Rain Delay

I wanted to update everyone on the Lavender Fest.
I had a wonderful time although the rain kept drizzling down I didn't set up or paint.
I took some pictures that I'll paint from and will be returning when the skies are brighter.
Here's one of the rows of Lavender and you can see the storm clouds coming.


and another this time a close up of the Lavender.



I did treat myself to a small Provence Lavender plant.

Chat soon,
Rebecca Make it a Beautiful day.


Rebecca Grantham.Com, email me at
contact(at)rebeccagrantham.com


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Inhale

If you're out and about this coming weekend be sure to stop by the

The Fourth Annual Ohio Lavender Festival 2008
June 20, 21 and 22

presented by Day Break Lavender Farm.

I'm going out to paint either Saturday or Sunday depending on the weather.
I love Lavender as my good friend in business can tell you, Robin who sells these delicious
pillows of lavender.

I'm going to be giving away One 5 x 7 print of the finished painting randomly of the people I meet that subscribe to my blog.

And for my loyal blog readers I will be randomly giving one away to you too . The only thing you have to do to be entered is comment on the painting I will be posting next week.

ps You can earn another entry by sharing my blog with a friend.
If they subscribe you'll have double entries just be sure to let me know who they are.

I am so looking forward to painting somewhere new and finding the perfect plants to bring home for our garden.

Have a beautiful week,
Rebecca


Rebecca Grantham.Com, email me at
contact(at)rebeccagrantham.com

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Murray Hill Art Walk 08'

8.5" x 11"
63 pieces (now rung into pendants and necklaces)
Painted in oil from photos I took of a flowering crab apple tree.

This set is finished and will only be available through Gina's Gallery & Boutique in Little Italy, Cleveland -Ohio.


If you live near Cleveland, Ohio come by the Murray Hill Art Walk
June 6th, 7th and 8th 08'

While you're there be sure to stop by Gina's Gallery and Boutique located at 2072 Murray Hill Rd.


You can see my puzzle painting and prints in person as well as a beautiful assortment of art.
Also original sculptures from my brother in law Dan Grantham, those are his wood cherries in the top left of the picture.

A note to my subscribers, know that you can easily comment on my posts by replying to the emails you receive, I love hearing from you.

All the best,
Rebecca

Rebecca Grantham.Com, email me at
contact(at)rebeccagrantham.com

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Shipped Out!

I shipped out these 4 paintings Saturday along with the consignment agreement to the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, in Southern Indiana.

I'm happy to be represented by them.
I was contacted and found online, by the Assistant Director.

The Gallery Hours are:

Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

April - December, Sundays 12- 4 p.m.

They are located at

506 Main Street
New Harmony, IN 47631
Ph: 812/682-3156

In order the works are Autumn Light, Susan's Tears, and Rose No.10 & 11 Diptych.

I look forward to the coming months and getting to know the gallery.

Have a great day,
all the best,
Rebecca

Rebecca Grantham.Com,

Daisy Words and Dinner

Peek a boo,
Hide and seek,
Light and shadow do create,
from the breeze,
a song you make,
Daisies Dance,
I translate.

8" x 10" oil on primed heavy watercolor paper,
with a crisp 1/2" border.






And I have a reminder for my near to Cleveland, Oh subscribers. I am still accepting reservations for my Dine with the artist event at Cleveland's Galleria catered by Cafe Sausalito coming this Friday June 29th.
Each guest will receive an artful gift from me and dinner, wine and cheese will be served at the mingle.
Originals will be available for purchase.
It's going to be causal and fun.

Please contact either me via email with any questions or Lisa Nemeth here to order tickets.

Rebecca Grantham.Com,
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Carnival Days

I am going to begin offering quality prints of some of my paintings through my etsy store and website.

The first one I have to present is Carnival Days.


This is an archival giclee print on matte canvas from my original painting.

The UV inks are said to last 100 -200 years which is a long time to enjoy this festive painting.

The original was painted on site from a local homedays festival. It was my goal to capture the universal fun, joy and memories so many have of local festivals as well as the brilliance of the sparkling wares for sale.

