Raette's Blog

Harvest Grasses - pallet knife oil painting

2012-01-25T13:21:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I have worked on 5 paintings this week - most of them grasses. Two of them need more work. My mission with this type of pallet knife painting is to keep from allowing the colors to become muddy.
I find it easiest to accomplish this by limiting my pallet, which requires that I carefully choose my pallet prior to beginning. I like this one. It's called "Harvest Grasses". The original is 8"x10" and loaded with texture. I still have a lot to learn, but I love the process, which is what matters!!!
Full image:

"Harvest Grasses"
8"x10" oil on canvas
pallet knife application
copyright Raette Meredith 2012

Here is a close up that shows the texture:

"Harvest Grasses" texture

Comments are appreciated.

Thick Thicker Thickest

2012-01-21T22:09:00.000-08:00

I finally got some killer inspiration this week - I am back to grasses, but this time I am painting with thick oils. I applied the paint with pallet knives, two different sizes. I did not use any medium with the paint since the layering of paint seems to be thick enough. I can't wait to see how long it takes to dry.

I have included an image of the finished painting below. It is titled "Windblown Grass" and is 9"x16" oil on canvas. Below the full size image is a detail image showing the texture.

"Windblown Grass"
9"x16" oil on canvas
Copyright Art by Raette Meredith 2012

"Windblown Grass" (texture) oil on canvas
copyright Art by Raette Meredith 2012

"Studio View" 11"x14" oil on canvas

2011-12-15T07:17:00.000-08:00

"Studio View" original painting, 11"x14" oil on canvas
copyright Raette Meredith 2011

I finished this painting on Tuesday, Dec 13, 2011.

This small painting is perfect for small spaces. It is an oil painting on stretched canvas.

The view is from the studio during the morning hours.
The way the light hits the grass between the towering oaks is sublime, and I just had to paint it.
"Studio View" is SOLD

Studio Clear-Out Sale

2011-12-08T05:45:00.000-08:00

Studio Clear-Out Sale

Up to 75% off original paintings by

Raette Meredith

Saturday Dec 3 - Sat Dec 16

8367 Placer Road, Redding CA 96001
"The Silver Cottage" at the end of the driveway

Studio Hours:
t-f 8:30am - 12pm
(closed th Dec 8)
Sat 10am - 2pm

This is a great opportunity to purchase that painting you’ve had your eye on.
These paintings are heading for the “re-paint” shelf!

Discounted works include large and small scale flowers and landscape paintings, faerie books, cards, prints and more!

Consider an heirloom portrait of your ancestors for the Holidays.
These portraits are one of a kind and will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Treat yourself or someone you love to original, local, made in America art for Christmas!

Special guest artist:

Doug Laird – Wood and Metal Art

featuring decorative birdhouses and yard art!

Color added to the grandma's portraits!

2011-12-07T15:29:00.000-08:00

Just finished Grandma Justyne and Grandma Mary Jane's portraits! Now it is time to start Grandpa's.

Grandma Justyne Laird
16"x20" oil on canvas
copyright Raette Meredith 2011
(private collection)

Grandma Mary Jane
16"x20" oil on canvas
copyright Raette Meredith 2011
private collection

I'm learning a TON while painting in oils, and I have to say, I love it, even though it takes forever to dry, it is well worth the wait!!! I see many more oil portraits in the future!!!

It's Grandpa Eddie!

2011-11-21T22:08:00.000-08:00

Just finished Grandpa Eddie's portrait. I think I will still have some tweaking to do but for the most part it's done.

"Grandpa Eddie - late 1940's"
oil on canvas 16"x20"
copyright 2011 Raette Meredith

It's a week of color

2011-11-11T20:24:00.000-08:00

I finally began adding color this week to the Mask painting that I started in September. I can't believe it took a full month for the paint to be dry enough for me to begin adding color! That was a surprise to me.

Meanwhile, while waiting, I started two portraits and finished a 16'high by 48' wide mural, so over all it was a pretty productive month and a half.

The painting is not finished yet, but it is about 80 percent finished. Next I need to add the final touches - like making the feathers look airy and make the metal areas really look shiny. It is very close though...

