Mr. Cogburn is completed!

If you have been following my blog, you already know I had to leave my rooster unfinished, as I ran out of time before we left to go "back home" to Louisiana to celebrate Christmas with our families, where my husband and I are originally from.

I actually thought about 'him' during our holiday time. I know, I know, how rude of me to be wishing I were home in my studio!!! But, truly my paintings are my "babies" in a sort of odd way, and I felt he was waiting patiently for me to return ASAP to finish creating him! After some fun research (Googling fun rooster names), I decided to go with my first choice, naming him,"Mr. Cogburn". If you don't recall, John Wayne played the character, "Rooster Cogburn" with a black patch on his one good eye... can't you see that one eye thing going on with Mr. Cogburn here? :)

I have listed him for sell on my Etsy.com shop.I'll post the link at the end of this blog. I hope you'll visit, and if you decide not to purchase Mr.Cogburn, maybe one of my other paints will speak to you!

Happy New Year!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art

https://www.etsy.com/listing/261998948/rooster-chicken-original-oil-painting?ref=shop_home_active_1

Eyeing the chicks rooster painting in oils

I must really be on a rooster roll.... here is another one I just had to paint! 12" x 12" x 1.5" (deep) wrapped canvas- no frame needed. Drawing in and back ground dark shades going in.

A little more detail, No worries, he will change quiet a bit!

Slowly adding payers. I will be working on his comb shape and a red glaze, adding a lighter glaze to his beak, and more feather details. I'll post that later. Can you see him coming together?  I always say this is the "ugly stage",



THE FINISHED PAINTING!

Blessings,

Sandra Cutrer

Fine Art

Creating A Family Affair rooster,hen and chicks in oils

Figuring out out my favorite sketches. Ready to start painting!  PLEASE CLICK ON ANY OF THE PICS TO MAKE THEM APPEAR LARGER FOR YOU!

As you can see, I use several reference photos to help me- not only with making sure my drawings stay correct, but they motivate me! The rooster on the left is one of many from my own photo shoot in Marble Falls, Texas. I do love the beauty, and boldness, of  cocky roosters!

A little more detail. I really try to take good photos, but sometimes no matter how great your camera, the coloring just doesn't match being here in person to see it for yourself!

Below is the finished triptych!

I think they are adorable! I hope you do as well! They are listed for sell on  my Etsy page. You can scroll through my listings here, and see the price of this triptych. Each painting measures 6" x  6" x 1.5" deep. A blue a little darker than the back ground  is painted on all sides. Ready to hang- no frames needed. Hang horizontally, vertically, or  along with a few other rooster/ hen/ chick paintings  you might have,making your own collection statement! Contact me through this blog or @ sandrasart777@aol.com

Thanks for looking!
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art

Rooster painting, Plume and Pomp oils on large canvas

Sometimes I get so "into" what I have on my mind to paint, I forget to capture a photo of the drawing and first steps of the lay-in. Which is exactly what I did with ,"Plume and Pomp", a large rooster painting. I wanted to get those long, flowing, and brilliantly colored tail feathers down on canvas. He is such a lovely rooster! I hope you'll enjoy looking at him, and if you are interested in purchasing  this painting, or another of my listed pieces of art, please scroll through my works. All prices and sizes should be listed. Or, contact me at sandrasart777@aol.com for any questions or comments. I love taking commissions.

Oh, and BTW, the rooster photo copy hanging underneath my posted painting isn't him- it is another colorful rooster with green feathers!!! I don't think I've ever seen one like him in person. Another lovely color to add to my future rooster art work!

I hope you are getting prepared for Christmas. I am so ready and excited to see my family, and some friends. It seems we get so busy with living our lives, we push the time ahead as much as possible. I am so thankful for the holiday. Not only to see my family, take some time off to breathe and laugh, mingle and giggle, but I am so glad that God came in flesh to dwell among us, and have the prefect plan to be a sinless sacrifice for all of our sins.What a wonderful God we serve!

