"Works in Progress "HAS MOVED TO www.donnasteel.co.nz

new blog ...

2010-01-07T20:43:00.001+13:00

Hi all just started a new blog check it out here http://donnasteelsblog.wordpress.com/

my new SITE ...

2008-12-10T12:20:00.002+13:00

NEW OFFICAL SITE : www.donnasteel.co.nz

2008-12-10T12:20:00.001+13:00

I ummed and Arrrrred but have ...

2008-12-06T21:55:00.005+13:00

Hi guys :) ok I am finally going to stop blogging on this site ... I have managed to combine my blog and website onto one YAYAYAY !! FINALLY lol.... and I am really happy with how it looks !

So please click HERE !! and I will see ya at my NEW SITE !!!!!! ;)

The Viceroy Butterfly - Framed !!

2008-11-15T10:05:00.002+13:00

The Viceroy Butterly

Funny this Beautiful butterfly often gets mixed up with the Monarch ! both are very beautiful butterlies !

A Walk at Dawn !!

2008-11-15T09:54:00.004+13:00

Arrhhhh a walk on the beach ...! is just so peaceful and calming ....I just love walking along the beach... it so clears your head and there is nothing quite like the feeling you get walking at down a lonely beach at Dawn !

With this artwork I have played around with how texture and light can go together really well....

Akaroa at the sea

2008-11-15T09:49:00.003+13:00

The Beautiful Akaroa at the sea....

Last two butterflys done Yay !!

2008-11-15T09:36:00.001+13:00

ART OF THE EARTH !

2008-11-11T16:04:00.006+13:00

Hand Painted Driftwood and Touch Stones !

For my exhibition I trialed a New Product of Hand painted NZ Driftwood and Touch Stones.

I found these a real joy to create and will be continuing to create them and sell them online , they will be also available to purchase through select galleries.

Contact Me here for futher info donnasteel1@xtra.co.nz

Little Cutties !!

2008-11-11T15:05:00.011+13:00

Ok here are some little cutties....

- Textured and Resined Butterflies on Boxed Canvas -

I have completed 4 out of the 6 in the series..... keep watch over the next couple of days to see the remainder of the series....

LARGE GREEN-BANDED BLUE BUTTERFLY

BREAK BUTTERFLY

MONARCH BUTTERFLY

SCARLETT TIGER MOTH

***********************************

This Butterfly is on Board and will be framed as part of my

" Framed Butterfly Speciemen" Series

THE VICEROY BUTTERFLY

Talk soon

Cheers D ;)

What am I up to now ??

2008-11-10T17:41:00.003+13:00

Well ... What am I up to now ?? I hear you ask ? apart from my interupted few months off hehe I have been creating a resined mixed media miniature butterfly series.... which will be available to purchase from the Heart of Art Xmas Exhibition !!

Photos to follow soon !! ....

cheers D ;)

Beautiful Akaroa !!!

2008-11-10T17:21:00.003+13:00

Man I really did forget how BEAUTIFUL AND RELAXING THE LITTLE VILLAGE OF AKAROA IS.

Heres just a few shots I took whilst there yesterday !

I went to Akaroa yesterday to deliver some of my artwork to the beautiful " Gallery Lavaud " !!

So if you are passing through Akaroa, pop into the beautiful Gallery Lavaud, 42 Rue Lavaud, Akaroa.

Heart-Land Exhbition went well !!

2008-11-10T17:17:00.003+13:00

Hi guys... just to let you know that my Heart-Land exhibition went well ! I had good sales and met lots of lovely people !!

Here are a few photos of the Exhibition!

LOL .... I was expecting to have a few months off painting after my exhibition... but since my exhibition I have a few commissions to do and a few more artworks to create for two galleries.... so I will put the couple of months off ... on hold for a month or so lol !!

Talk soon

Cheers D ;)

Solo exhibition ... Heart-Land

2008-10-29T20:28:00.006+13:00

FEATURING NEW OILS....... I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT MY EXHIBITION : NOW SHOWING !! :) SEE BELOW A SMALL SELECTION OF WHAT IS ON SHOW AND FOR SALE !

Sold

Mt Hutt still in progress

2008-09-17T11:28:00.001+12:00

Mt Hutt - still a work in progress.