The image measures 8" x 10" with a generous white handling area on each side of about an inch and a half.
I have signed the print on the back.

I accept paypal,(paypal accepts most major credit cards) money orders, personal checks and google checkout.

Make it Beautiful!

Rebecca

Rebecca Grantham.Com,

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Spring Fling in Euclid, Oh -April 21st

If you live in the Northeast I'm sure you'll understand "Where is Spring?"
We've had record breaking snowfalls and record breaking heat. Well on one day :)
We've had inches of snow so far for April and had an 80 degree day in the past month.
Our Cleveland Indians had to temporarily move to a Milwaukee Stadium. But I digress... if you're around here you get it.

So I'm happy to announce on Saturday come rain, snow, sunshine I hope to be a part of the Spring Fling in Euclid, Oh. Displaying some artful originals and goodies with Gallery 222 and Art on Wheels. I unfortunately won't meet Therese who I've talked too a few times now, she's in wonderful Italy :) We'll meet another time.

I'm bringing my easel and paints to stretch my wings painting on site and hopefully will meet the Local Weather Legend Dick Goddard who's whimsical forecasts are always entertaining and gentle mannered.

If the weather agrees come and visit the Spring Fling.
Saturday April 21st from 11:00 - 3:00 at Sims Park.

All the best,
Rebecca

Rebecca Grantham.Com,

Modern Art Gifts Plein Air Cafe

Art Shows and Events

• New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art
The Gallery Hours are:


Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

April - December, Sundays 12- 4 p.m.

They are located at

506 Main Street
New Harmony, IN 47631
Ph: 812/682-3156




Current Art O Mat Artist 53 pieces 2 paintings One Artist. New works coming soon for the art o mat.





Published Cover Artist Houghton Mifflin, my Black-eyed Susan painting was chosen for the cover of Human Exceptionality by Hardman now in it's ninth edition.




• June -07'-Dine with the Artist - Cleveland, OH
• April -07' Spring Fling - Euclid, OH - Gallery 222
• February -07' A Woman's Work is Never Done - Newport Richey FL -Progressive Energy Art Gallery
• January -07' Vast Difference - Akron Oh - Millworks Gallery
• November -06' Group Art Show - Akron Oh - Millworks Gallery


The creation of beauty is art. Emerson

please contact me with any questions and comments.

Rebecca Grantham.Com,

Dine with the Artist Cleveland, Ohio

Announcing a special night coming in June!

Together with Northcoast promo , Dine with the Artist is a new show this year. Each month a different artist will be featured. Join the artist in an intimate setting for an evening of good food, conversation and art!

Friday, June 29th you can join me for this special night.

The evening begins with a wine & cheese reception on the first floor of the Galleria at Erieveiw from 5:30 - 6:30. From there we will move up to Cafe Sausalito for a casual dinner. During dinner, I will discuss my art and creative process with fellow guests and conclude with a demonstration during a question & answer period. There will be works available for purchase during the evening and each guest will receive a unique artful gift made especially for this evening from me.


Cost: $25.00 per person
Advance Reservations are Required.
Please Call Northcoast at 216.570.8201 or e-mail for more details.

I look forward to sharing this June evening with you!

Rebecca;)

Rebecca Grantham.Com,
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A Woman's Work is Never Done

A Woman's Work is Never Done

Exhibit dates: Feb 2 - March 31
Opening dates: Feb 2 & March 2 (6-9 p.m.)

Progress Energy Art Gallery
6231 Grand Boulevard,
New Port Richey, Florida 34652
727.848.6500

www.nprmainstreet.com/gallery

New Port Richey, FL – The New Year is starting off with a definite global flavor at the Progress Art Gallery in downtown New Port Richey.

During the months of February and March the Worldwide Women Artists Organization members will be exhibiting artwork from local members as well as from members all across the globe.

The exhibit is dedicated to the strength, passion and compassion of women and their impact on the world around us today. The art collection will be as diverse as the women who create it; with influences from all around the world including the UK, Canada & Greece.

Here are the two pieces I have sent to the show.

