Sherri Cassell Artist

Koi

2012-02-12T22:28:00.000-08:00

I just finished this in Elements Photoshop tonight and thought I would go ahead and post it. I used two textures layers from Kim Klassens "Beyond Layers" class and the Koi image came from a photo I took a couple of years ago.

Kim Klassen Photoshop "Beyond Layers"

2012-02-12T16:33:00.000-08:00

I am having fun learning so much about Photoshop Elements in the Kim Klassen online class. I have learned how to put together a storyboard of photos and the possibilities are limitless on how you can use them. Here I have put one together using some of my paintings. I highly recommend her class she has a great teaching style and you can go at your own pace. I did this in the "Beyond Layers" class and I am also taking her "Photoshop Essentials" class which takes you through all of Elements Photoshop.

Collage

2012-01-29T18:45:00.000-08:00

This is my newest collage I have finished. I used vintage Bible devotional pages, found papers and the cross was part of a photograph I took last Easter at a sunrise service. I then layered it all with acrylic paint and texture until I got the look I wanted.

Something New to Learn

2012-01-22T13:49:00.000-08:00

I decided that I am going to learn Photoshop Elements this year. My wonderful husband got me Photoshop Elements 10 for Christmas and I am determined to learn it. I took a 9 hour class on Photoshop Elements last October at a local Adult School and was sad that I only retained a little bit of the tons of information that was presented in the class.
While surfing the net I came upon Kim Klassen's website and saw that she was offering a free mini e-course on Photoshop so I signed up right away and was not disappointed, she makes it easy to follow along and has a very pleasant voice. If I don't quite get a step I can stop the video and rewind, something you can't do in a live classroom.. She will be offering a more detailed Photoshop e-course in February which I plan on signing up for.

This is a photo I took at Alice Keck Park In Santa Barbara, I cropped it, adjusted the lighting and added some text.

I took this photo at Hart Park in Bakersfield. I adjusted the lighting and added text.

E-courses are a great thing when you work full time because you can arrange them around your schedule.

New Encaustic Trees

2011-12-04T15:59:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my encaustic trees, I call this new encaustic "The Secret Keepers". I put life affirming words and verse in the trees. I imagined that when we walk underneath trees our thoughts are caught up in the leaves and branches but the trees always keep our secret thoughts.

Artistic Touch Interview and Art and Jazz Festival

2011-09-23T19:04:00.000-07:00

My Interview for the "Artistic Touch" column came out today in the Star Free Press Newspaper, I was very happy with how it came out. The paper published a picture of me and one of my encaustic paintings "Journey" it was in black and white but the online version has several more images and is in color.

I will be at my Studio tomorrow for the Camarillo Art and Jazz Festival from about 11-5, the artists studios are open to tour for free until 2p.m. and after that the Jazz part starts with several different bands performing.
It should be a very fun event and I am hoping for a big turn out for the studio tour.

Check out my interview at; http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/sep/22/artistic-touch-fingernails-were-her-first-canvas/

"Artistic Touch" Interview

2011-09-18T12:29:00.000-07:00

I was interviewed last week by Nicole D'Amore who writes for the "Artistic Touch" column in the Star Free Press. We met in my Studio at Studio Channel Islands Art Center and talked for about an hour. I enjoyed the interview and am looking forward to reading it this Friday the 23rd. It will be on line also so I will publish a link when it is available.

Next weekend September 24th, is the "Camarillo Art and Jazz" and our studios will be open to the public to tour for free until 2p.m., I will be going down to the studio this afternoon to do a little house cleaning and hopefully I will get a little painting in too!

Blue and Yellow Abstract

2011-09-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have been having a lot of fun doing abstracts lately, this is one of the first ones that I am happy with. I have not named it yet. I love the combination of the blue and yellow, it really pops.

New Acrylic Painting

2011-09-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

I am continuing my tree series with this 10"x10" acrylic I call "Whispers". I started with a layer of light molding paste and I made swirls in it and let it dry, I then painted the trees over the textured surface. I was very happy when it sold at the Studio Channel Islands "Endless Summer" fundraising event. I am having a lot of fun with my tree series, I am working on another encaustic right now and I will be posting a photo of it as soon as it is done.

Studio Pictures

2011-08-20T07:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos of my new studio space. The lighting is fabulous and my studio mates Kathy Waggoner and Susan Kaufman are great.

I have two tables in there now, one is for working on my encaustics and the other is for working on my acrylic paintings. There is a great dry erase board on one side and I am using magnetic hooks to hang some of my paintings on it.

Here is another photo taken from a different angle. The bookcase was a great find, another artist had just purchased new shelving for her studio and was giving it away free the day I was moving in so I snaped it up real quick, it works really well for storage.

This photo was taken from the front door and shows Susan Kaufmans studio, she is a wonderful sculptor, I love her work. It also shows a portion of Kathy Waggoners studio, she does beautiful ceramic work, I feel very fortunate to share a studio with these two talented artists.

Today I will be going down to the studio early to prepare for the "Endless Summer" event that they will be having on this Sunday. There will be catered food and a live auction, also a raffle for original art by the studio artist and of course the studios will be open for tours.

