arboles

arboles

Yesterday marked the beginning of a new year for me. This particular painting marks the growth of time and what lies ahead. 

Arboles

mixed media

8x10

canvas board

$45

ReLeaSe

ReLeaSe

I've always been a sucker for texture. It's fun to find ways to create a three dimensional look on a flat surface. First abstract of the year!

ReLeaSe
5x10
canvas board
watercolor, acrylic
$25

HaPpY NeW yEaR 2o2o

Happy New Year my friends!! 

Oh my goodness! I can't believe it's been five years (almost to the day) since my last post! I've noticed a lot of people have been posting on social media what the last decade looked like for them and I won't go that far, but I can go back the last 5...

In January of 2015, my husband and I found out we were having a baby! Since then, we've grown from a family of 2 to 3, moved to 40 acres off grid with the view of heaven, and have been plugging along ever since. I've been on a 5 year sabbatical from creating any art. In between raising a little boy, running a business and keeping up around the homestead, I haven't made the time, but I'm determined to now! 

A few days ago I decided I wanted to get back to my creative roots and start painting again. I've missed making art so much! So here's what I decided to do...are you ready? I'm going to paint a painting a day and post it here on my blog. Every piece will be available for sale and once it has sold, it will say so. Here's the cool thing. They are all going to be super affordable! 

Today's painting is Llama. I've never painted a llama before and got the idea from a good friend of mine who loves them. For good measure, I decided to look up the symbolism for llama and this is what Google said:

As a totem, llama is a symbol of strength, perseverance, communication, confidence and often success. People born under the llama sign are people who know exactly what their goal in life is. You won't see them backing down from anything they set their minds on, and that is the only way they know.

I have found it ironic that I chose this animal to start my Painting a Day for the year. Today has been nothing short of amazing and now that I have my first painting finished, it's even better! 

It's late and I have no sun to take a good picture, so when I get a chance, I'll take a better one and upload it for you. 

Until tomorrow, have a great day or night where ever you may be! 

Peace and Love,

Stephanie 

Llama

8x10 canvas board

watercolor and ink

$50

painting in progress

in progress © samos 2014

I was inspired by a photograph taken by @felecool on Instagram. The painting doesn't look anything like the photo, but then again, its not supposed to either. It's a 16 x 20 mixed media (watercolor and acrylic) on canvas board. 

detail © samos 2014

another detail © samos 2014

I must be ready for fall...are you?

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend! ~ samos

Painting a Horse

I'll Always Be with You
© samos 2013

As an artist, one of the tricks to a good piece of work is knowing when to put your tools down and calling it "finished". I know I can always find something I want to fix or make look better. So in my reality, a work is hardly ever done. Here are a few images of my latest painting called I'll Be with You Always...

© samos 2013

© samos 2013

© samos 2013

 Can you see all the changes?

a tribute to Dempsey

dempsey © samos 2013

 

One of my closest friends lost her boy Dempsey today. We have three dogs of our own and I can't imagine when their time with us is up. I'm at a loss for comforting words and hoped this painting of him would express my deepest condolences.

 

R.I.P. Dempsey

 

 You are so loved and will be greatly missed.

In the Works

purple cosmo planters © samos 2012

 

So much has been happening lately, I don't know where to start! Last week I was reminded that the holidays were fast approaching. It's obvious to most people, but I'm one of those that is off in lala land most of the time busy doing my own thing and not paying much attention to important things like holidays. Anyways, I felt a rush of panic and started thinking about new pieces of pottery I want to make, paintings I'd like to start, and then there's that compost that I want to get made before it snows too!

But first things first...

Mark your calendars because I am having a first time ever Holiday Pottery Sale in Salida on November 17th! I'm very excited about it! I'll be hosting it at my parent's house and will have lots and lots of pottery + lots of yummy treats + lots of fun! So don't miss it! I'll let you all know the closer the date gets, but for now, SAVE the DATE!

 

I've benn working on my website too. I was tired of the old look and needed something fresh and new. Have you been by lately? If not, please stop in and take a look! Let me know what you think. I love feedback. Good or bad. I can take it. *grin*

 

My artist friend Robin Norgren mentioned a website the other day for painters called daily paint works. Of course I just had to check it out. And, well, I joined. I couldn't resist the challenge. So if you noticed, I added another page to my blog called Daily Paintings. Each day I complete a new painting, I'll post it on that page. Those paintings will be for sale and can be purchased several ways:

through ETSY, Daily Paint Works, or by emailing me directly.

desert horse print © samos 2012

I hope everyone has been having a wonderful fall!

I look forward to hearing from you!

xo

samos

Running Wild

running wild © samos

Our beautiful state of Colorado is on fire. As of yesterday there were ten active fires. My heart aches to see our beautiful state go up in flames. I am praying for all the people that have been displaced from their homes, all animals (domestic and wild), and all firefighters...

houses burning outside of  Colorado Springs

 

If you would like to help anyone in need during this difficult time, 9News has an article about what you can do to help...

click HERE to read it.