Merry Christmas to all,
Sandra Cutrer

Zoe, dog commission is finished and awaits under a Christmas tree...

Sweet little puppy, Zoe.

Zoe (pronounced Zoey) is finished and his buyer came to pick him up.He'll be framed, wrapped, and waiting for Christmas morning under her Christmas tree for the Mom/Grandmother to be surprised, thanks to a sweet daughter ( who was thrilled with the painting)! I can hardly wait to hear what Zoey's Mom thinks of her fur baby's portrait! I love painting commissions- especially surprises for the pet owners! If you'd like to have one of your babies painted, contact me from here, or email me @ sandrasart777@aol.com

I have to tell you about one of our pets, when I was growing up (we had so many I could never give anyone a count if they asked). My Mom had bought a small Chihuahua dog, and quickly spoiled him on chewing gum- yes, she did do that- for real! Wrigley's would have been proud. She decided to wrap a large box of  several packs and place it under the Christmas tree so he could have a gift like everyone else.Well, one day we were all outside, and when we came back in the (now)   un-decorated tree was on it's side, broken glass ornaments were scattered on the floor, along with wrapping paper, ribbon, slobbery bows, and a  very gnawed on package of chewing gum.He didn't quite have enough time to chew through the package, and foil wrapped individual packs...

Needless to say, there were no more packs of gum ever placed under our Christmas tree after that.

I still chuckle when I think of Tiny Sam. Hey, he was smart enough to know he had to wait until we were all outside before he hit the gifts! :)

Blessings,
Sandra

Zoe, a commissioned pet portrait

This one is not finished, but I am getting close. It is a surprise for my client's mother, a great Christmas gift she can cherish for the rest of her life. An adorable Bichon Frise and Chihuahua mix. I was able to meet her because the dog owner was not at home, so her daughter (who commissioned the painting) allowed me to sneak over and meet little Zoe. I plan to paint her name on her tag. I am excited to find out how big of a surprise Zoe's owner gets when she opens it!

I love creating portrait paintings of people's beloved pets. Please contact me from this blog if you are interested, or email me at sandrasart777@aol.com.


Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art

A more colorful turkey...

I hope your Thanksgiving bird was juicy, your apple pie hot and crispy, and you had such a long list of things to be thankful for, you felt forced to write it on the back of a legal-size sheet of paper!

I've painted three Peacocks lately, and sold two of the three (the pics below are a few steps to my painting the third peacock in my series). I have a Facebook friend who loves to tease me when I post my work, calling them ,"colorful turkeys"! I've never had peacock meat, and I don't plan on it( yes, some people eat peacock), but I do love the taste of the real thing- you know, the one who goes,"Gobble-Gobble"!


The peacock I am posting today, a male as we all know, is the beauty of the breed.

.

I hope you've enjoyed looking at my work. If you would like a peacock painting, I'd love to create one especially for you! Please contact me from this blog, and if you  have the time, scroll through my already posted paintings- some are still for sell. Thanks so much!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art

***This one is a close-up shot. You can see the super thick impasto style paint, along with the golds added, and a tiny amount of gold glitter-glue to give him a little more "pop" to his already brilliant coloring! Oils on a 12" x 36" stretched canvas The sides are painted a light gray, and are 1.5" deep. No need to frame.

Great Blue Heron

I am posting him in an x-large pixel count, so you can see the details.

He is painted in thick oils- impasto, with thick oils on all four sides ( a light blue/gray), with a lot of stroke detail.He is painted on a 12" x 24" stretched canvas.

Great Blue Herons travel solo, except if you catch them during migration when you might see up to 10 together.Though great blue herons hunt alone, they typically nest in colonies.

Yes, I seem to be continuing on with my birds. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed painting them!



Life is so uncertain. One moment everything can (seem to) be going along all fine and dandy ( am I showing my age by using the word," dandy"?), when out of the blue your feet slip out from under you and your world is turned upside down. Whether it is something in your personal life- like with family/spouse/job/health problems, or  another "9-11", like the newest horror that has fell upon the beautiful city of Paris,France.

