www.TerrieLeytonFineArt.blogspot.com

I'm in the process of redoing my blog name and it's look. 
The new spot is:  www.TerrieLeytonFineArt.blogspot.com and is partially set up now, but, should be finished  within a week.  Hope to see you there!

 

Riverwalk Stroll and Cruising on the River

A few months ago I joined the River Arts Group in San Antonio and now am hanging art in their gallery.   I thought some San Antonio type paintings would be appreciated and took a boat tour on the river downtown to look for interesting painting sights.  Here are two of my latest paintings: top - Riverwalk Stroll, and bottom - Cruising on the River.  Both of them painted in acrylic and they're 8"x10".  Both will be part of a 6 piece series.  While #3 Riverwalk painting is already started I've had to shelf it for a few weeks to finish up a painting for the Lulling Oil Museum's  "Reflection of Texas" art show coming up on Sept 9th .  The reception time is 2:00 - 6:pm.  Come join in the fun and be sure to check out both of the paintings that I'll have out there.  Hope to see you then!

Looking for someone to paint a portrait for someone you love?

Contact me at www.TerrieLeytonGallery.com and click "customer Service".

Brothers In Arms - A Family Thing

This is a painting of a father and his 3 sons, all in the military, at different times in their lives. The oldest son, on the right, died young in action. The father, third from right, was painted from a blown up 1 1/2"x 1" slightly blurry, black and white photo. The painting was a composite of different photos of the men and the military equipment that each used. I changed the lighting of 3 of the people in order to give the painting a more cohesive look with the light all coming from one direction onto the people and equipment. I put the flag enveloping the men to stress the patriotism and sacrifices the family has made for our country. This is a 22"x28" oil painting.

MORE FAMILY HEIRLOOM OIL PAINTINGS ARE ON THE WAY SOON!

It's really important these days, with families moving across the country to be where the jobs are and relatives spreading across the entire map, not only keep your family history alive, but to pass it on to future generations so the stories will remain strong long after we're gone. Stories are awesome, but, stories with pictures are so much better and a picture is worth a thousand words, so what better way to pass on a piece of your history than to do it with a quality work of art?
Right now I'm working on 2 more heirloom paintings and will share the results with you as soon they're completed and the customer gives their ok.

LATEST FAMILY HEIRLOOM PAINTING

This is my latest commissioned "family history" portrait painting. This oil painting is of the customer herself,in the foreground, years ago. Behind her on the left is her deceased husband in uniform is saluting a half mast flag in honor of a family member who had passed on. On the right are her parents in their wedding dress standing in front of a 1947 Fleetwood, Chev. In the Center, behind this beautiful woman,is a glimpse of her old family home, the water collection tank they had way back then, a field of the cotton that they used to pick, and their old Farmall tractor. Now, I'm working on another commission of a family bringing a load of cotton into a one of Geronimo's old gins.

COSTS OF CREATING A PAINTING

Several days ago a woman was telling me and another person that she'd had a show at a local hangout and sold quite a bit of her art (photography). I was surprised because art doesn't normally sell well in our town - unless it's marked down to $20 or less. This woman suggested that if I had a show there, marked my paintings $20. each, then I'd probably sell between 6 to 10 pieces and come home with $120 - $200 for the show - like that was a good thing! I had to hold my jaw to keep it from dropping to the floor. I put in a good 8 hours or more on each little 8"x10" painting - and even more time depending on subject and details. The cheapest canvas you can get is about $3. You have to prime your canvas - that's about $21. for 2 qts. Each tiny 1.25 fl, oz. tube of paint ranges anywhere from $6. and on up per tube. Then there's brushes and the more you pay for one the better and easier your work goes, but say you got a $6. cheap kids pack. Of course you need either Gamsol or medium if you're working on oils to thin out or layer your paint. That's $7. to $15.per small bottle. Then there's mineral spirits to thin your paint or rinse your brushes ($21.) and brush cleaner ($12.) to get out the tough stuff. If you're putting on a frame you'll pay about $15. at half price at Hobby Lobby and LOTS more at frame places, unless you go for a photo frame and then people look at your work like it's "cute". To make a living at painting you have to factor in marketing, office supplies, the fuel it took to get your materials, the electric for your lights and heat, etc. What about all the education that it takes to get to the point where you can sell your work? Now,minimum wage is $7.25 an hour - that not accounting for the years you've studied art(your promotions), but just straight out of the "box". Looking only at labor: $7.25 x 8 hours = $56. and none of the materials costs have not been factored in yet. Can you see why an original 8"x10" oil (or acrylic or watercolor, etc) painting should never be sold that low? An artist ruins the value of their work by pricing it too low and it's very, very hard to get it up to where it should be when you've underpriced your work. Hence the term "starving artist". I have to say that all last Summer I advertised 8"x10" single portraits of pets or people for only $40. Why did I do that? It was a promotional device to get people to notice and buy. There was a problem with that. The price was so low, that people didn't think they'd be getting quality work. Let's remember to factor in all the expenses and time invested before sticking a price on our work.