So I’ve now got three paintings on the assembly line, and will start the fourth one next week. I’m still working on Mohawk Squirrel, Red Hat Squirrel, and now Space Hat Squirrel (not sure on her name yet). I’m trying out a new method and new mediums that I really like. Will post further developments, and finished products in the next couple of weeks!

Space Hat Squirrel

I’m working on Mohawk Squirrel and also Red Hat Squirrel seen below. Getting wood cut for four more ornate gold frames, and back to trying Walnut Oil for painting.

Red Hat Squirrel in progress.

Red Hat Squirrel - in progress

I’m working on two paintings right now, Mohawk Squirrel and Redhat Squirrel. Both are in various stages of progress. Posting Mohawk Squirrel here, Redhat tomorrow.

Mohawk Squirrel in progress

This scene happened a few moments ago, and I wanted to share it with you. I was busy working on my latest painting, and heard a strange noise. I looked out the window, and who do I see? Frank, aka Bad Monkey, came to have a visit. We still can’t figure out how he got up there, but we watched as he turned around and flew about twenty feet in the air to the nearest bush and carried on. So, today - I paint from a real life model with proof in the photo - haha!

Artist, Carollyne Yardley with squirrel subject and painting

About four years ago (2007), I first saw images of tin robots from the 1950’s being used and sold as stock photos. Part of my work as a web designer included trolling through stock photo websites for images that best represented a business, service or product. I loved the idea of using tin robots for a web design, and kept the idea in one of my Moleskine notebooks. In late 2007, I began to search for fine art that most appealed to me. It was then that I discovered a world of toy robot paintings. And it had been in full swing since the year 2000. In particular, or perhaps most famously, Eric Joyner, and many other artists in the pop surrealism world.

By 2008, I had written down the idea to paint a robot squirrel. I am now catching up. Shortly before Christmas 2010, I started Robot Squirrel. I know “lots of people are doing it now”, but I still wanted to do my version to get it out of my system. I’ve combined the imagery I used in designing the marketing materials for Star Global (spaceship and space background). This painting is in progress (5).

Robot Squirrel in progress

Speeding through to the next squirrel painting comes the Fortune Teller Squirrel. I’ve also started another painting that is at the drawing stage. I will post developments next week.

Fortune Teller Squirrel is the second painting I’ve done in oil paints. (3)

Fortune Teller Squirrel

Hi all,

Mermaid Squirrel: Standing on Her Own Two Feet is still on the easel and in progress. I’ve got the colour scheme sorted out. I look forward to the day when I have it all mapped out ahead of time, but for now, I truly enjoy painting round the canvas 70 times changing all the colour as I go. Here’s a link to what she looked likes in the first photo.

Mermaid Squirrel in progress

I have also noticed that I need the most perfect conditions in order to paint. That is, after having eaten, bathroomed, and re-hydrated, I then need the proper clothing (not too loose, not too tight), and the material needs to be bullet proof to protect against the colour red. As it turns out, and probably because I’m all afraid of cadmium red (insert toxic warning label), it gloms onto me like the plague. Lean over paint palette - yup, only the colour red jumps out and soils my top. Got the plastic gloves on- pff - red can penetrate anything!

Anyhow, I am now back on the painting road with a couple of new product items. I posted a request at Facebook for recommendations regarding non-toxic mediums and cleaning stuff, and Kirsten Wright, owner of the Regalia Boutique was kind enough to provide good suggestions, including mediums by M. Graham. Keith Hiscock also gave me some great advice, so a quick thank you to him too.

I also went to ArtWorld on Chatham Street in Victoria, BC, and discovered a great soy based, non-toxic brush cleaner, and it is food grade quality to boot! I think it’s called Dave’s - but they give you some in a take away jar, so you could probably bring in your own jar for filling too.

Also news today, I had 100 art cards printed of Saint Squirrel: Protecting You ‘Cause You’re Nuts, and am selling them in batches of 10. I sold them all this morning! If you’d like a package of 10 (with envelopes) let me know by my contact form, I’m getting more created next week. Also, if you know of a card shop that might be interested, message me about that too. They are 5″ X 7″, white envelope, blank inside, and cost $20 plus $5 to ship if needed.

Saint Squirrel - Art Cards

Inspired by swimming my ass off in the pool, while contemplating life and doing the breaststroke, along with Efren Quiroz’s (from Exhibit V) mermaid collection (fantastic bronze statue), I present my next painting in progress for the Secret Squirrel Show - Mermaid Squirrel: Standing On Her Own Two Feet. This also marks my use of oil paints. Real oil paints, not water based oils. I started the painting in acrylic, and was like - hey, what are you waiting for Carollyne? So I hauled out my oil paints that I bought for Santa Fe art school, and all the accoutrements. And I liked it. Oil paint is much easier than acrylic so far, drying time is forever. Love the blending factor. Left foot (first layer) done in oil paint.  (2)

Mermaid Squirrel: Standing On Her Own Two Feet

Saint Squirrel and a myriad of other names come to mind - BUT -  he is officially unnamed. I will accept suggestions until Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 using the comment area below this post.  This painting is STILL IN PROGRESS, but I aim to finish up next week.

Saint Squirrel - Protects you because.....name to be determined

Just posting latest development of Saint Squirrel (with Red Shoes name to be determined). He’s coming along nicely. Still much more work to do. Quite a few changes since last post.

Saint Squirrel with Red Shoes (in progress)