Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Waking Up To Paint

Over the past few months I seem to get inspired to paint things a little after 2 am. I wake up out of a sound sleep with these ideas. My initial reaction was ugh... is then to just lay there and wait til the inspiration passes. But it doesn't pass, and I can't fall back asleep. So I have decided to just get up and do these very fast paint slinging sessions in a drawing sketchbook.
You just never know when inspiration will strike




So out of these late evening painting slinging things comes another watercolor football painting.
I was very drawn to the form of this player's hand and the fold of the fabric.

This one i(below) s close to be finished. Just 2 sessions..






Father's Day is Just Around the Corner!
An original NFL painting would make a wonderful gift the man cave or office! Drop me an email at Deborah@DeborahBollman.com or have a look at what is currently available here.. Football Art

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All paintings are unmatted and unframed- unless stated otherwise.
Email me for additonal info and photos on works or for commissioning a portrait
Gift Certificates & Layaway Available

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Painting NY Giants Rookies into their Uniforms

And now for something a little different. One of my current projects is painting NY Giants rookies into their uniforms.
 
 
 
Yes. You heard that right. In my other life I’m a horse trainer and one of the  writers for GiantsBigBlueBlog.net for SportsBlog.

I’m a huge football fan and I love doing NFL art.

Odell Beckham, Jr #13 is my first creation.

Odell Beckham, Jr #13, Watercolor, 9 x 12






Happily, Mr. Beckham, himself liked his painting!


Next victim is rookie Weston Richburg.


You can view my gallery of football art here... Football Art

Be sure to check out my Giants blog if you are a fan! :)  

GiantsBigBlueBlog.net

Stay tuned! You get to see them in their new uniforms!





Thursday, May 22, 2014

Crow Watercolor Impressions


Crow Impression
Watercolor, $99


Crow Impressions. 
The models were not incredibly cooperative. No mucking about, in one go. 
My preferred way to work. Watercolor, 9 x 12

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Chillin' Squirrel Watercolor

Chillin' Squirrel
Watercolor, 8 x 19
Available
$99


Chilly Squirrel is now Chllin' Squirrel.   This is the same squirrel that posed for Chilly Squirrel. He's enjoying the sun on the deck railing and stuffing himself with seeds and peanuts.  I painted this live. He's a very cooperative little squirrel! Peanuts will do that.
Watercolor, 8 x10, $99

Drop me an email if you would to take this little guy home!


Chilly Squirrel
Watercolor
Sold




Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Work in Progress- Taking Flight

Last week; I completed my latest painting.. a falcon.  I get a lot of requests for information on my process so I took photos of this one. )I'm toying around with doing some videos in the future.) So I took photos of this one through the various stages.


  1. The sketch-  After taping off a sheet of 12 x 18 Aches Cold Press paper, I use my nice mechanical pencil to lay out the basic sketch. No too much detail. This helps me conserve my whites. 


Step 1

2. Working very quickly a lay down wash using Cobalt, Permanent Alizarin Crimson and Ultramarine Blue. I work wet on wet and on an angled board at this stage. I use large brushes. My favorites are my Pointed Squirrel Mops my Rekab.gl


Step 2





3.  I'm using a really simple palette. Burnt Sienna, Alizarin Crimson, Cobalt, Ult. Blue, Yellow Ochre and a touch of Payne's Grey. That's it. It gives the painting unity. 

I'm an "all over" painter.  I don't work left to right or top to bottom. I go where my intuition takes me. 

I'm also and impatient painter! I put in my lightest glazes and then like to hit it with some really dark darks pretty quickly.

My basic technique is to wet the area I am working on first with clean water and then I  lightly mix my colors on the palette. Then I drop color into the wet area and let them mix on the paper. The dry edges act as a brake and prevents the color from bleeding out. I, also move the board around letting the water run, which allows the pigment to mingle until I get the effect I'm after.


Step 3


4. Adding some more darks and detail. As you start to add the darks you see the light and form just start to appear.



Step 4






5. Continuing to build up layers and working quickly. The tree branch is a mix of Burnt Sienna and Payne's Grey with some dry bruising for texture.

Step 5



Step 6



Completed Painting
Taking Flight
12 x 18
Watercolor 




I'm quite pleased with this one. It's not tight, it's not perfect but it captures the feeling that I was trying to convey.
If you's like this one to hang on your wall.. click here! 
Taking Flight



I've gone ahead and entered it in the Bold Brush Art Competition. 
Click on over and give it and Like!

Taking Flight- Bold Brush Entry

 Thanks so much!



=

Friday, April 18, 2014

Painting Out & Being A Good Noticer


Foliage, Holmes, NY ©DeborahBollman,
Watercolor, Plein Air, Sold



I was asked a question on the subject of en plein air painting and why go outside in the sun, elements, and bugs when I could just paint from a photo in the comfort of my studio. 

