SEA CLIFF
3.5" x 2.5" ACEO on Canvas Card
Mounted in soft white 8" x 10" Mat
Packaged in archival bag with backing board, perfect for gift giving
My cyber friend Bob Jones just finished biking around Southern Ireland. He has created a fabulous slide show of the trip which started when he left Anglesey. You can see it here.
The wonderful images of the cliffs of Mohr reminded me of the ACEO above which is currently available at ARTFINDER.
BLOWING IN THE WIND
3" X 8"
Mounted in an 8" x 10" Soft White Mat SOLD
This sweet painting is part of a series with figures that I would like to spend more time creating. Commissions always welcome. I would love to do some portraits in landscape like this.
I was told that the customer was ecstatic about her purchase and interested in several more of my paintings, so I hope she does return to the gallery. I think this painting really benefited from having a standard mat because the unusual shape would leave people wondering how to frame it. With the standard 8" x 10" mat it makes the choices so much easier.
TOPIARY
6" x 4"
Mounted in an 8" x 10" Soft White Mat SOLD
I thought my readers may enjoy seeing which of my paintings have recently sold. I've always loved this painting for it's brushwork and the gorgeous combination of spring like colors. It comes as no surprise then that it sold in the spring.
I had the rare opportunity of being in the gallery when the piece sold. The gallery owner had cleverly placed some of my matted small works on the counter facing the door. I was just finishing up a change out and chatting with Cathy, the owner, and a customer breezed in. She was a regular customer and had some framing to pick up. This little painting immediately caught her attention and she bought it on the spot for a friend.
The customer said she has a box for gifts and when she sees something appropriate for a friend she buys it and keeps it until a special occasion. A lovely idea and so much better than dashing out the day before a birthday and trying to find something appropriate.
SUNSET FARM GATE ACEO
3.5" X 2.5" Canvas Card
Soft White 8" x 10" Mat and archival clear bag $35
Framed in white as shown $50
Painting is on exhibition so contact me to purchase. If available, it ships within 3 days.
I went for a spring drive with a friend yesterday. The weather was a perfect 21 degrees celsius, the sun was out and there was a light breeze. Towards the end of the day my friend asked how many photos I had taken, (I was taking inspiration shots for local landscape paintings) I said a couple of hundred and when I checked it was actually over 450. When I've finished sorting and cataloging there will probably be about 10 of those that inspire me enough to paint without many changes, but there were many photographs of trees, plants and birds which will find their way into my foregrounds.
The little ACEO above was painted from one of my photo sessions. The inspiration photo was actually taken at sunrise. I saw the glow in the sky from inside the house, grabbed my camera and ran out and down the lane in my slippers and dressing gown. The sheep and cows in the fields by the lane seemed quite surprised. I managed to step in some horse patties on the way and got mud up to my ankles and ruined my slippers, but I think it was worth it.
My original ACEO can be purchased here
My limited edition ACEO, prints and cards can be purchased here
CALLA LILY SWIRL ACEO
2.5" x 3.5" in an 8" x 10" mat
This pretty painting would make a wonderful mother's day gift. You can either purchase it matted and packaged in an archival bag for $35 plus shipping, or in an elegant white frame. for $50 plus shipping. I quote shipping according to your postal code.
This is another painting that I really love. It is offset mounted on 8" x 10" backing board and ready to frame, although in this exhibition I have placed it in one of my new white frames, which looks spectacular.
The painting is an abstract mixed media using various types of ink. It is sold as shown with backing board and archival bag, perfect for gift giving. However, I can ship it framed for a small extra cost.
As this painting is on exhibition you may purchase by contacting me so I can check if it is still available. First come first served. I can swap the painting for another in the exhibition and ship in a few days. $60 with mat
Image is an example of how the painting would look lined and framed. I'm loving this mahogany plum and dove grey combination.
I sometimes purchase mats and frames from the Mat Shop and so they always send me emails. I was clicking around their website the other day and I found a great tool for seeing your painting with various mats and frames. This is useful when deciding how to present your work, but you can also download files and use them for marketing even if you sell your work unframed.
GRATITUDE ACEO 3.5" x 2.5" Canvas Card Mounted in a soft white 8" x 10" Mat By Sea Dean
A few astute readers will recognize this from a few days ago because it escaped while I was setting up the blog. However, you get to enjoy it again. I love the pop of those cerise colored mums. Have you ever wondered where color comes from in the petals of a flower? I did, so I googled it. They are of course natural chemicals. Flowers petals and their other parts have been used for centuries to dye cloth and thread and so when paint was invented a large component of it was these natural chemicals. Cave men also used different minerals created by grinding up rock such as ochre, oxide, cobalt etc.