"Parade of Masks" - unfinished - oil on canvas - copyright Raette Meredith 2011

I will be showing and demonstrating my portraits for Art Hop tomorrow night at the Peddler's Mall from 6-9pm. I will begin adding color to one of the two portraits, and hopefully will be able to talk to a couple of people about murals and commissioned portraits.

Time to be done for the day!

Waiting around for paint to dry

2011-10-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

Okay, for the first time in my life I have more than one painting going at a time. The oil paints take FOREVER to dry, so while I wait, I start another.

I started this one yesterday and worked it a little more today - it's of my Grandma Mary Jane when she was young. This is another under painting that is patiently awaiting the addition of color. So far, the Mask painting has been waiting to dry for 2 weeks, and is still a little tacky. I put a softly blowing heater in front of it in hopes that it will speed up the drying process. I will put the one of Grandma Justyne in front of it too.

Okay, so here it is.. There is a detail photo following the full-size photo.

Feedback is greatly appreciated.

"Grandma Mary Jane"
under painting - unfinished
oil on canvas - 16"x20"
copyright Raette Meredith 2011

"Grandma Mary Jane" - detail
under painting - unfinished
oil on canvas - 16"x20"
copyright Raette Meredith 2011

Portrait - Grandma Justyne

2011-10-10T00:41:00.000-07:00

"Grandma Justyne" oil on canvas 16"x20"x2"
copyright 2011 - Raette Meredith
--unfinished--

Okay, this is my first portrait and it's of my grandmother when she was in her late teens. I am guessing that the photograph was taken right after she moved from New York to Los Angeles, California, around the 1940's. I think she had the photo taken in hopes of becoming a movie star.

Anyways, thought I'd paint it. She looks so strong,young, and hopeful in this photograph. She had her whole life in front of her.
I am using the underpainting technique. I will add a few more highlights this week as I spot areas that need them, then once it is completely dry I will add some color.

I'd really love some input.

Happy Painting!

Raette

Using a new technique

2011-10-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

Experimenting with new techniques keeps painting exciting in my mind. I have been using acrylic paints for my paintings ever since 2003. The thing that I love about acrylics is the immediacy of the work. I feel inspired, paint, and usually finish a painting within about 8 hours time. After a full day of drying and attaching hanging wire to the paintings, they are usually ready to hang and display. This allows me to have new work at every show.

Some of my art friends and clients recently asked me why I haven't been showing work as much in town. The reason is that I am learning a new technique and have different reasons to paint.

After, 9 years of painting with acrylics, and perhaps age has something to do with it, I am taking things a little more slowly. I am still of course inspired by nature and light every day, but for my new paintings I am more focused on painting illustrations. Not illustrations for books (though that would be really fun too), but instead illustrations of a feeling or emotion.. blah blah.. you have read that in previous blog posts by me so I won't go there this time.

All that to say, there is a heck of a lot more planning involved in my new paintings than there ever was before. I now begin with a concept sketch - usually something that comes to me at the edge of a dream. My sketchbook is riddled with ideas for paintings. These sketches are really really rough.. usually I am the only one that knows what the lines mean.

Once I have the concept figured out, I download or take photographs that represent the various components to the painting.

Next, I choose the color theme for the painting - which of course morphs as I paint and new ideas come.

Now here's the new technique. I am switching to oil paints. They just feel awesome moving around the canvas - it's addicting. I thought I'd try the Vermeer technique, (I think I have that right), and ancient technique that the masters used. Basically what this means is "Under painting". So, I paint the entire painting in grey scale, sepia, whatever.. in this first painting I am using grey scale.

Once the under painting is completely dry I will apply the color. The purpose of under painting first is to maximize composition and contrast, lighting, etc... This way, when I go to apply the oil paints, I am not as concerned with the composition, and I will use less paint.

One thing I really really really love about oils is that I can leave the paint out over night, even for several days and it is still ready to use when I come back to it. All I have to do is clean my brush!!!! SOOO COOL!

So, here's where I am at right now. So far I have about 30 working hours into the painting, if not more. I never thought I'd ever say that.

