Theme: Vegetables

My next four paintings will be vegetables. It's summer and light crisp garden greens and fresh vegetables sound perfect. I hope to work more on the green beans and my computer and get this show on the road!!!

Green Beans

"Green Beans"

6" x 8"

Acrylic on Canvas Panel

$35.00 usd * includes s&h

updated 8/5/07

Theme: Pentwater

My theme for the next few pieces is going to be related to Pentwater, Michigan. It's a small town on Lake Michigan, just south of Ludington, that my family and I spent a lot of time at. My grandparents built a small cottage in the birch trees that we vacationed in every summer (and a few winters) since I was little and I have lots of memories from. Since my grandma passed away almost seven years ago, we haven't gone as much because it feels a little empty. My art will be reflections of things I remember, did, saw, and felt while "up north." From spending days at the beach building sand castles, eating corn on the cob, going fishing with my Jaja, and watching the Scotville Clown Band play, I miss and love Pentwater. My first drawing is of the S.S. Badger, a car ferry that docks in Ludington and makes the trip across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wisconisin. I remember how enormous and almost scary that ship looked to me, floating in the water, bobbing up and down.

S.S. Badger

8 1/2 x 11"

Pastel on paper

$55.00

Theme

My theme for the next four paintings is going to be "small still lifes". Ultimately, it's the same as the first theme we had chosen at the start of the blog.I like painting still lifes.They're like a little window into my life.Especially since they're of items that I own and are in my home.
That's what I know.

Snowglobe

5''x7''

Acrylic on Canvas

SOLD

Green Scarab Beetle

"Green Scarab Beetle"

5"x7"

Acrylic on canvas

$20.00 usd*includes s/h

T-shirt quote:

This life has been a test.
Had it been an actual life
you would have received instructions
on where to go and what to do.

I think that just about sums up how I'm feeling about things these days. I do so love the emergency broadcast system. Maybe if I listen closely they really will tell me what to do.

-Rachel

Rhino Beetle

"Rhino Beetle"

6" x 8"

Acrylic on canvas panel

$30.00 usd * includes s&h

(i appologize for the poor image.. my computer keeps freezing up when i try to put this up so i had to use my cell phone. i'll put a better one up asap!)

A Little Art Therapy

So I think my bug painting sums up my week.As an "almost art therapist" I was trained in breaking down the meaning in art works and its looking kind of messy for me.Still no real job.I did a little babysitting though....so not only do I feel unemployed, I feel like a high schooler.Those were my prime babysitting years.Anyway, I was feeling like having a "walmart priced " piece of art for all of those other unemployed babysitters out there.

Bug Crazy

5''x7''

SOLD

Orange Slices

"Orange Slices"

9"x 7 3/4"

Pastel, charcoal on colored paper

$20 usd*includes s/h

SOLD

To Sell, or Not to Sell

When choosing what to paint and post I find myself constantly tormented. I have to decide, do I paint something because I want to, or do I paint something because I want to sell it? An odd question? Not really.

Who wants to pay $30 for a painting of a banana peels' untimely demise? Not very many people, that's who. But, that was a photo that I had taken about two years ago and it meant a lot to me. It was a learning experience, in that you should NEVER but banana peels down the garbage disposal. It was taken back when Dena and I were still friends. It was while I was still in college, paying rent off student loans. (Life was GREAT back then.)

Now I don't really like radishes. They smell funny, they taste weird, and they look a little awkward. However, every single time I have painted radishes, people have gone CRAZY for them. Why? Because a dainty painting of radishes brings life to your otherwise mundane kitchen. And all your friends may have a print from the store, but now yours is an original artwork.

So, what should I paint? How do I walk the line between what means something to me and what will help pay the rent. To sell, or not to sell... that is the question.

-Rachel

Three Orchids

"Three Orchids"

A Series by Rachel Sherwood

Purchase the set of three for only $100.00 Sold

"Fire Orchid"

4" x 6"

acrylic and marker on canvas panel

$35.00 usd *includes s&h

"White Orchids"

4" x 6"
acrylic and marker on canvas panel
$35.00 usd *includes s&h

"Butterfly Orchid"

4" x 6"

acrylic and marker on canvas panel

$35.00 usd *includes s&h

Still Looking...

I'm still looking for my new favorite career and it's going slowly.It's amazing the things you can find to do when your home all day though. I've been reorganizing files, cleaning A LOT, grooming and talking to my cats-yes talking, painting, emailing, blogging, etc. I should probably take Rachel's advice and go to Meijer to take it all in.But then I would want to spend money and that's bad.To be continued...

Green Bird

5''x7''

Acrylic and paper on canvas

$40.00 usd

Moose

"Moose"
9"x12"
Acrylic on Canvas Board
Unframed
$45.00 usd*includes s/h

SOLD

Radishes

"Radishes"

5" x 5"

acrylic on acid free matte board

unframed

$10.00 usd * includes s&h

sold

The cure for Artist's block:

Here in Michigan we have an amazing store called "Meijer." It's basically a really nice version of WalMart. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can buy beer, clean underwear, and pre-made canvas all in one stop.

When you find yourself sitting in front of the television at midnight, Sunday night, and suddenly remember you have a big project due tomorrow, no problem! Just run to Meijer for all your office supplies, and some Red Bull.

Whenever I can't decide what to paint I troll the isles of my local Meijer store. Often I find my inspiration in the produce department, but sometimes it's in books, home essentials, the garden center, or even hardware.

When nothing at home seems to inspire you, head out to your local Meijer. Get a hand dipped ice cream cone at the Purple Cow and wander around under the florescent lighting until that something crosses your path and gets your juices flowing again.

-Rachel

Lucky Kitty

5''x7''

acrylic on canvas

Sold

not having a job makes me want to paint

So I find myself in search of a new job since my current job is slowly crumbling. This makes me want to paint because I have lots of free time and it keeps me distracted. What kind of job should an art major apply for?It's scary out there. More importantly-who wants to hire an art major?Anybody, anybody?

Animal, Mineral, or Vegetable

Our theme for this coming week is "Animal, Mineral, or Vegetable." Look for three new pieces to be posted by the end of the day Sunday, July 8, 2007.

Portrait of a Kitchen Sink

"Portrait of a Kitchen Sink"

8" x 10"

Acrylic on Canvas

Unframed

$30.00 usd*includes s&h

Little Fan

"Little Fan"

9 3/4"x 8 1/4"

Charcoal, pencil, pastel on paper

Unframed

$30 usd*includes s&h

European Vacation

"European Vacation"

5''x7''

Acrylic on Canvas

Unframed

$40.00 usd*s&h included.