July 6, 2013 - working in the gallery, Paint, Metal, and Mud

How embarrassing! I can't believe it has been so long since I wrote last! Seriously, folks, where is the time going?

It's July and Summer is in full swing here in Kalispell. My daughters and I are playing the license plate game - where you see how many out of state plates you can find. So far, it's been a week, and we have already seen at least 15. Not to mention the visitors that I meet in the gallery - Paint, Metal and Mud! Today was Virginia day. I must have met 4 people that were from Virginia today, visiting Montana for the first time. It sure is fun to live in a place that people like to vacation. The scenery never gets old.

So today I am working at the gallery - one of my two shifts this month. I like to paint while I'm working as it passes the time when it is not busy. Unfortunately, I only brought two canvases, and when I finished the second I still had 3 hours to go. I could have easily done another. Ah well.. no biggie. Not sure how I feel about the second one, because I don't do wildlife very much. I would really love to become good at painting animals though, as I am fascinated by them. For now, my wildlife paintings are a little crazy but fun!

The first painting is 24"x20" and is called "Bird Woman Falls, Glacier National Park" and the second is called "Mountain Goat of Glacier", and it measures 12"x12". Both are oil paintings on stretched canvas and painted with a palette knife.

"Bird Woman Falls, Glacier National Park, MT"
24"w x 20"h oil on canvas
palette knife work
copyright Raette Meredith 2013

"Mountain Goat of Glacier"
12"w x 12"h oil on canvas
palette knife work
copyright Raette Meredith 2013

Happy Mother's Day Moms!

Here is my latest painting, actually I completed it a couple of days ago, but wasn't sure if it was done yet. Now, after looking at it for a couple of days I have decided that I really do like it. This one is called "Aspens in Blue".

"Aspens in Blue"
oil on canvas board
palette knife work
copyright Raette Meredith 2013

It's been a wonderful Mother's Day, and I got to play games with my kids, bake bread, and garden. I'd say it's been a darn good day. I got to sleep in until 1:30 - I didn't even know I was tired!

My eldest daughter made me breakfast of oatmeal and toast with homemade bread and honey, my three kids and husband painted me a fabulous card, 16"w x 20"h shown below, and my husband cleaned the house! Oh, I feel spoiled. The day closed with a great SKYPE session with my wonderful Mom. Oh, how I miss her!

Happy Mother's Day card from my sweet kids and husband

I hope all mothers reading this feel as loved, if not, may you ask God to wrap his arms around you and remind you how loved you are!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

It's warm outside, and that means Mural Project Season!

Over the last few years, I have looked forward to the warmer weather, because that means it's mural season! The warm weather is perfect for creating large scale paintings!
Here is a slideshow that features the past 4 years of mural work. I am itching to get up on my scaffolding and get started on your dream!
I can work up to 17 feet high using my scaffolding, and can go as wide as forever! We are talking HUGE!
The fun thing about murals, is they create such incredible depth on a flat wall, they completely transform an area. I enjoy painting everything!

Please feel free to call me if you are interested in discussing a custom mural for your home or business!
Raette 406-309-2939 or cell (530) 2009-7769, or email me at artbyraette@gmail.com

A rose by any other name would not make you think of hot dogs

"Mustard and Ketchup Rose" or is it Ketchup and Mustard? I am not sure.. but I already named it so there it is... I painted this rose for my Mom for Mother's Day. I have to say. it was definitely a challenge, this one.. I scraped the canvas clean THREE TIMES before I felt it came out okay. I actually really like the way it turned out, and I think my Mom will be pleased.. It's her new favorite rose. Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!!!

Oh, yeah.. the painting is 16"w x 20"h, oil on canvas - applied with a pallet knife.. so how do you spell pallet anyways? Okay, so this whole time I have been spelling it all wrong. Apparently, I worked at the Home Depot for too many years! The correct spelling is "palette" Ha.. sorry about that to all those that care about spelling things correctly!

"Mustard and Ketchup Rose"
16"w x 20"h
oil on canvas
palette knife work
Painted for Mom for Mother's Day 2013
copyright Raette Meredith 2013

Crazy for color in our new home!!!

Okay so the big move is over and we are officially residents, here in Montana. What makes us residents? Well, we have fishing licenses of course! Ha.. no seriously, TOTALLY can't wait for fishing season to start in May!  It's the 25th of April, and I think have painted more in one month than I EVER have. I am learning A LOT and loving every minute of it. Every time I complete a painting, I can't wait to start another. But alas.. I have a family to care for too.. sooo.. one a day is good.
Let's see.. I have tons of new paintings to show you... but I think the best option will be for me to share the album with you.. or you can take a look at it on my website in the "Montana Views" gallery.

Okay, so what else is new? A couple of people like using my greeting cards, and I REALLY appreciate it! So I finally updated my "Cafe Press" site with current paintings and some old fav's. You can order them directly from my website now, and they will be delivered right to you...

Umm.. Oh yeah.. I also found a professional photographer for my artwork. My goal is to have one painting each pay check scanned / photographed so that I can make supreme quality limited edition prints available. I have one scanned so far..Wahoo! :) Of course, any time a painting sells, I can get one or two more photographed, sooo.. I guess it depends on how much you all like these! :)

There is so much inspiration here in Montana. .it is so pretty, and it's Spring! The grasses are just now starting to turn green and I can't wait for the flowers to pop! My neighbors have daffodils and a few have other bulbs too.. and I SO appreciate them!!! I miss my tulips in Redding! Will have to plant some here!

Okay, so here you go.. COLOR! :) WAHOO!