Baby, it's cold outside!

I found these little doves huddled together against the cold north wind this morning. I hope that you all have your special someones to snuggle with this winter too.

Wishing all my art friends the very best Christmas and a happy & healthy New Year!

Filomena de Andrade Booth

Contemporary Abstract Art

Inner Harmony by Filomena de Andrade Booth

Inner Harmony

I completed Inner Harmony today. The 24"x30" canvas is heavily textured and has been sealed with a gloss finish. It is wired and ready to hang as soon as it arrives at your home. Free shipping to the US via USPS Priority Mail - insurance included in the $350.00 price of the painting. A certificate of authenticity is included.

To purchase this painting, click here.

Filomena de Andrade Booth - Texas Abstract Artist

Celebration

Celebration is available through my website for $350.00 - free shipping to the continental US. The 30"x30" gallery-wrap canvas is wired and ready to hang. The painting is signed on the front, dated and signed on the back. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

Visit my website to purchase this or any other painting I currently have available.

Filomena de Andrade Booth -Texas Abstract Painter

Emergence

I finished this painting yesterday and have started another that I will list tomorrow. My studio has been a busy place lately. I seem to go in spurts that are divided by occasional dry spells. I guess all artists experience the same thing...so, I think it's pretty normal for us artists!

Visit my website to see my entire portfolio.

Filomena de Andrade Booth

Texas Abstract Artist

Renewal

Renewal

36"x30"x.75"

This painting is hot off the easel. The canvas is textured with modeling paste, gels and rice paper. I decided to try painting in a more traditional way yesterday...I actually used a brush!

To see my entire portfolio, visit my website.

See my work on YouTube!

To bid on this painting, click here.

Filomena de Andrade Booth - Texas Abstract Painter

Once Upon a Time

Visit my website to see my entire online portfolio.

Click here to make a bid on this painting!

Filomena de Andrade Booth

Texas Daily Abstract Painter

Golden Sunset - by Filomena de Andrade Booth

Golden Sunset

This one is just off the easel! The painting measures 24"x30"x.75 and is ready to hang...framing is not needed. Accented with varigated goldleaf, the painting will make a dramatic addition to any home or office decor.

The painting is signed on the front and back and a Certificate of Authenticity is included. Free shipping to the US.

Visit my website

See all my YouTube art clips

Make a bid on this painting here

Filomena de Andrade Booth - Texas Daily Abstract Painter

Clearwater Sunset - Abstracted Seascape Painting by Filomena de Andrade Booth

Clearwater Sunset

24"x54"x.75"

Acrylic on Canvas

$675.00

I love the warm colors and textures in this painting. It brings back great memories of the lovely Florida sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

Visit my website to see more of my work.
See my YouTube art clips.

Buy Clearwater Sunset

$675.00 - Free US Shipping

Waterlilies...Revisited

Original Modern Abstract Contemporary Art

by Texas Daily Abstract Painter Filomena Booth

Waterlilies...Revisited

12"x12"x.75"

Mixed-media on Canvas

$100.00

I guess that since our move to our new home, I've been doing a bit of inventory of my materials and supplies. I found a small stretched canvas that I had given up on a couple of years ago. It was heavily textured and gessoed in black. I decided to start experimenting with painting tools I had never used - my fingers! After gloving up, I scooped up gobs of paint and started painting away. I was amazed that the acrylic behaved more like oils - I was able to blend the colors alot easier than with a brush! Funny how we sometimes ignore the most obvious!

Visit my website to see more of my work.
See my YouTube art clips.
Sign up for my e-newsletter.

Buy Waterlilies...Revisited

$100.00

Promises Kept

I finished this painting today although I had the panel sitting around the studio for quite a while. I love adding lots of texture to my paintings and this one was a great excuse to add some of the materials that I've managed to collect over the years. As I worked, the surface of the panel began to develop into interesting passages that I pulled together with stampings and scape outs. Because the support is a panel, this painting will need to be framed.

Visit my website to see more of my work.

Buy Promises Kept - $225.00 - Free shipping to US.

Equinox

This is my latest painting...a little different from my "normal" work. But, as they say, "variety is the spice of life"!