Finding and Susan's Tears both are 12" x 12" oil on gallery wrap canvas.

The images are clickable for larger views and will be available through the Progress Energy Art Gallery.

It is an honor and pleasure to participate in this show with so many kind and supportive fellow women artists who have made this possible through their dedication.

If you happen to visit the gallery show please feel free to post a comment or email me.

All the best,

Rebecca

Rebecca Grantham.Com,

Modern Art Gifts Plein Air Cafe
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The Show

my Serenity piece along with Caressa's fiber behind to the right
Caressa's Fiber work

some of Sandra's Photography

my This Tree,
which looked good in person and more rich than I remembered.

I'll admit my photo's did not come out very good and I'm hoping to get back and take some more.
Saturday night went very well and the people who visited seemed honestly interested in each artist and their work. They took their time viewing each piece and meeting the artists.
the three of us represented similar but unique expressions of nature and art.

I was most happy that people responded to and felt both the atmosphere and the emotions in my paintings.
and the most asked question I got was "How do you keep up with or paint a sinking sun on site as it's happening?"
the easy answer was and is "I chase it, just as fast as I can" and that I'm getting better at it each time I paint.
It's what I truly love to do, to transfer my emotions of the moments I'm experiencing and the atmosphere of nature onto the canvas to the point of life. To the point where people forget that they are looking at a painting and are experiencing a moment.
and to know that the people I spoke with got that .. means so much.

To know that this is a simple goal but one that people relate too, is a good thing that brings me great joy.

In appreciation of Sandra's and Caressa's art, I've seen my mother's hand at quilting, sewing and knitting and to see Caressa's weaving turned into art was interesting and very visually refreshing. Having had my hand in black and white photography I could appreciate Sandra's use of photo emulsion on boxes and recycled materials as a way of balancing nature and tangible consumables.
For those that came... Thank you! Thank You Dave and Angie for setting up a splendid show.
For those that follow my work on the net and here on my blog.... Thank You!

Our new Year has gotten off to a rocky start to say the least.

In the space of a month, we have had our vacuum break, our van break down, our toilet had to be replaced because somehow .. who knows how... all five of our little ones shake their head... a huge rubber super ball got lodged to the point of no return. and now today our washing machine coupling broke.

To all the many things this New Year will bring and the curves it has already thrown all I can do is laugh and head out to paint in this very unusual Spring Winter we are having.

May we all have a year filled with tons of Memories, Laughs and Triumphants.

~Rebecca

Find the Beautiful!

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Gallery Opening The Vast Difference

The Vast Difference
Sandra Holata, Caressa Mathews, and Rebecca Grantham

December 30, 2006 - February 10, 2007

opening reception: December 30 and 31, 7 - 10pm

Millworks Gallery, Inc.
106 N. Main St.
Northside Arts District
Akron, Ohio 44308

Gallery hours: Fridays and Saturdays 6-9 pm and by appointment
Contact: David Leas (330) 807-0575

Sandra Holata lives in suburban Ohio - the land of Wal Mart and lawn chemicals. Holata spent several years documenting the rape of the landscape and homogenization of American culture. Using Liquid Light photo emulsion, she prints black and white photographs, of the destruction, on food boxes and recycled papers combined with salvaged construction materials. Her current "Year of the Dog" series is a look inward on how this affects her psyche.

Caressa Mathews is a graduate of Kent State University, with a degree in Textile Arts. Over the past 5 years, she has exhibited her work throughout Ohio, New York, and Illinois. Caressa is delighted to be a part of this innovative unveiling of new work from fellow artists in the Akron area and is excited to start her career in such a supportive community.

Ohio, painter Rebecca Grantham has a passion for landscape painting plein air, onsite, all year through. Working in oils outside as time passes she transforms everyday moments into unique works of art that capture the essence of the beauty around us. Her work immerses you in nature, up close the viewer is a part of the painted moment that is a culmination of time and subtle changes. Her paintings carry nature's daily patterns and rhythms onto the canvas greeting you with a living work of art.

All the best,
~Rebecca
Rebecca Grantham.Com,
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Millworks update

Monday I dropped off the following pieces to be included in the Akron Works collaborative show in November.