I mulled over this one on of my early morning hikes with my dog, Tess.

And the title of Chapter 8 from the book Doctor Dolittle popped into my head which is... 

Are You A Good Noticer?

  • Have you ever stopped to just watch a hawk soar overhead?
  • Have you noticed lately the beautiful changing colors of the clouds at sunset?
  • When was the last time you pulled the car over to marvel at a beautiful view, not because it is your destination, but just “because”.
  • Have you laid out on a blanket at night to contemplate the stars and Universe lately?
  • Did you ever notice the the dandelion flowers open in the morning, and close up their blooms at night? How about the color? Such an incredible happy yellow!
  • Have you ever gotten close enough to a wild animal to look him in the eye?
  • How about just walking and listening to the silence in a forest?

What does this have to do with painting outside? Everything. Painting outside is about unplugging from technology, and tuning into Source. It’s about slowing down and noticing that there is a whole world going on out there while we humans are running on the wheel. 

When you set up an easel outside you have to really observe things. the colors of shadows, the sweep of a mountain, how the different parts of the landscape relate to one another. And then the painting is done quickly to capture the light before it changes, or the weather comes changes or the heat gets you. 

Painting outside teaches you to notice. It teaches you to marvel. It teaches you that you really are part of something bigger and grander. 

It teaches you to notice what an amazing beautiful planet we live on. 

And that’s why I paint outside.

Why do you paint outside? Or why don't you?

Add your comments below!

Happy painting!


Wednesday, April 09, 2014

Perfectionism and Doing it Scared

Misty Trees, Watercolor, ©DeborahBollman, Sold



Boy, that title just about says it all. I’ve just gone through that dreaded period in the life of a creative where the well feels like it had run dry. As a painter I had nothing..nada....zip.... there is nothing quite as intimidating as staring down a blank, glaring white sheet of paper when you have lost all inspiration.

Judging by my email I can say with assurance that this seems to be a fairly common thing among those of us who create... be it a painting a painting, writing a book or blog content, composing a song... 

I’m going to be very transparent here. I was doing everything in by bag of tricks to avoid that sheet of paper that was staring accusingly back at me. I would “get” busy. If I’m busy, well, then I don’t have time to paint. There are too many other important things that need to get done! 

I finally reached a point where the guilt from not painting got so bad that I had to take a step back and re-assess. I had to get to the bottom of things and I decided to work with a mindset coach to try and figure out why I was trying to avoid doing something that I loved and what I discovered wasn’t pretty. 

One of the key insights that I learned is that it is not laziness or procrastination that was stopping me. It was...wait for it.... perfectionism. Yes, you heard that right. My artwork had gotten to the point where I was making good sales and had I put the pressure on myself to make every painting count. I no longer was painting for the fun of it anymore but for the market and a living. 

The fear of “getting it wrong”, screwing up and the prospect of what if next thing I paint doesn’t even come close to being as good as the last thing that I painted was stopping me in my tracks.

I work in watercolor and those of you that know watercolor know that the odds of “getting  it right” (whatever that actually means) every time is pretty slim to none. And that concept of possible failure was death to the perfectionistic ego that I was starting to become a slave to.

“The Solution”

My coach said you simply have to “do it scared”. You can’t wait until everything aligns and the fear will  magically go away. It just doesn’t work that way. Just do it scared. So I did. And you know what? It works. It feels really uncomfortable at first but I had to give myself permission to be imperfect. And guess what? The fun came back.. it led me back into the fun of seeing what the paint could do and pushing the envelope. And the bonus some of those paintings that I considered "mistakes" sold right off the easel.

An Even Bigger A-ha

And from this came an even bigger a-ha moment when I realized that we aren’t just talking about about perfectionism in just painting anymore.

We were talking about life.

How do you handle that blank paper, canvas...sheet of paper and perfectionism? 

I'd love to know. 

Leave your comments in the section below!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Time For Our Spring Studio Sale!



Well Done! ©Deborah Bollman


So who doesn't love a sale? This one is going to be really FUN! I'm in the process of sorting out my studio and have decided to offer a fun "Make an Offer" Sale!
The image above is a very happy painting! Titled Well Done! it depicts a
the horse/human bond and the satisfaction and joy after a well executed Dressage test or ride. I always enthusiastically praise my horses when they try for me and I think this is the reason this painting came so easily for me. Another super reference photo from collector, Kathy. (Thank you, Kathy!) This is a full 1/4 sheet and measures 14 x 11! Painted on super heavy 300lb archival paper this painting is unmatted and unframed. Framing instructions included!
My newly tweaked painting Well Done! is going to be offered up Silent Bid fashion. Bidding starts on this happy painting at $125. 00. Email me with your bid (don't be shy!)  to Deborah@DeborahBollman.com by Thursday, March 23 and I will notify the winner via email. Buyer to pay Priority Mail Shipping. Good luck!!

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It must Be Peeps! Season!