Visit my website to see more of my work.

See all my YouTube art clip.

Buy Equinox - $350.00

Sea and Sand

It's been such a treat to be able to finally spend time in the studio after such a long dry spell!

Visit my website to see my entire portfolio and click here if you'd like to learn how you can get 25% off when you purchase a painting through my website.

See all my YouTube mini art clips.

Urban Spring

"Urban Spring" is my latest painting. The painting measures 24"x36"x.75" and is signed on the front, wired and ready to hang. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

Visit my website to see my entire portfolio. Sign up for my monthly e-newsletter and get a 25% off coupon on your next purchase through my website.

Autumn Mist

Autumn Mist - $325.00

Here is the latest of my textured, abstract paintings. I started off by texturing the canvas with various acrylic mediums - gesso, modeling paste, gels and collaged materials. When it was all dry, I began to block in color. The canvas sat around in my studio for a couple of days before I decided to tackle it again. Actually, it looked pretty bad and I had to paint gesso over some areas, just to clear it up and give me a better starting point.

After playing around with several experimental techniques such as alcohol splashes, wipe-outs and scraping, a structure began to emerge. This is always the point I love the most - the painting begins to define itself and all I have to do is encourage it along.

The painting measures 24"x30"x.75". It is wired and ready to hang. Framing is not needed and a Certificate of Authenticity is included. Free shipping to US.

Visit my website to see more of my work.

YouTube Mini-Art Clips

This is my latest YouTube "creation". What a fun way to showcase art! Enjoy and check back often because I think I'm infected with the video bug!

Now, back to the easel!

If you'd like to see more of my work, please visit my website.

Bits and Pieces

I am so excited because I was able to create a video and post it on YouTube!! I know all you young whippersnappers are wondering what the big deal is all about but for someone my age, I think this is pretty amazing.

I've been busy experimenting with some newer techniques that I've been dying to play with. Over the years I've managed to collect all kinds of ephemera that I thought I could use in my art at some point. Well, I rummaged through bins in my studio closet and came up with interesting "bits and pieces", thus the title for this painting. I discovered that cardboard packing can be made to look like corrogated metal. I love the textural look, and feel, of this painting. After composing the piece and adhering the various materials to the canvas, I added more texture with acrylic gels and molding paste. By applying thin glazes of color and spattering water and/or alcohol, I was able to create interesting effects, always allowing the underpainting to show through.

I hope you'll check out this little video...the first of many, I hope. It was a lot of fun to make and a neat way to showcase a painting.

Visit my website to see my entire portfolio.

Symbolic Intrigue

Symbolic Intrigue

36" x 36" x 1.5"

Acrylic/Mixed-media on Canvas

This is my newest painting. I worked on it for several days, layering glaze over glaze. By adding collage elements, texture, stampings and calligraphy, a theme began to evolve. I don't normally begin a painting with any preconceived idea but one usually develops as I paint - I love when that happens!!

Experimental painting techniques open the door to greater creativity for me. The freedom to explore new ways of doing old things expands my "bag of tricks". Although I have an enormous collection of paint brushes, I've found that painting with natural sponges and even my fingers (wear latex gloves if you decide to do this) gives me greater latitude of control. Acrylic paints can be difficult to work with, but when mixed with various mediums and applied directly to the canvas, one can achieve interesting results.

If you'd like to explore the "unknown", check out two of my favorite resource books on experimental painting techniques. Mary Todd Beam's Celebrate Your Creative Self and Nancy Reyner's Acrylic Revolution are excellent guides to help you discover new tricks and techniques using one of the most versatile painting medium available today- acrylics.

Symbolic Intrigue is for sale on my website.

I Believe in the Message of a Dream

I Believe in the Message of Dreams

30"x30"x1"

Acrylic/Mixed-Media on Canvas

I know, you're thinking "Where in the world did she get that title?" Titles for my paintings very often come from whatever music I happen to be listening to at the time I'm about finished with a painting. Most of the time a lyric or word jumps out and seems appropriate. I can't remember the name of the song or who sang, but part of the lyrics are - " I believe in things unseen. I believe in the message of dreams". Let me know if you can come up with the name of that particular song.

