March is National Crafters Month ...so get your "Craft On"

March is a wonderful month, as Spring is right around the corner. The air is smelling fresh, blossoms are starting to sneak out of their buds and inspirations to make crafts are everywhere!!!

It is hard to believe the month of February is over. The month flew by....did I forget to kiss cupid?

 I was busy decorating, planning a Birthday party, and starting a new body of work...for my upcoming art show...it all just seemed a blur!



Spring Has Sprung!

 March is my month to start fresh:)

I am making a big "to DO" list :)

• Clean Studio
• Buy the FuN, Latest and greatest art supplies :)
• Finish unpainted paintings
• Inventory my products and pay taxes
• Get to the painting and crafting
• I think I might even plan a craft day with friends!

 Holidays such as: St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and Mothers day are great holidays to create in all kinds of affordable crafts.

I hope you will enjoy some of my craft ideas I am posting and my favorite go-to suppliers for crafts, paint, etc....hope you find time to enjoy your craft.

Great multi media tutorials and "How to" book/magazines to purchase:
http://www.clothpaperscissors.com/

Resource for craft supplies:
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/favorsupplies.html

https://www.sunshinecrafts.com/



Fun St. Patrick's Banner and Easter/Spring I made last year...fun and easy!!!
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/166211042470141401/

 

 

Easter Project I also did last year and sold them all...people love these!
Blown out-Easter eggs, painted and gold leaf.
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/166211042468001851/

Have a wonderful Spring Season and ENJOY it ALL...God Bless!

www.nicoleslater.com

WEEK 6 of 52 Oil Paintings THREE ONIONS by, Nicole Slater

WEEK 6 of Weekly Paintings of "Three Onions"

This week I felt the need to do some "studio Spring cleaning" which I think was a good thing? I also think it was an excuse to put off  next weeks painting challenge...but, somehow I did it!

I am painting the "Onions and Grapes" once again!...I learned so much from the first "Onions and Grape" painting I created previously in week #1. This time I went into this painting with better paint knowledge on how to make onions look somewhat believable and the grapes look as though you might want to eat one:)

One of my biggest challenge in painting every week is finding that magical time! Where is it?

I keep thinking I must be doing something wrong. How can I be that busy?

 I find myself having to say; "no" a lot lately. I guess I always said "yes?!" I say this because; it is very uncomfortable for me to say "No!" I never realized how little I used that word.

Painting weekly has revealed so much about myself. I am learning patients, trust, time management, and confidence...WOW!...all this because I dedicated myself to paint 52 weeks? Who Knew!

This was another great paint week...I feel blessed and I am thankful everyday.

 c. Nicole Slater 11x14"

 "Three Onions"

  Oils on canvas

www.nicoleslater.com

XoXo THE "LOVE" in VALENTINES DAY XoXo

With so much sweet things to be thankful for....Valentines Day is a wonderful reminder that love is around me, always♥
 

The first in my "love-line of thankfulness":

 is my husband who sees my best side even when I don't: patience, honesty, trust & best of all....love♡♡♡
 

..the little loves are the small hands and feet that run around with unbounded energy..."Auntie CoCo"...that's ME; gives them the sugar loving to show just how much they sweeten my life...yes BIG cupcakes for my Sweetie Pies:)
 

To the moms, dads & friends of mine...No words are needed...with a soft touch, a big hug, a sweet card, the lending of a shoulder to cry on and ear to listen...I feel your love everyday; it surrounds my heart and fills my soul.
 

My other loves have warm wet noses...3 in all.. They see no wrong....a wag of their tails and their big brown eyes; melt my heart!
 

And last but, not least... I love, that I have a God in my life that looks out for me, guides me and gives me a gift of life lessons every day!
 