Moving In Day

2011-07-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the big day I get to move into my new studio space. I am very excited and I have spent today packing and getting everything ready to go. Since I had the day off today I was hoping to be able to move in a day early but the other artist that is moving out has not finished moving. That is alright though, I will just move in tomorrow after I get off work.
I am posting my latest encaustic I have finished. I have not named it yet I am thinking of somthing like "Bluebird of Happiness".

I finished by painting over the embedded tissue with encaustic wax. I then collaged a bluebird and fused it into the wax. I collaged some calligraphy below the bird image and then I finished up by touching up the bird with a little oil paint.

I started my encaustic with a sheet of decorative tissue that I embedded and fused into the wax.

New Studio Space

2011-07-10T15:01:00.000-07:00

I am excited to announce that I will have a new studio space located at Studio Channel Islands Art Center starting August 1. Its a great art center that used to be a grade school. The classrooms have been converted into artist studio spaces. They are bright and spacious and full of creative energy.I will post photos of my new space as soon as I get in and settled.

This is a photo of some of my encaustic paints.
I just love the vibrant colors.

Ventura County Pastel Artists Exhibit

2011-05-08T19:17:00.000-07:00

The Ventura County Pastel Artists Exhibit was last Saturday, this show was named "Pastels and Beyond" because we decided to exhibit the other mediums we work in besides pastels. It was a fun time had by all and we made some good sales.

I was very honored when my encaustic "Journey" was voted "Best in Show" artists choice, it always feels good to get validation from your fellow artists.

Happy Easter

2011-04-24T04:13:00.000-07:00

"For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that he gave up His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice and love.

Agapanthus Revisited

2011-04-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

A few months ago I posted an Acrylic painting that I did of Agapanthus flowers, I then put it aside because I wasn't quite satisfied with it. I wanted it to pop more so I got it back out and I changed the background from a bluish color to an orange-yellow, I then reworked the leaves on the bottom and reshaped the flowers a little, I am much happier with this new version. Sometimes if you are not quite satisfied with a painting and can't seem to bring it together, it just pays to put it aside and bring it out at a later date, I find that alot f times the solution just comes to you when you do that.

I am posting the original again and my new version so you can see the difference.

Yellow Mustard

2011-04-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

I call this encaustic painting "Yellow Mustard", I drove up to Ojai today and saw a lot of that on the beautiful hillsides. I delivered several paintings to Bert Collins Studio today for the Ventura County Pastel Artists 17th annual exhibit and this will be the first time we are showcasing the other mediums we do besides pastel, this is going to be a very good show.
This encaustic painting is on a 24"x24" cradled board and framed in a natural maple wood floater frame.

Ventura County Museum "Art Alfresco"

2011-04-17T12:23:00.000-07:00

I exhibited at the Ventura County Museum "Art Alfresco" yesterday and it was a big success. I felt very honored to be invited to this event and be able to exhibit with such a high caliber of artists that I admire. There was a big attendance and I ended up selling 3 of my encaustic paintings. Artists were exhibitng in doors where I was and also outside in the pavillion court yard, I am publishing some pictures of the event.

Little Palms

2011-04-17T11:56:00.000-07:00

This is a 8x10 encaustic on a cradled board, I framed it in a natural wood floater frame. Palms are always fun to paint, I like the way these turned out.

Agapanthas

2011-04-17T11:50:00.000-07:00

I decided to paint one of my favorite flowers the agapantha in encaustic. They are starting to bloom around my neighborhood and gave me the inspiration. They were painted on a 2 inch cradled board and I framed them in a warm silver floater frame.

New Encaustic Painting

2011-04-03T19:58:00.000-07:00

I finished this palm tree a while ago but I am just getting around to posting it, I like the way it turned out and it makes me think of a beautiful summer day at the beach.

I have been working towards an exhibit I will be doing at the Ventura County Museum on April 16, called "Art Alfresco" where I will be showing my newest encaustic paintings, I will have more information on that in a future posting.

Liquitex Demonstration

2011-02-18T11:37:00.000-08:00

I went to a Liquitex Acrylic Demo last night at the Thousand Oaks Gallery, Diane the Liquitex representative was very good at explaining all the uses for the many mediums and gels that are available. I was really excited when she gave everyone that attended three 2oz tubes of Heavy Body Acrylic in Quin Crimson, Yellow Medium Azo and Phthalocyanine Blue we also received a 8oz. jar of Liquitex Gloss Gel.
I am going to spend today trying to finish up a couple of my acrylic paintings I have started with renewed excitement, I will post them as I finish each one.

Thousand Oaks Art Association Open Juried Show

2011-02-15T17:56:00.000-08:00

I thought I would post my new encaustic "Journey" that won 2nd place in the Thousand Oaks Art Association Open Juried Show. The show will be running until February 27 and the Thousand Oaks Gallery will be open Monday-Sunday from 1-5.