Anyway, the title seems perfect for this painting. Bits of collage, textural elements and half seen stamped letters remind me vague memories of dreams.

I currently have this painting, and several others listed on Ebay. You can also see my entire portfolio on my website.

Petroglyphs

Petroglyphs

24"x36".75"

Acrylic/Mixed-media

I completed this new painting a couple of days ago. The textured surface of the canvas is enhanced with bits of rice paper collage, a skeletanized leaf, stampings, rub-outs and a few other experimental techniques that I made up along the way. The intriguing thing about painting freely and not having any preconceived ideas is that the painting dictates the direction it wants to take rather than me "whipping" it into submission.

Deciding when the painting is finished is sometimes a bit difficult. But, I've learned that there is a certain point when "we" (the painting and me) decide to stop. I deliberately let this painting look a little unfinished because I wanted the rough look of grafitti on a stone wall.

Petroglyph is available on my website.

Carnival

Carnival

24"x24"x.75

Acrylic/Mixed-media

I love happy accidents! I originally started this painting as a companion piece to my "Journey Back" series. But, as so often happens, the painting decided to take an entirely different direction. As I continued to build up the textured surface of the canvas, new elements began to emerge. Little bits of my original idea still peek out of certain areas, but "Carnival" has a totally different look and feel.

Not knowing exactly where I'll end up when I start a painting is exciting. It's a lot like life...we make plans but sometimes life has different ideas for us. Wisdom is knowing when to go with the flow!

You can see this painting and many others that I have available on my website.

The Journey Back

Journey Back I and II

Mixed Media on Canvas

$250.00 and &225.00

I had a lot of fun creating these two mixed-media paintings. After establishing the texture elements on the canvas, I dug around in my bins of paper scraps and found several that I liked. I glued them to the canvas, added calligraphic elements and washed color over the canvas. An alcohol (the rubbing kind) spritz created some interesting effects in the bronze metallic color.

You can see these and several other paintings I have for sale on my website.

Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to get a 25% discount on your purchase. Tell your friends too!

Take a look at these and other paintings I have for sale on my website.

Dawn

Dawn

24"x30"x.75"

Acrylic on Canvas

$300.00

Did I mention that I like texture in my paintings? I guess I like running my fingers across the surface of a painting - it's just not enough to look at it, I want to touch the brushstrokes. Unfortunately museums don't like that much.

A couple of years ago, my husband and I went to the Dallas Museum of Art. One of the pieces on display was a long sand dune spread across the floor. There were mirrors set up about a foot apart and sticking out of the sand. I walked around this "masterpiece" for quite awhile before I realized that the mirrors reflected the dune. In my curiosity to discover what was so interesting about this particular piece, I didn't realize that I was standing on it! A guard quickly came over to warn me to step back. Whatever damage I created could easily be fixed with a broom. I'm glad I wasn't arrested for art theft - there were a few grains of sand stuck to my shoes!

Anyway, feel free to touch my art...I don't mind.

Check out some more paintings for sale on my website.

Broadway Lights

Broadway Lights

Oil & Acrylic on Canvas

2009

$350.00

My oil paints have been sitting in a bin for quite a while and in danger of turning into petrified blobs. I think the last time I actually used them was at a workshop I took with my art pals, Judy Mackey and Nancy Medina.

When I was in college (back in prehistoric days), I painted exclusively in oils. Acrylics were horrible and difficult to use. But, over the years, acrylic paints were perfected and I found that I preferred them over oils. However, that old bin of semi-dried out tubes were beckoning to me.

I started this painting in my usual manner. After slathering on molding paste to create texture, I underpainted in acrylic but wasn't able to get the blending effect I was striving for. I dug around in the bin and found several tubes that were still in good condition. I had forgotten how much easier it is to work in oils as compared to acrylics. Don't get me wrong, I don't intend to switch completely to oils but at least now I know that I can use them together when I need to. Just some words of caution, in case you're planning to do the same. Oil and water do not mix! Always paint fat over lean - oils over acrylics.

Broadway Lights is available for sale through my website.