I had hoped to return to Paris. I was able to fly there a few years back, with our older son, celebrating his 30th birthday. We had a great time. A great time? NO, a MAGNIFICENT time! We were only able to stay about 5 days, which was way too short to be able to see all that Paris has to offer- that would take weeks, if not months, but we both fell in love with this city!

My heart breaks for anyone who loses family, especially young family members. I have mentioned before that I lost my only daughter- way too young, a mother of two babies who needed her. How can people have such hate in their souls and use it in the name of any god to murder- yes, MURDER innocent people? How did these people know there weren't family members in any of these places they bombed or shot-up? How heartless and evil of each one involved!

But, as a Christian, I am well aware of the warnings in the holy words of our GOD in the Holy Bible. The warnings of wars, hate, selfishness, on and on. Of course, there has always been war, and hate, and selfish acts. I understand there is no stopping it. In fact, we are told to look up when these things happen because our redemption draws closer than before! All of the hate has become worse with each passing year... maybe each passing month or so. If we truly loved GOD, we would know He is a GOD of love, not hate. But, He also has a plan for every person, every creature, both small and grate. I would rather die knowing I was showing love, than hate. He is a GOD of love, but He is also a GOD who will judge. There is a hell. He won't send us there. We will send ourselves because of disobedience, hate, and evil hearts. Hell has enlarged itself, the Bible tells us...


Lord, have mercy on us all. Keep us all safe under your wings. God, bless Paris, bless those who are innocent and showing love and peace. God bless the USA, for the same reasons. Bless your people Lord, Jesus.

Amen!

Blessings,
Sandra

Bird Monarch Flycatcher, fly worry free my friends

Monarch Flycatcher.

 What a beauty he is! Don't you agree he carries his brilliant blue coloring well, making a cheerful statement to the world?

 It seems my heart has been toward painting more birds these last few months. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of bird species in this world to enjoy, and a challenge to try and capture a few on canvas. I could stay busy for the next half century at the least.

I told our cat ( MaLee) today (yes, I most certainly talk to our cat. When she talks back, I'll be the first to let you all know), about how blessed she is to not have to worry about getting old, sick, hungry, bored, scared, living on a limited retiree budget, or the "D" word- dying.

Of course I know many of these things can- and one or two of them will- happen to her, but she isn't worried. She spends her moments content, just being in the moment. The same way this beautiful bird must live.
I don't think we were really created to worry. I mean, being concerned to a degree is good, but crazy with worry? No. I can tell you first hand it does no good- to the worrier, or the worrier's family and friends. I lost a child to cancer. Worrying did not add any more days to her life. Worry did not heal her body. Worry did not make her fell better.

I think I have (finally) realized the very things that seem to creep into my mind as worry, are the very things I need to face head on. Either I need to talk about them, and get some rational advice, or think them through as to what I can do about them as concerns, and if they really are worries, breathe deeply and happily let them go. Worries are like a nasty,horrible cancer. They will eat you up, sometimes without you really knowing "it"is there until it becomes a hug "tumor" sticking out in front of you,while you wonder where it came from..

So, lighten up your load, and with a huge smile on your beautiful face, give that burden to your GOD, and fly worry free my friends. Fly like the birds! You know, the ones my indoor cat can never get to.

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer

MaLee "cat" napping in front of her favorite window where we have two bird feeders in the yard. They are not the least scared of her. They come right up to torment her at times. as well as the squirrels and her favorite green lizard.

Peacock painting in oils Ballet de Plume

"Ballet de Plume", a full body painting of a male peacock, with added gold leafing. He is painted on a 12" x 36" stretched canvas. He is sold, but I take commissions and would love to paint one similar to this one for you!


