Shelley Prior

February 3rd drawing class

2009-02-04T04:43:00.009-06:00

Here are pencil drawings done by my students from Feb. 3rd class.

Pencil Portrait Class

2009-01-15T06:44:00.007-06:00

This one was on coloured paper.

Here are the results from my most recent pencil portrait class. There's still another image to add to these but the student has a bit more left to do (she has 2 subjects within one portrait so it took more time). It'll be added soon.

Blue Morning - Great Blue Heron

2009-01-12T04:46:00.003-06:00

'Blue Morning' acrylic 8x10"
I'm pleased to once again be invited to participate in Masterworks in Miniature, March 6 through March 21st. It is a show of original artwork in miniature (no larger than 9x12") by well-known US and international artists. The show is hosted by Gallery One in Mentor, Ohio. All of the artwork and details on the event should be posted on Gallery One's website sometime in February.

January Paint Your Pet

2009-01-12T04:31:00.008-06:00

Another Paint your pet class at my studio. Here are the paintings that were produced by my students. I will add the last couple of photos as soon as the finishing touches are complete.

Rottweiler commission

2008-12-23T12:38:00.010-06:00

Here's the finished Rottweiler commission. It was my last order before Christmas. This was composed from several photos. The dogs were different ages, but the owner wanted them to appear as litter-mates. With photos of different angles and lighting it was a challenge to do. All I have left to do now is to finish shopping, cleaning, cooking, wrapping etc. No more painting before the big day. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone and a safe and happy holiday!

December rush

2008-12-22T18:28:00.016-06:00

Well, it's sure been a busy month. Between classes, new projects, commissions, Christmas preparations and snow shovelling, there hasn't been a minute to spare. This little chipmunk design in acrylic will be a new class offered in February 2009 in Mississauga. I thought I'd try something a bit different this time and use a grissaille technique. This little guy was a visitor at a cottage which we stayed at in September this year.

Next is a little ornament by special request - Rosco the Bernese Mountain Dog/Toy Poodle mix (yes, believe it or not, that's correct). The tag only measured about 2-1/2" x 3". I painted about 10 other ornaments similar to those that I painted last month, so I won't bother duplicating them all here.

Next is a boxer commission (Christmas gift). I'm also working on another commission of 2 Rottweiler puppies, which I'll post soon.

Paint your pet class at my studio was lots of fun. Some are going to be gifts while others were just to learn and practice. These are the portraits that were produced by my students in the 2-day workshop Dec. 13/14th, 2008.

dog portrait

2008-12-08T06:51:00.003-06:00

Here's another dog portrait that I finished this week. Only a couple of commissions left to go before Christmas!

3 watercolour florals

2008-12-01T19:11:00.006-06:00

Here are 3 more watercolours florals. Each is 5x7 on Arches 140lb cp with DaVinci paints.

watercolours for xmas sale

2008-11-27T12:02:00.000-06:00

Here are a couple of watercolours that I just finished this morning for the Christmas Sale at our local Art Centre. These are 5x7" each on Arches 140lb cp paper.

Ornaments & Pencil Portraits

2008-11-26T07:04:00.000-06:00

I am participating in a Christmas Show at our local art centre and produced several original ornaments to sell.

I also had students come to my home studio for a pencil portrait class on Monday. Here are the portraits that they produced.

Solo Show November 2008

2008-11-19T09:42:00.000-06:00

Until the end of November, my artwork will be on display at Joseph Brant Hospital in Artway 2 (2nd floor). The show is called Inspiration. It's a show which is primarily watercolour and includes many of my favorite subjects - birds, animals, floral and some landscape. The hospital is located on Lakeshore Rd., in Burlington, Ontario.

I'll also be showing at the Burlington Art Centre's annual Christmas Sale and Soup Bowl Event, November 27-30th. I'll be there demonstrating and will have gift-sized painted items available (cards, miniature paintings, unframed art and ornaments) along with my other art friends. The soup bowl event is a special catered event where patrons may choose their own original hand-made bowl by one of the centre's potters. After their meal, they keep the bowl to take home. Visitors can come for lunch or dinner and then spend some time browsing the many works on display or watch demonstrations given by the artists. http://www.burlingtonartcentre.on.ca/

Although my fall watercolour classes at the Oakville art society are winding down for the season and I have only a few other classes left to teach this year, I'll have plenty to keep me busy as I finish Christmas commissions and gifts and prepare for winter classes, shows, conventions, competitions and travel teaching in 2009.

Pet commissions

2008-11-08T05:50:00.000-06:00

Here are 2 pet commissions which I just completed. These were done in acrylic on a wood plaque. The reference photos were challenging because they were taken with flash (glowing eyes) and one of the dogs passed away. Much of the detail was guesswork.

House commission

2008-10-29T02:17:00.000-05:00

Well, it's nearly the end of October and I'm trying to get ready for a solo art show in Burlington, Ontario. In the meantime, I also have some commissions that I'm working on (acrylic and watercolour).

Here's a house commission that I just finished in watercolour - 11x14". It's a housewarming gift for the new owners of this century old home.

Fall events

2008-10-17T19:06:00.000-05:00

This painting is fresh off the easel. 'Pastel Pond' was painted using Traditions acrylics. It's a pair of green-winged teal 16"x24".

It's fall and as usual it's a busy time for me with lots of news. I'm happy to report that I'm fully recovered from my back surgery this summer.

I've updated the classes page of my website. Be sure and check it out!

During the Thanksgiving weekend I submitted 12 paintings to the Rockton World's Fair. I received 10 first place and 2 second place awards.

I'm also preparing for a solo show in Artway 2 (2nd floor) at Joseph Brant Hospital, Burlington throughout November.

Gallery One in Mentor Ohio has once again invited me to participate in Masterworks in Miniature. I'm honoured to be in the same company as Robert Bateman, Terry Isaac, Arleta Pech and many other great artists. The event is in March so watch for updates in the new year.