The Boys

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12"x16"  soft(chalk) pastel on Wallis paper

This piece is a commissioned portrait that was created by using reference digital photo from client.  These pups were actually sitting farther apart in photo.  Using artistic license, I moved them closer together and had them sitting in grassy area .  It would be GREAT to do more pet portrait work.  I really enjoyed creating this painting.

Merry Christmas from the Lammert's

Here we are in the holiday spirit......Me...Wabbles....Keith .  I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL day and Blessed 2011.  I give Thanks for the blessings that have come my way this year and THANK YOU for sharing your time here following what I love to do.

In our 20's-The Richards's

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18"x14"  Soft (chalk) Pastel

Commissioned work.....black and white photo provided by client.

Tis the Season

Yep....no picture....not yet!  Can't share what I've been working on until AFTER Christmas :)

Working on custom artwork has been a priority for the last few weeks (along with battling a nasty cold bug).
So, I hope you'll come back after the 26th to see new works.  Here's hoping you celebrate the upcoming holidays the way you want to ........
Merry Christmas and here's to looking forward to a prosperous New Year.

Mom & Dad

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14"x18" soft (chalk) pastel
This is a commissioned work that I'm happy I was able to get done in time for Christmas. The client provided digital images for me to work from.  I combined two different pics into one. I'll be delivering it soon to the happy lady who plans to give this to her husband.  It's very rewarding to create a painting of something or someone that is dear to a persons heart. For this, I give Thanks!

Best Friends

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Pastel   19"x13"
This is a commissioned piece by someone who saw my work at an outdoor art show in Fort Madison, IA this year.  She sent several photos for me to work from and asked if I would not add the dogs collar in this painting.  The biggest challenge here was figuring out  how best to show the color of the dogs eyes .  In most the photo references....eyes are almost completely white.  Ah....nothing like a challenge to get the blood pumping :)

"Simplicity"

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                                                                      Oil  20"x16"
This is another oil where I include the frame as part of the picture (frame not shown here).  I overlapped a couple of the tulips onto the frame with the rest matching the background.  I then paint the outside edge of the frame black.  I'll be doing more Oil paintings this way.  I really like the affect and they're ready to hang on the wall....much like gallery wrapped canvas. (where staples don't show)
Send me an email if interested in this piece.

"Thinkin of a sweet ride"

Oil on stretched canvas   24"x36"

This was fun to paint.  My daughter supplied me with the photo reference....said I should paint Harley's.  I believe I'll be painting more.  Going to have this at her Studio Open House that's scheduled for Thanksgiving weekend.  Seriously thinking of prints too.  If interested in original or a print....let me know.

"Did you hear the one about....."

Oil on gesso panel    8"x10"

Painted this last December.....my daughter gave me several gesso boards to experiment painting on. I think I prefer canvas boards and stretched canvas to these.  I may  use these guys in another painting this year...I smile everytime I look at them.  Found them at The Flower Shop in Bloomfield, IA. 

Party Time

Oil-20"x16"

Another inspiration from my last visit at Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA.   I'll be there this Saturday with my art and demonstrating with soft pastels from 12noon to 4pm.  If interested in this painting...contact me by email: ginlammert@yahoo.com or phone 641.208.5968

Inspiration from Tassel Ridge Winery

"All We Need is Love"
Oil       16"x20"
SOLD

I'll be showing this and hopefully another Oil I've started this coming Saturday, the 13th, at Tassel Ridge Winery.   There'll be plenty more paintings on display/for sale.  This is an invite to come join me.....taste what Tassel Ridge has to offer and visit with me while I demonstrate painting. 

Gentle Giants

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5"x7" soft pastel on Wallis paper

I like creating small landscapes.  Always want a barn somewhere too.  They stand out to me when I'm driving down the road.  Some I've seen over the years are no longer standing or their roofs have fallen in.  I have fond memories of  playing in the hay mound of these gentle giants.  My cousins and I would make Forts and tunnels with the square bailed hay.  I don't see many farmers using this form of bailing anymore.  The BIG round bales are a lot handier to move around these days.  Less manpower!

Springfield show

Was in Springfield, IL this past weekend at "Art Spectacular at the Carillon" Fine Art Show.  Had a wonderful weekend meeting art enthusiasts and fellow artists.  There were so many unique-creative styles of work in this show.  I'm glad I had the opportunity to participate. 

Next outdoor show I'll have artwork for sale  is in Fort Madison, IA this coming Sunday, Sept. 19th. 

