First Time in Gallery Show

This past Friday I attended Scott Church's 11th Annual Legacy Show. My first time, really. First time going to a photography show away from home. Plus, the first time having my work included in the gallery along with 100+ photographers. 

Me before my three bird prints. The branch one on the left is my daughter's, Kirstin Renee.

My husband and my daughter talked me into it. The second of which also hung her photography in the show. 

Kirstin in front of her print titled, "Endicott".

At first, I thought my photos were out of place. Most framed prints were of models, many nudes, in various poses and surroundings. Scattered here and there were landscape and concept photos. Unless I missed something, mine were the only wildlife images. I felt better when the crowd started coming in and there was some real interest in my photography. Especially, my eagle photo. A spur of the moment addition since I took the photo only a few days before. Hey, I had a great model for that one. He wasn't at all shy about a camera.   

I'll admit I could have done better. In my social skills, that is. Kirstin jumped right in whenever she saw someone taking an interest in our work. She had no problems striking up a conversation. I felt like I was out of my element. I'm used to being a behind the scenes artist. The photography scene is new to me. I have lots to learn.  It seemed like most photographers and models knew each other and, for the most part, stuck together. Even so, most who stopped to talk were nice.  A few other first timers talked with us. So did a few who've been a part of the past shows. 

There was one person though (and it seems there's always at least one), who was pretty vocal.

"Amateur, amateur, amateur..." he said as he went down the line pointing at every photo. "You see, they put all the professionals downstairs and the amateurs up here." Is what he said to his companion. As I understood it, they put the first ones there downstairs and had to eventually move upstairs too. Obviously, close friends, and such, were going to be put on the 1st floor. Either way, he seemed awfully rude as he did this in front of the photographers. It was unnecessary and in poor taste.

All in all, it was an interesting night and it was great to be included. If asked, I'd probably do it again. Being more prepared the next time.

--Trace

Delight Bird Mug Rug

A rug for your mug and a snack. Genius!

Have you heard of Mug Rugs? I hadn't, until recently. They're bigger than a drink coaster, but smaller than a placemat. Mug rugs are the perfect size to rest a teacup, or mug and a snack on them. Cleanup is easy since most are machine washable. I like the idea of having these for when my granddaughters come over and have snack time.

Best of all, they're a great way to use up my mound of fabric scraps. Okay, I confess. It's now more of a mountain. Everest comes to mind. I can't see throwing away any piece of fabric. It seems so wasteful when I can use it down to an inch in size. That being so, I need more projects in order to get that mountain back to mound status.

So, pictured above is my first mug rug. It measures 6" x 10". I just love the bird fabric. It's background is covered in words of encouragement.

Words of encouragement grace this lovely fabric.

The fabric is 100% cotton. There is a top layer, batting in between and a bottom layer that matches the denim patterned fabric on the top. For a little more detail, I made an applique similar to the printed bird and placed it on the right.

A little close-up of the applique bird.

This was a lot of fun to make. I have plenty of ideas for more.

Delight Bird Mug Rug by trgatesart. 6"x10"

If you're interested in the Mug Rug in this post, Click Here to visit my Etsy shop. More Mug Rugs are on the way!

Sunday Photography - Bluejays

Finally, I was able to go outside and play with my camera this weekend. While I wasn't fast enough to catch photos of a hummingbird in between all the goings on, I was able to get photos of a couple bluejays.

At first, they were shy. Unlike the sparrows and grackles, the bluejays kept to the trees while I filled the bird feeders and tossed peanuts here and there. I don't blame them. The length of the 70-300mm camera lens when it was fully extended probably seemed as if I was trying to shoot something at them, rather than take a photo. But by Sunday, although still cautious, they came down more often while I was in the yard. One showed plenty of curiosity of what I was doing.

I have plenty of photos to use as reference for eventual paintings. I think some would be great as they are for prints and cards. The first on this page is one such photo.

