry on the wall instead and an oil lamp on the wall behind the childs head. In the back room I added a fireplace with a cooking pot, and, will have a brick wall mantle above it. Floors are undecided, yet. I'm leaning towards brick and stone floors similar to ancient Roman architecture, or, my original idea of woven rugs...have to wait n see. Lots more details to be worked out on this .

WIP - 16x20 Centaur 'Braiding' Painting 3

2009-11-09T06:45:00.000-06:00

My next step is to paint a monochromatic underpainting to work out the values and lighting for this painting. This is not a step I normally bother with in my smaller work, but, this large, complex composition is purely fictitious with no reference outside of my imagination to rely on, so, I need the value study to help me work out these details.

This is painted in using just white and burnt sienna.

I added a little ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create some deeper dark values here for the back room and for detailing on the centaurs.

I am not finished with the value painting, yet...just had to quit for the day. I am not so much interested in creating every little detail in the monochromatic study, but, I do want to fully establish the lighting/shadows at this point and make sure it works well in the composition before I start adding color.

WIP - 16x20 Centaur 'Braiding' Painting 2

2009-11-07T05:24:00.002-06:00

I finally got back to work on this one! I don't have a name for it yet which is why I am using 'centaurs braiding hair', ha! I'll think of something as I work on this. I finalized the drawing (called a cartoon) by redrawing the various elements on tracing paper which allowed me to cut out and move elements around until I was satisfied with the composition. I then retraced it on a full sized sheet exactly how I wanted the layout on the painting.

Next step was to prepare the painting panel. I am using a new product by Art & Enns of Canada, a polystyrene panel claimed to last over a thousand years with no deterioration...like I'll be around to see if it's true, right? Ha! Anyway, I have been looking for a better painting surface for a long time and decided to try out a panel from A&E on this painting. I like how they are made, but, they do have a pronounced texture on them. It is not too bad, though, so I painted the surface with alkyd paint tinted with burnt sienna for a warm golden underpainting to help fill in the texture. I sanded that down and now am happy with the surface.

With the panel ready to go, the next step was to transfer the cartoon to the panel. I taped the cartoon to the panel and used a red transfer paper between the cartoon and the panel and then drew over the drawing on the cartoon using a hard ball point pen. Once finished I had a light red tracing on the panel.

It is very light and the fine detail was not transfered due to the panel texture. I know that as it was, I would lose my drawing once I started applying paint, so, my next step was to redraw the tracing using a Sharpie marker to establish a bold, detailed drawing.

I will make numerous adjustments to this as I paint, especially on the figures faces and legs. The background will get a lot more added to it also...I'm still considering how I want to decorate the rooms and the centaurs. This is how it looks now.

Next step will be to start applying paint!

New Work - Spirit

2009-11-04T02:07:00.001-06:00

Sweet natured and gorgeous, the arabian horse has a fire in its soul, yet unquenched and proud!

Life sized 2.5"x3.5"

"Spirit" oil on wood

Close-up images

New Work - Friesian Sky

2009-11-04T01:59:00.002-06:00

"Friesian Sky, original version"

Lifesized.

I must have known this one wasn't really finished when I listed it the first time on ebay. I didn't even finish this blog post for it, leaving a blank draft page instead. Before the new listing was even half through its first week offering, and, with no bids in sight, I had to go in and make some much needed improvements. The head was too large and coarse-looking with an overly large roman nose, and, worst of all, the eye was flat and dead-looking! So, I trimmed the length off the head and shaved down the profile some, then spent another half hour trying to put a spark of life in the eyes...not and easy task on such a tiny painting! Then I revised the ebay listing and sat back to see how it went. The auction ended and again, no sale, so I relisted for another week. Two days into this listing, I decided it just wasn't done...again! That head was still bugging me! This time I fixed it. With a straighter and more refined shape and a lot more detailing over the entire painting, it now is a painting I'm satisfied with...for now! Ha! Sometimes, I can get them right the first time. Other times, like with this little friesian painting, I have to keep coming back to it until it looks right!

"Friesian Sky" Oil ACEO 2.5x3.5"

Life sized

Detail

New Work - Bay Quarterhorse

2009-10-25T20:30:00.000-05:00

This is a new ACEO oil on Multimedia art board.

New Work - Red Unicorn

2009-10-25T20:25:00.000-05:00

Like vision from a fairytale, with a wake of golden glittering magic dust, a pale red unicorn canters across a floral studded meadow on rainbow hooves.