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT :)

Talk soon .

cheers D ;)

Crazy Crazy Crazy !!!!

2008-09-14T17:31:00.003+12:00

Yip its the Crazy season !! Arrrrrgh lol... anyway now where was I up to .... mmm oh thats right .... I am still in the middle of that wee commission.. and also working toward my own Solo Exhbition on the 27th of October here in Christchurch ... so will post some pickies soon on what I have been working on ... also I have been busy trying to create some new work for a gallery in the north Island...

Just went to take some photos and my camera battery has just died :( hehe so needs to be charged ... will be back later with some progress shots :)

Talk Soon

Cheers D ;)

Quote of the week !

2008-09-14T17:27:00.002+12:00

" Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." Albert Einstein

commission in Oil...

2008-09-06T12:05:00.003+12:00

Hi guys sorry this week has been crazy busy for me !! thought I would share with you a commission I am doing at the moment .... like most of my work this year .. this wee commission is based on a photograph I took of some Wetlands..... in Christchurch .... Still in the beginning stages of this work... but I am well pleased with it so far ....... :)

Click on Images to Enlarge them !

Cheers talk soon

Preview Night Went Well :)

2008-09-02T12:15:00.002+12:00

Hi guys :) just to fill you in we had our Preview Night last night at the Spring Heart of Art exhibition, and it was lovely to meet some new faces :) .

I will be starting in the next couple of days on some more artworks so will keep you posted !

Heart of Art Spring Exhibition !!

2008-08-27T17:43:00.018+12:00

Ok finially finished my artworks for the Heart of Art Spring Exhibition !!

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

" Sumner Sunrise "
200mm x 1000mm

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

"Sea You There"

SOLD

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

"Simply Remarkable"

300mm x 1000mm

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

"Dusk , Beyond the Trees"
300mm x 910mm

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

" Silhouette " Miniature
Includes Miniature Easel

130mm x 180mm

Click on Image to enlarge !

" Taylors Mistake" Miniature
Includes Miniature Easel
130mm x 180mm

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

" Clouds Roll in "
2 Canvas's full size = 300mm x 300mm

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

" Stroll along the Beach " SOLD

2x Canvas's 200mm x 200mm = 400mm x 200mm

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

"Upon a Wish"

150mm x 150mm

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

Baby Fantail

150mm x 150mm

Quote of the week !

2008-08-27T17:33:00.002+12:00

" All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. " Pablo Picasso

Man have I been busy !!

2008-08-22T22:21:00.003+12:00

Hi guys just realised that it has been ages since I have updated my blog !! I have been flat out painting for the HEART OF ART SPRING EXHIBITION !! Gosh I need all my artwork delivered this week to them !! man has that time flown by !!

I thought in the morning I will take some pickies of what I have been up to and show you all of my contributions to this Spring Exhbition ! Mind due I am still busy painting for it !!

Talk tomorrow and I will add some pikies then also .

Until then nite nite ! don't let the bed bugs bite :)

Quote of the week !

2008-08-17T14:38:00.000+12:00

"The richness I achieve comes from Nature, the source of my inspiration."

Claud Monet

ONE TIME OFFER FOR 5 PEOPLE !

2008-08-14T16:50:00.005+12:00

Hi Guys I was updating my finda listing today and saw that I could offer discount coupons !! I thought what a cool idea so ....

I have 5 coupons available on my Finda Listing .

To get more details on the offer for a limited time check out my finda listing HERE :)

Yay finally finished my Remarkables Painting ..

2008-08-13T13:57:00.003+12:00

Yay finally finished the Remarkables painting .... so heres a sneak preview of it ... It is in Acrylic Mixed Media, with heaps of texture for the mountains and toped of with Resin for the lake.

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

Talk soon

Cheers D :)

ok the hills of the Remarkables are finished just need to do the ..

2008-08-11T14:46:00.003+12:00

Hi guys back again Ok... the hills are finished !! Ya just need to finish the sky.. at this stage I have just underpainted it .... so here it is so far....

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

Talk soon
cheers D :)

Quote of the week !

2008-08-10T17:20:00.000+12:00

"You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action." -- ANTHONY ROBBINS

Take a look at what I have been up to ...

