Lost Pines Christmas Weekend in Bastrop

Don't forget to come to Bastrop this weekend.  So much going on!  Lost Pines Christmas.
http://www.lostpineschristmasbastroptx.com/

We will have refreshments at the Jo Castillo Art Studio & GALLERY from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 12.  The lighted parade is at 6:00 p.m. 

Open House for Bastrop's Lighted Christmas Parade

Bastrop is having a big weekend this weekend.  You can come out, go to the historic home tours and and much more.  You can check out the events on the Lost Pines Christmas page.http://www.lostpineschristmasbastroptx.com/

My gallery will be open from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. with refreshments after 4:00 p.m.  Santa is in the parade and will walk around downtown historic Bastrop.  Come by and check it all out.

You can finish ... or start .... you Christmas shopping.  We have the great stuff from the featured artists, Regina Burchett, Johanne Morin and Jan Weaver (On the galleries page on my site about First Fridays) and new jewelry and gifts by Judy and Jo. Our paintings are not expensive, you might as well have an original instead of a print!

Seasons Greetings Note Card, this is from a drawing I did with a mouse on the computer in 1998 with just the graphics on Appleworks.

This poinsettia note card I drew yesterday.

I just ordered a few of the note cards, as we didn't have any Christmas cards in the gallery.  I would also part with the original Poinsettia watercolor and ink painting for $150.00 unframed, free shipping.  It is 9 x 12 inches on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

The gallery accepts lay away, cash, checks and credit cards.  :)  Oh, and I am paying the sales tax for December so that is almost 10% off.  You can find a coupon on the Bastrop Chamber of Commerce page for an additional 10% off, too.  See you downtown!

Watercolor Poinsettia and Bookmarks

I was at my gallery today (well it is after midnight, so I guess it was yesterday.)  and it was pretty slow downtown.  I thought there would be more people out, but I did get some art done, so that was good.  I started to sketch a poinsettia and it turned out to be a watercolor and I like it. I don't do many watercolors.  I took photos and brought it home.  Tonight I added some ink and like it better, probably because I like bright colors.

Poinsettia, Watercolor, 9 x 12 inches

Same poinsettia with black outline in ink.

I also took a couple of plein air paintings that I did in New Mexico two years ago.  I had painted on both sides of watercolor paper with acrylics.  They were practice and not good for framing.  I cut them in strips, added eyelets and ribbon and they are now bookmarks.

The bookmarks in one of my cafepress cups.

Some of the bookmarks on my desk.

I also thought I would throw in a snap of the coffee pot from Columbia.  They are unusual for us.  

 

Music to help Forever Families

Want to hear some great music and help the kids?  This sounds great to me, Tommy Byrd and Kathy Street are great people. 

Tuesday,  December 14

Byrd & Street and Friends

 "Mistletoe Jam" Benefit!  at Jovita's 1619 S. 1st St.  6:30-9:30... 

Suggested donations/tips is $10-50/person, or whatever you can, all tips/donations going to The Adoption Coalition of Texas a non-profit agency that receives no state funds.  Their work is to help  find "Forever Families" for Central Texas waiting children.

Tommy and Kathy say, "We'll have 6 different artists, duos or trios performing!  with George Ensle and other special guests!"

 (cash or checks made out to:
Adoption Coalition of Texas)

Come get a bite to eat and join in the fun!

Sunday Night after First Friday

It was a BIG party.  There were many people there.  Some came for Gene's famous brisket and some came to see the art and old friends.  It was great to see people we hadn't seen in a while -- some of them, a long while.  Thanks to all of you that came by to meet Johanne Morin and Regina Burchett and share some food and wine.  Jan Weaver couldn't be there, prior commitments.  We missed her, but her lino cuts were a hit, too.

As usual, I didn't get any photos when all the people were there.  Same old story.  :(

This was the look outside the gallery in the afternoon.  Thank you, Regina, for the sign.

Gene, acting as bartender.  The coffee pot from Columbia holds hot water, coffee and the hot spiced cider.  It is a great piece for conversations, too.

Johanne Morin talking with Gene after most folks had left.  Her three small oil paintings to the right.

Mark and Lea Cundy, Blue Donkey Studio across the street.

Lester Sensat, previous featured artist.  Johanne's beautiful painting that you can see is a pastel.

From across the street earlier in the afternoon.  My gallery is in front of the white car.

First Friday Thoughts

Wow, a month has flown by.  It is First Friday tonight and a big one it is.  Regina and Johanne will be at my Gallery.  I think Tommy Byrd and Kathy Street, Byrd and Street,  will be by, too.  I have CDs and prints by them as well in the gallery.

The new work we have up is so interesting and inviting to buy.  You can buy an original pastel, 5 x 7 inches,  by Regina for only $28, unframed, and more of her work priced accordingly.  Her large piece Smithville Rising II is such a beautiful sky!   Johanne's wood burnings and paintings look great arranged together.  It is tempting to buy them all.

Judy has some new jewelry including some $5 Christmas/Holiday earrings that are fun to wear.  Gingerbread cookies, bells, etc.  She fashioned some decorative chains so you can hang your glasses around your neck like I do.  Very cool stuff!  She will make you a lanyard for your ID or music players or whatever.

Gene will be cooking his famous brisket today and I am making some flour tortillas to wrap it in.  We will have hot cider and a great time.  Hope to see you there!

Lots more going on downtown. Deborah Johnson is having her ribbon cutting today for her new studio.  The artists across the street have open house, the Guild is presenting gift art under $100.  Live music in the restaurants and much more.  Stores are open until 7.  Come on down, gallery hop, have dinner and finish your shopping.

Oh, and remember the workshop in Marble Falls, January 13 and 14.  That is just over a month away.  Yikes, that is next year already!

Photos of my Gallery

I just about have the gallery ready for First Friday, Austin Highlights.  It will be a special show with work by Regina Burchett, Johanne Morin and Jan Weaver.  I still need to straighten up a bit tomorrow and put up some more tags, tablecloth, etc.  Remember I will pay your sales tax for the month of December.  That is almost a 10% savings.

The gallery is looking good.

Front window.

Other side of window.

Featured Artist wall,  Johanne's and Regina's work.

Jan's lino cuts on the right.

Judy Hawe's jewelry and my "Jo's Notions" ( small paintings)

Another shelf, prints and window.

Johanne's work.

My wall.

Regina's work.

Out the window.

I hope you can come by Friday night.  It will be a lot of fun.  You can meet the artists, see and buy their work and enjoy refreshments with us.

Here is my artist tip for the day, check out Desmond O'Hagan's video, An Urban View.  I had a workshop with him .  I learned so much, although I do not paint anywhere near style.  He does a type of under painting with dark colors and paints on regular pastel paper, not sanded.  Very nice work.  I try to keep his painting tips in mind.