HOORAY!

 I am so happy to see that Blogger is not going away. It looks like they have revamped things, which tells me someone realizes we like blogs after all! More to come! HOORAY!

Subscriber Email Going Away :-(

 I have hung on to this blog for many reasons. Blogger has been very easy to use, has some pretty cool bells and whistles, and connects easily with other social media, just to name a few.  

As of July 2021, it will no longer be possible to sign up for or receive notifications of new posts to this, and most, if not all blogs everywhere. 

That is until someone realizes blogs ARE still relevant and many of us still prefer them over any other type of communication. 

As far as I know, the blog will still be here, you would just have to remember to check it. I know, that's not likely to happen. 

But if you would like to keep up with my goings-on, and I hope you do, please subscribe to my newsletter via my website. https://www.gayesekula.com/email-newsletter. You won't be bombarded, I promise. 

Until we meet again.

Gaye Sekula

Little Dickens

 

LITTLE DICKENS
12"x 12", Oil on Stretched Linen

Those of you who have painted with me will probably recognize my granddaughter above. This painting is from a photo I took at least 10 years ago. The drawing has been sitting there waiting for almost as long. She was dressed in my hat and coat, both obviously too big for her, making her look like a character from a Charles Dickens novel. Only recently did I feel I could express on canvas the emotion I felt when I snapped the photo. So, here is my little Drea as "Little Dickens".

I invite you visit my website and would love if you joined my email list. I promise not to spam you!

Bandera PowWow

Bandera Pow Wow,  12"x 9", Oil

Several years ago I attended a PowWow in Bandera, Texas. In spite of it being held in the heat of a Texas summer, all participants were decked out in their finest regalia. This painting is of one of many who caught my eye that day. As I watched him...them... dance, and heard them sing my heart swelled in admiration and respect for their determination to keep their heritage alive. May they forever be able to do so. 

Studio C Gallery

Studio C Gallery is open! The gallery has now posted everyone's works online. I have both pastels and oil available, all small and priced to fit any budget! Click here to see what is available, click here and it is yours!

Hours are Sunday-Friday from 11am -2pm, the same hours as the restaurant, which is mere steps away. Both are located in the same building as the Art Center of Corpus Christi, 100 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi, Texas @studiocgallerycc @studioccorpuschristi @gayesekula

Taos Mountain Stream

Taos Mountain Stream
10"x 8", Oil, Linen on Panel

A life-giving stream in the high desert mountains gives the feeling of tranquility, peace and thankfulness. 

To subscribe to my website, click Sekula Studio. Thank you for sharing!

Terlingua Cemetery

"Terlingua Cemetery", 11"x 14", Oil

This cemetery, located in the West Texas town of Terlingua, is probably the most interesting one I have ever seen. Most, if not all, of the headstones and grave markers are handmade and there seems to be no grid or order to speak of.  I wanted to call it charming but quirky is more like it. On your way to Big Bend, take a little side trip and visit Terlingua.

The Best Painting Panels Ever!

Over the years I have tried a lot of different canvases and painting panels. I've also purchased a variety of linen which I then cut and mounted myself. This used to be meditative but has since become more of a pain.  I've experimented with different gessos, most of which were either too thin or too absorbent and are a completely different feel and result from that of painting on linen. 

My style is more of texture and dry-brush techniques and, thanks to Matt Smith, my long search for the perfect panel has finally come to an end. SourceTek offers a variety of premium artists panels, my choice of which is their Premium Line Claessens #66 Oil-Primed Medium Weave. It is the one on the far left of the image below. As you can see, they also offer and oil-primed linen in a fine weave and acrylic primed in medium and fine weave. Do check them out as this is just a sampling of what they offer. You are sure to fine your perfect panel here too. 

SourceTek Premium Artist Panels

"Rooster"

"Rooster"
 12"x 9", Oil on Board

Somewhere in all my notes lies Rooster's given name but somehow I think this is the one he prefers. He was a great model and a pleasure to paint.

Autumn in Abiquiu

Autumn in Abiquiu
9"x 12', Oil, Linen on Panel

Georgia O'Keeffe once said, "If you ever go to New Mexico, it will itch you for the rest of your life".  I can certainly attest to that!

Near Mora

Near Mora
9"x 12", Oil, Linen on Panel

One of my favorite drives home from Taos is on the road that goes through Mora, New Mexico.

Near John Dunn Bridge

Near John Dunn Bridge
12"x 9", Oil, Linen on Gatorboard

The light was perfect when I came across this spot near the John Dunn bridge. This is a block-in of 99.9% transparent colors. The light in New Mexico is so amazing that it really calls for transparents to capture the glow. I made the decision to leave it as is and call it done. I'm so glad I did.