Here is a simple experiment from Scientific American that you can use to find the chemical make up of flower petals or other organic matter. Fascinating!
WIND IN THE WILLOW
3.5" x 2.5" ACEO on Canvas Card
8" x 10" soft white Mat
Another reminder that spring is on the way. I used to live in a condo that overlooked a park and in the winter it could be bleak with snow and bare trees. The good thing about winter was that when the trees were bare, I got a better view of the lake. In spring one of the first to leaf out were the willow trees, fed by the spring run off and ready for the touch of sun. Willows have a unique yellow/green shade when they first get shoots and that is what inspired this painting.
My thoughts turn to the Impressionists when the weather starts to improve. I think it must be because they were the pioneers of "Plein Air" painting and as soon as the sun shone they headed to the countryside en mass. In summer they would visit the coast or promenade by the Seine, but in spring they all wanted to record the verdant sap green in the payesage.
IRIS PETAL ACEO
3.5" X 2.5" Canvas Card
8" x 10" soft white mat and archival bag
Perhaps a late spring flower, but this lovely lilac is certainly one of the colors of early spring. This diminutive painting comes to you in a standard frame sized soft white 8" x 10" mat and archival packaging. A perfect Easter gift for your favorite auntie or grandma.
I so want one of these. Now if only it had a pop up large easel. Also I think I would make the shelves deeper to hold all my paint and small canvases. I would also extend them down to the floor and put cupboard doors on so I could hide more paraphernalia.
This model is from W R Memory Keepers $195 US, but it could be a Christmas gift for you from your husband that he could easily build on Boxing Day.
I'm just in the process of making a large storage cupboard into my art studio to get away from disruptive reno mess and noise. I will have a sound system in there, large computer screen and shelves to the ceiling.
Hey Santa! A fold down table like this would be a perfect addition to my mini studio.
I do most of my painting on a desk, which isn't the best solution, but it's OK for small paintings. When my canvas goes over 24" x 24" I can no longer prop it up and access my paints, so I move to a portable french easel which takes up waaaay too much room. A better solution is the dining room table against the wall but not so good when you want to eat. I've seen wall easels but I think this would be much more practical.
ROAD TO HEAVEN ACEO - 8 x 10" Mat and Archival Bag - $35
This super cool semi-abstract piece, ROAD TO HEAVEN comes with an 8" x 10" mat, backing board, and archival bag, ready to file in your collection box or pop into a standard frame. I must say this mat makes this look like a very expensive designer painting.
Like all my ACEO, this was created on a small desk, so I'll have no problem creating more in my new teeny tiny studio. Will post pics when it's done.
Isn't she sweet? A little girl with a dandelion clock. When I was a child I remember many happy hours watching the seeds float away on the wind.
STORAGE SOLUTION
Artists always seem to have a challenge with storing their inventory. The usual solution is to slide it under the bed, but that space only holds a certain amount. Paintings and frames can get damaged easily if they aren't stored properly and it is often hard to find a particular piece. I've tried many solutions for tracking and storage, but this time I think I've hit on the best solution.
For the last month I've been busy mounting each of my small paintings in mats or on archival board. Each mat has a backing board and to this I have attached a short bio with my image. These are then placed in a close fitting clear archival bag and it is taped shut. Now the painting is protected and easy to view or mount. I love my new 8" x 10" mat packs because they are so practical.
I store my packaged paintings in banker boxes; the ones with the separate lids are strongest and easy to stack and store. When I need to restock a gallery, display my work for a client, organize a show or submission, it is all very simple. I store each size in a different box so they are easy to locate. The paintings can be flipped through quickly and I don't have to hunt through piles of work or worry about keeping them in numerical order because they are easy to see through the bag.
So the painting above is ready to ship. All I have to do is place some corrugated cardboard front and back and slip it into an envelope. Eh voila! Again it is easy to pop into exhibition frames, then remove and repackage after the show.
I'm in the process of designing a system for my larger paintings and I will blog about that at a later date. In the meantime you may purchase BLOWING IN THE WIND with the link below. The button will take you to my gallery page with more detail and submit payment section.
I was very pleased to see that the organizers are offering free hot chocolate to entice you to join us. Please stop by my table and say hi.