2008-08-09T16:13:00.005+12:00

Ok back to a photo of my oil " Beach " painting... I have just started to add some texture to it ... I still need to go back and add the colour to the hills yet...

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

so while it is drying ... I have started to add some texture to a painting I have been working on ... This painting is based on a photograph I took whilst in Queenstown a couple of years ago... of the The Remarkables ! ...

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

Talk soon

Cheers D :)

Here's a sneak peak into what I am up to ....

2008-08-08T11:43:00.002+12:00

Click on Image to enlarge it !

I walked down this beautiful beach the other weekend and tooks just under 800 photos !!! can un believe it lol... anyway I thought I would paint it....

This is in oils and now that the underpainting is done.. I have just started adding the texture of the hills... so keep watch ... for some more photos !

cheers D :)

What it means to me to me be an ....Artist! .....

2008-08-08T10:24:00.008+12:00

mmm what a funny heading for this entry Ah ! " What it means to be an ..... ARTIST !!!.

I woke up this morning and thought you know Donna you have been doing this blog for some time now and Never mentioned to anyone what being an artist means to you ... so why don't you go do it ! so here goes ....

As artists we really put myself out there ! what I mean is we Create from the heart from within our soul.... We as Artists do it for the passion and a release of what is inside that needs to come out and we tend to find that by creating and painting that is our release !! I believe it is a gift that we are all given...

To be an artist is a wonderful profession !! and I love it to bits ... I love painting and creating and don't know what I would do if I couldn't create anymore .

Most of us artists if we want to admit it or not, are sensitive and emotional creatures and what goes on around us really does effect our ablility to create, paint, make jewellery, sing, dance, whatever our artistic ability is ...

Art is a real PASSION IN LIFE for me! it releases something inside of me and when I pick up a paintbrush I simply go into another world and hours seem fly by ...

And if someone comes along and finds an artwork of mine and they connect with it and that artwork takes them back to a memory they have or gives them a certain feeling then I have sooo done my job and thats the reason I love to Paint !!

Thanks for listening more photos to come soon of what I have been up to !

Cheers D;)

Quote of the week !

2008-08-03T17:00:00.000+12:00

When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it ? " Eleanor Roosevelt

check out this photo I took on my walk ...

2008-07-30T12:53:00.004+12:00

Hi guys as I was walking down the beach I came across this large Hunk of Drift wood and right in the middle of it was perched this really old and clear as .... light bulb !! I just had to take some photos and this is one of them !! Cool AH !!

Click on Photo to Enlarge it !

Talk soon

Cheers D ;)

Thought I would show you what I have been up to...

2008-07-30T11:21:00.006+12:00

Hi guys thought I would show you what I have been up to over the last few days...
these little ones are in oil ... I had a great walk down Spencer Park Beach in the weekend and took endless photos ... So I decided to paint a few artworks using those photos as inspiration!!

I am still finishing this wee one !!

Click image to enlarge it !

Click on image to enlarge it !

Talk soon

Cheers D ;)

YAY Finally finished !!!

2008-07-27T14:10:00.003+12:00

Yay finally finished this one !

I really did forget the time it takes to create trees !! It took simply ages ... This artwork is in Oil, the sky has a matt finish to it and heavily textured grass in the foreground and trees are slightly glazed...

This painting is based on a photograph I took some time agoe at dusk just south of christchurch in the beautiful country side !!

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE !

Now onto my next artwork mmmmm ? not sure what that is going to be ? keep watch to see what is next !

Talk soon

Cheers D ;)

Quote of the week !

2008-07-27T12:04:00.001+12:00

"Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right. There is nothing divine about morality; it is a purely human affair." Albert Einstein

Thought I would share with you....

2008-07-26T19:14:00.009+12:00

I went for a fantastic walk along the beach today ! I took some photos and thought I would share them with you guys !

SpencerPark Beach, and the wetlands that are near there !

YaY just about there .... !

2008-07-26T18:13:00.004+12:00

Good evening guys ;) Yay just about there !! thought I would show you the latest pickie of my trees in Oils .....

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

Talk soon

Cheers D ;)

I have started to read Poetry and thought ...

2008-07-22T13:47:00.003+12:00

Hi guys I have started to read Poetry and came across one of William Wordsworth's poems thought I would share it with you !!

