Featured Artist - Helen Minton

Artist- Helen Minton

               
Helen is a native of Woodbury, Tennessee and has been painting for nine years. She discovered the therapeutic value of painting many years ago. Her adventure in painting began after painting on furniture and ceramics. This led her onward to painting on canvas, where she experimented with water colors and oils.
But quickly decided that acrylics, was her favorite medium to express her painterly emotions.

Helen enjoys the outdoors and has many Cannon County landscapes in her portfolio. Two of her favorite subjects are painting homes ( the ole’ home place) and barns. Her dad built their family barn when she was born in 1938, which helped instill her love for these family treasures.

Her style is colorful, and expressive, she particularly enjoys painting subjects that are close to her clients heart. Helen works best from reference material provided by the client.

If you would like to commission a painting or purchase one from the collection shown below you can contact Helen by email at helenrminton@gmail.com
Her website will be up and running soon.  Refer here for the address in the next couple of weeks.
 
 
Here are a few of Helen's lovely paintings.
 



Bevard House
© Helen Minton
16 x 20
$425



Country Peace
© Helen Minton 
16x 20
$225



Majestic Fall Colors
© Helen Minton
16 x 20
$225

Winter Calm
© Helen Minton
N/A except by commission



Norton Creek Falls, NC
© Helen Minton
In my collection



Holiday Haven
© Helen Minton
$125



Fun in the Snow
© Helen Minton
16 x 20
In private collection



Country Store
© Helen Minton
$125



Apple Harvest
© Helen Minton
$125



Just Thinking
© Helen Minton
$150



Up the Creek, Down on the Farm
© Helen Minton
16 x 20
N/A except by commission



Rainbow Falls
© Helen Minton
$175



Colditz Cove
© Helen Minton
$150



Parched Corn Creek
©  Helen Minton
$175



In the Midst of Winter
© Helen Minton
16 x20
$275

Art Challenge for January 2012 from A Day Not Wasted blog

Here is a challenge from A Day Not Wasted, the blog of Lee A. Brown, artist, world traveler, and photographer.  Check out his blog here .  Lee has a monthly art challenge.  If you sign up for his newsletter it appears every month with another beautiful photograph to create your own beautiful rendition for that month.  Details can be found at his link.
Lee blogs about the travels that he and his wife Donna take on a regular basis.  He gives photography tips, etc...  Check it out and join his art challenge. 

The copyright to this preview of his January challenge belongs to © Lee A. Brown.

http://adaynotwasted.com/2012/01/january-2012-adnw-painting-challenge/


Click on the link to download the larger pixel picture to paint.  He has a deadline for submission and copyright details, so be sure to read it all.

Joyful painting,
~Debbie

National Arts Program

The operating mission of The National Arts Program® is to provide a free and uninhibited opportunity for participating visual artists to come forth with their talents, at their personal skill level, to be displayed professionally for public viewing. By removing the obstacles to artistic expression, the Program gives participants a forum to expand and showcase their talent in the visual arts; this in turn gives them a sense of accomplishment, a sense of self-worth, and a more positive attitude in life. It is sponsored by the private National Arts Program Foundation, Malvern, PA.
If you are interested in this program, click here for more information about how to participate.

In the state of Tennessee a local venue coordinator is Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Jenny Lewis, Program Coordinator
(615) 936-1234


~Debbie

Artober Nashville is being conducted in October 2011, which is designated as National Arts and Humanities Month by Americans for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Metro Nashville Arts Commission is partnering with dozens of arts and cultural organizations throughout Nashville to highlight the depth and breadth of arts activities with official Artober Nashville events. The celebration includes all arts and cultural activities, including visual and performing arts, music, craft, film and commercial businesses that may present arts activities (e.g. restaurants that curate art exhibitions).

Submit an event here.

Fourth Art Challenge



Fourth Art Challenge, photo copyright © 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers

This picture was taken at the top of a mountain in the mist.  We rode into the mist and as we reached the top of the mountain we saw a herd of grazing horses. You can see the mist through the trees. There was a crisp bite in the air and the horses were frisky.

On a Hill Far Away



On a Hill Far Away
© Debbie Turner Chavers

 Painted with acrylics on a 8 x 6 linen panel.  I painted this from a reference photo posted at The Wilderness Art Challenge by Gary Keimig.  The link is under the art opportunities tab.