"Mask Parade" unfinished oil on 40"x30" canvas
by Raette Meredith - copyright 2011

So, if you are wondering why oil paintings cost so much more, that is why.. there USUALLY a lot more time put into the painting, especially if you are using this technique. I am really excited to see how it turns out in the end. Does it make a difference, etc....

What do you think?

I am still working out the composition, etc.. will post progress photos along the journey. The painting is a commission for a local performer, music and theatre instructor. I would disclose her name, but I have to ask permission first.

The photographs I used for the composition were used with the photographer's permission also and I will disclose her name once I have permission from her to do so. I am using three of her photographs and some imagination for the composition.

Happy painting!!!

Raette

(I apologize for any typos that you find - I only claim to be a professional painter, not a professional writer! :)

Spring Again

2011-09-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

Finally I have removed all excess responsibilities in effort to make more time to paint. So I send the kids off to school, am caught up with laundry and finished my book. Now that I cleared my plate so to speak, I am sitting here, in my quiet house looking for things to do, when I know that I am supposed to be painting. But I don't feel like it. I know that if I wait to feel like painting the canvas will go untouched and I will grow less and less motivated. I complain to my sister about my dilemma and she reminds me that I don't have to commit to a full day of painting. It's weird how I know that setting the time for one hour is the solution but hearing it from my sister it finally clicks. I guess I just needed to hear it again.

I know that if I start painting every single day, even if it is just for an hour, eventually inspiration will return and I will once again look forward to painting time. I will not look at that canvas with a blank stare, paralyzed, unable to move forward. I also know that once the creative mind kicks in it will in no time be splitting at the seams with ideas and creativity. Spring will return in my mind.

So yesterday, following my sister's advice, I got my water pail ready and Netflix loaded, set my timer and painted for one hour. I can't say that it was all that comfortable but I can say that when I woke up today, I actually looked forward to my painting time a little more. Again, I set the timer, but this time I ended up painting for two hours. I can feel my critical eye returning (that's a good thing) and the motivation is beginning to stir.

I didn't get a ton done today, but I did paint. It was a good day.

Mom, Money, Art

2011-09-08T07:10:00.000-07:00

The ultimate struggle for me as an artist is the juggling of priorities. I believe this is true for most artists.

I have three major priorities right now, in this order.. Mom, Money, Art.

First I am Mom. This is the most important role I have, and I only get one chance to raise them. Now that my kids are 14, 9, and 8 my job description has changed. My kids have interests and schedules that are more busy than ever. Okay, so after 1pm, I belong to them entirely. I drive them from this activity to that activity, wash uniforms, and help with ever increasingly difficult homework.

My second priority, which is tied to the first is Money.... As much as I'd like to blow this one off, and just have my Kids and Art to think about, this is not the reality I live in. I enjoy work, and earning as much as I can is not an option, it is necessary for survival right now. I dream of a day when the money we have coming in from one source is all we need, but that is simply not the way it is. Frankly I enjoy work, and praise God that I am able to earn doing things that I love. I build websites for artists, have a online magazine called ARTAZINE to help promote art instructors, artists, and galleries, and I paint murals.

My third priority, the one that nourishes my soul is painting. I love painting and always will, and if I don't paint, even though I stay busy and I love my ability to earn, I feel like I am not fulfilling my role here on earth. There is an emptiness that aches until I paint again.

When I first started painting, the subject didn't matter to me. I painted flowers because they were pretty, and tried to find a commercial outlet for my work. I tried to match home decor and trends. Although my these paintings sold, I still felt like they didn't "say" enough.

One day I had a crazy emotion and felt that restrictive pull that shuts down my ability to verbally communicate. An image popped into my head and I painted. Fearful of judgement the painting sat in my studio for about two years, unseen by anyone but me. One day I showed the painting to a trusted family member and artist. He told me that he is more interested in this painting than any of the more than 100 that I had previously completed.

The painting is called "Speechless". Comments are more than welcome.

"Speechless" detail

This was the sort of response that I hoped for, although I half expected him to confirm that he thought I was crazy. I want my paintings to communicate at a depth beyond words. Maybe they will reach someone out there. Sure, I will occasionally paint an inspirational flower or scene, but I really believe that I have this gift for a reason and I think that reason is intended for more than interior decorating.

