SIMPLE LARGE EASEL IDEA - Another painting on the move

Here is another painting moving to Artfinder. It is having a wonderful response so far.

PARADISE BEACH
by Sea Dean
6" x 12" Canvas Wrap

VIew my online Gallery of large works and Limited Editions at ARTFINDER
View my online Gallery of small works at DAILY PAINTWORKS
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO and printed products here
Art Cards $5 and Art Postcards $3 here


SIMPLE LARGE EASEL IDEA

Because we artists are usually tight for space, we are always looking for ways to simplify our studio. Today as I was reading about the work of Karen Hale on ARTSY SHARK FEED (see the article here), I was struck by her simple and practical easel. I'm working on room in my studio to paint larger pieces and this is a great way to save space because there are no tripod legs in the way. It looks to me as if it is a basic flat leg easel, but not using the back leg and leaning it against slats of wood at practical heights.

I also love wall easels, but they are quite expensive and if you live in rented accommodation, or don't want holes in your wall, they are not the best idea. My usual technique with large paintings is to push the dining room table up against the wall, cover wall and table in thin plastic table cloths attached with push pins and lean the painting against the wall. I especially chose a narrow dining room table with adjustable legs so that it wasn't too far to reach across or too high. It's not a practical solution for long periods of time though.

Exclusive timed Silent Auction - LOT 2 - BIRD ON A WIRE - Banner App

LOT 2 - BIRD ON A WIRE
by Sea Dean
Mixed Media with silver highlights

10" x 20" x 3/4" Gallery Wrap Canvas
- painting continues around the sides

Value $450 
Current bid $50 (JM) 
Bid $55 or more

Please share


One day a few weeks ago, I was pondering what to offer my loyal fans and patrons to thank them for their support throughout the year. At the same time I was curating my new studio/gallery and peer collection. Space is at a premium so as much as I love art created by others, the studio/gallery is to exhibit own work not the work of others. Hmmmm!

Then I was inspired by a thought. Why not offer parts of my personal collection and some of my own work through a silent auction with low starting bids? Because I run the auction, I pay no fees and can pass on the saving to the purchasers. Once the idea was born I couldn't wait to set up an exclusive website and work out a bidding system. 

It's really very simple...

1. Visit the website, or come to one of my upcoming shows to view the lots.
2. Enjoy the work on offer (you can hover to see details or click to see a larger image with more details). Some is from my own hand and some is from my peer collection.
3. Choose which pieces you would like to bid on and click the link in details. 
4. The link creates an email so you can send me your bidding details.
5. As bids come in I update the website and my paper record to correspond.
6. On November 15th at midnight PST bidding ends. 
7. Winning bidders will receive an invoice from Paypal with the name of the work, your bid and shipping. Tax is included. Multiple items to the same bidder will be shipped together.
8. On payment your item(s) will be shipped within 3 days in plenty of time for holiday giving.

Bid on my exclusive limited time SILENT AUCTION here 
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here  
View my online Gallery of originals please visit DAILY PAINTWORKS


BANNER APP

Looking for a way to print a banner for my Silent Auction, I came across this handy blog http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2014/04/free-printable-letter-banners.html and this is what I printed. My Silent Auction can be found here and also see the paintings at the Lake Country Art Bazaar and Red Barn in November.

The starting bids are very reasonable, and who knows, if you put in a good bid you may win one of my works for a song.

Ref 13254

COUNTRY MOUSE - TOWN MOUSE - YOUR MOUSE

COUNTRY MOUSE Series I

TOWN MOUSE Series I

COUNTRY MOUSE Series II

Here I have some examples of my MOUSE Series I and II. They are available in Limited Edition ACEO format on my website here.

I am also currently taking bookings for the upcoming holiday season. You will receive a 6" x 4" completely original painting of a mouse created by me in my studio. Your choice of costume ... some ideas would be CHEF MOUSE - SAILOR MOUSE - FIREMAN MOUSE - PRINCESS MOUSE etc.

Choice of Character

If you are not in the market for a painting at the moment, I'm also taking suggestions for costume in comments at the end of this blog. I'm looking forward to your creative ideas.

MOSQUITO SEASON IS ON US - Natural Homemade Repellants - CRIMSON PETALS Rose painting

CRIMSON PETALS

by Sea Dean
4" x 6" Original OSWOA Postcard Mounted on sturdy expresso block ready to hang

To view my Galleryor purchase this painting, please visit Daily Paintworks
Shop for Limited Edition ACEO here

Homemade Mosquito Repellent Recipe #1:

Ingredients:

• 12 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
• 15 drops of Lemongrass essential oil
• 15 drops Citronella essential oil
• 15 drops Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) essential oil
• 14 oz Witch Hazel or Vodka (or even Homemade Vanilla Extract made in vodka)

Directions:
Mix all of the above ingredients in a 16 oz spray bottle and spray away!!

Homemade Mosquito Repellent Recipe #2:

Ingredients:

• 12 drops of Purification Essential Oil Blend
• 15 drops of Lavender essential oil
• 15 drops Peppermint essential oil
• 1/2 tsp. Vegetable Glycerin
• 3 oz Witch Hazel or Vodka
• 4 oz distilled water

Directions:
Mix all of the above ingredients in a 8 oz spray bottle and spray away!! 