Written in Early Spring

I heard a thousand blended notes While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts Bring sad thoughts to the mind.
To her fair works did Nature link The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think What Man has made of Man.

Through primrose tufts, in that sweet bower, The periwinkle trail'd its wreaths;And 'tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes.
The birds around me hopp'd and play'd, Their thoughts I cannot measure,—
But the least motion which they made It seem'd a thrill of pleasure.
The budding twigs spread out their fan To catch the breezy air; And I must think, do all I can, That there was pleasure there.
If this belief from heaven be sent, If such be Nature's holy plan, Have I not reason to lament What Man has made of Man?

Quote of the week !

2008-07-20T12:00:00.006+12:00

I came across this wee quote today and I dont know about you guys but sometimes we come across people in life that are liked this ! unfortunetly they have very little integrity or morals even though they shout them to the world... mmm it really made me think...

"What people say, what people do, and what they say they do are entirely different things."

Margerot Mead

Check this out for Something Different !!!!

2008-07-19T21:30:00.002+12:00

" The Million Dollar Leg Project" Check this out guys !!! Here

I will have a link to his site on mine ... so we can keep watch and see how he gets on !!

Talk soon

cheers D :)

some latest photos of where I am up to ...

2008-07-18T18:33:00.004+12:00

Hi guys well this is where I am up to with the trees..... I just have to wait for it to dry so I can add some more texture and colour to the grass in the foreground .... so in the mean time I am going to start another wee paintng ....

It's funny how the sky's colour seems to change within the 3 photos below ! I think it is because of the depth and layers of colour I have used for the sky ! The 3 photos below were taken at different times of the day... hence the colour variation. :)

Click on image to enlarge it !

slowly slowly ... the trees are growing....

2008-07-16T10:29:00.004+12:00

Hi agan guys :) just thought I would show you where I am up to with my latest large oil..... slowly slowly does it hehe.....

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

Will be back soon with some more photos ;)

Talk soon

Cheers Donna :)

large oil just about to start detail....

2008-07-13T15:17:00.003+12:00

Click on image to enlarge it !

Just about to add some detail to this artwork... check back shortly to check it out !

Talk soon

Cheers D ;)

Miniature oil Taylors Mistake...

2008-07-13T14:57:00.002+12:00

Hi guys started up with my oils again.... so here is a wee mini one of Taylors Mistake.... I think its finished ? not to sure if I am happy with the beach part... anyway here is a wee pickie of it...

Click on image to enlarge it !

Quote of the week !

2008-07-13T09:51:00.001+12:00

"Record companies, believe me, no matter what record company you're with, they're going to try to hype you, because, really, all record companies are interested in is making money."

Elton John

Yay finally finished my wee fantail ...

2008-07-12T07:01:00.003+12:00

Yay ! finally finished this wee cutie... a NZ Fantail.... the tail goes around the sides of the canvas. it is mixed media, on boxed canvas.

Click on image to enlarge it !

Just about to get back into painting the large oil ... that I started a while agoe will put some pickies on here this morning on where I left it ....

Talk soon :)
cheers D

Hi guy thought I would let you know what...

2008-07-08T16:35:00.009+12:00

Hi guys thought I would show you what I have added to my website and Artworks for Sale blog today ...

"Akaroa "

Click on Image to Enlarge !

Oil painted on Boxed Canvas mounted in a Glass Boxed Frame.

"Mt Cook"

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

Oil painted on Boxed Canvas mounted in a Glass Boxed Frame.

Anyway thought I would show you guys what I have been up to ! talk soon with more works in progress photos of works I have been up to !

Talk soon cheers D ;)

Quote of the week !

2008-07-06T06:48:00.002+12:00

"The hardest challenge is to be yourself in a world where everyone is trying to make you be somebody else." E. E. Cummings

Back to my roots of drawing...

2008-07-04T12:19:00.005+12:00

Hi guys welcome back, the last two days here have been just beautiful the sun shinning and really lovely ... especially as its winter and been cold as heck here lately ... I love the sun shinning it always puts me in a Great frame of mind .... so anyway enough of the weather forecast lol...you could just switch on your TV for that lets get back into works in progress !!