Someday I pray that my priorities will be Mom, Art... but until then I am ever grateful that I can still use my creativity to earn.

Relaxing while I can

2011-01-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

So what is this relaxing thing? I'm really really not used to sitting still and listening to silence, but I am beginning to like it.
Next week things get hairy again. School starts for me full time. I have no idea what I am doing. I have always wanted to earn my college degree, so I am going for it.
I volunteered for 2 1/2 years at the Shasta County Arts Council for a small AmeriCorps Vista stipend plus college tuition. My term is up (okay, I ended it early to save my brain), but I still earned two full years of scholarship money. So now's the time to use it up.
I start at CSUChico on Tuesday. I am taking 5 classes.. Ohhhh, my. That and being mom and painting is complete insanity. I know, but really, 4 semesters, only 4 months long each will not kill me. I'll just be counting the days toward summer, spring and winter break.
Actually, I'm pretty excited. I've been waiting a long time for this opportunity and will be happy to chalk it up on my resume.. If I live to see the end! :)

So I'm starting as a Business/Marketing major. We'll see if I can hack it. If not, I may have to switch around back to art. So far, I am still hooked on the marketing idea.

Last night I was asked to paint on live TV. Okay, it was our small public access station here in Redding, Channel 11, but what a priviledge! I was thrilled! I really like to paint in front of people. Below is the image I painted, called "Above". For those of you who were there and curious, I told you what it was about. For the rest, I would like to know more, what it means to you. If anything at all.

Anyways, it was inspired by a dream.

I started the painting at 4pm and signed my name (finished) at 8:30pm. Phew!
The painting is 24"x36", acrylic on canvas.
"Above"

Below is another painting from the same series.
It is also 24"x36" acrylic

"Brink"

Soo, that's it for now.

New shop on Etsy.com "Raecycled Art by Raette"

2010-08-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

I have always been obsessed with garbage. What I mean is I don't like it. I think of all that garbage sitting in a landfill and it almost makes me nuts. I am not nuts enough to keep my garbage, and I am not a trash hoarder by any means. I do however get inspired to create things out of what some would call junk.
Some of it I sell, some I refurbish and keep. Either way, those I sell, I will list automatically on etsy, and those I keep I will post here on my blog, just because I love to share about my current projects.

My shop on etsy is called "Raecycled Art by Raette" I will not be posting paintings on Etsy unless it falls under the raecycled category. Here's a link:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/raette

Last night I got a wild hair to refurbish this old trunk that I found at a garage sale about 6 years ago. It's been sitting in my room storing blankets. I've been pondering how to raecycle it and finally it hit me. This is what I did to it last night

trunk before

I think I still want to do something with the hardware on the trunk. It's pretty tarnished. Perhaps a little polish will do it. When I do finish it completely I'll post it. If and when.

Supplies Ready

getting started

finished trunk

Trunk Close-Up

ZANITA

2010-02-23T08:26:00.000-08:00

Zanita lives in the wild manzanita plants out here in Northern California. Every year, it is her job to curl the outer skin of the manzanita plant, revealing the vibrant red skin underneath. During the spring, she awaits as the blossoms bring their cheery pink tones. She finds the perfect one and makes clothes for the newborn manzanita faeries. You see, manzanitas are abundant up here, and many faeries are needed for peeling in the summer and late fall.

Zanita is #8/365 faeries in 365 days.

Actually, I am spending more time on these faeries than I had anticipated. I am working on polishing my skills. I may actually take 2-3 days per faerie and add another medium to the give them a more finished feeling. My goal here is not to whip them out like I have in the past, rather to tightening up my skills. I will still do 365 faeries but it may take more than a year.

ANNAPEAR

2010-02-20T23:16:00.000-08:00

Annapear lives among the blossoms of the flowering pear tree here in Northern California. She is one of the first spring faeries, only visible when the pear trees are in full bloom. The blossoms popped early this year so we had the pleasure of finding Annapear earlier than usual. Spotting Annapear early means that you will have an abundant, fruitful year. It has been a long time since we have seen her this early.

Hello Spring!

Annapear is #7/365 faeries in 365 days.