Autumn Gold

Autumn Gold
12"x 9", Oil, Linen on Panel

We don't get a lot of fall color in Texas other than at Lost Maples where the Uvalde Big Tooth maples grow. We timed this trip just right and it was one of the many occasions I have been very thankful that cameras are now digital. I could paint for months on the photos we took on this trip. 

Following the Rio Grande

Following the Rio Grande
12" x 9", Oil, Linen on Panel

One year my husband and I followed the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas to Taos, New Mexico. This route added hours to our trip but it helped us bypass a lot of desert and see something green all along the way. I can't remember exactly where this particular scene was but someday I will go through all of the photos and get it narrowed down. The best I can do right now is say it was somewhere south of Albuquerque and north of El Paso. 

Along the Turquoise Trail

Along the Turquoise Trail
12"x 9", Oil, Linen on Baltic Birch

This scene caught my eye many years ago when visiting New Mexico. It is located along the Turquoise Trail just outside of Santa Fe. I fell in love with everything about Russian Olive trees; their structure, their soft gray sage color and the sweet scent with which they perfume the air. This one was simply glorious against the red land and surrounding brush. 

Taos Aspens

Taos Aspens
9"x 12", Oil, Linen on Panel

I think aspens are one of the most beautiful trees in the mountains regardless of the time of year. We were there just before they came into their fall color. I've had a great life and now have a very short bucket list. One thing very near the top is that I would love to spend 366 days in Taos and paint the area in all seasons. (366 days is not a typo!)

La Chiripada

La Chiripada
9"x 12", Oil, Linen on Panel

La Chiripada Winery is located in Dixon, New Mexico. The name means "stroke of luck" and it was indeed a stroke of luck that Chris Morel selected it as one of our painting locations in September. The owner visited with us while we painted adding to the many wonderful memories of the day.

La Chiripada Winery is located in Dixon, New Mexico. The name means "stroke of luck" and it was indeed a stroke of luck that Chris Morel selected it as one of our painting locations in September. The owner visited with us while we painted adding to the many wonderful memories of the day.

Winds of Change

Pecos, NM

Greetings on this beautiful first Sunday of October!

The air smells and feels differently now, leaves are changing, birds have begun their migration, all signs that the year is winding down. Autumn is also a time my pace slows and my thoughts turn inward. It's a very spiritual and private time, one I look forward to and cherish very much. It is in that slowing down that one can think without a myriad of distractions. A time when all the happenings of the prior year are distilled into thoughts of the future. 

During this time of reflection and contemplation, I have made the decision to take a Sabbatical. I prefer the word sabbatical over break for its depth of meaning(s). Why? Because I will still be busy, maybe even more so, but with a somewhat different focus. 

Part of this Sabbatical includes taking a break from teaching which means, after December, I will no longer be offering classes at the New Braunfels Art League. It is a bittersweet decision in that I will truly miss my wonderful students, students who have now become dear friends. We have agreed to stay in touch, which makes this decision much easier.

It is also a time to take a deep dive into my own art. Visions are emerging, inspiration is everywhere and the need to do this is undeniable.

I will be writing more blog posts, which will cover art-related topics. I promise to keep most of them short, sweet and worth your while. My newsletter will be reserved more for, well, news. I also have a couple of other irons in the fire and will announce them at the appropriate time. 

Wishing you all an autumn full of color and inspiration. 

Gaye Sekula

"Work while you have the light. You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you." Henri Frederic Amiel

Click to subscribe to my newsletter. 

An Exhibition of the Texas Members of the Portrait Society of America

I am so proud to announce the very first Exhibition of Texas Members of the Portrait Society of America! Special thanks to Christine Egnoski for giving the go-ahead for this exhibition and to Allison Gilliard for all her help in getting it all lined out. Thank you to Victoria MacFarlane, former Director of the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center for giving us the opportunity to hold this event in this fine facility. Thank you to current Director, Shalon Taylor Wilson, for your enthusiasm and endless patience in getting everything just right!

And 

a big thank you to all of the artists participating in this first ever Exhibition! This event was created for you!