Sometimes I wish humans were more like the birds- you know, males have to wear the pretty stuff, the bright colors, the "bling". Instead, we women wear the make-up and dress all "pretty" in the killer high heels, the dress that isn't quite comfortable, with the itchy nylons- oh, and maybe some tight fitting spandex underneath all of that ( and worry someone else might show up wearing the same outfit to that reception- and if they dare we would rather die on the spot)! I don't think it's quiet fair that women have to go to such pains when the men usually do not- most men. We girls learn early in life to "look our best" and " act like a lady", or at least I was brought up in that generation. Taking a walk inside our local mall reminds me of a different world than the one I grew up knowing. At least a lot of "ladies" have dropped the ball as far as that... I mean, jeez, I would not take out my garbage wearing what some of them wear to the mall.. or even do my grocery shopping...but getting back to the fact that most (classy?) women do take a few "pains" to make themselves look nice when going out to dinner, to a wedding, or some other special occasion. They can shave their heads- the men that is- or having thinning hair and it is no big deal. A woman will hide in her house, or at the very least wear a wig. Few men wear toupee's (oh, a few car salesmen or news anchors), or have fits over thinning hair... just throw on a baseball cap and be done with it- right? There are no worries about what jewelry/ accessories matches their "outfit", or did they wear that dress on the last cruise??? And, do those shoes really match or do I need a pair just one shade lighter??? HA! And,lord, can you imagine a man trying to select a nail polish to match his tee shirt and ton sweat pants? Dress up- most men would rather have their teeth cleaned with Bon Ami. Black suit, grey suit, brown suit, a few solid colored shirts, throw in a few normal-guy neck ties, a plain watch, and he is done- oh, a dark pair of shoes (and black socks- one or two pair suffice for at least 5 years) goes with everything... right?

Okay, after all of the ranting, I have to admit I 'm happy to have my earrings, they cheer me up on a rainy day. Or  maybe a new blouse/top/shirt. That usually makes me feel so much better when I've had a bad day... or gained a pound or two...

Still, one wonders if we all- male and female- had to go to the same amount of trouble to get all decked out to prove our beauty, or show off a little...but then on another note I could write a whole new post about how unfair it is to not awake each morning and not look like Cindy Crawford, Brooke Shields, Heidi Klum, Halle Berry, or any of the other beauties that (no matter what they call a "bad hair day") look 99% better than I do wearing all of my nicest finery!

So, life isn't fair.

 I'll just go enjoy the birds, and maybe dress up a little extra nice, go to the mall and buy a new pair of flats... I hate the pain of high heels. Who likes to suffer that much to look good?

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fie Art

Buffalo Mania and a little bit of life

"Buffalo Mania", a side profile of a fantastic beast- mighty in strength, intelligent, as well as very protective of their herd.I am trying a few new styles/ ideas to add to the way I paint. I rather like this drip method in oils. Fun, interesting, different for me- as in "out of my box"! He is painted on an 11" x 14" stretched canvas. Listed for sell on Etsy.com, under Sandra Cutrer Fine Art.

   https://www.etsy.com/shop/SandraCutrerFineArt?ref=hdr_shop_menu

THIS PAINTING HAS SOLD!


Now on to about life...

I am not being followed by many people, so if you read this, know that I have decided to use this blog as a sort of journal. I used to keep a daily journal- especially when things were not going well in my life. The last 22-23 years haven't been too bad ( well, at times- if you don't count sickness and death in the family, job insecurity, your own health issues, depression, and other not so nice things going on ... journal or not- I don't write everything!) so I have slacked off writing pretty much anything. I wrote a couple of articles for a local newspaper, got one published, then gave up. I would rather be painting than writing- well, I'd love to do both, but I barely can find the time to paint with all of the 'free' time I have- as in NOT! It seems technology has its blessed moments, but it also has caused things to take a lot longer- or so it seems to me. Maybe just more complicated? Maybe because I'm older? Who can figure it out, but it is certainly true  for myself. I just got back into my art work after taking about a half of the year on "break". I hope I'm back for good. I've decided that a few things I've been doing aren't that important, I can squeeze out some paint and create for an hour or two and get great results at times, so why not.Two hours doing what I love is better than not doing it at all.
Okay, I plan to write more positive things next time, and I'd like to start sharing a few stories. My choice of subjects. After all it is my journal!