DAFFNEY

2010-02-17T23:09:00.001-08:00

DAFFNEY is the protector of the garden. It is her job to keep deer away from the rest of the flowers. She does this by using her burr-bombs. When the deer try to eat a daffodil, she throws the burr-bombs into the deer's mouth which is entirely unpleasant and makes the deer want to leave the garden alone. This does not hurt the deer, after all, Daffney loves animals just as much as the flowers she is protecting, but it is critical that bees and butterflies have plenty of nectar. If the deer were allowed to eat all of the flowers, well, you can see where this is going, this would not be a good thing now would it?

Today the first daffodils bloomed in my garden. Oh, early signs of spring how energizing it is!

Swine Flu and tomorrow

2010-02-16T22:20:00.000-08:00

Okay, so no one is calling it swine flu anymore, but it feels like I have been wrestling with swines all day. I am completely lacking in any sort of energy and have had a low grade fever all day. I did manage to get the kids to school on time this morning, and I got through thier homework with them (okay the girls anyways - T doesn't need my help) this afternoon and fed them all and their dad too, a good dinner. Now I am too tired for anything else.
Looks like I'll be painting two faeries tomorrow.
Here's to recovery!
night for today

LAVANDIA

2010-02-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

LAVANDIA - Tonight I am very ill. I am completely pooped out and really didn't feel much like painting. I kept thinking.. sleep... sleep.. that is what I need. Then I thought, did anyone get anywhere at all by deciding not to do something just because they didn't feel like it? Well, feel like it or not, I am painting tonight.

Introducing the faerie of peaceful sleep, Lavandia. Could it be Lavandia telling me to rest or my exhausted body? Perhaps I will tell the story about when I first saw Lavandia curled up on the fragrant blossoms of a Lavender plant later. For now, enjoy her peaceful sleep, and you, get some good rest tonight.

Swine flu is making its way through my body and I know I could use some essential oils from the Lavender plant. s l e e p i s g o o d. Night Night!

Honey

2010-02-14T21:46:00.000-08:00

Honey's job is to provide nectar for the hummingbirds and other creatures that survive on the sweetness as their main food source. They have even been known to save some for passing children as a summer treat. I know this because one hot summer when I was a little girl, I busily cleared the garden from evil weeds that threatened to take over our lovely honeysuckle vine. I pretended that the weeds were actually drowning kittens, and it was my job to save them all from the depths of their doom.

Deep in my imagination I was, when I heard a sound that actually did sound like a drowning kitten. I was always keeping my ears open for kittens in need of a home, preferably abandoned kittens so it would be more difficult for my mom to turn them away.

I stood still, my ears aching for another sign of helplessness that would lead me to the kitten hideaway. Nothing.. it seemed like an eternity waiting there in the hot sun with sweaty gloved hands cramped from gripping the kitten saving device, or weed puller my mom called in her boring adult way. Actually we didn't have a weed puller, even.. it was a butter knife that mom apparently didn't care much for anymore.

So I waited... before long I forgot what I was waiting for, so I began again to carve kittens out of the ground. I started to get thirsty. When did I get a break? Mom said I had to stay outside until I was finished, but I really was thirsty and there was no way I could wait -- you know how it is when you are 10, fifteen minutes felt more like a full day! I had to do something about my thirst, after all, a kitten saviour such as myself really did need plenty of water, or else the threat of dehydration and possibly death would end my career!

I looked around.. blood? I could drink my blood, though the last time I tried that it tasted curiously warm, a little like a penny, and not refreshing at all. I could drink my own spit, but would I run out, and the bubbles are all but satisfying. I looked around myself and I saw the honeysuckle vine was in full bloom, bright orange flowers glowing in the summer sun. I plucked one fresh flower bud and sucked on the end, sweet! wow, there is actually juice in these things, more like sugar water.. I could sit here all day and drink these sweet treats!

I grabbed for another, then another. Before I knew it I was sitting in a flower massacre. There had to be fifty thousand million plucked flowers all around me. I looked up. Okay, there were still plenty on the vine, Mom and Dad wouldn't even notice if I took one more. I reached up. Having cleared out the bottom half of the vine I had to stand on my tippy, tippy toes to reach the really really official last one. Just barely there! Ah! i got it! Wait! This one is sticking! Okay I need something taller to really reach it. There -- it -- is -- I got it!