This new oil is 4x6" on Multimedia Art Board.

The rainbows have been painted with irridescent paint and golden crystal glitter to add a touch of magic to this unicorn painting!

New Work - Dancing Skeletaur

2009-10-25T18:34:00.001-05:00

This is a new centaur Halloween ACEO, oil on Multimedia art board.

Sketchbook - Painthorse & Arab

2009-10-19T20:22:00.000-05:00

These two are new in the book. Those thunder-legs just kept growing and growing...sometimes these sketches are a real battle, and, I don't always win...note the erasure marks, ha!

New Work - Sparring Bucks

2009-10-11T19:24:00.002-05:00

Golds and tans of the Autumn landscape frame a small clearing where two whitetail deer bucks test thier strength and cunning against one another while a mildly interested doe watches thier antics.

This one-of-a-kind small format artwork is suitable for traditional framing, and, it measures 5 inches by 7 inches. It is an oil painting on archival, 1/8" thick hand-prepared hardboard panel, and, is signed on the front, and, titled, dated, and, signed on the back.

Sketchbook - Komodo Dragon

2009-10-09T01:28:00.001-05:00

I love reptiles and have kept various sorts as pets over the years, but, komodo dragons...the big ones...give me the heebie-jeebies! They are so prehistoric and so coldly predacious...this was just a little 8 or 9 footer at the Fort Worth Zoo sitting under a log beside his water trough, watching me watch him!

New Work - Heading Home

2009-10-09T00:20:00.000-05:00

I started this one last weekend and spent all day today finishing all the final detailing. This is 6" x 8" oil on birch panel.

New Work - Break Away

2009-10-04T16:24:00.000-05:00

With a shrill, echoing scream of defiance at his human captor, Pegasus springs powerfully into the sky from the high mountain cliff! With strong wingbeats, he is soon just a glittering speck of white against a foggy mountain cloudscape!

I love to paint Pegasus! Leaping for the sky or soaring like an eagle, there is something so facinating about a winged horse! I try to paint my Pegs as if they could really be real! From skeletal anatomy to muscles to wing shape and size, creating a flying horse and making him believable is my favorite fantasy painting subject! This Peg painting is 5x7 on birch.

New Work - Headless Horseman, Centaur Halloween

2009-10-02T21:17:00.001-05:00

A young centaur lad is decked out in his dads old jacket and a candle-lit jackolantern to re-create his favorite spooky-season villan, the headless horseman. He's out for as much sweet treats as he can get, and perhaps, if he is lucky, to sneak up on that bratty filly next door to scare her silly! Looking out eye-holes in the shirt, and, with a snarley-looking jack-o-lantern, this headless horseman is a scary sight, indeed!

Art Show Entries "Rodents" on EBSQart.com

2009-09-30T02:42:00.001-05:00

When I saw the title and subject of this artshow, I just had to enter my two and only two rodent paintings! LOL! These are from a few years back now, but, they have been waiting for the right show...and here it is! Visit the link to see the show...voting starts Oct. 1!

RODENTS ART SHOW

These are my two entries for those who don't want to click the link;
"Western Treasures III - The Cache" 20x24 oil on linen

"Western Treasures 5 - Narrow Escape!" 16x20 oil on linen

(sorry this pic is so small, I'm missing my larger file. Close-up images can be seen on the show listing.)

Sketchbook - Zebra

2009-09-29T10:47:00.001-05:00

This zebra was another resident of the Grand Prairie Wildlife Park that I photographed in the late 80s. I don't know which zebra species this is.

Sketchbook - Longhorn

2009-09-29T10:44:00.001-05:00

This big longhorn steer was a resident of the long-gone, Grand Prairie Wildlife Park. I photographed him from my car while driving through the park back in the late 1980s.

Sketchbook - Geese from life

2009-09-29T10:39:00.000-05:00

I went to the local park to try and get some practice sketching from life. I managed to sketch these three geese, but, they didn't stick around long. We get a nice selection of domestic and wild ducks and geese at this lakeside park including mallards, grey geese, harlequins, canadas, and several others species I don't know. These are the ones that aren't afraid to be close to people. Other wildlife seen at a distance includes various egrets, red-tailed hawks, vultures and beavers, turtles, and nutrias. It's a nice place to sketch when it's not too crowded with people!

New Work - "Misty Dream"

2009-09-26T18:42:00.001-05:00

This is a little oil ACEO of a unicorn in a misty forest.
This is about life-sized...

...and a close-up...