Jeri Thorpe Artwork & More

Sassy and the Bay Finished

2012-01-07T14:10:00.000-08:00

This is a pencil piece I've worked on sporadically for a while, and have decided it is finished. The image is from photos taken at a mounted shooting event (they are great spectator events!). I liked the drape of the coat and the stride and attitude of the lady.

A painting will probably follow this at some point.

It's been a mild fall and winter here in southern Arizona so far. I hope everyone has had a great holiday season!

Back to Drawing

2011-12-04T15:48:00.001-08:00

The Catalina Artists Studio Tour was a great experience, and I enjoyed it very much. The location was so beautiful, and the hosts were gracious and generous. Many thanks to Connie Crosby for inviting me to participate.

After the show, I have been taking a little breather from painting. Just today I got the urge to draw again, and here are a couple of pages of 1-2 minute sketches. No corrections just getting the essence without worrying about anything else. It felt great to get back to it, and now I will be painting and posting more often.

I've never tried reindeer before! These are the domesticated ones. Nor have I tried the great apes, only once or twice for lions or elephants either. It was fun!

Some Big News

2011-10-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

I recently was accepted as an associate member of the Women Artists of the West (WAOW). This has been an ambition of mine for a long time, and I feel quite honored to belong to this prestigious organization! The website for WAOW is: http://www.waow.org

My other news is that I have been invited to participate in the Catalina Artists Studio Tour on Saturday and Sunday, November 5th & 6th. I am really looking forward to this show!

Check it out at http://www.catalinaazarts.org

Hope to see you there!

Old Hands

2011-10-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a while since I posted. Life kinda gets in the way of art sometimes. I have been working on several pieces and this is the last finished acrylic. I call it "Old Hands" because these old boys have been there and done that. I really like the horses they were riding, very colorful roans. Instead of the corrals and other riders, I put them out on the open range with a little space. Just riding along, talking things over.

Here's a little closer look at them.

"Just Jawing" new acrylic painting

2011-07-16T15:23:00.000-07:00

This is 9 x 12 on a gesso panel board. Sometimes the pics I've taken over years have to 'cook' a while before I put something together from them. This is from shots taken in 2004, I believe, at a horse event here in Arizona. These fellows were just passing the time between events, catching up on the local news, perhaps. Anyway, I like the horses' attitudes, just waiting . . . so I put them in a pasture setting rather than the back chutes of the arena.

Any comments are welcome.

"The Eyes Have It" Burrowing Owls

2011-06-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

This is a 5x7 acrylic on a Ampersand panel of burrowing owlets. Thanks to the great reference from Alan Wilson. I remember seeing burrowing owls on our desert walks when we lived in New Mexico, and they were always charming. I could not resist this composition, each owlet with his/her own attitude, and boy do they have attitude!

They were fun to paint!

Zebra closeup in colored pencil

2011-05-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is one I finished some time ago, but only now framed to hang at the office. It's about 4 inches square, with a very pale green mat and light wood frame about 3 inches wide, so the framed size is about 16 inches square. (The piece isn't in front of me, so the framed size is an estimate, lol).

Anyway, here is the piece:

It's available, contact me!

New Miniature Painting

2011-05-07T18:36:00.000-07:00

This is 2.5 x 3.5 inches on watercolor paper, in acrylic. So far the title is "Resting Rabbit" but a better title would be welcome! Back to miniatures, and they are quick and fun to do. This piece is available, contact me if you are interested, and thanks for looking.

Bison Head Study

2011-04-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

This is a 9 x 12 study of a bison bull. I'm working up the last of the textured canvas supports. I always seem to fight the texture, but this was a fun piece and it's also gone to a new home. Nice to have them go out so quickly!

Thanks for looking, and I would like to hear any remarks on this one.

The Golden Girls-Pronghorn Antelope

2011-02-19T14:07:00.000-08:00

I've been working on several pieces, and some have been more cooperative than others. This one is 9 x 12 acrylic on board, and was started some weeks ago. I put it aside to think about how to finish it, and finally, last week just dug in and here it is.

I often take a new painting to work so I can view it under the different lighting there. This one found a new home on the second day!

"Early Spring Statement" Red-winged Blackbird

2010-12-26T13:17:00.000-08:00

I just realized I haven't posted anything new since early November. Where does the time go?

This is the WIP to completion of a 7 x 5 acrylic on Ampersand board, of a Red-winged blackbird declaring his early territory on an old cattail.

WIP 1, just starting:

Looking to get the form of the bird as I go. Second Stage:

Getting closer, and now for more layers on the bird (5-7 layers of glaze), then to the fun part, when I get to add the cottony fluff of the old cattail!

And finally, it's done:

That was fun!

Glad to hear any comments on this one, and thanks for looking.

Soaring Cliffs 4x5 acrylic painting

2010-11-07T11:49:00.000-08:00

This is on a canvas panel from photos taken in New Mexico years ago. More small paintings will be coming.