Homemade Mosquito Repellent Recipe #3:

Ingredients:

• 10-15 drops Thieves essential oil blend
• 10-15 drops Purification essential oil blend
• 4 oz witch hazel or vodka
• 8 oz distilled water

Directions:
Mix all of the above ingredients in a 12 oz spray bottle and spray away!! 

The recipe that I use the most from the ones above is the Thieves and Purification one.  It’s easy to mix up, only takes two oil blends, is safe around pets, and I love the smell!
Have you tried making your own mosquito repellent? I’d love to hear other recipes that have worked for you!
And let us know if you try one of these recipes and it works!

Reblogged from
http://www.survivingthestores.com/homemade-mosquito-repellent.html

Cat # 13083 

BIG BLUEBERRY - 30 Paintings Day 3 - GIVEAWAY - ART PARTY TOP ARTIST AWARDS

BIG BLUEBERRY
ORIGINAL PAINTING BY SEA DEAN
4" x 4" Mini Masterpiece
(The shadow is bronze which is tough to photograph but looks great in the flesh)

On auction at Daily Paintworks

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me.

As soon as I saw Yuehua He's painting of Blueberries on Daily Paintworks it flashed into my mind to paint one really big blueberry. So here it is.

I adore blueberries and luckily they are good for you too. Blueberries do well frozen, so if fresh isn't an option, frozen is a good option.I've lived in places where Blueberries are plentiful and cheap, so at those times you can buy huge trays of them and freeze them for desert and breakfast for the rest of the year. Little pleasures like Blueberries can be enjoyed all year round.

I know an accountant that takes payment in Blueberries from a farm he consults for. I wonder if there's a farmer out there that would swap my painting for a case of the real thing?

PAINT A MASTERPIECE JANUARY GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway


ART PARTY AWARDS

VOTES HAVE BEEN TALLIED and it came as no surprise that Artists that posted the most paintings gained the most votes. I think purely because I organized the party and was there from the start, I had the top count. However, I'm not eligible, so here are the winners.

MOST VOTES SHEILA DELGADO - www.sheiladelgado.com/

JOINT RUNNERS UP - CAROL HOPPER - www.carolhopper.com PAM SCHOESSHOW - http://pamelajeannestudio.com

HONOURABLE MENTION KARIN NAYLOR - 30daystopaintinspiration.wordpress.com

When doing the tally I noticed that some paintings were more popular than others, so I decided to also make an award for that achievement. 

TOP PAINTINGS - HIGHEST COUNT - JOINT WINNERS

CHRIS LALLY for Let it Snow http://chrislally.blogspot.ca/2013/12/let-it-snow.html

BRENDA KAY for Snowman http://brendakaypaintings.blogspot.ca/2013/12/snowman.html

RUNNERS UP

SEA DEAN  – Mr Red the Nutcracker – Fine Art Tree Ornament

http://paintamasterpiece.blogspot.ca/2013/12/art-party-day-10-mr-red-nutcracker.html

SANDRA KAVANAUGH – Dancing Light,  

http://sandrakavanaughfineart.blogspot.ca/2013/12/dancing-light.html

NAN JOHNSON an Johnson - Reflections  

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/183516

Congratulations to all the winners. Please send me your mailing address and I will send you a collection of my Art Postcards. Thank you to all the Artists for their beautiful work and taking the time to join the party. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. Should you wish to run your own Art Party, Blog Link, Carnival, Gallery or another handy app provided by InLinkz, please use this link.   Proceeds go to support the next ART PARTY.

I would love to supply the winners with a badge link to place on their blog or website, so if anyone knows a badge making website, or knows how to write code, please contact me. 


Cat # 14002 Big Blueberry
9th day of Christmas

SUMMER HEARTS ACEO - SOMEONE ELSE'S DREAMS

FLASH PHOTO TO SHOW BRONZE HIGHLIGHTS

SUMMER HEARTS

ORIGINAL ACEO BY SEA DEAN
2.5" x 3.5"
On Auction

To view my Gallery or purchase this painting please visit Daily Paintworks. Larger originals or prints may be available by contacting me. You may also view ALL my available ACEO in my Facebook Gallery here.


SOMEONE ELSE'S DREAMS

"We get so caught up in what we’re doing that we lose track where we’re going. We settle into comfortable routines, instead of confronting the challenges our dreams demand.  Then, eventually, we lift our heads to the realization that the environment we’ve settled into leads to the answers to someone else’s dream."

This is a quote from Marc and Angel Hack Life 7 Questions You Are Too Scared to Ask Blog. Click here for the full version.

This phrase really hit home to me. It's so easy to get swept into someone else's dream or vision for how you "should" be. Not just people around you, but the media, world leaders, stars you admire, etc. But who are you and what are your very own dreams? It's worth some consideration!

As a girl I was encourage to "find a good husband", support his dreams and all would be well. I was brought up in the 50's when that thought pattern was still highly pervasive. The sexual revolution, contraception, emancipation, all had their effect and change continues to this day, but there are pockets, where old thinking still affects young women, even in our so called progressive western world. 

My heart goes out to all our youth, because you are the leaders of tomorrow. Don't be complacent, try to figure out your dreams early, because the decisions you make in your youth will affect your entire life. You have been given the power of choice, use it wisely.

Talking about hearts, I just received photos of two of my ACEO framed and hanging in my patron's home. Don't they look fantabulous! There is nothing like seeing your work appreciated and given pride of place. Thank you Shirley for thinking of me. 


And here is a reminder of the original images.