T-Storms are in the forecast. Sure hope that changes.  It's definitely not fun setting up or tearing down in the rain.

Hollyhocks

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15.5"x11" Soft Pastel on Wallis paper

There's a lot of texture to this piece. I had the need to paint something RED......this has fuchsia, magenta, orange reds and deep reds all together. Definitely felt excited painting this work.

I'll have it for sale during this weekends show in Springfield, IL. I'll be participating at the "Art Spectacular at the Carillon in Washington Park. Last year was the first year I showed during this event. I was lucky to get juried in to be there again this year. If interested in this piece, send me an email. ginlammert@yahoo.com or phone 641.208.5968. It will be framed with white mat in black "Gallery style" frame sized 20"x16"

Almost Gone

4"x5" Soft Pastel on Wallis paper

I really like the Wallis paper for doing my small barn landscapes. I believe I've narrowed down what surface I will use for my landscape painting to Wallis paper and the printmaking paper for larger works and figurative paintings. I love both!

The advantage of the Wallis paper.......I don't have to spray it with fixative to hold the pastel in place. Because I like to layer my colors, I do still spray works created on the printmaking paper. This allows me to add more and more without muddying up the colors.

I will have this small painting for sale at this weekends show in Ottumwa, IA. Saturday, Sept. 4th. If interested in purchasing, ......contact me at ginlammert@yahoo.com or phone 641.208.5968

Two IA Landscapes!

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6"x8" soft pastel on Wallis paper

These are a couple of IA landscapes I plan to take this coming Saturday to Albia, IA for the Restoration Days Art Show & Sale. If interested in purchasing.....contact me either by email: ginlammert@yahoo.com or by cell: 641.208.5968

Art Students

Here's a couple of pastel students working away during an art lesson in Fairfield, IA.

Morning Light N. of Pulaski, IA

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9"x12" Soft Pastel on Wallis paper

I first painted this image in the smaller size 5"x7". I decided to create a new painting of it using the Wallis paper as support for the pastels. I really like the texture of this sanded paper when I'm working on landscape paintings. I'm in the process of narrowing down the support I paint pastels on. I still like using the printmaking 100% cotton paper for figurative works. I'm finding a like the texture of sanded surfaces for still life and landscape.

"Team Work"

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13"x19" Soft Pastel on 100% cotton paper

This is the second painting in the series "PASSIONS". I've started this group of works focused on firemen. The series is about capturing a glimpse of what those around me are passionate about. There will be still life paintings included with figurative works. The first in this series is called "The Volunteer" ( Posted March 13th, 2010). It is now available in Giclee print with image approximately same size as the original. I'll soon have this painting in print the same size. Contact me if interested in purchasing a print. ginlammert@yahoo.com

Workshop in Fairfield

Yes.....no mistake with the photo posted. This is my son playing in Vegas a few weeks ago. I just had to post it here. I'm very pleased that my children are following there passions and wanted to share what they're doing here.

That stated......just giving an update on the latest workshop that was held July 29th and 30th in Fairfield, IA. I had a wonderful time and the students were eager to explore the world of Pastel. Unfortunately, I forgot to take photos of the workshop to share with everyone.

Next Outdoor show I'm participating in is coming up in a few weeks. August 28th in Albia, IA. I'll be posting new works that I plan to have for sale at this show.

At Marshalltown, IA Show

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Here's a photo of my daughter,Mika Sorak, at the Lin Creek Arts Festival. She was set up two booths away from where I was. I'm excited that she's embraced her passion to create and has come up with some interesting pieces of work. My favorite are the newest item.....Flower bells. I call them Fairy bells. I think that's what she calls the small ones.

Iris in a Bottle

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11.5"x8.5" Soft Pastel on LaCarte pastel paper

Finished this yesterday while @ Iron & Lace, Bentonsport, IA. The Iris was one of many from the flower bed just outside the store. It was put in water and sat on the front desk for a few days. I decided to keep the background and items around the Iris out of focus. It was a busy scene with the candyball machines behind the Iris and glass lamp/papers beside the bottle. The color of the flower was definitely the show stopper.

Taking this painting to show in Marshalltown, IA this weekend. It's Sunday - "Linn Creek Art Festival" 10am to 5pm held at the Fisher Community Center in Marshalltown.

Bloomfield, IA 1st Plein Air event

Here's a group shot of the artwork created by 5 artists yesterday at our first official "Plein Air" event held in Davis Co., IA. Artists that live in a 50 mile radius of Bloomfield, IA participated in this year's activities. Most area artists that wanted to be involved sent letters of regret that they couldn't participate..........a busy weekend everywhere with today being the 4th of July.