Rose No. 's 7, 8, 9, 10, & 11
Susan's Tears
Red
Orange
Black-Eyed Susans

Many will be up and available only at the show.

I'm looking forward to a great time.
~Rebecca

On site Plein air Seven Hills Homedays

Seven Hills HomeDays


Here is a picture of my set up at the fair. This is where I painted Saturday and Sunday, it was a little off the path, but perfect for the scene I wanted to capture.
I am so glad that Lisa had this umbrella to paint under it was scorching hot both days and I still managed to get a gentle sunburn .
The fair continued around to the left.

Here is a better shot of the view and one the I'll be working from in the studio.



It was pure joy to be onsite painting. The kids were home and I was out doing something that I loved.

Everyone I met was very kind and Lisa was a fabulous organized promoter.

I have learned a lot about myself painting such a different subject and being on site in public.

What did I learn?

I learned I have to do this a lot more in more ways than one!!!

I was nervous at first but by Sunday it was all in stride. It was the first time that I wasn't a vendor but painting on site with many people of all ages watching, sharing their stories of art and asking questions it was a lot of fun to hear how different people have some connection to art in their life.

I finished this 8" x 10" study Saturday.

click for a larger view
Sold

On Sunday I began an 18" x 24" and was only able to get half a general sketch finished and will be completing it from photos. Here is the WIP (work in progress)


It's going to be rich, textural and impressionistic.

A carnival has so many fascinating colors, it could be visited over and over again without exhaustion.

ps There wasn't a fish game ;) but the kids loved the fried dough and fresh Monster bag of Cotton Candy.
Thank you to everyone who follows my journey here!
I also have some paintings in progress I'll be working on and posting this week too.
Watch for more WIP updates.

All the best Rebecca ~Stay Cool it's going to be scorching hot this week!

Rebecca Grantham.Com,

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on site show prep and more

Whew' What a week and it's only uhh Wednesday that's right!
It's been an electrifying week. I have started my first plein air gear workshop with a collector/friend first who loves to create and loves nature. She's an angel and perfect to explore this with.
I'm having so much fun sharing some exercises that have helped me heighten my awareness of nature and art. It's a joy to give this back to someone who loves the same things.

I am glad to be working with a client for a custom order of my pleinaircafe tiles for her oasis sun room.
and I am getting prepared to paint the Seven Hills Home days Festival on site both Saturday and Sunday. I heard there was a Ferris wheel last year and hoping it's there again.
I would love to paint it! The change of subject matter is going to be challenging but am looking forward very much to it.
I'll get some pictures. We might bring the whole crew Sunday for some fair fun. My favorite is tossing the ping pong ball, watching it bounce and hoping it lands into a fish bowl winning a small gold fish.
I won this as a child and my fish got huge and lived a long time.
Ohh and cotton candy is a must, there is something special about fairs versus huge theme parks and that is something I am definitely going to capture this weekend.

That reminds me we were going over the first day exercise and she mentioned how the clouds were rolling in with a thunderstorm coming and they looked like dirty cotton candy, I love that picture description and am going to be watching the skies for them ;)

So shipping some work out this week for sales and running for paperwork printing all the while juggling my 5 rascals who always seem to run a muck in Office Max.

I've started the base painting for our Rose of Sharon that's in Bloom and am on way out right now to paint some more. The humidity is dreadful and loves to give me a headache but it's worth it!

All the best,
Rebecca
remember to "Get Out There!"


Rebecca Grantham.com
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Art Walk Follow up

The weekend at the artwalk was much fun with a steady flow of people between the rain that would splash through quickly.
I learned more about selling and met such a variety of people. Many of who where breezing through and difficult for me to engage since the studio was the first or last stop on the route.
Most memorable comment:
I was talking with a small group of people and the gentleman had said that they would like to collect originals but can't because and looked at me and said they Had NO Walls.
Where is a landscape painter to go from there. I almost burst out laughing.
He said they had nothing but a stone fireplace and glass windows.
Had I had my finished jewelry box I would have directed him to it.
But we had a good laugh and I mentioned how eventually I want to create my landscapes in stainedglass, another love of mine and one that my winter work would certainly translate well into.
above that though I had three other highlights.
Here is a picture of one.