Transparencies

Transparencies

24"x30

Acrylic on Canvas

$350.00

I completed "Transparencies" yesterday. Normally I'm able to finish a painting in one "sitting" but I'm glad that I decided to to explore all the options over a period of several days. I started out by layering color onto the textured canvas and then as the design began to evolve out of the formless background of color, I developed the composition. By following some of the "cues" in the textured surface, I was able to pull the painting together into a unified whole.

I love paintings that are textured and invite eyes and fingers to glide over the hills and valleys on the canvas.

This painting is available for sale through my website.

Contact me at fil@filomenabooth.com if you'd like to learn how you can save 25% off the price of this piece or any other painting I have available.

Midnight Espresso

Midnight Espresso

24"x30"

Acrylic on Canvas

$350.00

I admit this is a very strange title for this painting. Actually, I painted over another painting titled "Midnight Express". But being a little lazy, I decided to just change a couple of letters and give the painting a new name. The coffee colors in the painting somehow justified that for me.

This is a very textural painting. I started by slathering on thick layers of acrylic modeling paste and pressing various items into the wet medium to create texture. By sculpting the medium, I was able to establish the composition or "bones" of the painting. Once the canvas was dry, I started to apply the color layer by layer. Spattering with water before the paint set up revealed underlayers of color. As I continued to paint it reached the point of completion.

How do we know when a painting is finished? For me it's always been that point when any more work would not add to the finished product. Stepping back from the canvas usually reveals the moment to quit.

Midnight Espresso is available for sale through my website.

Starting again...

Starting Again

24"x30"

Acrylic on canvas

It's been a while since my last post on this blog. Life has a way of throwing difficult and painful events our way every once in a while. After our recent move to China Spring, Texas, my father passed away. Watching the pain in my mother's eyes is heartbreaking. But, life must go on.

This is the first painting I completed after losing my dad and it definitely feels like I'm "starting over again", thus the title of the painting. I'm working on a series of new, heavily textured paintings and will post as soon as I complete them.

Getting back into my studio is certainly theraputic for me.

Contemplation

Contemplation

24"x30"

Acrylic on Canvas

It's been a while since I was able to spend some time in the studio. But, at last, I think things have settled down a bit. This sizzling Texas summer is keeping me indoors and now I have no excuses not to paint.

"Contemplation" is my latest painting. The picture above doesn't show the rich metallic bronze glaze that gives the painting a very unique quality. It's listed on my website for $350.00.

Today is the 4th of July...have a happy one!

Inspiration?

I went for a short walk in my neighborhood this morning and came across a lonely thistle sitting at the side of the road. But, it wasn't lonely for long. A beautiful butterfly came by to keep it company and to give me an opportunity to get this gorgeous shot. Luckily, I had my camera.

As artists, we are sometimes stumped for inspiration and don't see all the possiblities around us. I know that's how I am, and lately with all the distractions and interruptions, I have hit a bit of a dry spell. Thanks to my painter friends, Judy Mackey and Nancy Medina, I'm thinking of trying my hand at an oil painting of this little scene from Mother Nature.

I get a daily email newsletter from FineArtStudioOnline. Today's article really hit the nail on the head for me. When art sales are good, I'm always in the mood to paint, it seems. When sales are flat, as they are for everything right now, I seem to avoid the studio. Somehow, I equate having no sales with no one liking my work. I think we artists all feel the same. Here is Trent Gudmensen's article on Making the Most of Down Time. Read it and let me know if you don't agree.

This has been an interesting year, hasn't it!? It's been scary at times, and uncertain to say the least. But lately we've been catching little glimpses of light at the end of the tunnel. People are starting to build again, we've found out that consumer spending is up, and the housing market isn't as bad as we thought it would be this quarter...most importantly, people have begun to buy art again. Suddenly we find ourselves more at ease with our own work. Nothing has changed per se...it's just that with our better outlooks on the future, we suddenly start to work harder.

Silly, isn't it, that when we truly have the time to paint, we instead wallow just a little bit in self-pity at our lack of business (or "busy-ness)? This frame of mind was first brought to my attention several years ago by a gallery owner. He mentioned that, in fact, most artists do this; when business is down, they fail to take full advantage of the time to both improve their talent and build up a nice inventory for the next busy season...and when business is booming (ie.: lots of sales!) the artists suddenly kick it into high gear, yet struggle to fill the immediate demand due to lack of inventory and poor working habits.