Click on image to enlarge.........the small oil on the piano is my work.

I helped with setting up the days activities . We had a generous donor of money and the funds were used to give a cash prize to a competition we decided to hold. We had the public VOTE for their favorite art creation while artists were painting around the square. It created an opportunity to have the public involved instead feeling more like bystanders in the days event. Every artist was given a number and when they completed a work, we had a general area we sat finished creations so those individuals that didn't vote while witnessing the works in progress were able to vote without knowing who the artist was. It was interesting to watch and hear the comments of those voting.

We're planning to make a "Plein Air" event an annual affair for Davis Co. I think the date will be changed and we're considering the idea of picking a new location in the county for every year. I'm excited to see the variety of work artists create using the locations in the county.

Southern IA Landscape

Size: 4"x6"~ Soft Pastel on Wallis Pastel Paper
I'm beginning to like the Wallis paper for creating pastel paintings. (It really does feel like sand paper) I like the way it holds the pastel and I'm not spraying fixitive on these small art pieces. I've been really shaking them and banging them back and forth on the inside of my trash can to shake off the access pastel dust. Amazing how little comes off after such violent shaking. I figure, they'll hold up to all the moving around I do going to outside art shows. I've been creating small 4"x6" pastel paintings all week while in Bentonsport, IA. Some leave my easel and find new owners before I get the chance to record them with my digital camera.

2010 Quincy, IL Art Show

"Midsummer Arts Faire" June 25th~27th
My display with lights during the evening. Show was 5pm to 9pm Fri. night with Blues music/BIG crowd/Great Time! Sat. night 6 to 9pm we were intertained with Jazz performer Monica Ramey , a FANTASTIC talented singer.

Anthony Borchardt http://www.anthonyceramicarts.com/ set up to my right

Above photo ~Metal artist Anthony Slichenmyer ~ was set up to my left .

New "Walk thru" Fountain in center of Washington Park, downtown Quincy, IL

Just got back from weekend show in Quincy, IL. Thought I'd share a few photos of park and other artist's work that were set up beside me. Oh! and of course, my booth when it was late in the evening.
This show was a lot of fun. The artists participating in this show are friendly and willing to share experiences that help them grow as artists. I'm hoping to return to this show as often as I can. The process to participate involves having your artwork juried in (this is sending photos of your work to be judged by a committee).

Brothers/Sisters/Cousins

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9.5"x13.5" Soft Pastel on Wallis pastel paper

We used to have more then our share of cats in our barn. These kittens were from 3 different momma's.......all related. Some of these guys ended up completely wild. Now we're down to 2 cats that seem to hang out in our barn. We don't feed them anymore.....hopefully they're keeping the mice at bay. They give us a look when we are outdoors but won't come near. Wild indeed!

Eyes Almost Shut

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10"x13" soft pastel on Wallis pastel paper

I'm re-discovering photos I've taken that I thought might make interesting paintings. The snapshot I used for this work was of our outdoor cat we used to have. I called him "Furball" He had A LOT of long hair. He had just settled down after eating....ready for his early evening nap. Content.....with a full belly!

Poppies II

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19"x13" soft pastel on canson paper

Updated this painting .....lightened up the background after my grandson made the comment, "I think it's too dark around the flowers". Simply Amazing!!!!!! The wisdom of a 5 year old! He was right! I like it better now that I've made the color change.

Earth

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28"x20" soft pastel on 100% cotton paper

I changed the painting I originally posted of Earth. When I "Thought" I was done with this work, I immediately posted it and after viewing it for awhile, decided it wasn't expressing what I wanted it to. I wanted the female image to look like she was coming out of the earth and by changing the hand that was in the forground to rock and ground, I feel it's finally making the statement I wanted to make.

"Earth" in progress

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Making progress with this , the next pastel painting in Element series. Doing more work tonight and tomorrow evening. Pushing to get it done for Sat. show in Oskaloosa. The size is approx. same as "Air", the last painting I posted.

"Air"

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20"x28" soft pastel on 100% cotton paper.

This is the pastel version of a stained glass window I plan to create for an up coming show scheduled for Jan./Feb. of next year. The show will be all about traditional stained glass featuring modern designs created by using centuries old glass painting techniques. The show will open at Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa, IA and I hope it will travel to other locations in Iowa and near by states.