I am still painting my wee fantail but have decided to also start painting something totally different for me.... I think it is good for your creative brain and spirit to keep striving to do try different things... and always evolving ... so plants..... mmmmm have a wee look at a sketch I did the other day ...

So just to mix things up a bit I thought I would have a go at painting this...

Please bare with me as this will be a first at paintings plants heheh ....

here is the rough sketch ....

Talk soon

cheers D ;)

Now to a more POSITIVE NOTE !! my latest ....painting...

2008-07-02T18:48:00.003+12:00

I really love painting birds so thought it was time for a wee Fantail ... remember this is in its very early stages.... will be back tomorrow with some more progress...

Click on image to enlarge it !

Cheers D :)

Disclaimer .... This is very important to me !!

2008-07-01T13:41:00.027+12:00

Hi guys my word is very important to me and so therefore I feel very strongly about this.... I was a member of the New Zealand Art Guild, New Zealand Art Guild is a online community of NZ artists,supporting and helping each other in the world of Arts within NZ.

COLLABORATIVE PROJECT " REACH OUT " this is a project entered into by artists that are members of the New Zealand Art Guild, each artist is given the theme and in this case a small piece of board and told to go for it with your inspiration or imagination. Then all the pieces are put together and will make a picture ..... Then this artwork is sold on Trademe. Profits to be divided amoung the artists.

This year for the first time 20% of the profits will be going to The Mental Health Foundation of NZ which I fully support 110% !!.

Today the artists have been advised that the New Zealand Art Guild are getting 500 ltd edition prints done of this collobrative project "Reach Out " and will be also selling Individual prints of each artwork.

My major problem with this is that I do not want my individual artwork reproduced. I pride myself in 1) using top quality products and 2) knowing that when one of my artworks is purchased it is a one off total original.

Therefore I felt that I needed to note here on my blog that I do not agree with the reproducing and selling of my individual artwork as a print by the New Zealand Art Guild.

Thanks for your support .

Wednesday 3rd July 2008

Since this post, It has been pointed out to me by the New Zealand Art Guild that I have signed over copyright to them and YES I did sign a contract ... giving them ownership over the overall artwork . But I didnt realise that , that meant individual prints of the individual artworks were going to be made an option for people to purchase .... if I had realised this I would not have signed the contract.

I did contact New Zealand Art Guild b4 posting on here but was told that they did own copyright due to me signing contract and that the prints were going ahead.

I felt I had no other option than to publish this disclaimer allowing you the public to know that I am not in agreeance with this happening.

Thanks again for your patience :) cheers D

DONNA

Quote of the week !

2008-06-29T19:57:00.000+12:00

"Every day do something that will inch you closer to a better tomorrow."

Doug Firebaugh

" On a Wire " Framed....

2008-06-29T17:13:00.002+12:00

Click to enlarge image !

Finally got this wee cutie mounted and framed....

" On a Wire "

Acrylic on Board , framed behind glass.

For Sale

Cheers D ;)

Finished the " Small Thyridia " Butterfly

2008-06-29T17:07:00.004+12:00

Click to enlarge it !

This wee one has been painted on a small canvas and mounted behind a deep , glassed frame.

This painting is for Sale.

Cheers D

In loving memory for a Dear Friends Mother...

2008-06-29T16:57:00.006+12:00

I thought I would share this little painting I did for a very dear friend .. her Mother passed away last week.... and instead of giving her flowers that would fade in time I thought it would be nice to give her two roses that would last forever.....

Titled " Together Forever "
Symbolizing her parents finally being reunited together forever.....

Click on image to enlarge !

Cheers D

latest photo of the sky ... in oils....

2008-06-26T14:11:00.002+12:00

Click on image to enlarge !

Hi there back again... thought I would show you the next stage in this sky...... talk soon cheers D :)

Patience is something you learn....

2008-06-26T11:14:00.005+12:00

Hi guys finally I have got back to you with some progress shots... man I am so used to the quick drying effects of acrylic.... but with oil you really do need to be patient.. something I am learning Slowly lol.... so what I am doing is some acrylic work in between my oil work....

