ANOTHER HOLIDAY CARD

Peace Dove
copyright
Judith (Judy) Westergard 2010
all rights reserved

As promised in my last post, here--hot off the cyber-space press--is another another holiday card. Depending on the size of your computer screen, you may not be able to see that I created the dove with the word "Peace." Cards ($4.00 each) are available at my studio...#343, Northrup King Building, Mpls. and also through FineArtAmerica.com. (Click on the image.) You'll find more info about those in my November 18 post.

CHRISTMAS CARDS! GET YER CHRISTMAS CARDS HERE!

Minneapolis' sudden and instant winter of last week got me into the holiday mood early this year. The result is a collection of new holiday cards. They're available at my studio and through FineArtAmerica.com. (Just click on the image and then on "Cards for Special Occasions.") You can choose a white or black background and the size of tree. (Example: for a very sophisticated look, make the tree quite small.) Cards are available as singles and in packs of tens and twenty-fives. FineArtAmerica prints cards of the same quality that you'll find in the gift shops of America's top-notch museums. Everything you order from them comes with a 100% guarantee. I'll be posting more images in the next few days.

PAINTING FOR THE TRULY TERRIFIED

Green Pepper Three Views
watercolor
shown in one of 125 frame options
available on linethrough
Fine Art America

I took my first art class about 12 years ago through the University of Minnesota's most excellent Split Rock Arts Program. I thought I wanted a writing workshop. But I had just completed an intense six weeks of teaching writing to high school students and had finally finished reading and grading their papers. As I looked over the Split Rock course offerings, I knew I wasn't ready for more writing, even if it would be me as the student. Then I saw it: "Drawing for the Truly Terrified." Wow. If that didn't define me, nothing did! Long story short...I came back from a magical week at Cloquet, Minnesota, told my husband I "just want to run into that little art store in St. Paul for a few supplies," and emerged an hour later with easel, paints, and ideas popping out of my pores. Fast forward to November '09. Ready for another challenge and still terrified at starting something new (will I ever grow past this?), I dared myself to enroll in Marilyn Garber's "Intro to Botanical Painting" class at Silverwood Park (one of the magnificent Three Rivers Parks). My theory was that if one wants to become a really good jazz player, one would be wise to study classical music. Botanical watercolors, to my way of thinking, would be analogous to classical piano. But a watercolorist? of fruits, vegetables, and leaves? No way. I was adamantly certain that never would I want to delve into this area of art. HAH! Garber, a knowledgeable teacher and a gifted artist, had me in her thrall from the get-go. Will I go back to my oils? You bet. But not for a while.

Maple Leaf

watercolor
shown framed
available on line through
Fine Art America

NEW -- HOLIDAY CARDS!

I'm working on one or two stories
While waiting for oils to dry.
The doctor has told me to lay off the goodies --
Bad news as "The Season" draws nigh!
So to conquer my need for a cookie,
And before too much snow fills the yards,
I'm playing with gold and with paints and with plants
And creating some really cool cards!

Giclees (fancy name for high quality reprints) of these are available through Fine Art America at $4.75 each. This includes shipping and handling. You can decide on white or black background, add your own greeting, and even crop the image. Purchases through Fine Art America carry a 100% satisfaction guarantee, but trust me...the quality is excellent.
A click of your mouse on any of the images will take you to my FineArtAmerica.com site.

STUDIO NEWS

New to my "product line" --
Japanese Origami Paper Dolls.

Packaged for gift giving in clear boxes,
these charming little one-of-a-kind, hand-folded creations
can be sent as a card or removed from their backing and
hung as a holiday ornament with the gold cord (not shown).
At only $12, these make great stocking stuffers
and unique hostess gifts.

TAOS PUEBLO MINIATURE PAINTING

"Taos Pueblo"
oil on canvas
3.5" x 2.5"

On a recent trip to the Taos Pueblo I ducked into a small shop to get out of a brief rain shower. I watched in fascination while Spotted Buffalo put the finishing touches on a silver bracelet. He and I chatted about our not-so-dissimilar childhoods spent running errands for our respective elders. (He toted pails of water from the river to the pueblo. I ran to the corner store for my mom's cigarettes.) I bought the bracelet, the rain ended, and I walked outside from a cozy room into pure magic. The result was this miniature oil painting. I offer it with its own little easel.
It's a wonderful item for anyone who'd like to start an affordable collection of original art. It looks great on a desk, a book case, an end table...you get the idea. It's available via in my Minneapolis studio or, if you prefer it's available in various sizes as a giclee print through FineArtAmerica.com.


Specifications:
Painting: Oil on canvas, 3.5"h x 2.5"w x .5" deep
Easel: Wood, 4.5" x 3"
$25.00 + $8.00 for shipping

I'M PROUD TO ANNOUNCE MY ART AS GREETING CARDS

I'm excited! Much of my work is now available in greeting card format! Through my home page at Fine Art America.com, click on an image that appeals to you, then click on the greeting card link. From there, have fun using that image to custom design a greeting card that you'll be proud to send.

Greeting Card Details

FAA greeting cards are 5" x 7" in size and produced on digital offset printers using 110 lb. paper stock.

Each card is coated with a UV protectant on the outside surface which produces a semi-gloss appearance.

The inside of each card has a matte white finish and can be customized with a text message up to 500 characters in length. The message is centered on the inside of the card and printed in black 18pt arial font.

Cards may be ordered in a horizontal or vertical configuration.

Cards may be ordered with a white background or black background.

All greeting card orders ship within 48 hours, and shipping is available to any destination in the world!

"Namaste"
as greeting card
on black 110 lb. card stock