A Quick Session-20 Minutes

Sometimes it is hard to get started painting. Procrastination will lead me to read about art, look at art, dream about art.....but not necessarily create art. So I determined that I would do a quick study in oil pastels from another art challenge. I gave myself 20 minutes to find the oil pastels, my sketch book, pull up the art challenge site and sketch it out in oil pastel.

I used Grumbacher's oil pastels to create the Royal Gala apple sketch. It was a bit scary to play so fast and loose with my creative urge....yet satisfying to not make a huge commitment and just create something. A place of joy for me.

Part of my growth as a person and an artist is to stretch my perceived given boundaries and be creative. Since starting my art challenge, I have joined several on other artist challenge sites as well. The apple picture was from the art challenge http://paintanddrawtogether.blogspot.com/.

I will use my art challenge as well as others to spur me forward in my pursuit of creative excellence.

Whether is for a 10 minute start or a whole day of creative joy. Just create.

~Debbie

© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers

10 Minutes a Day-Practice Equals Growth

Until a few years ago, I never had the time or privilege of painting for any length of time . I would paint or draw at random moments in the midst of a very busy life during the raising of my three children. In the beginning, I was hesitant to get started on a painting. I never felt that I could manage to paint anything of value if I did not spend an enormous amount of time on the creation of the painting. But desire overcame my self- imposed obstacles. Little by little I practiced creating my view of the world around me.

Daily practice is a wonderful way to improve ones vision and technique toward what you are trying to convey to others through painting. I started "practicing" over 10 years ago and I am still learning daily how to convey what I "see".
It still amazes me the varied hues and saturation of color that I see in the world around me.
Once I started painting my world changed as I began to "see" the world as a place of infinite colors.
My initial response toward the commitment of painting on a regular schedule was astonishing.
I started to "see" the landscape, the light on an object, the colors in shadows. It was as though I was suddenly sighted after being blind. Daily practice is a way for you to grow as an artist and to nurture your creative spirit.
The 10 minute start can be used for writing, painting, cleaning, exercising, the list goes on and on.
The point is to develop a habit toward the practice of your given creativity. 
So if a blank canvas is intimidating.  Use the 10 minute rule to move forward.
What moves YOU? 

Gardening and taking a walk in the woods or listening to the sound of moving water inspires me.
Viewing beauty can inspire me.  The sound of joyful laughter. Instrumental music.
The point is to find what inspires you and use that to move you forward.
A ten minute spark-to jump start you on your journey forward.

If you think you do not have the time to practice, consider trying my quick start process.
Give yourself 10 minutes a day toward giving the world a window into your creative outlook.
Ten minutes may seem absurd but if you get started you will be amazed with your progress.

Try this schedule for a quick start toward productivity and artistic growth.
Spend the first 10 minutes thinking through your concept of what you want to accomplish.
The second day, a quick sketch.
The third day, choice your media and colors.
The fourth day, apply your first stroke of genius.
Well, you get the picture. Now show it to the rest of us.

Keep in mind, an oak tree started as a very small acorn.
~Debbie


Rewritten from my article at LOLO-Living Out Loud Online™
© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers

Third Art Challenge

 Three Pots and Platter

©  2010 Debbie Turner Chavers

I changed the perspective a bit and used a limited color palette for this challenge.

                               Still Life-Three Pots and Platter
                         photo copyright © 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers

For full resolution click on the picture. Experiment with the monochromatic color in this arrangement.
Can you see the colors in the color?  Look for the color in the shadows.  The window caused a bit of a shadow on the wall, which almost made the platter look like a sun dial.

Enjoy the process, we are all learning.
Remember,the perfect painting is the one that you are working on.

~Debbie

Second Art Challenge

                                Bridge to Beauty
                     © 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers


Acrylic painting on 6x8 linen panel, painted with brush and knife work. This was the first time I used a palette knife to paint.  Created interesting texture.  I like the effect.

           Second Art Challenge-photo copyright © 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers

For full resolution click on the picture. I recently traveled to the Keys in Florida. This was a bridge view. I love the horizontal color bands.

