I paint much better when I can see the reference photo!

Here is my second version of Blanco Lavender Fields With Chairs.  I like it much better and have decided that I am just not the type of artist who can paint well from memory!  This one is about 5x8 inches and was done as a birthday card for the friend who was with me the day we saw the lavender adirondak chairs in the lavender field. 

Nan Henke

Texas Hill Country Art

http://www.texashillcountryart.etsy.com

Found the photo, here it is:

Sometimes it takes a few tries to get something right

Lesson 1: don't try to do it from memory. 

I forgot to bring the photo of the lavender colored adirondak chairs in the Blanco Texas lavender field on the day that I had time to start painting it.  So this overworked first attempt is strictly from memory.  Stay tuned to see just how inaccurate my memory was!

Nan Henke

Texas Hill Country Art

http://www.texashillcountryart.etsy.com

Claret Cup Cacti, Log and Rocks

Done and delivered! Now the biggest question is, what next?

Nan Henke

Texas Hill Country Art

www.texashillcountryart.etsy.com

Making progress...  The flowers are starting to have some shape and the fine tuing of the cactus spines come next.  ( I called them porcupine quills by accident today when I was describing it to Judy!)

Nan Henke

Texas Hill Country Art

http://www.texashillcountryart.etsy.com

Hold onto your hat Judy, here we go! It is time for me to finish your commission!

The flowers look like little striped popcorn boxes in this work-in-process shot because I paint one petal at a time. Then I paint the nearest petal that does not touch the first one. When they are thoroughly dry, I will go back and paint the in- between ones!

 

Nan Henke

Texas Hill Country Art

http://www.texashillcountryart.etsy.com/

Walking a family member through cancer

I'm spending a lot of time in hospitals and waiting rooms these days, being supportive of a family member with cancer.  I carry my "itty bitty art kit" to keep me from going crazy and have been doing some good VSA (Very Small Art!)  I need to get back to my big commission, but I am scared of ruining it if I am not able to give it full concentration and a stretch of several hours time. 

Nan Henke

Texas Hill Country Art

www.texashillcountryart.etsy.com