The small pieces go very quickly and I am really liking the process.

Arizona Palms, Sanders Road

2010-10-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

Once in a while I actually paint a landscape. This is a little 8x10 of palms near our home. I played with the colors here, just having fun with the paint.

Natural Grace-Giraffe

2010-10-03T13:59:00.000-07:00

This is another of the African Wildlife series. It's 9 x 12 on an Ampersand panel, in acrylic.It's my interpretation of a photo image by Cathy Sheeter (many thanks for the pic.)

I really like the graceful arc of the neck, and so the name.

A Little Attitude, Young Giraffe

2010-08-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

This is a baby giraffe that has such a facial expression that I couldn't resist trying to capture that look. He certainly had "a little attitude."

It's a 5x7 acrylic on board, already sold. Great fun to paint!

This is a closer look at his expression:

American Bison, Acrylic

2010-08-09T18:44:00.000-07:00

This is a 5x7 acrylic on Ampersand board. Thanks to Donna Ridgeway for the excellent reference!

This is now in a private collection, hot off the easel. Because I still work full time, my painting/drawing chances are limited, but I persist. I love the Golden Open acrylics because I can keep a palette going for weeks, using the simple 'sandwich' of styrofoam plates for a palette. One is the palette and the other is the lid, both sealed in a Ziploc bag, works great, and it's really cheap-just pitch the palette when it's too full of paint (saving the paint still usable), and the system goes on forever. Love it. I tried the stay-wet palettes, but wasn't as satisfied as I have been with my cheap and endlessly replaceable plates.

Anyway, here is the latest piece:

I'm always glad to hear any comments and questions, and thanks for looking!

Dama Gazelles

2010-07-18T13:58:00.000-07:00

This is the second of the African animals, Dama gazelles, native to several African countries, endangered now, I understand.

This is 5x7 acrylic on board, from photos I shot at the San Antonio zoo some years ago. I always intended to paint this piece since then, but only now got it done. I am working smaller lately and the pieces go much faster, so there will be more coming soon.

I'm glad to hear any comments on this piece.

African Animals, First Piece

2010-06-27T15:15:00.000-07:00

I'm planning a series of paintings/drawings of African animals, because I now have some excellent reference materials, copyright free to me. I have tons of pics taken in zoos, etc., but I needed authentic backgrounds along with images of wild African animals to compare condition, etc., with the zoo closeups I have taken over the years.

Anyway, this is the first piece in the planned African series, three giraffes, 6x12 acrylic on Ampersand panel.

Any comments or suggestions are welcome, and thanks for visiting my blog!

Antelope in graphite

2010-06-06T16:32:00.000-07:00

This is a small study in graphite. It's about 7x9 or a little smaller. I might go on with an acrylic of this, but I always enjoy going back to graphite where I can control every mark. Unlike using a brush, which can be very frustrating, to say the least. Anyway, I enjoyed working on this little piece.

"Shadows and Strings" Revisited

2010-05-31T15:48:00.000-07:00

You know, sometimes you think a painting is finished and it just doesn't quite get there. After looking at this piece for some time, and visiting with an artist friend of mine, I revisited "Shadows and Strings."

First, this is where I left off:

And this is really the final work. I added the creases and shadows in the back of the vest.

Once more, I have to remind myself about values! It became quite obvious when I looked at the graphite drawing of the same image, and saw the values in the vest. Back to basics, again.

Happy Trader, Take Two

2010-04-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

After looking at this piece for a few days, and with suggestions from friend Toni James, I decided to try more layers to deepen the color and give more depth to the image. So, here are more layers, lots more layers. This paper will take a LOT of layers.

Only thing is, the face is smaller than a quarter, and I have had a challenge to get his features placed correctly in a space that small, with the texture of this surface. But I will keep on with it!

Anyway, here is the updated Happy Trader:

Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

Trying New Paper with Colored Pencil

2010-04-17T16:31:00.000-07:00

This is a small sketch, about 8x5 inches, from a photo I took quite a few years ago. I'm trying out a new paper, U-Art sanded, I think about 600 grit.(If that's how you describe it.) Toni James suggested I try it, and handed me a couple of pieces to play with.

This is my first go at it, and I think I can get along with this paper. It's not finished (and may never go beyond this!) but it does take lots of layers, and you can put light over dark which is a great advantage. I will have to try more pieces and more subjects.

Anyway, here is The Happy Trader as an experiment.

Tony Lama Boots

2010-03-27T18:08:00.000-07:00

This is a colored pencil piece I never finished. I love these old boots, but the background was not what I envisioned . . . one of these days I will try the boots again!

I think it will be in acrylic, so I can modify the whole thing until I'm satisfied with it.

Medicine Hat Mustang in pencil

2010-03-11T17:55:00.000-08:00

This is a small graphite piece of a medicine hat stallion. I loved the pose on this guy! I have this one on my wall, and enjoy looking at it yet. I have a great feeling for the tough and hardy mustangs.