And, thanks for reading. I mean, just in case someone is really here!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art

A peacock portrait in oils using the drip style

I am so happy to be back in my studio! After several months of too many "pots-in-my-fire", I am hoping to shut out the world- well, to a large degree- and PAINT!!! Can you hear me yelling for joy???



 I hope you like the newest style on my list of things to try. I love working with oils, and trying different methods. I am not a follower of cookie-cutter artist, although I know a lot of people want consistency from their favorite artist, I hope I can make a few people happy seeing the things and ways I create with oils.

Thanks for reading. I am hoping to also start adding a few devotional type stories and inspirations. If you are reading this, please let me know what you think. What do you like reading from an artist's blog or any BLOG?

Blessings and happy fall!

Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art

Hang in there with me... and MaLee

I hope my followers are hanging in there with me. I am still SELLING my work! I had to miss painting- my favorite time in my day- for several months for various reasons,but I am happy to be back! I am trying a new style, but who knows, I am always trying out different things. I really don't care to be a "cookie-cutter" artist. I hope you'll enjoy my work, and I would love to help you own an original Sandra Cutrer oil painting!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer

 "GA on My Mind", oils on art board.

PS:  Our sweet MaLee is thrilled

 with the newest bird feeder in our backyard. Bring on the birds! Bring on the squirrels! Bring on the sunshine and naps!   

Creating a leopard portrait in oils

(1) Starting my work by sketching in the face, then adding important areas in so I don't lose my lines, I add a few of the darks, the lining of the eyes, and a few important details of the nose to begin. You may click on any of the photos to see a larger version.

 (2) I have added in some of the foundation for the fur coloring. Also, adding the eye color to make him come to life, so to speak.

(3) As you can see, I have continued to build up the fur colors. working slowly to add all of the many details.

(4) The finished portrait. I hope his eyes speak to you, as they do to me. What beautiful large cats leopards truly are. I have titled him, "Nebit", a variant of the Egyptian word for leopard.

Thank you for looking at my work. I hope you'll love him enough to purchase him as a forever treasure! Please feel free to browse all of my art work on my web site: sandracutrer.com , or contact me at the phone number listed below with any comments or questions.

Blessings, from the artist and her own domesticated (and a little spoiled) "leopard", MaLee.

Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art
sandracutrer.com
979-236-2907

Spring means new birds to watch- and paint!!!

Azure Kingfisher

Vermilion Flycatcher

 

I am delighted to be painting a bird series. Spring makes me so happy, being my favorite season of all! These two paintings, The Azure Kingfisher", and "Vermilion Flycatcher" are such lovely specimens of gorgeous birds to watch for. I enjoyed painting their bright and cheerful colors. Both birds are painted on gallery wrapped 5" x 7" canvases; no frame needed, all sides painted a dark hue. I hope you will browse through my blog for prices and also my other works for sell. I am so thankful for my followers and my buyers, who keep me at my easel! Thank you all, and "HAPPY SPRING" to you all!

PS I hope you've all had a chance to view the beautiful Texas Bluebonnets, and if not, maybe some of the glorious Cherry blossoms, among many of the other wonderful spring blooms!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer, Fine Art
sandracutrer.com
979-236-2907

Khensu, a jaguar in oils - completed!

"Khensu", a jaguar in oils on a 12" x 12" x1.5" wrapped canvas. All sides are painted a dark hue, so no need to frame.

If you've been reading my blog, I want to apologize for taking me so long to get back and post this finished painting! The photo was taken by a friend and co-worker of my husband. He so generously shares his photography with me, and of  course I've added many of his photos to my "future painting" files.
I have been very busy starting up my new website, and have attached my blog to it, so I hope you will view my website- or vice versa!