PS: I love that I was given the ability to create art ★ it is a way for me to express love...I create from the heart.
 

~~~Today and always; I have L♡ve!
 



 

 

 

 

  

  

  

Week 5 of 52 paintings...."Poudre River" sketched in....ready to paint! 2/10/14

Looking at the image of Poudre River is a bit intimidating....all rocks and water!!!...not to mention I have not painted either one.

Taking a deep breath I just started sketching..before I knew it; I had it all latedt out:)

I stand back, look at it and think; how am I going to start this painting?? Now what??

I need to sleep on this one. I will keep you posted!

Dog and Cat Art Show...

Preliminary sketches and mini paintings...I am getting my art mojo. There is some sketches I did of Pierre my male dog I love! I am invisioning some kind of collage incorporating these sketches...well at least today...need to see if I am still feeling it tomorrow:)

52 paintings...extra credit painting...in the making...stay tuned:) 2/8/14

Today I sketched out for week 6 painting titled, "Copper Peonies." I like the "arty" background..may keep it in there!

This hit home....speaks to me loudly on how I fell about my paintings♥

Calling all Cats & Dogs!

I am participating in an art show on Cats & Dogs...

If you have a good picture of your furry friend and are willing to send a picture for me to paint and sell...I would love the opportunity to paint your pet!

 

I cannot guarantee...all pets will be painted before the show...but, I'd like to try!

If you like the painting of your pet... you will have the opportunity to buy it a Chartreuse Muse Gallery, Modesto CA on opening day! April, 2014. I will give you best opportunity.. if you are interested to get yours, but I am sorry I cannot guarantee,

 

I will need you to send best photo, pets name, owner, contact info, and a statement that is OK to use your photo and sell your pets painted or sculpted image.

 

I will then keep in contact with update on opening of show date and time.

 

-Artfully, Nicole Slater.

Rainy day Saturday & The Things I Love!

Cute slippers, favorite mug and brush-in-hand! Its a Great day:)

Having a blast with "Gelli Printing" so addictive!

 

 

I took a workshop in San Francisco, CA...OMG! So FuN!!!!

I love these Gelli surfaces to work from; they are amazing. I would love to do more....looks like one more art media addiction:)

 

If you would like to know more on "Gelli" Printing here is the link: http://www.gelliarts.com/

 

 

www.nicoleslater.com 

 

 

 

 

Week 4 of 52 Paintings; "Pears and Grapes"

I am excited at the end result of this Pear painting...It really pushed me to learn a bit more about the difference between "shadows" and "reflections". if you are asking yourself; well what is it?...here is what I discovered; "Shadows" follow the opposite direction of the light; whereas, "reflections," especially on a glossy wood top follow directly underneath the object! I was so excited to try out this new discovery! I like how the table reflections, shadows and cloth turned out. I also like how each pear looks unique. I think I did it...mission accomplished:)

www.nicoleslater.com

WEEKLY PAINTING: 4 of 52

oil on canvas



c. Nicole Slater    18 x 29"     oil on canvas   "Pears and Grapes"  2014

My etsy selling for my small items and crafts

<script type='text/javascript' src='http://www.etsy.com/assets/js/etsy_mini_shop.js'></script><script type='text/javascript'>new Etsy.Mini(5381076,'gallery',4,3,0,'http://www.etsy.com');</script>


Week 3 of 52 oil paintings "Lilacs in Copper Pot" 2/1/2014

Week 3 of 52 oil paintings; "Lilacs in Copper Pot"

OK, I love to paint flowers! There is something so magical in flowers...they are the art of the outdoors: color, texture and Oh,.... love the scents!

When you can stop and smell a flowers...life is good....to me it means; I appreciate what God created, the time he has given me and the understanding to appreciate all his wonders to the world:)

I started out painting these Lilacs...but was for some reason: wanting to paint them too tight....so I got out my palette knife and went to town! I started making leaves and flowers like decorating a cake....spreading on the thick paint was a blast!

I did, however; struggle a bit on the correct shape, "ellipse" bowl and copper pot! I think I repainted that bowl 5 times minimum! Making a pot look Copper may seem easy, but....it wasn't... The trick to getting Copper is mixing cad. yellow and rose; it gives it that glow:)

www.nicoleslater.com



Week 3 or 52 oil Paintings


c. Nicole Slater
 Oil on Canvas 20 x 20"
 "Lilacs in copper Pot"
 2014

www.nicoleslater.com

Challenge Oil Painting-"Oranges and Grapes"

This is a Challenge Painting in my second week of 52 paintings....the challenge was to paint oranges, leaves, stem and grapes. The challenge included: "Must use as many types of brush strokes possible, thin, thick, long, short and so on"...I loved this challenge! The other new experience was; I needed to set up an interesting still life that was well balanced and had interesting flow of light. The painting I think turned out really well. I am going to have a hard time letting this one go...it reminded me of growing up in Lavern, California... My Mom had me enter in the "Orange Blossom Festival" You had to create a floral arrangement using orange blossoms.... mine always tipped over!

www.nicoleslater.com

Extra Challenge: Oil Painting for the week

  c. Nicole Slater
 Oil on canvas 8 x 10"
 "Oranges and Grapes"
2014

www.nicoleslater.com

Week 2 of 52 Oil Paintings "Daisies" January 25, 2014

Week 2 of 52 Oil Paintings "Gerbera Daisies"

