New Daily Paintings and Painted Instrument

Just listed four new Daily Journal Paintings in my Etsy shop. Also, I've been keeping busy at the State Fair by painting one of my recycled instruments. This time it's a Russian Balalaika, another stringed instrument. My husband has had this one for some time, it is totally unplayable as it doesn't have a soundboard. So, now it has been recycled into a wall hanging. I'm not completely sure I'm done with it, please let me know your opinions!

Handpainted Balalaika

Business at the Fair has been pretty slow, which is why this instrument is taking me MUCH less time than the guitar. Also, I finally finished the guitar, stringing it with beads. I will try to get a photo posted soon.

Spiraling, 8 x 8" Daily journal painting

Let it Rain, 8 x 8" Daily journal painting

Hypnotized, 8 x 8" Daily journal painting

What the World Needs. . . ., 8 x 8" Daily journal painting

Summertime and the living's busy!

Seems I can't get caught up these days. Lots going on!

Painting everyday to get ready for a gallery show in August at the House of Lyndon, Gallup, NM.

Getting stocked for the New Mexico State Fair in September. I have a booth again this year in the Enchantment Arts and Crafts section. This year, instead of being tucked behind a building and across from the petting zoo, we will be out on the main street of the fairgrounds! I will also have a booth to myself this year as last year I shared a booth with an artist friend. So I have more space to fill! The fun part about this year is that my husband will be out there with me everyday since he is now a full time performer. He's working on getting some bookings for the Fair, but otherwise will be with me at the booth, playing his guitar and selling cds.

This weekend(July 14,15th) and two weekends a month I will be out at the Tijeras Art Market. I will post the dates as soon as I know them for sure. This week I will be sharing the booth with my artist friend, Josephine Brionez de Flores

Saturday, July 21st I will be back out at the Neighborhood Market in downtown Albuquerque. At the corner of Gold and 8th, hours are 10am to 4pm.

I've designed and started to build frames for my small daily paintings. They are made from raw lumber into 3 inch wide painted wood frames. I'm planning to paint each frame to go with the painting it is intended for. The painting will extend out into the frame and turn an 8 inch painting into a 14 inch framed painting.

I am preparing my next instrument for painting. Not sure when I will start the actual painting, still have to gesso it. This one isn't a guitar, it's a Russian instrument called a Balalika(spelled wrong I'm sure!). I love the shape and I can hardly wait to paint it! I have had an awesome response on the guitar and want to have a whole row of painted instruments to show eventually.

On a personal note, I've been getting stuff moved around at the house and moved into my studio still. My middle son returned this morning from 6 months at his dad's in Arkansas. I am so happy to have him back! I now have all my sons living at home again!