Just a wee note to anyone just popping in for their first visit to my site , thanks for popping by and I hope you enjoy what you see..... it may seem that all I paint is butterflies.... hehe not so ... but I am working toward my annual Solo Exhibition and there will be a selection of butterflies in that exhibtition ... so at the mo my inner being is guiding me in that direction ....

This first painting is in Oils and based on a photograph I took at dusk looking through a row of trees in a farm paddock just a little out of Christchurch...

Click on image to enlarge it !

This second image is a " Small Thyridia " Butterfly painted in Acrylics with Gold leaf in the background.

Click on image to enlarge it !

Anyway will be back with more progress shots as I go along.

Cheers and have a nice day !! :) D

mmmm seems my website is currently in sleep mode ??

2008-06-22T20:26:00.002+12:00

Hi guys just thought I would post on here incase anyone was sitting back this cold sunday night and trying to surf the net.... seems like my website www.donnasteel.co.nz is in sleep mode lol so hopefully it will come alive very shortly !!

talk tomorrow with some photos of what I have been up to !

Cheers D :)

Quote of the week !

2008-06-22T15:38:00.003+12:00

" Dost thou love life ? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. "

Benjamin Franklin

ok time for a larger painting ......

2008-06-21T09:20:00.002+12:00

ok guys I have been busy with my miniatures but its really time to start on a larger artwork... so here goes ... this one is 305mm x 914mm

Check back later on tonight to see what I am up to !

talk soon

Cheers D ;)

"on a Wire "

2008-06-21T09:07:00.003+12:00

click on image to enlarge it !

Finished this littlee " On a Wire " a wee baby waxeye ....

180mm x 130mm Miniature Arcylic on board , watch over the next couple of days to see this artwork mounted .... mmmmmm ???

cheers D ;)

Blue Pansy Butterfly Finished ya !!

2008-06-15T20:47:00.002+12:00

BLUE PANSY BUTTERFLY

Click on image to enlarge it !

Ok ya finished this wee cutie !

Check back tomorrow to see what I have in store for you ;)

cheers D

Ok I know I know you want me to paint.....something

2008-06-15T16:29:00.007+12:00

Here's what I am up to with this littlee ....

Click on image's to enlarge them !

Ok I know I know you want me to paint something a little different from butterflies ! well I promise I will BUT ..... just b4 I do I have to finish this wee littlee I started the other day... only a little left in this one then I will paint something different....

so here is this wee one I started the other day the " Blue Pansy" ....

Quote of the week !

2008-06-15T07:57:00.002+12:00

" What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us. " Ralph Waldo Emerson

Working towards my Solo Exhibition...

2008-06-13T10:32:00.002+12:00

Hi guys time is flying by ... I have been plodding along towards my Solo Exhibition... later in the year at Gallery O Christchurch.

I have a few wee treats up my sleeve for this and have been working a lot lately in Oils.... so will come back shortly with some photos of what I have started to paint since the Flutterbys 3.

Talk soon cheers D ;)

Flutterbys 3

2008-06-11T12:48:00.003+12:00

Finished this wee series of "Flutterbys 3 "

Monarch , Common Clubtail , Emperor Gum Moth

Click on images to enlarge !

Emperor Gum Moth Finished !!

2008-06-10T18:17:00.004+12:00

Click on image to enlarge it !

Ya finished this wee cutie !!

more wing detail ....

2008-06-08T18:52:00.011+12:00

Ok this is where I am up to on this wee one.... so check up tomorrow and hopefully it will be all finished !

Click on image to enlarge it !

Click to enlarge image !

Will be back later with some more progress shots !

cheers D ;)

Quote of the week !

2008-06-08T18:44:00.001+12:00

" If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. " Henry David Thoreau

Its snowing in Christchurch Ya Ya !!

2008-06-07T17:56:00.005+12:00

My wee baby enjoying the snow !!

Just lovin this beautiful snowfall !! man it just makes you remember how beautiful everything looks covered in snow !

Talk soon cheers d ;)

ok now for the wings ....

2008-06-07T06:37:00.002+12:00

Click on image to enlarge it !

Ok ... time to tackle the wings.... will be back later in the morning with my progress !!

Talk soon

Cheers D

a little more detail...

2008-06-06T12:22:00.002+12:00

Click on image to enlarge it !