Daisies are a funny flower...they seem so simple until you have to paint one! I found that in this process those little simple petals have way more into them...such as subtle shade changes the eye barely sees, yet it is so necessary because they get flat otherwise. I needed to paint a background that was interesting but, not so powerful that it took away the delicate nature of this petite flower. I decided to paint the back and scraped away the thickness so it would recede into the background. The vase was so shinny and black I needed to get the reflection of the cloth and grapes into it without it looking too white; I muted it down to a dulled green, alizarin crimson and white....it seemed to be the right color and lightly glazed it on. There are a couple things I am going to be changing on this before it goes to show, but it was another great experience and fun learning process. I like the outcome and hope it finds a nice home:)

www.nicoleslater.com

WEEKLY PAINTING: 2 of 52 

c. Nicole Slater 

 Oil on Canvas 11x16" 

 "Gerbera Daisies"

   

www.nicoleslater.com

WEEK 1 of 52 Oil Paintings "Onions, Garlic and Grapes" January 19, 2014

Week 1 of 52 oil Paintings "Onions, Garlic and Grapes"

This was my first painting of the 52. I have dedicated myself to paint a weekly painting and at the end of the year I will have 52!

 Painting an onion has it's challenges...I never painted one before and I had a lot of unknowns to resolve such as color, texture and shape. The first challenge was how to get the skins look shinny, yet textural, like a real onion skin....I used Alizarin Crimson for the sheer, rich red/plum darkness and built up more opaque colors as I got to the top of the skins. I loved creating the root ends by using the back of my paint brush, scribing into the paint...FUN! The difficulty was achieving their unique ellipse shapes. Getting the shapes correct was more difficult then I thought.

 I remember the day so well....it was such a beautiful January day...I sat outside in the backyard poolside and just got in the painting zone. I painted until sundown and remember thinking...I wish everyday could be like this!

www.nicoleslater.com


WEEKLY PAINTING: 1 of 52

c. Nicole Slater
 Oil on Canvas 11 x 14"
"Onions, Garlic and Grapes"
 2014

www.nicoleslater.com

help end abuse of children in our community

It's a great feeling in-the-heart day!

Today I received an invite to help end child abuse by donating a work of art for the Modesto Family justice Center of Modesto, CA. I am very excited! I am going to use my art talents to help others...how cool is that?!

Here is how this process will work:
Artists will pick out a piece done by one of the children at the center, interpret that piece through their own media and return it to be auctioned, purchased or placed in the center.

A local and talented photographer, Bart Ah You...from Turlock has donated his time to take pictures of all the works of art for this event which; I think he did an outstanding job, Thanks Bart!

I have posted a link to the art piece my child created and the meaning behind it. I will use this for my own art inspiration....I think it is amazing what these children have to overcome.

http://bartahyou.com/p417028464/h9bc0602#h18502ebd

 I can't wait to get started.....I will post pictures of this process along the way. If you like it please help by making a purchase to help others and enjoy a work of art at the same time.

Thank you...YOU make a difference and a smile!

For information on this event please contact the "Family Justice Center of Modesto"
209-525-5130 • info@stanislausfamilyjustice.org.

To VIEW INVITE click here:
http://www.stanislausfamilyjustice.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/invite-Art-of-Justice-3_27_142.pdf


Nicole Slater Studio

Week one of 52 Oil Paintings

Question:

How can I  become an artist, friend, employee and wife? Better yet: a "good artist, loyal-fun friend, dependable employee and a loving wife"

I don't have the answer to this, but someone, somewhere; must know where to get a super woman cape!

For years I lived the fantasy of trying to be great in all things....I was lucky if I achieved; good.

My life looks like this....picture a 40-something woman; waking up to three adorable fur babies barking for their breakfast, putting away dishes from the night before, folding laundry that is now so wrinkled : I probably need to put back in the dryer before trying to fold or hang-up...I help my husband find the milk that is sitting on the top-front shelf:)...I grab the first thing I can think of to eat for my breakfast..all while putting lunch together for that day......I hurry and get my big hair under control, find an outfit that calls to me for that day, which lately seems to be missing. I settle for "eh", and off I go....running again.


Being at my 9-5 is ok...sometimes hard because well, "its work" and I want to play in my paint!

 Please understand I am thankful beyond belief for my life, work and health...its just as a creative person I want to express myself  through art...it's like a breathe of fresh air...it's the nourishment for my soul.

Answer:

Today is the start of a new journey of exploration in my life. I am on a quest to find that "Super woman cape".  I am going to take the (little moments between),to just paint and be happy!

Today the journey begins....I am posting my weekly paintings, challenges, emotions...and "aha moments". This is my quest to document growth in art and balancing act of everyday life as Nicole Slater.

                Weekly Paintings Journal

                          "52  Paintings" 

                  One -A- Week, 52 Weeks

                     www.nicoleslater.com