Peeps seems to be quite the popular painting. First it was in the Tryon Horse Newsletter, then showcased in last weeks The Chronicle of the Horse Horse Show Edition. We've got a full page write up!! How awesome is that? Did anyone get to see it?
Next it will be in April's American Hanovarian Society's magazine.
And I've just received notification that Peeps was in the judges favorite top 15% of the February 2014 BoldBrush Painting competition. Cool!

And because I'm so happy about that and it is Peeps season -Peeps prints are on Sale!
This one is quickly becoming my best selling print!

This is an 8 x 10 (image is 8 x 10, support slightly larger) new, giclee reproduction.This image is printed on a 100% acid- free, archival quality, fine art paper and printed with archival inks. It comes packaged in a protective,acid free cello bag with backing board. I hand sign and number every print to make it a one of a kind piece.
Spring Sale Price
$35!


Sale Ends March 31

To order your very own print just click the link below and I'll get your print sent off to you asap USPS Priority Mail!



As always thank you, thank, thank you for the interest and continued support of my work!
Warmest regards,


Thursday, March 06, 2014



I've got some fun news about my latest horse painting called "Where's the Peep?"


What horse person doesn't recognize this face? This is much loved face from a really fun perspective otherwise known as "The Mooching For Peeps Face". The inspiration for this painting came from a Hanovarian mare, named Wrose, that I had the privilege of training for close to two years. She is a real character and her owner, Amanda, discovered that Wrosie had a penchant for Peeps. You know..those marshmallow chicks that come out around Easter? It seems they are also available for a lot of other holidays so Amanda and I would load up after the holidays when the ghost Peeps, bunny Peeps, Santa Peeps, etc.. all go on sale. Wrose could hear the subtle rustle of the cellophane that comes on the Peeps packaging and she would just go nuts nickering for her most favorite treat ever. This, my friends, is the face of a Peeps moocher.







Wrose,surveying the water hazard, with her incredibly
 talented owner, Amanda Miller



And now for the fun news!

"Peep?" has become quite the popular painting! It will be showcased in the Horse Show Issue of The Chronicle of the Horse next week March 9)  and now it's also going to be published in the next edition of the American Hanovarian Society's magazine! 
And because you guys asked I now have reproductions available!








And because, y'all have been asking I now have Peeps available as a giclee reproduction!


This is an 8 x 10 (image is 8 x 10, support slightly larger) new, giclee reproduction.This image is printed on a 100% acid- free, archival quality, fine art paper and printed with archival inks. It comes packaged in a protective,acid free cello bag with backing board. I hand sign and number every print to make it a one of a kind piece. Framing instructions included with each print. $50 plus $6.95 Priority Mail Shipping. 
Note: the website info is NOT on the print! 

To order your very own print just click on the Buy Now Button!






Peeps is quickly becoming one of my most popular images. It's right up there with Collection and Connection and is following in the footsteps of Collection which had the cover of The Chronicle in March 2010.


Collection
Watercolor, Private Collection
The Chronicle of the Horse




Connection
Watercolor, Private Collection




EponaVentures



Epona -Pan-Celtic) [ey-PONE-ah, AY-paw-nah or Ay-PAWN-nuh]
 "Divine Horse"; "The Great Mare";
 Goddess of horses; Mother Goddess. 
Protectress of horses, prosperity, dogs, healing.

I am getting ready to launch the next big part of my equine adventure. In addition to my hands on training/teaching business,  I will be making my heart-centered training riding solutions grounded in the basics of the the Training Scale, Rider Biomechanics and the Horse/Human Connection available to all who have been asking through my new website that I will be launching in the next couple of weeks! If you would like me to be informed of the launch I have an email list. Just fill in your name and email below!



Sign up for EponaVentures News

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I will never, ever share your info. ever It is safe with me. 


Til next time,

Deborah





Friday, January 24, 2014

Chilly Squirrel Watercolor





This morning's little attempt. I sketched this little watercolor through my back door. Just too freaking cold for the water not to freeze! Does that count as plein air? I tossed some sunflower seeds out to this chilly little squirrel and I worked quickly to capture him in the beautiful light. Watercolor, 5 x 5.5. If you'd like him to come live with you click on the link!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

A Fun Perspective

I have transferred the pencil sketch from the last post…here  to watercolor paper and I am thoroughly enjoying working on this painting. It's such a fun perspective of a really great mare who happens to love Peeps. This is the Peeps face!



WIP #1

First and lightest glaze





WIP 2

Pushing some of the darks and some detail. When I start adding the darks the light just starts to appear out of nowhere!



Thursday, January 09, 2014

Sketching Out A New Painting

Playing around with sketches for a new horse painting. I'm thinking of going with this very familiar face from a fun perspective otherwise known as "The Mooching For Peeps Face". Not sure yet if this will be watercolor or acrylic.. 10 x 8 graphite sketch.


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