Again! That kitten-like sound! Wait, that wasn't a kitten sound at all! It was something, something small whispering my name! Instead of grabbing the flower, the flower seemed to flutter right into my hand. Yes, I said it. It fluttered... I must have had too much nectar because the flower seemed to float right above my fingertips, not really touching my hand at all. Was it actually dancing on my fingers? Yes! It was!

Wow, I really need to lay off the nectar! This is so cool! That sound, almost like a song of my name softly chanted. "Kitten saver you are, my lady" What? Were you talking to me? Can you read my mind? "Yes, you are the kitten saver of the Western Region my lady." The flower looked at me right in the eyes and giggled, "It's okay, I'm used to being stared at. I am Honey, keeper of the nectar." It was then that I ashamedly noticed the flowers all around me. Flowers that were meant to feed hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.

"Oh, silly girl, the nectar is meant for you too, for if it weren't for your kitten saving, my fragile vines would be choked until all nectar bearing life is lost. You help yourself to the nectar any time you need it. For it is simple, all of these unopened buds will be open tomorrow. The bees and hummingbirds and butterflies are sleeping now and will not be back until the early morning hours." I was truly grateful and relieved for did get so very carried away with the flowers!
With that, Honey lifted a tiny cup filled with nectar and told me to drink. As I sipped, the cup seemed to keep filling. I drank and drank until I my thirst was quenched. Honey then told me that any time I was out saving kittens if I became thirsty all I needed to do was whisper her name and she would be there with her tiny cup of nectar.

Honey and I have met on several occasions since that tenth summer in my parent's garden. She arrives in her cheerful, floaty way with her cup of nectar when I am in the most need of refreshment from a long day of work. I usually don't have to even whisper her name. I think she follows me in my imagination to this day.

HONEY 3/365

Dante Faerie

2010-02-13T23:12:00.001-08:00

DANTE is a faerie that I met on a summer walk along the Sacramento River Trail. Alongside the trail, scattered throughout a dry summer field were giant dandelions. I swear they had to be the size of a slow-pitch softball. I just had to see the dandelions up close as before that moment the largest dandelion I had ever seen was no larger than a quarter the size of these. It was dandelions on steroids, completely foreign to me.

I battled my way into the field, trying desperately with no luck to avoid the tiny burrs that clung to my socks and shoelaces. The burrs, foxtails and raspberry bushes had to be protecting the giant dandelions from curious creatures like myself. Knowledge of this intentional barricade burned my curiosity even further, intensifying my need to get closer.

Finally, burdened with stickers of all sorts, legs crosshatched by blood left from thorn whippings I reached my destination. I reached down, and tried with all my might to pluck the dandelion from the earth.

Unfortunately I had no gloves on, and after several earnest attempts, my hands stinging from invisible splinters hiding on the stem of the flower I gave up. I decided this dandelion was absolutely not ever going to go home with me. There has to be a reason for the defense system.

Then it occured to me. This MUST be a faerie home. You see, faeries do not want to be seen.

The last time faeries were easily seen by anyone who looked they became subjects of torturous investigations and studies, diminishing their population by millions.

Faeries now strategically place their homes in remote locations that are surrounded by objects of pain for anyone who may be a threat.

I decided against bringing the dandelion home and bent down and studied the phenomenon quietly and just with my eyes. After about 15 long minutes of silent study I spotted a quiver.

Oh! I almost shouted out, but truly I didn't have another 15 minutes to hang out in the sticker field so I bit my tongue and held my breath.

After another eternity of at least 120 seconds, the tiniest purple shoe popped out, above the fluff of the dandelion. "ACHEEEEOOOOOO!", the entire top of the dandelion fell off and landed right upon my burr-covered laces.

I did not know what to do! Here on my foot, was what appeared to be yet another faerie! What SHOULD I do? I reached down and ever so carefully cradled her in the palm of my hand. She was definately startled, and taken back by the mere size of me. I would not be so brave either had it been me sitting in a humongous hand! I assured her that I would not hurt her or take her to my lab or conduct numerous experiments on her tiny body.

