Backyard Gallery and Studio

This past month has been such fun getting my little Backyard Gallery and Studio fixed up! These are photos of the progress.  I painted the floor with two coats of yellow first.
I found a floor design that I liked but couldn't find the stencil so I made my own. This is the first one being painted on! Keri, Kiana and Kelsey helping me with the first one.
The next one is finished. I was so glad. Never again will I paint a floor! It was such a hard job, but worth it now.
I put two coats of heavy duty floor varnish on it when it dried.
The next photo is tables and chairs set up. Ken surprised me with the tables and a friend and I bartered with the chairs. They look great and are so comfortable.
The next photo is one corner set up. I still haven't been able to figure out how to hang my paintings. I use the folding screen to hang the light weight canvases on. This is what I use when I go to shows too. I use S hooks, and some Christmas light hangers on it. Works Great and is lightweight to carry around. The last photo is just for fun. I love bird nests!

 I am teaching my first watercolor class next Friday, the 20th, then July 25-26 I will be teaching my first collage workshop in it! I have 10 students and have room for 2 more if anybody is interested. It is $80.00 for the 2 days. Contact me if you are interested.

Nancy Standlee Workshop in Plains, TX

I am excited that a good friend, Nancy Standlee from the Dallas area is coming to Plains to teach journaling. Her journals are awesome! She will be teaching in my new gallery/studio west of Plains, TX. The date is Oct.17-18.

This will be limited to 10 students, and the cost is $175.00.  We already have

five people signed up. The deposit will be due September 1st.

You can look up her blog and website. address below.

Contact me if you are interested at

suzy_pal2000@yahoo.com
This website gives examples as well as sketchbook choices
http://www.nancystandlee.com/sketchbook-journaling-love-your-life-october-17-18-2014.html

 

 

Description for "Love Your Life" Sketchbook Journaling Class

October 17-18, 2014 Nancy Standlee at

Suzy Pal Studio/Backyard Gallery Plains, TX

http://nancystandlee.blogspot.com

http://nancystandlee.com

NancyStandlee@sbcglobal.net

 

Suzy Powell, Owner
Suzy Powell Backyard Gallery
1141 US Hwy 82

Plains TX 79355

806 592-1582
Suzy_pal2000@yahoo.com

 

This two day workshop is all about you and how to record some of your life events.

This sketchbook journaling workshop will be an introduction to sketchbook journaling with pen and watercolor and will focus on YOU with  a "Love Your Life" theme. We will explore choices in sketchbooks and paints and palettes, examine some great reference books and I will demo techniques I use to keep various sketchbook journals. The student does not need any previous art experience or drawing experience but just needs to come with the desire to explore some possibilities of preserving some moments on their life journey. For example, we usually have some type of hot beverage each morning and it is a great beginning for an entry. Below is an entry I made in a previous art journal workshop of a favorite coffee cup. We will begin with a structured lesson like this and then students will be able to add their personal experiences to their journals for Day One. On Day Two, we will explore travel journals and architecture and people drawings.

After sign up a supply list will be mailed with more details.

Some more details can be found on my website at http://NancyStandlee.com under workshops.

 

Dr. Seuss "Today you are you, That is truer than true, There is no one alive, Who is youer than you."

West Texas Watercolor Society Show

 

We just had our West Texas Watercolor Society Show in Lubbock,TX.

My painting 'Johnny Rockett's' won a special award. I haven't had a chance to

try the new little paint sets from cheap Joes yet. Hopefully soon.

Johnny Rockett's

is a hamburger place in Cabo. We were there last summer,

and had a wonderful hamburger!

49 Years!

On May 31, 1965, Ken and I got married in Odessa Texas. I can't believe just how fast time flies!
We have been blessed with a son and daughter.  2 grandsons, and 2 granddaughters!  They came on Saturday and spent the day. Such fun to have them here.

Archie

This is one of our friends, Archie Harris. He was in the Army during the Viet Nam War.  His vehicle ran over a land mine and his ankle was injured, and he got to come home.  I am so thankful for men and women who care enough to go to war if they are called.

Lubbock Collage Class

Thanks to Kim Thompson, we got to meet on Friday and Saturday and have a collage class in her studio in Lubbock, TX. We had so much fun. We laughed and ripped  paper for two days! Creating and enjoying each other's creation's and company. I feel so blessed to get to share what I have learned about art. Thank you Carol Layton, Margie Shawn,
Lea Gunn, Nancy Meyer, Marsha Wilkes, Kim Thompson, Linda Shough and Amanda Matthies for being such great students! I now have some more great new friends.

Do the Hokey Pokey

'Do the Hokey Pokey'

22x28

 

I am so thankful that our children can run and play without worry...thanks to our Military men and women, over the years,   Fighting and preserving freedom for us. Let us always remember what has been given to allow us to be free. I am thankful that so many of my family members served, giving years of their lives to help make that happen.   A special thanks also to the families of these special people.   My Dad, Brother, Husband, Nephew, Uncles, cousins and friends served, as well as many in Ken's family. Let us remember on this Memorial Day as we stop to pay tribute to them.

 

This painting was done after a visit to NY in 2002.  The kids were romping and playing in Battery Park after the horrible attack the year before.   This is done in Yupo paper using watercolor and  several different tools and stamps to move it around and give it texture.  In real life you couldn't see the buildings. Just trees.

This painting won 3rd place in the Wyoming Watercolor Society, judged by Robert O'Brien.