I will be showcasing my easy gift packaged originals. ACEO Originals, Postcard sized paintings in 8" x 10" Mats, Raw Edge Mounted 8" x 10" paintings. Easy to package, easy to ship, easy to frame, beautiful to receive.
To create the best experience possible for my customers, I have recently transferred all my ACEO Originals to mats. The originals now come mounted in either 8" x 10" or 5" x 7" polar white mats with a crisp white backing board, professional biography and archival bag. They can be easily displayed in affordable "off the rack" frames purchased in your own area, but your mailing costs are relatively inexpensive.
Perfect for gift giving and easy to mail.
CURIOSITY ACEO
WHY OWN A SEA DEAN ORIGINAL? 14 REASONS TO COLLECT SEA DEAN FINE ART
1. Each work of art is original and one of a kind
Each painting is a moment in time – a feeling, a thought, a hope, a dream; a treasure of an experience had once and never have again. No two people have the same experience with a work of art. When you receive the painting, it becomes yours and you begin creating your own moments with it – your hopes and dreams and thoughts and feelings. I initiate the piece, but you complete it.
2. I use the best materials
All my original works are created using the best canvas, paint and materials available.
3. Buy directly from the artist
When you buy a piece of art you usually only interact with the sales staff, or owner of the shop. You never get the chance to meet the artist, to inquire about your favorite pieces or ask about their process. But when you buy art directly from me, I make myself available to you! Not only do you get to learn about the piece you’re purchasing, but you can ask questions and get to know me. You’re not just a collector, you've met the artist personally!
HERALD OF CHANGE II - Raw Edge Offset Mounted 8" x 10"
All my "Raw Edge" paintings are now offset mounted and ready to frame. Such a pretty and unusual gift. HERALD OF CHANGE
4. Save money by going direct
My prices are based on the size of the piece, its complexity, the materials that I use, and how much time it takes me to research and paint. The price hasn’t been inflated by middle men. So you save money in the long run and receive personalized service directly from the artist!
5. You are not only investing in the art, but the artist
Think about it: we don’t hesitate to spend money on food, clothing and social activities, so why not invest in someone who has touched your heart and sparked your imagination? Professional artists like myself work hard every day to create amazing things and we can continue to do so with the support of our patrons. You are an integral part of the art world.
PASTEL SKY I with mat
Many of my 6" x 4" original paintings are now also available in polar white mat with backing board, artists biography and archival bag. An example above. I would be thrilled with such a lovely gift. Click here to see all my framed and matted works.
PASTEL SKY I
6. My work is constantly evolving
There is something for everyone in my collection – figure, animal, portrait, landscape, nature, abstract, etc., but I am constantly learning and evolving. My work moves through different phases as I find new materials and tools and delving into new arenas. If you like a particular series of my work, now is the time to buy because I might never create something like that again!
7. Recession? What recession? My business is growing … be a part of it!
My business has grown so much in the last several years and is more widely appreciated than ever before. I've lost count of the countries where I have shipped my work and my collectors continue to snap up my latest creations and commission unique pieces. Come share in my success!
8. The value of my work continues to go up
As my reputation continues to grow, the value of my art rises and will continue to appreciate over time. This means that any piece you purchase is an heirloom for you to pass on to your children and grandchildren.
WILD PINK FLOWERS Raw Edge Painting Mounted 8" x 10"
WILD PINK FLOWERS
9. If you aren’t satisfied I will refund your purchase price
You have 7 days to change your mind. If you are not satisfied, I refund the whole price. Just return the painting in the condition it was purchased. How many artists and agents can you say that about?
10. Art has been scientifically proven to help you to live a longer and healthier life
In a scientific study, people were hooked up to a brain scanner and shown 30 different world-renowned art works. They found that when viewing a piece of art that they enjoyed, blood flow increased to the brain by 10 percent, (the same as seeing a loved one!). The study proved that owning a piece of art that you love does more than just make you feel good, it can cause increased blood flow to the brain which helps you to think more clearly and improve your overall health.
11. You experience beauty and magic
Surrounding yourself with beautiful things helps express your creative self, which is why so many artists are also art collectors. Owning a Sea Dean original allows you to step into a world of magic and inspiration.
Should your artwork be damaged in any way, perhaps by careless movers or fire, I am happy to provide a renewal service, so you can continue to enjoy the piece for a lifetime.
Presented in a soft white 8" x 10" mat with backing board and archival bag.