Here's another:

 

I don't know if I'd count myself a great photographer yet. I'm sure I have a long way to go. I do know that I was bored of taking photos of birds sitting on the ground, or feeders. So, I'm playing with camera settings to get better shots of birds in flight.  I thought I might need a longer lens, especially for smaller birds like sparrows and chickadees. Too expensive. For now, I'll just have to get in a little closer.

What ever your thoughts on bluejays, I think they make wonderful photo and paint subjects. Don't you?

Peaceful Morning

Last week we took a trip to Florida. Saw lots of beautiful places and wonderful wildlife. Of course, I took lots of photos! Here is a digital art I made of a heron soaring over the Anclote River.
Much more photos and art to come.

-Trace

Fine Art America Prints Part 2

Since "Sharing with a Friend" was originally created with watercolors on illustration board, I decided to order a print of it on watercolor paper at the same size as the original.

"Sharing with a Friend" 11" x 14" print on watercolor paper

As you can see in the photo, this is a stiffer paper with a little curl, which can be remedied by putting it behind a mat, or glass. Of the two prints I bought for this artwork, I like this one the most. It is near identical to the original, slightly brighter, but with the added watercolor paper texture (as seen in the close up below). The details are clear and crisp. I'm highly pleased with how this one turned out.

Close up of "Sharing with a Friend" print on watercolor paper.

Last, but definitely not least, is the second print of Magical Moonlight. This one came out so beautiful. The photos of it do not do it justice.

"Magical Moonlight" 16" x 12" on Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper.

It was printed on Epson Premium Glossy Photo Paper. The colors are rich, vivid. The paper itself is extra glossy. The moon and fairy dust really stand out. I'd say they almost glow. You can't tell by my photo, but the whites are brilliantly white. It's really a beautiful print. This one is my favorite of all four print papers/canvas.

All in all, I'm impressed by the prints by Fine Art America and feel they are a great option for prints. I plan to try out their acrylic prints and gallery wrap canvas soon. I encourage artists - traditional, digital, photography - to try them. As long as you have a high resolution photo of your art you won't be disappointed.

While you're at it, please check out my artwork through them at: Tracey R Gates Fine Art

-Trace

Return to Part 1

At the Dock - Prints

Copyright © 2009 Tracey R Gates

Fine art prints are now available for my painting, "At the Dock", at: Tracey R Gates Fine Art (http://tracey-r-gates.artistwebsites.com/featured/at-the-dock-tracey-r-gates.html).

Fine Art Prints

© 2012 Tracey R Gates

In an artist group that I'm part of I recently asked about printers. Specifically, home printers that can handle heavier paper than photo, such as inkjet canvas, or fine art paper. My reason for this is that I'd like to have more control over prints of my artwork. To make sure that the colors in the print matches to the colors in my original artwork before selling to a client. Not only that, but sometimes I put my art on fabric and add it to some of my sewing designs, but the printer I have now tends to jam.

Before I knew it, my original post turned into a long discussion from fellow artists about whether, or not it is cost worthy to do the printing yourself, or to have someone else do it for you. Not exactly what I was asking. I seem to run into this more than not when I think I have a simple question. So, I'm still on the hunt for the perfect professional printer that will do what I want without breaking the bank.

In the meantime, I've set up some of my art for prints through professional printers. (Thank you, Abril Andrade Griffith).  You'll find art prints, acrylic prints, framed and canvas prints of some of my artwork and nature photos at Tracey R Gates Fine Art  ( http://tracey-r-gates.artistwebsites.com/). Including the bird bath photo above.

Dragon and Chickadee

© 2012 Tracey R Gates

I just finished this fantasy art drawing of a dragon and chickadee. Still haven't thought of a name yet. This is one of a set of drawing/paintings I'm working on. So, look for the painted version to show up sometime soon.

Those who know me, know that I love chickadees. The ones that come to our backyard are just as friendly as they are curious. I couldn't imagine anyone harming the little beauties. Not even a dragon!

Drawing was done with woodless graphite on acid-free recycled sketch paper (with more detail than shows up on the computer).

-Trace