The Cotton Shedd

Heritage News

Kevin Rogers, President of Arizona Farm Bureau presents my Heritage print to Congressman Paul Gosar of Arizona.  His district encompasses lots of ranches and cotton farms.  Seems like a perfect fit.  Thanks for the support from Arizona Farm Bureau.

2011 Cotton Christmas Card in Progress

I should have been doing this in July but.... it was so not Christmasy.  However, I have found that by turning my a/c in the studio down to 63 degrees and playing Christmas music, I can focus on the Christmas season even in October.

Here is the very beginning where it is drawn and the parts I did not want colored are masked with rubbery but very handy stuff...

The background is blocked in and the rubbery stuff is still there...

The rubbery stuff is removed and about 60% of the detail is in.  There is still alot of work to be done on the cotton bolls, bale and star.  The words also have to be added...

So stay tuned - hopefully it will be finished this week with cards just in time for the holidays.

 

An Original Watercolor in the Etsy Shop

This 5X7 watercolor comes framed with a nifty hook.

It is in the estsy shop now.

A Story Book Nursery

Finished the new church nursery.  Just needs baseboards and carpet.  Hopefully, the children will feel they have walked into the pages of a book.

I forgot how much harder it is to paint walls than canvas.  My knees are feeling it.

 

 

A Little Cotton

 

Comfort & Joy Christmas Cotton Boll Ornaments 50% - Four hours only!

Our Christmas ornaments are 50% off for four hours only HERE.

Comfort & Joy Cotton Boll Christmas Cards and Ornaments are Here

This mixed media painting is available as a Christmas ornament, and a Christmas Card.  Ah, the dilemna, do you send the artistic card or the family photo card?  Now, you can do both because here is a customizable Christmas card that you can add your own family photo and words to the inside.

Check out all the options HERE  The custom card does not have a verse on the inside of the card.

The words behind the painting are from the God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.

 

 

Comfort and Joy Coming Soon...

A mixed media painting on the easel - a portion of it impatiently snapped in poor light.  Keeping it real with masking tape edges still in place.   Hopefully, tomorrow under better light for photography, this Christmas Cotton painting will be available as Christmas Cards on Red Bubble.  After all cotton is the epitome of comfort and joy.

Tiffany Shedd Prints and Cards 15% Off at Red Bubble

Cotton Shedd art is 15% off until November 14th at Red Bubble.  Just enter this code:


 CottonShedd_is_on_sale_7648

Check out CottonShedd's portfolio here

 

Preirrigation Soon & A Still Life

We are getting ready to preirrigate before planting cotton.  It is one of those calm before the storm seasons in farming.  Once planting starts it is non-stop work until the cotton is laid by which is usually the beginning of July.  We are expecting a lot of bug pressure this year when our unusually green desert begins to dry out and the bugs migrate to our fields in mass.

I set up a still life to be painted.  Here is a snippet of what it looks like in the studio...

 

This is the feminine companion to my Heritage painting.  It represents the other half of the story.  The nurturing, thrift, and creativity that keeps home and nation from unraveling.  Of course much artistic license will be taken as is always the case.  I am loving this vintage quilt made from feedsacks and in one of my favorite patterns.  (Dresden Plate)  I am not sure just yet, but I think this will be a watercolor.  I am trying to force myself out of my pastel comfort zone.

I get up two to three hours before the rest of the world so I can paint or draw.  Not always easy but getting easier with the longer days.  It is my best creative time and usually the phone doesn't ring and people don't come by.  The rest of the morning is dedicated to learning with the babes.  All in all not a bad gig.

It is so important to do something that makes your heart sing everyday. The consequences for not doing so are too utterly horrible to mention.  What do you do to take joy everyday?