Labadie Missouri

     Here's a new 8 x 8 in acrylic and glazes from a photo I took a couple of years back.  I was enamored by the geometric shapes in this pic.  They give the composition it's strength, I think.  

     It's completed in soft glazes of color.  

Sunset shadows

I'm trying a new style, as well as a new medium.   Acrylic is not usually what I paint with, but I've been exploring it lately, since a friend did a demo for me a couple of weeks ago.  

     Here is a painting from a picture I took one evening, while driving in Illinois.  I caught sight of this scene, with it's intense red-orange as the sun was setting.  I've been wanting to paint for awhile.  Fun...

Day 11

Day 11 of the 30/30 challenge

     This Eiffel tower picture I did about 3 weeks ago.  I had to crop it to fit into the Leslie Saeta website format, which is square... It actually is a cute little 6 x 8 image, reminiscent of our trips to Paris, which we loved !

     I became interested in painting the Eiffel tower after the attack took place in Paris...... We must not buckle to the terrorists who seek to make up fearful of our world. 

Behind Main Street

Behind Main Street

I found this alleyway very interesting as a subject for my second of 3 paintings while at a plein air 'paint out' over the weekend.  It was hot, but I managed to squeeze myself into a seated position (which I usually don't like, and don't do) behind a shed, of sorts in this alley...
     I was so HOT, that I decided to sit, thinking that I'd stand a better chance of actually finishing the painting, and not giving up, because I was dripping wet... ha !  Well, I had fun painting, and then noticed a distinct odor of sort of rotten garbage, only to then recognize the dumpster directly behind me... well, I had to finish, anyway, and I really was pleased with the results....  Perseverance ! 

 

Deep Vista

Another study, 8 x 8 oil to play with composition and color.... Wide deep vista...

Colorful skies at sunset

     A sketch for a larger painting... experimentation with color.... These are ALMOST complements, but not quite.... the light in the sky is always a warmer hue near sunrise and sunset.
     I admire this combination in artwork I've seen and would love to incorporate this color palette into my arsenal of techniques. 

I'm back... Here's Steinberg......

Sorry, folks, it's been a long while since I've posted..... I wasn't able to figure out how to get the photos off my iphone and onto the blog.....         Oh, Whoa is me.....

     I've been busy with commissions, and having a great time in my studio, when I can get the chance... (the garden is looking a little forlorn with a new, terrible weed this year)  Anyhoo, I think that by emailing my photos from phone to email I can then retrieve them to the blog...YAY !

     Here is one of the newest paintings I've worked on, and the picture of the new plein air setup I was able to purchase because of the commissions I've been doing.... YAY, again !
    This is a commission of the Steinberg Skating Rink in St. Louis' Forest Park.  It is one of 2 that were commissioned of the facility by the manager of the rink.

Steinberg skating rink- update

     The person commissioning the painting asked for a few more skaters.  Here's the final draft for the painting, which will be quite a bit larger.  This one is only 11 x 14...

     More skaters, a good idea, I think..

Steinberg skating rink

     Here is a small study for the larger painting commission of the Steinberg skating rink in Forest Park, St. Louis.  We have a wonderful park, right inside the city, with great facilities that are used by citizens constantly.     The Forest Park began with the 1904 World's Fair, which was hosted in St. Louis.   Our Art Museum, Muny Opera and fabulous St. Louis Zoo are three main attractions. 
     The one buying the painting wanted the hospital buildings in the background.  Steinberg is very close to one of the city's main streets, Kingshighway, with it's row of great hospitals. The one to the right is Barnes, where I was born.  
     My friends and I would skate every Saturday at this winter rink.  Great memories.....

Maplewood shadows

 

          I thought I'd change it up a little, making the empty space at the end of the driveway the focal point of this one.....   I really enjoyed the shadow play on the side of this red brick home in neighboring community of Maplewood.   These trees against the light background were a challenge, for sure.....

