Brande Arno Art

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Panel - Sold I've been busy with keeping records and trying to be very aware of my creative process.  Today's painting comes after a couple of hours loosening up with a failed painting.  So I changed subjects and tried again.  The song I painted to was a broken record that went something like this: Oh what the hell, you're running out of time, just get something done...how many days are you going to go without posting a painting?  You have to get something done...Just do it!  Now this can go one of two ways.   First and best way is, you throw caution to the wind and really loosen up, every brush stroke magically works and you don't have time to overwork a painting.   Second and worst way is, things get bad fast, you can't concentrate, draw, mix colors...squeeze paint out of the tube because you failed the first time. What about the middle, why does it have to be about extremes?  I answer that by offering...

"Teenage Dreamland Sheep" 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard, Sold This is one strange sheep, in a strange environment, but I think the two strange elements work well together for a painting.  I hope to paint the Daily Paintworks "Roses" challenge.  What better week to paint roses than mother's day week.

The Grazing Pair, 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Board $ 50. Buy on Etsy Spring is almost here.  I feel a difference in the air and although where I live, there is still snow on the ground, Spring is almost here!

"What Did I Hear?" 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Board Purchase on etsy This little ewe is pretty sure she heard the farmer say we are going to have a long hot summer.  She and I are in shock and awe!

"Working the Lawn" 5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board $ 60. Buy on etsy There is still snow on the ground, but with my artist licence I can paint fresh spring grass whenever I want to and include nature's lawn mower!

"Eight Legs" 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Panel $65. Sold - Thank you These two are wondering if they can trust their ears.  They think so, but you know the saying:  Only believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.  So why did I name the painting Eight Legs?  I think they got nice legs and while I'm passing out compliments, I like the reflections on their wool also.

"Baby's Nap" 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Panel - $ 70. Click to Purchase  It's amazing to me how much little lambs look like a plush toy.  You just want to scoop them up and give them a teddy-bear hug.  There only competition for cuteness is a fat-bellied puppy or kitten.  

"Checkered Legs", 4 x 4 inches, oil on panel This sheep has a checkered past...actually checkered legs.  Not that I noticed this fact until I began painting.  It's amazing what you see when you look with artist eyes. 

"Rule of Three" 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Panel with Palette Knife S old, Thank you. The inspiration for this painting is from a fairly new sheep farm that is about 2 miles from where I live.  I asked the owners if I could take photos and found  they also  have goats and chickens, all of which got their pictures taken by me. These are lucky animals as their owners keep them and the barn very, very clean and the field they graze has fresh tender green grass.  

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board Buy on Etsy This ewe has a pink face and legs.  Couldn't resist naming the painting pink stockings.

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board Click to Bid Another ewe.  Can't resist painting these little love-bugs, especially this time of year when spring is almost here.

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board Click to Bid This little lady had her picture taken by me yesterday.  I went on a field trip hoping to see some brand new lambs but I guess I'm too early.  I don't know who wants their birth more...me or the great with lamb ewe. About 30 miles away from my home is a lamb farm of 100 ewes or more.  Every one of them were inside the barn.  So pretty soon.

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board Catchy title, but I couldn't resist.  It's the pose. S OLD

Bid on Auction 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board I went on a field trip to find the sheep grazing as it was a sunny day.  So my first stop was a small farm not far from where I live.  What I found was ewes snuggled inside their small shelter.  I'm thinking they're due to lamb and get a new hair do.  In that order.

6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board This is actually an adjustment to an older piece.  I repainted the piece adjusting the clouds and sharpening the vineyard part of the painting.  You might think what if this sheep decides to move to the grapes, well most vineyards are protected by wire fences and if you look real hard, they're are in the painting too.    I've posted the older piece below: Cotton Balls, 6 x 6 inches

4 x 4 inches, Oil on Board I really like the way this came out.  I feel like I'm doing a better job with painting white.  More specifically white mixed with color.  Another area that I'm feeling good about in this painting is the cast shadow. It looks real. 

5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board A cute trio of white sheep doing what they do best...mowing the lawn.  I've told my husband more than once all we need is either a dairy cow or a few sheep to replace the gas mower.  While were at it, lets get a half dozen of Rhode Island Reds to de-bug our gardens and get eggs.  And let's get a couple of white ducks to attack the slugs and get a donkey for guard duty.   Well even if he said yes, my neighbors would say NO!  So I'll paint my farm instead.

Lefty & Mugsie 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Board I couldn't resist the naming these two little sheep this title. I took the back way home from an appointment today and on Parrish Road I noticed a small herd of sheep, most of which had the fluffy backsides, but I managed to burn into my brain the exact pair of sheep and decided they had to be painted as soon as I got home.   The resulting painting shown here did have some challenges is the area where lighting was starting to wain because clouds were moving that had thick and deep grayish bellies in the clouds. and this results in cooler light.and warmer shadows,  I am please with the outcome. It will be up for auction on DPW.  Please click on the link.  Thank you  and GOD bless you with a great nite sleep.  I know I'm getting sleepy listening to the debates,,. Bob  Bates is doing a great job with controlling stumping   o

Before the Shearing 4 x 4 inches, Oil on Board Decided to paint one of my favorite subjects...Sheep.  In this case, before the May shearing, when they are full of fluff.  They look old before they get sheared.  I've seen them very shortly after a shearing and they look like lambs again. This little fellow will be up for auction at www.dailypaintworks.com 

About Face 5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board, $ 60. Like most of working Americans I'm glad it's Friday.  Tonight is my night off from cooking and even though I use to have Neill take me to a restaurant, we have been ordering takeout.  We are blessed to have a great Italian pizzeria that will deliver more than a few miles from their shop.  Love their food! This painting is another in my sheep series.  I don't feel the need to stop painting sheep yet, so on Monday, they'll probably be another posted.  Stay tuned.  Titled About Face because of the unusual pose.  Weekend blessings go out to you from me!