It's funny how I didn't notice the wires until after I took this.
I haven't seen a rainbow in more years than I can remember and when I saw how the sky was turning after the rain quickly left with the sun coming out at my back, my hopes were high.
Sure enough there it is was right infront of the studio.
It arched over the bell tower and could be seen softly on the right as well.
My girls were with me and loved seeing it. When I got home and my boys came back from a friends house I found out they saw a huge one too.

The other wonderful highlight is this:
Drum roll....

My brother in law Dan traded me this wonderful wood sculpture of his Chopsticks for my piece Highkey Sunset that I framed.

It's entirely carved out of 3 kinds of wood down to the large grain of rice.

Isn't it wonderful?!!!

He loved my piece. It is funny how when a work connects it connects. I barely could accept his work for mine, I tried to sneak out leaving mine as a surprise and a thank you but he caught me and snuck his in my trunk as I was packing up Sunday.

I ended up covering my costs for the show with some small originals and note card sets.

I met a lot of wonderful people.

It was a good to get my feet wet with this kind of venue.

and I'll leave you with this other picture I took on the way home!

It's from a Beautiful Garden center.

Can you guess what I want to paint next?

plein air - landscape painting - Murray Hill - art walk

Murray Hill Art Walk

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend coming up.

If you're in the Murray Hill, Little Italy area of Cleveland, Oh you'll find me painting plein air on site with a table of wares as a part of the 27th annual Art Walk. June 2, 3, & 4th

What's great is I get to display for free outside my brother in laws studio.
He's setting up too and I'll be sure to post some pictures. Dan is a wonderful wood sculptor and his girlfriend makes the most thoughtful handmade books.

My Hubby is going to fabricate 3/5 metal stands for my display as I cross my fingers for beautiful weather.

Hopefully next year it will be all three of us.

My husband is a stone sculptor and has been truly enjoying working on his latest piece. It is a bushmaster snake being carved out of Indiana Limestone.
(pics coming soon)

It is a wonderful balance of art between the three of us.

1 realistic sculptor in stone
1 abstract sculptor mixed media

and me LOL.

On site Invitation

I am looking forward to a special invitation I received for this summer.
I have been invited by a craft fair promoter to come and paint 3 fairs plein air on site.
2 are three day events and one is only a single day.
The fairs are in June, July and August.
The owner wants to use the final paintings in their marketing and promotion materials as well as promoting my demonstration so to speak at the events this year.
The final works will be sold at a Gallery in Cleveland, Oh in early September.

I look forward and am already imagining how I will interpret a busy fairway with the moving people and sunshine reflecting off the tents.
I plan on chasing the patterns, moods and repetitious colors in an impressionistic manner.
I'm thinking of doing these atleast 18" x 24" as well as some smaller case studies/sketches.

It will be a good time to meet people and talk about my work, I'v never been an attraction before, a vendor yes, but entertainment no.

I am going to look around for some fairs to attend before these to get a feel for painting this kind of environment on site. Chasing the clouds and sun are one thing, people busily shuffling is another.


plein air - landscape painting - art

The Funky Diva Purse Auction update

The Funky Diva Purse Auction was held at Artefino Gallery Cafe, hosted by owner Hector Vega.

There were so many different kinds of purses created. There were furry purses, feathery purses, there was a purse covered in crayola colored pencils. There was another built like a small house. Some were beaded, painted, or sculpted.

It was a silent auction with many bids and a lot of funds raised for the Cleveland rape crisis center. I am glad that my purse & painting sold. It was so much fun to create this piece plein air alla prima. I painted them both at the same time, hanging the purse over the panel. Creating this piece is inspiring me to make some more using empty cigar boxes.

It was a great night out without our five little ones. The music was good and the food was great. I had white wine and Hubby had his favorite Brew. The weather was perfect.

I'm looking forward to next years event!

Thank you to everyone involved who made a great night for a great cause.

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