Tuxedo Park

  

 

  I have taken lots of reference photos, walking down the sidewalks, scanning the various views..... People that are outside on their porches, or on their lawns usually notice that I am there, I never felt any need to be sly about what I was doing.   While taking this photo, the man from across the street was pulling out of his driveway, made a U-turn and came back around to stop next to me.... He rolled his window down and said, "What are you taking pictures for?"   He then asked me if I tried to come back to the homeowners and sell them the paintings, which I've never really done, except for the time I participated in the 'Paint Webster' event last year....I don't know if it's curiosity, so much, or fear of strangers...
     Anyway, most of the pictures don't get used.  It's really hard to get just perfect shots to use, but this one I really loved the shadows on the side of house, and the way the sunlight was catching here and there....

Sweet spot

     I had lots of fun at the ribbon-cutting yesterday for the new Kirkwood business called 'Sammysoap".   My artwork is for sale there, and it's a great new little shop in the heart of Kirkwood, Missouri on Argonne across from the landmark train station.    Sammysoap is a for-profit business which was created to provide jobs for developmentally challenged adults.   Their products are made right on site, and they plan on distributing them nation wide.   The soaps they make, dozens of kinds, are great, thoughtfully produced from natural organic materials, and smell great and make your skin feel wonderful ! 
     I was able to meet most of the local business owners in the area, and talk with lots of new friends about the 'arts' in our community.   I got excited about getting involved in the community art functions.   I've never been to a 'ribbon-cutting' before, and it was fun being part of it !

     Here is another of my "Webster" homes in our community.   This one I changed the original view just a bit by re-locating a tree !

Windows into the past

     I live, and was raised in a community which contains many century homes.  Owners take much pride in displaying their certified plaques next to the front doors, telling of the history of these dwellings.  While taking pictures one sunny day, I ran across some very interesting homes, and hopefully will create some paintings of these 100 year old beauties !

Kentucky Dam Village

      This painting is from a picture I took while my husband and I were in Kentucky with my sister and her hubby.  The guys played some golf, while we went antiquing and shopping for quilt fabrics !  It was a fun trip staying in the village in a condo and cooking meals together.  Fun stuff...

Lafayette Park houses

     I almost finished this painting, DID NOT like it.... because it was 'too tight', so this morning I just started completely over.  This one I'm happy with.  The only reason I'm putting myself through this is because it's a commission.   With every single painting I LEARN something.   It's amazing how at my age (just had a birthday, #68) we can all learn SO many things, if we are open to it !  Life is so cool, that way... Each new day we can start again, and reinvent ourselves.

Plein air at Lafayette Park yesterday

     I was enamoured by this wonderful tree.  The house started out in the dark, and later in the day it began to lighten... Darn, I was already done painting.  I did like the way it turned out, even though my hands were freezing by the end... ha !

Plein air today in Old Orchard in Webster

It was a relative windy day, but enjoyable too.  I was planning on doing a painting of the outdoor market next door to this building, but couldn't get the right angle for it.   I really like this building, which ia one of the older ones in Webster Groves.  It's been a furniture store and a record store, and an outdoor clothing store, too, in the time I've been alive.   It's now a pretty cool upscale interesting restaurant, with outdoor seating and very different dishes on the menu. 
     As I was finishing, this nice older woman walked toward me, glanced back to look at my viewpoint, and then said, with somewhat surprise.  "I thought that view wasn't very interesting until I saw your painting  You made the painting look better than the real thing."  I thought that was very sweet, and told her thanks.  She said ,"Where are you going to display this?" so I told her about the plein air show I'm participating in next month.  She said, "I'll have one of my children bring me."  It's so fun to talk to people who are interested in art !

Plein air Kirkwood farmer's market

Great day at the Kirkwood farmer's market.  They are open almost year 'round, with a Christmas store and a Halloween store, too.  They have a huge selection of pumpkins of every size and description.  They, of course, offer a wonderful selection of fruits and vegetables, and recently added an organic meat refrigerated section, plus home-baked pies and goodies, too !  Located on Argonne by the train station in Kirkwood, Mo. 

Plein air in Lafayette Square

     The Lafayette Square districts is one of the greatest older neighborhoods of our fair city.  It surrounds the wonderful Lafayette Park, and contains a quaint shopping area and great restaurants, as well as fabulous old houses which are so unique !   It's possible to find a great scene to paint by turning in almost any direction.