Juried Exhibits

2011-01-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

In my last post I have a photo of me with my encaustic "Expeditions" which I won 1st Place in the Thousand Oaks Art Association Members Show and it also won 1st Place in the Conejo Valley Arts Council Show. Last week I entered the same piece in another local exhibit and it did not even get in. I am so glad I did not enter it into this last show first because I have had a tendency to get down on my work if it is not accepted into a show, I think to myself it must not be any good but I know that's not true. When people tell you that the jurying process is very subjective they are telling the truth and you should not get down on your art because it is not selected to be in a certain show, you usually have no idea what that juror has in mind or what their biases are. So my advice if this happens to you is keep believing in yourself, keep believing in your work and don't always assume because you did not get into a show or win a prize that your work does not have merit.

Thousand Oaks Art Association Member's Show

2011-01-02T13:19:00.000-08:00

I thought I would post this photo of me at the Thousand Oaks Art Association members exhibit, I was so pleased that my encaustic "Expeditions" won first place last November in the mixed media category. I am finishing up another encaustic that I hope to have juried into the Thousand Oaks Art Associations open Juried exhibit this month, I will be photographing it and posting it soon.
I have been working a lot lately and my time to do and practice my art has come second, but its something I must make time for, because it brings me so much joy and satisfaction. I hope to make more time this year and post more regularly. Have a blessed and happy new year.

New Pastel

2010-11-15T14:01:00.000-08:00

This is my latest pastel I have finished. This is a scene I see in the mornings on my way to work, it is so beautiful when the fog is lifting and the sun is streaking across the fields.

Lily of the Nile

2010-07-08T14:48:00.000-07:00

I have a beautiful path near my home lined with Lily of the Valley flowers, I walk it almost every day and was inspired to paint these flowers. I haven't worked with acrylics in awhile but really enjoyed getting them out again. I textured the canvas with acrylic gel medium and collaged some crossword puzzles and newsprint from the paper before starting the flowers. I allowed some of it to show through and I really like the effect.

New Gallery

2010-06-05T18:12:00.000-07:00

I am excited to report that I am in a new gallery called Chalk Gallery, in the charming beach town of Carpinteria. It's a great little gallery full of wonderful local art, the address is 963 Linden Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013. Come on by the Gallery and take a look at the art and after that you can stroll down to the end of Linden Avenue and enjoy Carpinteria's beautiful beach.

New Encaustic

2010-05-22T12:56:00.000-07:00

I am currently working mainly in Encaustics, my subject matter is influenced by my love of the landscape and nature. I love smelling the aroma of the heated beeswax as I work with it.

When working with beeswax you burn one layer into another with a heat gun or torch, I have been using a heat gun and it works very well but I would love to try using a torch.

I have posted my latest encaustic today, it was influenced by a pastel I did last year. I love the subject matter of the dunes, these were located in Santa Barbara near UCSB.

Art and Lunch

2010-05-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

Went to Bert Collins Studio today and had Thai food with several artist friends. We had a great time of talking about art and everything else under the sun. After we got done with lunch we all started our different art projects we had brought with us. I started a little 8x10 pastel that quickly went nowhere but that's alright you can't paint a winner every time.
I have some ideas for some Encaustics swimming around in my head and I will be starting to explore some of those tomorrow. I'm always excited to see how my next project will go, I will keep you posted on my progress.

Conejo Arts Council Exhibit

2010-05-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

I went to the reception for the Conejo Arts Council Exhibit at the Thousand Oaks Gallery yesterday. It was nicely attended and I had the opportunity to reconnect with some artist friends I hadn't seen in awhile.

I was very excited when my encaustic "Expeditions" won first place in the mixed-media category. I forgot to bring my camera to the event, but I have posted my winning encaustic.

"Expeditions" Encaustic 16 x 20

Ventura County Pastel Artists

2010-05-15T15:41:00.000-07:00

Well, here I am with my second blog post, I thought I would post about my VCPA exhibit a couple of weeks ago. My fellow pastel artists are a very talented group and we had a great show. It is very inspiring to see all the beautiful pastel paintings.

I sold my 8"by 10" pastel of a Blue Heron that I had photographed a couple of weeks ago in Ojai. He wasn't very sure of me following him around with my camera and kept moving a little further away as I would try to get closer, but I managed to get a good enough photo of him to paint him when I got home. In the photograph I've posted thats not a moon in the painting at the top right but just a reflection!

I will be attending the reception for the Conejo Arts Council Exhibit at the Thousand Oaks Gallery tomorrow, I have my Encaustic "Expeditions" showing there. I will post tomorrow about how that reception went.

Santa Paula Museum Exhibit

2010-05-14T09:08:00.000-07:00

The grand opening exhibit of the new Santa Paula Art Museum has come to an end. I will be picking up my framed giclee print of my 2008 Santa Paula Art and Photography Exhibit, Best of Show pastel "Tides Out" from the museum this week.

I was honored to be asked to display the giclee of my pastel (the original sold at the exhibit) along with the other Best of Show winners for the last 10 years.

Santa Paula has a sizeable art collection, including works from Jessie Arms and Cornelis Botke and Douglas Shively, famous Santa Paula residents, and some of their works were on display at the grand opening exhibit.