Enjoy the process, we are all learning.The perfect painting is the one that you are working on.
~Debbie

Tucson Twilight-painting process

A short picture review of my painting process for Tucson Twilight, the art challenge picture for June/July 2010.

I got caught up painting and forgot to stop and take a few pictures after I decided to add the porch enclosure. I liked the painting as it was, but felt that I was not reaching out past my own self imposed artistic limits. Since this challenge is to stretch- I took a quick snapshot with my signature and then proceeded to paint through it! Yikes! For me, that was scary, but I really like the finished painting and it felt DONE.

© 2010 Debbie Turner Chavers

Artist Interview: Debbie Turner Chavers

Studio of the artist

Tell us a little about yourself.I am an artist and writer. I have been writing and painting for many years now, but only within the past couple of years have I been able to share it with a much larger audience. Since my last child moved out, I now have periods of time where I have the opportunity to study, paint, and write.

What inspires you?I am inspired by God's unfailing love toward me and the people that He created. God has made so many wonderful things and people. I enjoy encouraging others as we live day to day.
I love to spend time out of doors,walking, gardening, hunting with a camera lens to capture the moment. I find comfort in observing the smallest bits of beauty in creation.
God's word inspires me to paint and to write. I always seek quiet and beauty in some form on a regular basis. This helps my creative nature and helps me keep balanced by shutting out the unnecessary things that clutter our lives.

What advice would you give to a beginner?The advice that I give to everyone, including myself, is to schedule time to create. Each day is a gift that can not be bought back. So I try to spend it well. On my web site I posted an encouragement to set aside even 10 minutes a day to get started in your creative journey. The 10 minute start can be used to discipline yourself toward accomplishing most tasks. The blog entry is called Practice Equals Growth

What is your favorite medium or tool to work with?My favorite tool or medium changes depending upon what I am creating.
I love the whole process of design and creating. From painting to gardening, the opportunity to create something is endless. This can take many types of tools. So my favorite is one that helps me render what I see.

How do you find time to create?I make the time on a regular basis. When you have a strong desire to share with others, your vision expands and you carve out bits of time to birth that desire into something concrete that you can share. Be it words or art. I have a plan everyday to accomplish. Some days it is only for a while and other days I have the joy of a full day in the studio or a large chunk of time for writing and researching.

Where do you spend most of your time creating?When I first started drawing it was at a table in my kitchen. I would work very early before my children woke up to start school. Sometimes I would draw or paint during their recess time. Now my children are grown and I have a large room that is my studio. On a regular basis I paint in many different places to keep a fresh perspective. Different lighting, etc... Sometimes you paint your surroundings and sometimes your surroundings paint you! This is one of the reasons I seek quiet time and time outside.

What got you started?What got me started drawing and painting was inspired by my prayer during a time of personal bible study on an early morning many years ago. A desire to share the word of God with others.

How would you describe your style?Peaceful.

What do you enjoy most about creating?The thing I like best about creating is that it causes me to sing. When I am painting, I experience a level of joy that causes me to sing. I become so absorbed in the process that normal aggravations of adult life slip away. There is a song that says---Let us forget about ourselves and magnify the Lord and worship Him. This is how I would describe the joy. It creates a spirit of praise within me. And everything in me at the time wants to convey that joy and vision that I see.

List your sites or sites where we can see your work.

http://artparables.com/
http://debbieturnerchavers.com/

http://debbies-encouragementjournal.blogspot.com/

http://aparkview.blogspot.com/

Portions of this interview were taken from a previous interview with Tina Winkle.

First Art Challenge

                                    

Tuscon Twilight © Debbie Turner Chavers

                                   Debbie Turner Chavers

Photos for the First Art Challenge, photograph copyright © 2010  Debbie Turner Chavers

I chose this picture because I liked the wide panorama of the distant scenery and the architectural elements of the foreground. I loved the distance beckoning from the horizon and the enclosure wrapping you in a veil of coolness from the desert heat.

The picture was taken at a park/zoo that featured plants and animals that were native to Arizona. The picture is loaded at full resolution. It was not reduced to web size. If you click on it, you will be able to see more detail.

Enjoy the process, we are all learning.

The perfect painting is the one that you are working on.

Remember, if you have any questions you can email me at debbiechavers@gmail.com

~Debbie

© Debbie Turner Chavers

1st Monthly Art Challenge