I think this "syndrome" might simply be due to the fact that we, as human beings, naturally seek praise for our work. If, like a child, we get immediately rewarded for our good works, we will be more likely to repeat that action. In other words, if this week we sell that great painting that we worked so hard on all last week, we naturally get excited by the "reward" and want to do that again (ie.: paint more great paintings). We also naturally believe that the painting that just sold must have been a good painting. After all, someone out there saw our good work and was willing to reward us for it (with their hard-earned money).

But, on the flipside, if that same painting were to hang on the gallery wall untouched for several months, we might begin to wonder if what we did was good. I admit, this is a difficult dilemma. After all, we have to face the fact that perhaps the painting (or sculpture, or whatever it may be) truly isn't up-to-par (which is actually a healthy consideration, since it ultimately encourages us to raise the standard and improve our work); but then again, if we're confident with a painting, and especially if others whose opinions we trust agree with us, then we can probably safely assume that it was a good painting, in which case it will likely be purchased and given a loving home...if it doesn't sell, that won't change the fact that it was a good painting, if indeed it was.

Vincent Van Gogh is now one of the best-known artists ever, but barely sold anything during his lifetime. It's tragic that such a good artist wasn't recognized during his lifetime, but I also guarantee that Van Gogh never sent out an email newsletter to those who showed interest in his work...if he had even scratched out an occasional quill-and-ink letter to neighbors advertising a show of his new works on display in his bedroom, his story might have been profoundly different.

Bad timing can prove to be good timing, if we use the time well by either working on our art or working on marketing it.

Some artists today have been selling just fine during these hard times because they've developed relationships over the years with people who continue to collect their art, and they've also consistently proven to those people that their art is worth collecting (they turn out better and better art each year). These artists who do well even in the hard times have proven that years and years of consistent improvement and marketing do in fact pay off. They've earned the rewards of their good works and patience.

With a little bit of patience and persistence, we, too, shall be rewarded for our good works. The patience part is the hard part, and there's no secret to it except to use our time well by always being anxiously engaged in a good cause. That "good cause" could rightly be our efforts to build relationships with potential clients, or it could also simply be the time we spend in the studio practicing our talent and improving it...there are so many ways to engage ourselves in worthwhile things; just choose something good and do it. Action is the prescription for impatience, and is also the way that we continue to persistently further our artistic careers. With persistence in our marketing efforts and our work habits, we will certainly improve our chances of making that next sale sooner than later.

Build relationships, improve your work, send out your newsletter, be creative in your marketing, spend more time in the studio...in essence, use the down-time effectively, and the "up-time" will be "upper" than ever. :)

Remember, we are artists, which is a truly noble calling!

Happy painting!-Trent Gudmundsen

Well, gotta go dig out those oil paints...hope they haven't dried out!

My Studio

I started a couple of new paintings yesterday, but as usual, too many interruptions ruined the mood. Anyway, I decided to take a few pictures of my new studio. The large windows overlook the field behind the house and the woods in the distance.

There is so much wildlife here in China Spring, Texas. Yesterday we found a little burrow in the middle of the front lawn. Five baby rabbits were curled up in the nest. One of the brave little fellows ran out and started running in circles. We caught him and tucked him back in with his nest mates. I checked them this morning but the nest is empty. Guess the bunnies are now on their own. Hope they stay away from the other animals that live in the area.

We also have a family of birds that decided to set up housekeeping in a lantern given to me by my daughter-in-law years ago. I hung it up in one of the trees over the deck, never thinking that it would make a great home for the little critters. But the one room, no bath apartment is just perfect for them. There are five hatchlings in there now. One poor little guy got evicted a couple of days ago. The others are a bit crowded in the nest and I hope they're able to fly soon and set up homes of their own. Here's a picture of one little hungry guy waiting to be fed.

I think I need to stop looking out the window so much and just concentrate on my painting from now on. But, nature is so fascinating...who can resist?

