Painting Photo Shoot

Thanks to a friend, who generously lent me a good camera, I was able to have a little photo shoot with many of my paintings done over the last year.

Paintings lined up after getting their pictures taken.

 I'm no pro, but having a nice camera, rather than my defective little point and shoot, made it so much easier to get decent, non blurry shots. Such a luxury!
 I'm now working on a little editing, and getting some of my recent paintings up on my shops here and here.
  Looking forward to beginning some new pieces soon!

April

 Since I last wrote, winter has given up trying, and spring appears to be here to stay. I wish my Aussie nephews and niece could see it now! They'd begin to see that America (and Minnesota in particular) is not merely a cold and barren land where sock-wearing is a must.

 I want to put up my hammock out in the orchard some sunny day and just breathe. It smells so good! The pear trees have blossomed, and some of the apple trees will soon. I hope it doesn't turn too cold again.

 The earthy fragrance of winter-turning-spring has given way to the scent of new grass and leaves. The cows are out in the pastures, and their milk has a funny green taste for a while.

 There are bloodroot and violets blooming in the woods, and I want to go for a good ramble, but I'm paranoid about the tick population.

5"x7" oil on linen, Hannah C. Heyer

It looked like rain this morning, so I didn't go very far afield. Painted the view looking up towards the old barn, half hidden by the blooming fruit trees that edge the garden, and flanked by the weeping willow and old maple tree.

7"x5" oil on linen, Hannah C. Heyer

The North wind blew, and the sky began to clear. I painted the green grass, and this funny little shrub that grew by the fence.


 I love spring.

February 4, plein air

Maybe it was that my boots were getting soaked through, or that I was tired after hauling a toddler around on my back through the woods, but when I got to the field, I just plopped down and painted what was in front of me: An old rotten hay bale.
 While the kids went sledding, under an intense blue sky, I painted the strong shadows and scruffy weeds in the snow covered field.

 I also dropped my mittens into my palette. Oops!

The little painting:

February 4, 2012 plein air, 5"x7" oil on linen, Hannah C. Heyer

This past month has been crazy.

 Full of bandages, doctors, nurses, laundry, cleaning, worry, sleep deprivation, listening, singing, praying, ranting, crying, laughter, and help. 

 And in between: s'mores, baby sis turning 13 (!), wedding planning, the bridesmaids (and one groomsman) organizing a coup, shopping for new dresses,  Christmas, one sister getting married, stories and fun with niece and nephews, sisters, family, cheese.

I haven't had time to do much painting, other than these miserable cats, done for my cat-loving little sister for her birthday.

Two of the cat paintings, done in ink and watercolour

This cat loves its crunchy cat food a little too much. Done in ink and watercolour

And just like that...

And just like that...it's winter.
 It's been a beautiful autumn, and I'm still hoping to work on more November-inspired paintings. I just love its colors, and the intricate forms of the bare trees along with the muted tones of the sky and landscape.

5x7" watercolour, copyright 2011 Hannah C. Heyer

 But December has arrived and brought the snow-- gorgeous, soft, wet stuff, which has turned even the mundane into a feast for the eyes.
 I had the chance to do a little plein air painting this morning, my first this winter and I hope not the last. :)
 

5x7" oil on linen, copyright 2011Hannah C. Heyer

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We've been cleaning and childproofing around here, getting ready for my sister and her family, who'll be coming from Australia's summer to a Minnesota winter. We're digging out all the coats, boots, and blankets, and hope they'll thaw out before too long.
It's been almost two years since I've seen them, and I can't wait to see my niece and nephews! (Hurry up and get here, guys!)
 

Little bits of news

I'm tickled pink to find out that a copy of Binksie and Bep is on an actual shelf, in an actual library, complete with a little "local author" sticker!

 The girls on whom the book is based are half-convinced they're famous. Especially since, in the past month, they've each been recognized by people they hadn't before met, who had read the book.

 Rumor has it that three of my paintings got to be part of the Robbin Gallery's annual Extremely Minnesota exhibit! I haven't seen the show yet (and sadly, had to miss the opening last night! :-( ) but hope to soon.

I've been trying to finish up all my oil painting in preparation for cold winter weather. Ventilation gets more difficult in the winter, and besides, these November days of moody skies and bare trees really make me want to spread out my watercolors and get to work! But I keep starting more oils, while waiting for the ones I'm working on to dry. :-P

 Some paintings drying.

 Here's one I've just finished:

 "Dusk" 

12"x16" oil on linen

Hannah C. Heyer

Binksie and Bep - It's Here!

Binksie and Bep is finally here!
 It's now available on my Etsy shop: Here!


Written and illustrated by (yours truly) Hannah C. Heyer
8" x 10" (20.32 x 25.4 cm), soft cover, 34 pages, with 27 full color illustrations.


Yay! :-D