Three Folk Art Cats – a labor of love

Posted in Art, On the worktable by Melanie Rietveld Art

My oldest daughter is a sophomore in college this year. As is fitting, she rented an apartment with some classmates and is quite pleased to have her own room after a year of dorm life and a summer spent serving at a Bible camp.

When I visited her to help her get settled, we agreed that she needed some art to jazz up the generic apartment walls. Since she is a crazy-cat-lady-at-heart and misses our family cats tremendously, it seemed fitting to capture their essence in paper and paint.

Work in progress – 22×28 inches, mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas

This piece is almost finished…just a few details and it will be ready to send back with her when she comes home to visit this weekend. I can’t wait to give it to her! A labor of love, to be sure.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Have a happy November,

Melanie

12Aug2016

Midwest Art & Lettering Retreat – days 1 & 2

Posted in Art by Melanie Rietveld Art

I’ve been privileged to attend the Midwest Art and Lettering Retreat on the beautiful campus of Carleton College for a 4-day painting workshop with Diane Culhane. It’s so much fun to be with other creatives and immerse my mind and hands in PAINT!

Here is my negative painting exercise, done on 12×12 inch masonite panel.

Background created with warm colors and some loose Mark-making

And the final piece.

Negative painting with diox purple and a dark blue.

We also started some small paintings on gessoed watercolor paper.

6×8 inches on prepared watercolor paper.

We started 12×12 inch “tree” paintings, as well.

12×12 inch tree painting, in progress

Thanks for reading. I hope to have exciting progress to report over the next two days.

Many blessings,

Melanie

2Aug2016

Three cheers for the power of art!

Posted in Art, Art Show by Melanie Rietveld Art

My month-long art show at our local Dunn Bros. came down today. It’s always a learning experience when one shows work publicly, and this month was no exception.

It was a fun and interesting month. In addition to selling two pieces, I was asked to create a “Fibonacci Sea Otter” as a companion to “Fibonacci’s Elephant”, which was one of the pieces that sold.

“Fibonacci’s Elephant” 12×18 inches, mixed media on canvas paper. 19×25 inches framed

The gentleman who purchased this piece wanted a companion “Sea Otter” in a similar style. It was an anniversary gift for his wife, who has loved sea otters since she was a little girl. After meeting with him to discuss format and style, this was the result.

Fibonacci-inspired sea otter. 12×18 inches, mixed media on canvas paper. 19×25 inches framed.

One of the greatest blessings of being an artist is meeting new people and making new friends. I was so touched by this client’s love for his wife and his zest for life. He was also very encouraging of me as an artist, and has prompted me to think in a direction I may have overlooked if our paths hadn’t crossed! Three cheers for the power of art!

Have a wonderful August,

Melanie

30Jun2016

Art Show Opens Tomorrow at Dunn Bros.

Posted in Art, Art Show by Melanie Rietveld Art

Thanks to my sweet family, my art is hung and ready for tomorrow’s First Friday Art Walk in Bemidji, MN. My husband and son attached hanging hardware and two of my kids helped me hang the show today.

My son helping me at Dunn Bros.

and advising me on placement of art.

He even took care of final details!

Here’s a sneak peek.

If you’re in the Bemidji area, I’d love for you to join us tomorrow evening, July 1st, from 5-7pm at Dunn Bros. My friends Sonja Connell and Jay Carlsgaard will be providing musical entertainment, as Sonja plays cello and her dad accompanies on piano. Their music is wonderful!

Thanks for reading. Have a safe and happy weekend.

Melanie