Just did a few little tweaks with this ... so will take some more photos soon ... now I am starting on the top of this most beautiful creature....

talk soon ...

cheers D ;)

latest photo of Butterfly or Moth ? painting...mmm

2008-06-05T14:06:00.005+12:00

Click on image to enlarge it !

Ya its starting to take some form now ... at long last ... so just starting to add a little more detail.... so keep watching to see how it turns out ... and to see what species it is ...

mmmm ..... a Butterfly or maybe a Moth ???

Talk soon

Cheers D ;)

Just starting to add some colour....

2008-06-05T14:02:00.002+12:00

Ok just starting to add a little colour...

Click on image to enlarge it !

keep watch ..... to see what happens next ...

Cheers D ;)

Heres another photo of where I am up to with....

2008-06-05T13:52:00.002+12:00

Okydoky ... here is where I am up to with this little cutie ...

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT !

" Common Clubtail " Finished !!

2008-06-04T09:46:00.005+12:00

Click on image to enlarge it !

Ya finished the 2nd Butterfly.... This wee gem is a "Common Clubtail" Butterfly .

Mainly found in tropical rainforests, but also on plains throughout northern India and Burma to Malaysia, Sumatra, Java.

Well off to tackel the last in this wee series..... wait to you see what the next one is ! ....

Talk soon cheers

D :)

Chugging along ... slowly hehe ...

2008-06-03T16:39:00.002+12:00

Click to Enlarge Image !

Ok nearly finished with this wee one... just a little more colour and detail to add... keep watch for the finished product soon.

Cheers D ;)

2nd Butterfly painting ...

2008-06-03T12:15:00.003+12:00

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM !

Still a way to go on this one... keep watch to see what's next !...

Cheers D :)

Finished !

2008-06-02T14:37:00.003+12:00

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT !

1st Butterfly painting of 3 finished !

Monarch

200mm x 200mm

on boxed canvas..

Now onto the 2nd in this wee series.....

Cheers D :)

4th Progress shot !

2008-06-02T07:55:00.003+12:00

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT !

Ok now to the top part of the Monarch ! ... keep watch to see what next ....

Cheers D :)

3rd progress shot !...

2008-06-01T20:28:00.003+12:00

CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT !

Ok remember this is just the underpainting of the butterfly still heaps to go !! so keep watching to see what next !...

Cheers D ;)

2nd progress shot !

2008-06-01T16:37:00.002+12:00

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

Ok ... not sure if you noticed but I darkened the area behind the butterfly also.... I had used Gold Leaf ... and then painted it ... but on reflection I hadnt painted it dark enough ... so just darkened it up and then painted the undercoat of the bottom wings... keep watch for more progress ...

Cheers D ;)

Time to show some Works in Progress shots...

2008-06-01T14:53:00.003+12:00

Hi guys I am painting a wee set of 3 butterflys at the moment so I thought I would show you some work in progress shots...

starting with this painting of a Monarch ! ... keep watch to see the colour grow !!

Cheers D ;)

Quote of the week !

2008-06-01T14:46:00.001+12:00

"No amount of skillfull invention can replace the essential element of imagination".
Edward Hopper

Snow Fall at Tekapo all finished !!

2008-05-29T15:58:00.003+12:00

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

Ok this is all done and dusted......

Title : Snow Fall ( lake Tekapo )

Size : 1000mm x 200mm

Medium : Oil on Canvas

COMMISSION FINISHED !

2008-05-29T15:54:00.003+12:00

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

Just finished this painting it is a commission... just have string it sign the back etc and print out a Certificate of Authenticity ... Oh and ring the Client of Course !

talk soon cheers D :)

SOLD

Finally finished the wee miniature trees n sunset..

2008-05-29T14:40:00.005+12:00

Click on Images to Enlarge them !

This is the original photograph I took.......

Still need to sign this wee one.... but then its all done :) yay

Havnt Titled it yet ?

Miniature includes it's own Easel !

Size 130mm x 180mm

Medium : Oil on Canvas

44th Annual Exhibition...

2008-05-27T21:06:00.003+12:00

I have been working hard this year on painting new artworks for my Annual Solo Exhibition later in the year... so with that in mind I have been very quiet on the home front with regard to entering Exhibitions or Art Sales around the country.....