Instead I would let her go. She was needless to say, thrilled to be free. She thanked me by telling me her name. It was Dante.

I rushed home and drew everything I could remember about my tiny friend, Dante. I hope to see her next summer too.

Dante is #2/365 faeries I will paint this year.

OAKLEE

2010-02-12T20:36:00.001-08:00

OAKLEE's job is to evade squirrels while learning thier tricks. You see, squirrels are extremely crafty and mischeivous, not to mention, they like to eat tasty little morsels like faeries. Oaklee's job is very dangerous and she finds herself in many a peril, though she herself has learned to outsmart the squirrels. After months of squirrel evasion, Oaklee takes her newly learned tricks and teaches them to other faeries to better everyone's survival. She is quite a brave little faerie, little Oaklee.

Oaklee is #6/365 faeries.

GLADISE

2010-02-12T20:36:00.000-08:00

GLADISE

Gladise is the faerie I met while watching my kids swim last summer. Our gladiolas were in full bloom. I looked closely and there I found a tiny faerie, hiding inside the flower bud. She had bright red hair and green eyes, the color of the flower she hid within.

She looked at me curiously and seemed unafraid that children were nearby, completely amused by their own squeals of delight. I set her on my sketchbook and proceeded to draw her form as I saw her. Here you can see Gladise as I saw her for the first time. Over the summer, she and I became great friends. Tomorrow I will tell you of our next encounter.

2010-02-12T15:40:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are in February 2010. Thank God 2009 is over. Rough year for many people. 2010 is looking bright so we will focus on that. I am getting ready to work on my 365 faeries in 365 days. Now, I refuse to purchase more canvases until I use up all my ugly paintings and "scrap" canvases. This is a year of recycling, renewing, resourcefulness. No longer will I just charge what I need. I will find a new way if I need to. So, today I am painting a faerie that is inspired by a flower, I always seem to come back to the flowers, don't I? Anyways, it's the Gladiola faerie.
I'll post her in my next post.
I've got "Lost" season one playing, my daughters are busy playing games and watching movies while they recover from this Gosh-aweful flu. And I will paint while I have the energy.
Ciao for now!

Faeries at Play book released today!

2009-08-22T21:57:00.001-07:00

Check it out! My first book, first edition, first ever book is now available for sale!
It was professionally published by artist John Garvin with Enchanted Images, Inc.
It is a perfect coffee table book, full color, glossy pages, 8.5"x11".

For some reason this image here looks blue to me.. a glitch? to see a better image of the book visit my website www.artbyraette.com

ARTAZINE

2009-06-20T23:42:00.000-07:00

My pet project, ARTAZINE...
Alive and breathing for a year, ARTAZINE is a resource that I created, with the support of the Shasta County Arts Council.

I decided that this was a resource the county needed when people kept coming to me asking if I taught people how to paint. I could have signed them up for private lessons, but with my two daughters, I simply could not afford the time.

Instead I began searching for all of the arts instructors in Shasta County.

For six months I pulled fliers, tore papers out of newspapers and magazines, talked to people and perused the classified ads. I ended up with a stack of paperwork about 12 inches high, not including, of course, the local yellow pages.

Somehow I had to make sense of the data I had in front of me.
I told my son, Tristan what I wanted to do and asked him to help me think of a title.
Within 30 seconds, he said "ARTAZINE". Hmmmmm... ART A ZINE..... just like MAGAZINE... but about ART, but what does ZINE mean?
According to wikipedia.org :

"A zine (an abbreviation of the word fanzine, or magazine; pronounced /ˈziːn/ "zeen") is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier on a variety of colored paper stock.

A popular definition includes that circulation must be 5,000 or less, although in practice the significant majority are produced in editions of less than 100, and profit is not the primary intent of publication."

It's perfect. ARTAZINE was born.

I made the first edition during the Summer of 2008. I think it had 16 pages (we are now up to 34, and growing). I took it into the Shasta County Arts Council, and they loved it!

Now we are on our fifth edition, celebrating the first year of ARTAZINE.

ARTAZINE features art and instruction schedules from regional artists. The instruction includes dance, theater,singing, violin, painting, jewelry making and more. For the first time ever, ARTAZINE Summer 2009 includes featured ARTicles from our talented artists!