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:

Laura Allee

Deborah Allison

Donna Blanton

Liz Bonham

Nancy Boren

Juan Cantavella

Connie Chadwell

Partha Chinnasamy

Lynette Clauser

Adam Davenport

Margaret Davis

John De Leo

Nora Dempsey

Carol Devereaux

Carol Fairlie

Anastasiya Fender

Linda Filgo

Robbie Fitzpatrick

Margaret Footit

Tanja Gant

Micheal Gillespie

Vicky Gooch

Gary Goodnight

Barbara Hack

Carolyn Hancock

Brenda Hash

Masri Hayssam

Vivian T-N Ho

Francis Huang

Mary Hull, Texas Co-Ambassador

Fontaine Jacobs

Maureen Jistel

Sonja Kever

Steve Ko

Rhonda Lanclos, Texas Co-Ambassador

Patsy Lindamood

Craig Longhurst

Ken MacFarlane

Katherine Martinez

Ellen Moore

Cheryl Moore

Gini Morelock-Bosco

Pam Nichols

Lena Olson

Oliva Pacini

Joe Pena

Barbara Pence

David Philips

Maren Phillips

Jennifer Polnaszek

Lenore Prudhomme

DK Richardson

Kim Roberti

Gail Rutledge

Julie Sanderson

Brittany Scott

Gaye Sekula, Texas Co-Ambassador, 

Daniel Sorensen

Irena Taylor

Susan Temple Neumann

Julie Wende

Robin Williamson

Tim Woosley

Jing Zhao

Judy Zipkes

Taos Hollyhocks Juried In!

'Taos Hollyhocks", 10"x 8", Pastel
I just received news that my painting, "Taos Hollyhocks", was juried into the 2018 PSNC "Pure Color" Online Show! A big thank you to juror, Jen Evenhus! The exhibition will open September 1 and run through September 30 at  www.onlinejuriedshows.com.

August Update

The Second Annual Houston Face-Off

Texas Co-Ambassadors August 11, 2018 marked Houston's Second Annual Face-Off, a Portrait Society of America event featuring Texas members from the Houston area. This was also the debut of Rhonda Lanclos as Houston's Ambassador and she knocked it out of the park! She and Houston's portrait artists are off and runnin'! To see more Face-Off photos, please visit my Sekula Studio page on Facebook

First Annual Texas Chapter of the American Portrait Society Art Exhibition DATE:  September 11 - October 26.  A reception will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2pm-5pm.  Awards will be announced at 3pm.  The public is invited. LOCATION: Breckenridge Art Center 207 North Breckenridge Ave Breckenridge, TX 76424

Texas Summer It was such an honor to find that "Texas Summer", was selected as part of the FAV15% (jury's favorite 15% of the entries) in the June 2018 BoldBrush Painting competition. Thank you, FASO!

Click Sekula Studio to Subscribe to My Newsletter

Houston Texas Face-Off and YOU are Invited!

Please join us for the Second Annual Houston Face-Off August 11, 2018, 2pm-5pm
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

San Antonio Face-Off and YOU ARE INVITED!

You are invited to San Antonio's First Annual Face-Off! This is a free event and is open to the public. Please feel free to share. 

SEE YOU THERE!

Portrait Society of America Conference, 2018

What a Conference!

April marked the 20th Anniversary of the Portrait Society of America. The Conference was held in Reston, VA, just outside of Washington DC. As you may know, I have served as the Portrait Society's Texas Ambassador for the past three years. I point this out in case you are wondering who the people are in the above photo. They are just a few of the Texas members who also attended the Conference and I wanted to capture the moment as best I could. There were almost 1000 attendees so getting a picture of all of our members wasn't possible. If you are interested in seeing more Conference photos, please take a look at the Portrait Society of America's Facebook page. It will be well worth your time.

Online Workshop Hours & Tuition

"Let's Face It", A Pastel Portrait Workshop  6/6/2018 - 7/17/2018

"Let's Face It", An Acrylic Portrait Workshop
7/16/2018 - 8/26/2018

The following questions may be some you have as well so I am addressing them here. Why PRE-registration?: Artful Gathering is a private entity, unlike social media entities such as Facebook, etc. As such, AG is able to keep your personal information completely private and SPAM and advertisement free. The $5 required for pre-registration helps cover the cost of these wonderful benefits. Well worth it, I'd say! Tuition: $75 for each workshop When does workshop enrollment begin: May 1st. At that time, materials list(s) will be made available. What are the times and hours of the workshops? The workshop videos, supply list and handouts are available to you 24/7 for the duration of the workshop. Both workshops will have a section for posting questions, progress photos or general comments. I welcome and encourage them and will check in at least once daily to answer and offer guidance. All students will be able to view this section which will allow us all to learn from one another. Workshop descriptions are available on my website and at Artful Gathering. Pre-registering will offer more info and enrollment will offer even more. I think this covers the most pressing questions. Now, off to the PSoA Conference. All the Best, Gaye