But ... I am now a member of the Ashburton Society of Arts... ...and in June this year they are having their 44th Annual Exhibition so I have deceided to entry 2 artworks into this exhibition.

Opening Monday 23rd June. Tickets available for Opening Night can be obtained from the Ashburton Art Gallery, Ashburton Society of Arts.

Contact: Val Henderson
Contact Phone: 308 5460

Exhibition Dates : Dates: 24 Jun 2008 - 11 Jul 2008
Location: Ashburton
Venue: Ashburton Art Gallery
Baring Square East
Ashburton

Opening Hours: Monday - Closed

Tuesday - 10 am to 4 pm

Wednesday to Fridy - 10 am to 7 pm

Saturday to Sunday - 1 pm to 4 pm

Hope to see you there :)

Quote of the week !

2008-05-25T10:59:00.004+12:00

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. Albert Einstein

More progress on the Lake Tekapo Oil....

2008-05-22T12:08:00.004+12:00

Ok another wee photo of progression with this oil....

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

I just went to take another photo this morning but I need to recharge my Camera battery.... So keep watch and pop back this afternoon and I will post an up to date photo ......

In the mean time I am busy painting a acrylic mixed media artwork for a commission so I will post a photo on here also of what I am up to ...

Keep Smiling and I will catch ya soon.

cheers D ;)

Quote of the week !

2008-05-18T07:47:00.003+12:00

"The person born with a talent they are meant to use will find their greatest happiness in using it."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

New Miniature Oil ...

2008-05-17T21:11:00.006+12:00

Ok here goes... I took this photos ages ago , and have just been waiting for the right time to paint it ... so here goes I have decided to paint it in oils...

Click on Image to Enlarge it !

Here is the start of my painting... keep checking back for the progress ....

cheers D ;)

Southern Alps Miniature Finished too !!!

2008-05-16T19:23:00.002+12:00

Ya Finally finished this wee Miniature of the Southern Alps !! yaya

Click Image to Enlarge it !

Finished Mt Cook Miniature

2008-05-16T19:11:00.003+12:00

Ya finished Mt Cook miniature ...I just deepened the colour of the base mountain and added some misty clouds in the sky and over the top of the mountain and surrounding hills .

Click on Image to enlarge it !

another wee miniature oil ...

2008-05-15T20:15:00.004+12:00

There are so many little stone beaches around Banks Penisula and Akaroa way this is a wee oil based on Akaroa.

Miniature

180mm x 150mm

Click to Enlarge !

Miniatures in oils ...

2008-05-11T10:19:00.007+12:00

Miniature

180mm x 150mm

Click on image to enlarge !

Miniature of Mt cook based on one of my photographs. This painting is still a work in progress ...

Miniature

180mm x 150mm

Click on image to enlarge it !

This wee oil painting is based on one of my photographs of the Lindis Pass Central Otago.

Miniature

180mm x 150mm

Click on image to enlarge it !

Ahhh this wee oil is of the Mountains of Mourne Ireland ! This was done especially for my Mum for Mothers day !!

Talk soon with more works in progress ......

cheers D :)

Lake Tekapo in Oils

2008-05-11T09:46:00.007+12:00

Imagine me singing this I have been doing oils I have been doing oils heheheheh and loving it !!

Click on Image to enlarge it !

This oil is on canvas, and is based on a photograph I took whilst at Lake Tekapo on the way to Central Otago . Still have a ways to go with the shading of the hills but I really love it .. and thought I would share with you the progress so far !

Talk soon cheers D :)

Quote of the week !

2008-05-11T09:45:00.000+12:00

"He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how. " Friedrich Nietzsche

ok I am in the midst of a few wee projects !!

2008-05-04T15:01:00.004+12:00

Hi again guys ... I am in the middle of a few wee projects at the mo .... as I am busy with my large oil painting.... I am finding out fast that paitence is needed hehe mmmm and if you know me I ain't got much of them lol.... so I thought ok let me start a few wee projects that I have been planning for some time !! so I will take some pickies soon and give you a tiny we sneeky peak into what I am up to ;)

talk soon
cheers D :)

Quote of the week !

2008-05-04T15:01:00.001+12:00

"I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply ALL my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy." Og Mandino