 

photo taken from Dillards parking lot in Colorado Springs

PayPal vs Revolution Money Exchange

Most everyone I know that uses the computer has a PayPal account, myself included. A few months ago on Etsy, I was introduced to Revolution Money Exchange, a new way to receive and transfer funds online without the extra fees. I've been using PayPal for about three years now. And although they have been very good to me in catching people trying to get into my account and delivering my funds in a timely manner, I still get hit up for those small fees.

Say you sell a painting for $200. It goes to your PayPal account and then they take a small percentage of that. So when you transfer it to your bank account, you end up with less than $200. Now wouldn't you like to get what you asked for? I suppose that's how they make their money and stay in business and we should just start adding that little percentage to our artwork so that way we get exactly what the painting is worth.

Let's go back to Revolution Money Exchange. I'm still reading the fine print, but it seems that if someone purchases your work through Revolution Money Exchange and has an account with them, there are no fees and you get exactly what you asked for. The problem I see with this is that someone wanting to purchase your work through this newer company might not be familiar with it and shy away. They may also opt not to make the puchase because you will be rerouted to Revolution Money Exchange and be asked to start an account.

I'm going to do a little experiment. I will try and post two paintings for each new entry. When I do that one will be for sale through PayPal and the other through Revolution Money Exchange. I will do this until the end of the year and then tally the results and let you know the beginning of the year.

I would love to hear what you think about this and if you have any experience with either companies, good or bad that I should take into consideration for future sales. Thanks for reading and have a great day!

Blu Daisy and UpSiDeDoWn

Here are two new paintings on canvas board. Each are 8"x8", signed and dated on the back. They would look great in a frame, with or without glass. Both are watercolor and ink. Blu Daisy was inspired by a shirt I saw in church and UpSiDeDoWn was inspired by Jack Johnson. If you've never heard him sing, you should.

Blu Daisy 8x8 canvas board watercolor/ink $35



UpSiDeDoWn 8x8 canvas board watercolor/ink $35



You can purchase these and other cool finds @ my etsy shop.

http://www.samos.etsy.com/

Suzanne's Lioness

original watercolor 6x18

enhanced

Early Stages of Kakoon

Kakoon Grown Up

Euterpe's Music of the Orient ACEO

Euterpe's Music of the Orient is yet another muse that has been created as an ACEO. only this is a little smaller. 2 3/4" x 3 1/4" Because of the size difference it will be half of the original price of regular sized ACEO's. This card along with the others will be for sale in my etsy shop:

http://samos.etsy.com

Soon, I should have buttons here on my blog so that way you can purchase them directly from me, here. =)

Calliope's Epic of Rumi ACEO

Calliope's Epic of Rumi has been a favorite of mine for quite some time. This is an ACEO
that has been printed on 140 lb coldpress acid free canson watercolor paper, painted over in watercolors, signed and dated on the back. I'm currently in the process of making buttons so that these small works can be purchased here on my blog directly from me.
As soon as I get the glitches all figured out, you'll be able to just click on a button and buy them through paypal.

Cleo-History Lesson ACEO

Cleo-History Lesson is one of the muses that I've printed and then painted over in watercolor. This is an ACEO measuring 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" on 140 lb coldpress acid free canson watercolor paper. Signed, dated and ready for your viewing pleasure. =)

Painted Muses

A couple weeks ago, I accidently printed an ACEO card on the wrong watercolor paper. I wasn't impressed with the dull colors. So today I was in the studio several times using the printer for non art related things, and saw the ACEO that I wasn't impressed with. Earlier I had decided that I was going to work on some watercolors. To make a long story short, I grabbed the dull ACEO and my watercolors and proceeded to paint over the print. Turns out I like it much better now! This is Thalia's Wonderland. It is a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" ACEO on 140lb. coldpress acid free canson watercolor paper. Signed, dated and ready to join your collection!

batikish

as most of you know,

i'm a big fan of orange. =)

and lately i've been experimenting with acrylic. well, i also like watercolors. this painting is a combination of both. this painting reminds me of a batik. a process which i know nothing about except that i'm going to learn how to do it one of these days! this is a work in progress, but i thought i would share it with

you.

Studious Suzie

Studious Suzie is a fun watercolor sketch of a doberman. I used to work at a place called the Pet Spa. People would take their dogs there to get groomed or board them. I only worked there for about six months, but I had a blast while I was there. I love animals, but I absolutely LOVE dogs!

This was painted on a 9x12 Canson 140 lb coldpress acid free watercolor paper. It is available at my Etsy store.

http://www.samos.etsy.com

Red Chili Peppers

A quick watercolor sketch for my dear friend who was needing some chili peppers for a pattern to sew. Not sure if this will work or not, but at least I broke out some paint today. I also stretched and gessoed a new canvas as well as worked on the newest commission. No more painting until Tuesday now. I have six classes to teach tomorrow! But I do have my lessons planned. =)