I'll have this painting at the "Art on the Square" art show/sale held this Sat., the 12th, in Oskaloosa, IA. Frame size: 26"x34" in natural pine and simple one color archival matting. I'm currently finishing up her companion "Earth" and will post it as soon as it's finished. "Water" is sketched out and "Fire" is waiting to be put on paper. I'll be creating works representing the seasons when this series is completed.

Enough for Two

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20"x13" Soft Pastel on paper

This still life was put together by a student of mine during classes in Fairfield, IA this past spring. I enjoyed the challenge of painting the drapery and reflections in the glasses. We didn't open the bottle of wine when we were finished painting. I'm sure the student took it home to savour it's contents later. I plan to frame this painting in one of the frames my husband made for me. (You can see the stack of them in an older post.) I'll have this work at the upcoming show "Art on the Square" June 12th in Oskaloosa, IA. If interested in purchasing before then, please email me at ginlammert@yahoo.com and put the title of artwork in subject line.

At the Beginning

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What a Wonderful surprise when I made it to Iron & Lace Shop yesterday morning. Someone had picked an Iris and had it in a jar of water in the backroom. I moved it to the front desk and set up to paint. I'm glad I don't need a HUGE space to get started with my pastels. I have a challenge with lighting but I'm going to try and finish the work today. Took a photo....that may be the way I finish this work. It's cloudy/rainy outside this morning and the best light I had to start this was from afternoon sunshine yesterday. We'll see when I arrive this morning.....it's always an adventure ...never know how the days activities will unfold. More people are traveling about of late and I'm thankful they're finding their way to the store in Bentonsport, IA. Busy!Busy!Busy!

Display at Iron & Lace Store

Found this box at an antique store in Ottumwa, IA. It was originally used as a crate in a greenhouse in Trenton, MO. Now I use it to display the small paintings I do while I'm at the store in Bentonsport, IA. I'm working at Iron & Lace mondays, tuesdays, and wednesdays of the week. The shops in Bentonsport are seasonal businesses...meaning they're only open April thru December. I love the area and get to meet so many people from across the United States and Europe.

Homemade

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5"x7" Oil on canvas board

What a treat! The potter, Betty Printy, of Iron & Lace in Bentonsport, IA has created a breadmaker with her ceramics. Place dough in this container, set it in the oven, and 30 minutes later.....Voila! Delicious, mouth watering bread. She also makes her own jam. I was fortunate enough to have this as a still life to paint before it was all gone. A group of ladies came in the store as I was applying my final strokes of paint to canvas. Needless to say, my still life was gone in a very short time after that.

At Iron and Lace Store

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7"x5" Oil on canvas board

To purchase: contact me directly at ginlammert@yahoo.com Put "Oil @ Iron/lace" in subject line.

I have a GREAT opportunity to paint small paintings while being at the Iron and Lace Store in Bentonsport, IA. I'm there Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of every week until Dec. 2010. This is a wonderful pot that Betty Printy has created. All of her pottery are signature pieces in that she uses the flower "Queen Ann Lace" as the design in each piece she makes. She presses the flower into the green ware and it fires out during the firing process. This pot was filled with woooden spatulas and spoons.

Handmade & Home Grown

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11.5"x8" soft pastel on sanded paper.

This painting was started last fall with an art student of mine. She put together this still life from things around her home. Working on these tomotoes has made me anxious to have my own, fresh from the garden, ready and waiting to be sliced. Of course, that will be several months from now. Meanwhile, I'll have to settle for store bought!

Three Red/Three Green +

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8"x11.5" soft pastel on sanded paper

Can't believe it's been so long since my last post. This still life was the second of many set ups in a series of pastel lessons I've been holding in Ottumwa, IA. The original painting has more colors in the fruit. The camera only picks up the dominate ones. I'll have this piece framed and on display at up coming shows in May. First showing at the Keokuk Art Center May 2nd thru 7th. Then Tassel Ridge Winery, (between Oskaloosa & Pella, IA) May 8th. If interested in purchase, contact me ginlammert@yahoo.com and put title of work in subject line. ("Three Red/Three Green+")

Hubby with frames

I had to share this image of my husband with his labor of love frames. I was gone for a few days and he decided to stack the frames he's made for my artwork on the framing table to surprise me when I got home. Yes....more work for me since I'm painting them. Most will match my matboard....others will be painted black. He sanded the wood so it's baby bottom smooth. I posted an image below that shows the finished product.

Here's display of new works in the frames my hubby has been building for me. I'm glad he's re-discovered his woodworking tools in the basement.