Distant Echo

Distant Echo

24"x36"x.75"

Acrylic Painting

$225.00

I completed this new painting today. I love when things just flow just right and today was one of those days!

Distant Echo is available for $225.00 directly through my website. Shipping to the US is free. Please inquire for international shipping costs.

Visit my website to see this and the many other paintings I have available or have sold.

Check the boxes to the right and be sure to sign-up for my newsletter to hear of special discounts!

Getting back in the "Spirit"

Spirit Rising

30"x30"x.75" Acrylic/Mixed Media

It's been a bit hard for me to get back in the painting "groove" lately. There are just too many interruptions to deal with but I always feel good when I finish a new painting. I find that no matter what's going on around me, I absolutely need to spend time in the studio each day, even if it's just to write this blog. We all need a little "me" time and the studio is my hide-away!

I finished this painting a couple of days ago. It's the second of two "Spirit" paintings. Both paintings have similar compositions and are heavily textured. I love creating tactile paintings that invite you to run your fingers over the surface of the canvas.

I currently have this painting listed on Ebay with a reserve price of $250.00. I included lots of close-up shots to show as much detail and texture as possible.

Check out my website too!

Time Flies...

Spirit

30"x30" Acrylic

They say "time flies when you're having fun", or is it "time's fun when you're having flies", according to Kermit the Frog?

I didn't realize how long it's been since I've written anything on this blog. The last time I posted anything was on my birthday, Jan. 28. Only my pals know how ancient I really am! Anyway, it's been a very long time since I've done any painting at all and it wasn't from lack of motivation. Things have been rather hectic due to my husband's recent job change. He was very fortunate to find work in his field within a very short time after being laid off. We were also fortunate that the new job is in the same state - Texas. Unfortunately, driving more than 100 miles each way did not appeal to my husband very much. So, last winter we started searching for a new home and my main priority was that I needed a decent studio space.

After searching online for a couple of weeks, I happened to find a great home in China Spring in the heart of Texas hill country. To my complete surprise, it had a media room that was easily converted to my studio. The large windows overlooking a meadow and woods are every artist's dream! Putting our Keller home on the market in today's uncertain economy was a bit of a risk but we did sell the place within four months. We also moved my husband's elderly mother in with us. So, as you can see, I have perfectly good excuses for not blogging or painting lately.

I completed the above painting a few days ago and just listed it on Ebay. I'm testing the waters to see if things are picking up. I hope you will visit my listing and if you're in the need of a great painting to brighten up your walls, just let me know. My brushes are raring to go!!

"Spirit" is listed with a reserve price of $250.00 with free shipping.

Art as an Investment

I've always heard that you should always buy the art you love, not solely as a possible future investment. Tonight's news featured an interesting piece about a woman who purchased a small painting at a very reasonable. The artist was "discovered" and now her modest purchase is worth a small fortune. I know this is the exception but still it's nice to know that the original Booth hanging on your wall may be worth a cool million someday. It's nice to dream!

Here is the link to As Investments Sink, Art Looks More Beautiful.

I'll be moving closer to my husband's work soon. Finding a new home with a great studio space was a major priority for me. I think we found the perfect home in China Spring, Texas. I'll miss all my great art gal pals but I know that I'll be just down the road a piece and will see them often. It'll be nice to get back into the studio again and back to painting everyday.

Here's the link to my website. I still have several pieces available. Contact me for more information.

What is Art???

I found this hilarious little YouTube on my gallery's blog. Mike at art251 has a great, warped British sense of humor. I needed a good laugh and thought that all you art "critics" would get a kick out of this one.

I've been out of my studio for the last few weeks because we are in the process of selling our home. Having to keep the house in model perfect condition all the time makes it difficult to cut loose in the studio. I put all my paints neatly back on the shelves, cleared off my work table and vacuumed the floor. The place looks sterile right now. I doubt there are too many potential buyers out there that are searching for studio space. So, I have to make it look like it can be used as a bonus room or a teenager's hideaway.

We were very fortunate to find a great home out in the country with a huge, sunny room that will make a wonderful studio. I can feel those creative juices starting to flow just thinking about it!