It is still just me making the magazine, but we are all praying for wings.

Enjoy the magazine!

Redding Train Depot 1875

2009-06-18T22:57:00.000-07:00

Redding Train Depot 1875
This is an 8'x6' mural I just completed for the Turtle Bay History Players.. It's from an 1888 photograph of the Redding train depot.
The scene they wanted was from 1875 when Redding was spelled Reading.

They wanted it to look like an old photograph.

Fun project!

The canvases are hinged together 4' wide in the middle, the two side canvases are 2' wide each. It folds up so they can store it easily and stands by itself.

What a week! Finals and a 6th birthday party!

2009-05-15T22:56:00.001-07:00

Finals are here along with a 6th birthday party!
Tomorrow we are going to have a tea party for my daughter, Raechel. Relishing the moment is all I can say! My husband spent the entire day beautifying our yard, so the setting is gorgeous! The fancy little girls will enjoy tiny treats under a fancy canopy, make fancy princess necklaces while they gear up to jump on the trampoline and into the pool! I can't wait to see the pictures from the great soiree! You can count on seeing a faerie tea party painting in the faerie series coming soon!!
Finals are almost over, and I will be relaxing from school work while gearing up for the fall semester at Shasta College and Chico. Things will be crazy, but I will be sure to keep painting. It IS my sanity, after all!
My posting of paintings may be a little slow, but the paintings are getting done regardless!
For now I will rest up for the party tomorrow.
Rest is good.

First two faerie paintings completed!

2009-05-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, it is day three of my 365 day commitment to paint a faerie-a-day for a year. I will not be painting on Sundays as even God chose to rest one day a week! So my 365 days will actually end 52 work days (or about 8 weeks) after one year... So it will end mid July of next year.

Shown here are Monday and Tuesday's paintings.. I still have to scan today's in. Be sure to check back as the next one is really cute too!

This first one is called "Bean Laden" Monday May 11, 2009

This second painting is titled "New Wings" Tuesday May 12, 2009

Hope you like them! They are both @ 8"x10" on gessoed hardboard

This is too much fun!

2009-05-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

Inspiration for A Faerie a Day paintings
Happy Mother's Day to all you Mom's out there!

I plan on going to church with the kiddos, refinishing my screen door, and painting. Looks like a gorgeous day so it's perfect to photograph the girls for the next faerie painting.

Motherhood is the most rewarding job if it is done right. Raising productive members of society that have values and morals is not easy especially now, with all the distractions we have around us. Many of us are working, and trying to juggle way more than many of our mothers ever did.
The challenge of our generation of mothers seems to be the guilt we feel when we leave our kids to go to work. We spoil them, giving them whatever we can think of to show them our love for them, trying to fill in the gaps we feel are caused by our absence.

Kids feel the most loved when when we spend time with them on a walk, a bike ride, a good jump on the trampoline, drawing or reading. Even if that time is just 15 minutes here and there.

What memories do you cherish about spending time with your Mom? Feel free to comment!
Here are some of my favorite memories of my Mom:
Mom reading out of the Bible to us in a huge field next to a tree,
laying on the beach while we swam in the freezing cold waves,
picking lupines on the hillside,
working together - pulling weeds (believe it or not, it's actually a fond memory now - we had some of our best talks while we worked together),
hiking in the hills, painting tee shirts,
watching the sunset on our deck,
drinking coffee out of ginormous (my new favorite word for humongous) coffee mugs,
telling stories about angels, walking in the neighborhood,
walking on the beach looking for treasures,
scenic drives,
long talks and bike rides,
helping mom prepare for holiday meals,
and of course,
mom hugs.

Nothing can compare with the love from a mother. No toys from the toy store, games from the game shop, or clothes will purchase the pleasure of simply spending time with our kids - even if those times are short.

A Faerie a Day
Starting today, Mothers Day 2009, I will be painting one painting each day of my kids. I will use pictures that I take that day. So next year, this time I will have 365 paintings, chronicling a full year of my life with my kids. I can't think of a better way to honor the gift of being a Mom. Thanks God for loaning me these kids!