Last Day of the Year!

I hope everyone of you have a safe and happy New Years eve - I have been blessed with family and friends all week long.
My show in Cohassett ends on Thursday ... It's been a fun couple of months.
I have done a lot of tiny dog portraits and am gearing up for the 30 day  challenge- Leslie Saeta (this is her painting of the buoys) did this last year and it prompted me to paint the little gratitude paintings. I recommend looking at her blog - there are so many artists doing this- you can surf the blogs for hours! I see lots and lots of dogs and it really inspires me.
                                   
Thanks for sending me emails with photos of your dogs - I plan to attempt all of them.
I mostly want to focus on heads and shoulders- and good clear photos preferably taken outside are the best to work from. I'm finding that some dogs are easier than others but I will do my best.

The 6"x6" original  paintings will be $125. There is no pressure to buy your dog's portrait but you will have first refusal... 

I can make   4"x4" reproductions mounted on blocks like the ones above for $50.
Happy new year!

Sophie 4"x4" acrylic on canvas

This is Sophie. She is a rescue from Paws New England and was in a Missouri shelter. She is one lucky dog- my sister-in-law's family in Easton adopted her. It was a gift to the family yesterday- so fun to give!
Hope everyone had a great day yesterday. It was really fun here- lots of family crammed into my house. Loved it! Feeling blessed.

"Intention" Challenge piece

The January challenge theme for my girls just wanna paint group is "intention"

I was thinking of doing a painting of someone meditating, as I intend to make that a daily practice- beyond  my meditative painting time, but I also plan to do another "30 paintings in 30 days" challenge and I have decided to paint dogs.

SO!

 here is a cute sad eyed puppy-6"x6" acrylic

 found the image on google- I love painting puppies and proud of it!

Here is my studio in last weeks magical snowstorm.

And my penquin nativity ....

more snow please! 

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

I think  the week before Christmas is my favorite. We have snow on the ground which makes it feel so festive. Temps are rising, and we might not have it on the actual day- but that makes travel easy for all the families and friends. Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season.

I'm thinking ahead to the new year and plan on a series of something for 30 days- considering  flowers again....and of course want to continue the gratitude series. January is great for that.

Ornaments for 2013

It certainly is a busy time of year! The ornaments are selling well and I am glittering like mad!

The Marshfield ones are available at  the Marshfield Hills General Store, the Green Harbor General Store ,Olivia Rose and The Corner Cafe in Marshfield.

The Pembroke ones are available at the Pembroke Public Library.

 There are only a few Carver ornaments left and if you want one please contact me directly. They are all $15. each and are being sold as fundraisers for a few organizations.

Happy Holidays!

Here is Cathy Fitzgerald and Cynthia Bachman helping glitter! Sparkly wonderful women these two!

Tweaked-

I could not get the cow to look right. Its not easy to do a part made up- part from photo- painting. The brown and white cow wasn't working so I put it back to being a true brown cow, Maybe it's clearer now ( a few folks thought the bird was poking out the cows eye- the ear looked like the eye)

I painted over n most of the squiggles and dots...

before...

wreath-

Perhaps this is too Easter-ee but I felt like painting a rabbit.I  cut it with my scroll saw out of a piece of thin plywood. Multi purpose!
This is for the James Library wreath fundraiser for tomorrow's arts and artisan sale.
Tonight there is an opening for Lisa Daria- her amazingly lovely daily paintings. Not to be missed! As well as Lisa Howard's local pottery opening tonight. So much going on...

I need to get this up on Pinterest. I sure look a lot but haven't posted there- yet!

"Cattle Egret" 8"x8" acrylic

This months "GIrls Just Wanna Paint" challenge is birds. See all the other girls paintings here.I wasn't planning on painting this  but it sort of just happened. In Hawaii there are cattle egrets all over the place in the pasture. I'm sure the cows find them annoying but they are fun to see sitting on the backs of the giant gentle beasts.

"Local Party" 12"x12" acrylic on stretched canvas

My third and last of my "local pottery" series. They are beautifully framed and will be for sale at  local pottery opening december 6. Hope you can come!
Also- I have a new website!
http://www.sallydean.net
We have been working at it- check it out!

Apache Blessing

May the sun bring you new energy by day, 

may the moon softly restore you by night, 

may the rain wash away your worries, 

may the breeze blow new strength into your being, 

may you walk gently through the world and 

know it's beauty all the days of your life.

-- Apache Blessing

Thank you for being here for me to send gratitude and greetings to on this blog.

Knowing you are out there reading this has kept me inspired.

I wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving

and  Happy Hanukkah 

Or simply a wonderful day of simple gratitude.

Local Kitties 12"x12" acrylic on canvas

Another piece for Local Pottery...

( recognize the pottery here?)

I had so much fun with these!

I had two cats growing up- the black and white one was Pebbles ( who lived to be 21!)

the other one was- you guessed it- Bam Bam. 

Waiting for tea...12"x12" acrylic on canvas

Getting ready for the next show- I have three paintings and some greeting cards going to Local Pottery- the opening reception is December 6. If you live near me and have yet to go to her studio/showroom you must- Lisa's work is amazing! Open all year,the pottery studio is transformed for the holidays into a sparkly treasure trove! She also has several other artisans work for the show- and the seconds sale is a great way to get pieces too. Stop in Friday night for a little nibble and say hi!

Girls Just Wanna PAINT!

     Last night was fantastic! Thanks to all who made it out. The show is up till Dec 18 so check it out!

opening at Thayer TONIGHT!

Once again! And there is going to be classy nibbles and sips!

Map below. Hope you can come and meet the GIRLS!

I did this for a friend who is undergoing treatment. I am sending out wishes to  people dealing with the  horrors of natural disasters, and to those near me fighting illness- too many lately.