The weather has been great, and I am recovered enough from my long, drawn out sinus infection (cedar fever?), to be able to walk outside again. Yesterday, while out walking, I saw the tiny half of a blue egg shell, one of the many signs that spring is here to stay- for a little while, anyway. It gets pretty darn hot here in southeast Texas, so I am truly trying to make the most of each spring day!

 I am so glad you've decided to read my blog, and enjoy my work. Stay tuned for some new work, showing my "birthing" steps- in the process- of creating my oil paintings!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art
sandracutrer.com
sandrasart777@aol.com
979-236-2907

"Khensu", a jaguar in the process of being born in oils!

"Khensu", a jaguar in the process of being born in oils.

Laying in the jaguar- all of the darkest-darks go in first!

"Khensu" is now taking on some much needed golden colors.

Really getting a close up of the first lay-in of color. I think it is looking good, as I remind myself this is sort of the "ugly" stage of painting.

Please click on any of the above photos to see a larger image! I hope you'll come back to see more of "Khensu", a jaguar, being created in oils on a 12" x12" x 1.5" smooth,stretched canvas!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art
 sandracutrer.com

"Hen Hunter", a brightly colored rooster in thick oils

Beginning my painting. I decided to do this one in a deep (2.5"), 20" x 16" wrapped canvas, using a palette knife and later brushes for the small details I'll add. I allowed it to dry for several days, actually nearly a week since it is oils and the humidity here in southeast Texas is 100%! With all of the rain, cold, and being so near to the beach,I tend to get impatient at times with oils, but what can I expect???

Sometimes I get so involved in painting my subject, I forget to grab my camera for step-by-step photos! I apologize to those who enjoy that part of my work. He is so colorful and cheerful when my skies outside are gray and thick with overcast and rain.... he is my sunshine today! I am titling this one,"Hen Hunter". How could any sound-minded hen pass up a chance to be courted by this bold and handsome bird!!!

Chick Magnet

"Chick Magnet", a magnificent rooster profile in oils, original painting by Sandra Cutrer. He is painted on a 20" x 24" ready to frame canvas.

Another neat town in Texas is Marble Falls, where I was able to capture several great rooster and hen reference photos. Isn't he a beauty! I thought so when I saw his gorgeous coloring. I had to paint him nearly as soon as we unpacked from our trip, keeping fresh in my mind his apparent attitude toward intruders, such as myself. I got so excited, I forgot to snap more photos of my painting process! There were other roosters "cock-a-doodling" in around his territory, so he was busy rounding up as many ladies as he could, bringing them to a certain area of the generous size yard. It was a rather cool and windy day, so he huddled with his harem at times, then he would quickly jump up, crow apparently as loud as he could, letting the other roosters know to stay clear of his area, then he squat right back down in order to keep himself  (and maybe the girls as well) warm and cozy. What a guy!  

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art
979-236-2907

Dave, a beloved pet in oils on small canvas

Dave, a wonderful dog who has sadly gone over the rainbow bridge before his master, who is deeply saddened from the loss of her beloved pet. I am sure he waits patiently for his family, but I like to think Dave is also having fun in his new "forever home",After all, don't, "All Dogs go to Heaven"?

I was privileged to be able to create Dave from some old photos they had of him. I adore his unique freckles! He was a special pet, I'm told. I could see that in his eyes- the eyes tell me a lot about animals. Dave is missed, and I hope that his painting in oils will be a reminder of how lucky they were, and how lucky Dave was, to not only share time together, but to have shared hearts as well.

Dave was painted in oils on a small 6" x 6" x 1.5"  wrapped canvas, ready to hang without a frame.   A painting this size starts at $89.00 and up. Wire and hooks are shipped with the painting.

Please contact me ( just click on the contact the artist button on this page) if you are interested in having your pet- past or present- painted in oils as a forever treasure and/or loving memorial.

Blessings,

Sandra Cutrer

Fine Art

979-236-2907