New Painting "Shadows and Strings"

2010-02-06T17:16:00.000-08:00

This is a 9x 12 acrylic, and I think it's finished. I will put it aside to 'soak' for a while and see. Anyway, I encourage any comments or questions.

It's been a long time since I've tried to paint any rodeo horses, but I've got quite a few reference pics from a ranch rodeo near Kingsville, Texas some years ago, and will be doing more paintings/drawings from those.

Rain and Wind in the Desert

2010-01-23T18:24:00.000-08:00

We had a little storm a couple of days ago, in the desert.

This is from our garage/shop, looking at our neighbor's place, with a new 'lake' in our yard.

And next we see the view looking east toward the mountains, also from our garage/shop. Patches, the mini goat, is standing on his house and you can just see Jet, the Airedale, standing by our storage building. The lake extended out to our gate.

And finally a couple of shots of the south side of our house, showing what the wind can do when it gets a chance.

Blessed rain, but doggone the wind!

Pencil Ponders

2010-01-10T10:20:00.000-08:00

My first love in art has always been pencil. When I was in high school, I was commissioned to do a large drawing of a standardbred racehorse in pencil. He was a pacer, and the image was about 24 x 36. Sadly, I no longer have an image of that piece. I was very familiar with the standardbred racehorses and harness, so it wasn't too difficult, and the owner was pleased with the final result.

Here are a couple of graphite pieces.

This is from a photo taken at a dressage schooling show I attended when we lived in South Texas. The horse was quite advanced, the rider not so much.

This is Alpha and Omega, now in the collection of Scott Campbell, of Campbell Properties in South Texas. I got some nice photos of these brahmas in New Mexico when we lived there. Interestingly, Alpha is the guy behind the yucca, and Omega is the big guy in front. I was standing on the road by our van taking the pics, and my helpful husband rumbled a "Maaaa" at them. The black guy rapidly came out and started at me. I beat a quick retreat to the van and off we went! Thanks, dear!

This last one is a polar bear from a pic I got at a zoo. If anyone sees the original, please let me know, because it was STOLEN at an art show in McAllen, Texas.

Anyway, from time to time I have to go back to the pencil, just to refresh myself.

Best, Jeri

Bunny Bunch

2010-01-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

First, Happy New Year! I hope everyone has a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010.

This is a small acrylic painting of domestic rabbits that I just couldn't resist! It's about 6 x 9, on matboard.

A quiet beginning to the new year, I've been working on more horse paintings, and will post as they are completed.

I'm glad to hear from you!

Jeri

Grizzly Family in Acrylic

2009-12-25T12:43:00.000-08:00

This is a later small painting (I tend to work small 3.5 x 2.5 up to about 11 x 14) of grizzlies. Mama bear and cubs crossing a primitive road.

This is an 8 x 10, and is available for sale. Thanks for looking, and any comments welcome.

Jeri

Grizzly Revisited.

2009-12-15T18:11:00.000-08:00

This is a 9 x 12 acrylic in a private collection. I used an odd technique for this one, because I modeled the whole thing in heavy titanium white paint and then glazed colors in. I kinda think it worked! What do you think?

Maybe a detail shot or two:

More grizzlies later . . . . .

Texas Longhorn

2009-12-13T11:46:00.000-08:00

This is a small acrylic of a Texas Longhorn steer. I enjoy just playing with the colors, both in the background and main image. I haven't painted cattle much, but plan to do more.

Thanks for looking! And I appreciate any comments, as well.

Our Watcher

2009-11-29T13:38:00.000-08:00

This is Jet, our Airedale. He's not a show dog, but is all we want in a companion and "watcher." He's a purebred, and our third Airedale over the years. We've enjoyed Dobermans and Welch Terriers also, but right now Jet is our only dog. He's a great one, though, and we enjoy watching him play with Patches, our mini wethered goat. He also keeps the ATVers who go up and down our alley on their guard. He loves to raise dust in an effort to get out and 'greet' them, lol!

Here is another picture taken the day we brought him home:

Patches wanted to show him who was boss, and our little Welsh Terrier (Jake, who passed last January) just wasn't interested at all.

Jet now is bigger that Patches, but they get along well.

Jeri

Grumpy Kitty

2009-11-19T17:41:00.000-08:00

This is a colored pencil, about 9 x 12. I had a hard time thinking of a good title for this one, and finally settled on "Grumpy Kitty." The working title was "Me and My Friends are Sad," but I opted for the shorter name.

I'm glad to hear any comments! And thanks for looking.

First Comments

2009-11-15T11:11:00.000-08:00

This is a colored pencil piece called Dappled Nap, Mexican Wolf. It's about 8 x 10, from a photo I took at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.

I've been following blogs, and this is my first posting of my own. I will post new drawings and paintings, along with photos of things that interest me. Stay tuned for more.

Jeri