Girls Just Wanna Paint!

This is going to be a fun opening- 12 artists- hope you can come!

Also the North River Arts sale is still going on today- lots of great  art at amazing prices!

Veterans Day

Thank You to all the Vets today. And EVERY day.
Ive been painting faces on rocks. A long time ago I painted faces on wooden spoons and sold them on the streets of San Francisco and Seattle. Talk about living hand to mouth!
I'm selling these this weekend. and bringing 25 small paintings- to the North River Arts Annual sale.

Gratitude #144

I do love my purse...but

I sort of wish sometimes I had  to carry a only a wallet around in my back pocket like guys- unencumbered, free.

However I might need my

sketchbook

watercolors

assorted pens

sunglasses

chapstick

lipstick

nailfile

movie stubs

library card

gum

hand sanitizer

dog eared receipts from god knows where

postcards of art shows I want to go to

postcards of my own art show

squished granola bar

packaged toothpicks from restaurants

keys

phone

I remember seeing an episode of the talk show "Ellen" where they do this thing called "whats in your purse"

randomly selected audience members have to dump out their purses in front of a national audience. 

Hysterical but a tad frightening what we gals cart around!

Gratitude # 143

                                       There are so many uses for these! I love finding them.
                                        I used this one to brush the eraser dust off the paper.

Gratitude #142

Last nights opening was wonderful- I feel so blessed by the family and friends who came out. My sister was a big help and the frames made by my husband are bee-youtiful!
THANK YOU!

Now I can relax a bit...

Ps. I google searched for "art openings" and this image is from the website "how to get free drinks" LOL

Going the other Way 20"x20" acrylic on cradled panel (WIP)

I'm posting this unfinished piece as it clearly illustrates  what I'm feeling today -
My opening is tonight (6-8 PM at the Paul Pratt Library in Cohassett)and all my pieces are a little left of center and out of the box- but I feel positive and good about it all!
The show is up through January 2 .

Gratitude # 141

Boy - the temps dropped suddenly and now it's dark an hour earlier! I know many of my friends are struggling with this. It's pretty abrupt. Why do we keep doing this to ourselves here?
My best defense is heat and light - candles, fires in the fireplace, and pajamas. Extra soft fleece blankets too. Embrace it.

The yoga retreat was amazing. It was in Ogunquit, Maine, at the Beachmere Inn, right on the Marginal Way. I had never been there before!

We had yoga, massages, acupuncture and great food. Wonderful people. I made a cairn on the rocks, we saw shooting stars. What a treat! 

Here is the link if anyone is interested- a great value and worth every penny!

I am going on a yoga retreat this weekend with some new and also old dear friends.

This is the first time I have ever been on anything like this and I am very excited. I just refreshed my eye pillow with lavender and flax seeds.

Namaste!

In other news, the flowers are still blooming outside!

Happy Halloween and Happy BOSTON!

My painting for the GIRLS JUST WANNA PAINT challenge- 

6'x6" acrylic on panel

the theme was "make up!"

My kids back in the day...


and last but not least- GO SOX!!!!!They won the world series- first time at Fenway since 1918! WHOO HOO!!!!

Getting ready for my show

I am installing my show at the Paul Pratt LIbrary in Cohassett , MA in affiliation with the South Shore Art Center. The Show runs through the end of the year.

My opening is Wednesday, November 6 from 6-8 PM.

My husband has been working hard on the beautiful floater frames for these pieces. I am so happy with how they came out! 

Gratitude # 140

We have been having the most beautiful fall ever! Day after day of brilliantly sunny days. I love the gathering in and together that occurs in this season- possibly my favorite season of all. I love the pumpkins and apples , thinking about savory stews and delicious roasted delectables. I'm about to take a long walk in a nearby woods. I   really don't mind the short days- more reason to light candles and get the jammies on.Winter is coming - I love being inside my studio on the cold and sometimes grey days.

Yesterday I was lucky to be able to participate in a workshop at my favorite store Native- these guys from Oaxaca, Mexico came with their tools to demo and share the  brightly colored animal painting techniques. I am working on an elephant. I am sure that the pattern making will be showing up in my work to come! It's was a really fun and lively group.

Gratitude # 139 Oak leaves

crunch crunch crunch!

Perfect Day!

The weather could not have been better!

Thanks to all who showed up yesterday- it was great to see you. This was one of my favorite shots of the day.. the jazz band was wonderful and these little girls were loving it!

Fox at Night 24"x28" acrylic on canvas

As I was driving home a few nights ago I glimpsed a fox crossing the road. 

Hope to see some of you at Hingham Arts Walk!

HINGHAM ARTS WALK

8th Annual

Sunday October 20 from 12-4

NORTH STREET STUDIO

featuring: Page Railsback-- Barbara Gifford-- Ruth Jensen--Kelley MacDonald-- Paula Villanova--Sally Dean-- Nancy Colella

LIVE MUSIC 1-4

Harbor Jazz Trio

North Street Studio is on North Street- yellow house
across from the Robins nest ( about 5 houses after the Tosca cafe on right heading towards the square.) 

Coming Soon!

I am working on some 5"x7" greeting cards- and will be selling then at the Hingham Arts Walk next Sunday, October 20.
Hope to see you there!

My favorite artist and birthday sharer

                             

 

 "I never get tired of the blue sky."

Vincent van Gogh   

(1853 - 1890)
 Influential 19th century artist

Upcoming Events

HINGHAM ARTS WALK

8th Annual

Sunday October 20 from 12-4

NORTH STREET STUDIO

featuring: Page Railsback-- Barbara Gifford-- Ruth Jensen--Kelley MacDonald-- Paula Villanova--Sally Dean-- Nancy Colella

LIVE MUSIC 1-4

Harbor Jazz Trio