Recently I read a blog by Dream Tolle Perry entitled "Who are you working for?" It is accompanied by a provocative poem, which sent me into thought. Click here to read it. Dreama's poem got me thinking about why I started to paint and why I'm still fascinated by the experience. I'd be interested in your views on this and more later ...
I originally clicked on Dreama's blog to see a peer approach something I have also painted (above). Life moves so fast and although this is a recent painting, I was a different person when I painted this jug, so I"m able to see it with fresh eyes. I ask myself, "What inspired me to paint this jug? What was I trying to convey?" "What does the piece actually say?" Then "What is not evident that would inspire, motivate and excite a desire to own this painting?
Initially I wanted to create a peaceful food related still life. French country evokes a relaxed and happy feeling in me and I love the sense of history in the rust. I think I achieved my goal, but how could I create more energy in another version? I would open the lid which would add angles to the composition and create curiosity about what it may contain. In another version I may intensify the blue of the jug and lighten and cool the tone of the creamy wall behind. In another version I may fill the jug with lavendar or blossom. That is the very reason an artist works in series, exploring different colours and lighting conditions, testing ideas and getting to know the subject matter.
Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh are two famous artists that loved to paint in series, continuing to develop their understanding of the subject matter. When you paint in series it not only gives an opportunity to learn, but offers the buyer many options. Some people love flowers, others love a certain colour or colour combination and others are attracted by an unusual viewpoint. Therefore painting in series gives both the artist and the art lover an opportunity to be inspired.
I think it unlikely that I will alter this painting, but I may very well paint more in the series and perhaps I will add a little of Dreama's blue to the mix.
I've been accepted for the COHA Exhibition "Expressions of Death: dying, grief and life after" showing in September at the Alternator Gallery in Kelowna, BC.
"The Central Okanagan Hospice Association (COHA) offers compassionate care, comfort, support and learning to those who are dying or grieving within our community. We all will die, yet the words, death, dying, died are spoken in hushed whispers if they are spoken at all. Through the denial of our death, we deny those around us the knowing of our wishes, fears, and hopes. We deny lasting connection in our final breaths. Through starting the conversation on living until death, we hope to create an atmosphere where to die is not to lose a fight, but an inevitable step on one’s journey."
This is the first time I've been accepted on the strength of a proposal for a conceptual piece, which is a step in the direction of public art submissions. My proposed art work is called CROSSING OVER. The piece is a sculpture based on my nest series, exploring a much loved area of my artistic life that I rarely play in. Stay tuned for more, as I develop the proposal and start construction. Yay!
I think this may be the only 2D nest that I have available at the moment. You can purchase it with or without a frame, but it is currently for sale on Daily Painworks framed and matted. Just contact me if you want to mount it yourself and save on shipping.
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
No, this is not some kind seance blog! I spent a happy few hours preparing a range of delicacies for winter enjoyment. Ginger Jelly, Crystalized Ginger and Ginger Sugar. Yum!
It was my paternal grandmother that taught me how to make jam. Before she married she worked in a grand house, like Downton Abbey. She was the equivalent of poor overworked and underpaid Daisy, a combination of scullery maid and under cook and for all the years I knew her she was a hard worker. She raised a family of 4 boys and 2 girls on a shoestring and she really was a pro at making something from nothing.
Whenever I'm in the kitchen making preserves, I feel as if my grandmother, is standing behind me, testing and tasting and giving gentle words of advice. Crystallized ginger really brings her close, because she kept a pot of the delicious and expensive treat in her private cupboard. This sounds strange, but when I was a child, a jar of ginger cost the equivalent of a days wages, so to her it was like a pot of gold.
Today I managed to make five jars of Ginger Jelly, 900g of crystalized Ginger and two jars of Ginger Sugar; when I calculate the cost, I saved about $30 and had a pleasant afternoon with Nana.
SYLVESTER by Sea Dean 3.5" x 2.5" ACEO Framed as shown
Sylvester is an ACEO I created after a visit to Le Marais, Paris. In a museum there was a collection of old metal street signs which were rescued when the whole area was demolished due to disease. As it was a Jewish quarter, they used signs to advertise their business. This sign may have been for an animal doctor or a ratcatcher. I loved that smirk on his face and those round eyes so I'm thinking more likely it was a ratcatcher sign.
I chose to frame him to match his amber eyes and rusty fur and he is available in my Daily Paintworks gallery.
SYLVESTER
by Sea Dean
3.5 x 2.5" Canvas Card
Matted and Framed
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
