Black birds on a wire and other such fun!

I'm not really sure why, but I seem to have a fascination with electrical line poles, electrical pole lights and the birds that choose to perch there.
I remember coming home from college for a holiday break and driving down the country road only to notice a black bird hanging upside down (clearly dead) from an electrical line as if it had just keeled over and never let go.
A sad day for that bird of course, but I remember thinking how funny that was...that this bird didn't let go and was now silhouetted against the blue sky. I suppose ever since that day I've payed much closer attention to birds on a wire.
This little painting is titled just that, "Black birds on a wire" and is 7 and a half inches wide by 4 inches tall by 1 inch think and is acrylic paint on oak wood.
I'm having lots of fun painting birds and judging by the response I'm getting...many of you are enjoying these as well! so...onward and upward for the arts!

If you'd like to learn more about this painting by Rachel Dickson visit www.racheldickson.com/rachels_art.htm

HOT out of the studio!!!

I LOVE little birds! And I especially love wrens. Hence the inspiration for this little painting titled "Bewick's Wren on the Fence".
I've decided to paint a bird series, this one being the first. And since nature is very much an inspiration for me to paint...how perfect that little birds be the stars of this series!

This little painting measures 4.75 inches by 5.00 inches and is painted on recycled oak leaving the original bark at the top exposed for rustic flair.

Want to learn more? Click here to view this painting and others that are for sale by artist Rachel Dickson.

The Capital Grille is doing a VERY fun thing! and I couldn't help myself...

Here's what it just might look like! I created this piece of artwork in the hopes it might adorn the bottle of a special Cabernet Sauvignon.
Capital Grille (locations in Orlando, FL, and Atlanta, GA to name a few) is currently hosting a artist series wine label competition.
According to their website they are looking for a spectacular wine label to adorn their equally spectacular wine and invite artists to create it. The winning artist will see their masterpiece featured on an exclusive, world-class Cabernet Sauvignon served in every Capital Grille restaurant! The wine inside the bottle is as much a work of art as the label artists will be creating to adorn it. Blended exclusively for The Capital Grille by Heidi von der Mehden of Arrowood Winery in Sonoma, in collaboration with Capital Grille's own Master Sommelier, George Miliote.
So I entered!! My thoughts were...if a hummingbird would approach this wine...you KNOW it's gotta be good. I like wine...and have stood in the wine aisle looking at label after label. When I came across this opportunity I just couldn't pass it up and created this painting which if nothing else might make you wanna try the wine!
To learn more about this artist series competition visit The Capital Grille online.
Nothing like a good 'ole competition to inspire a new painting.
Thank you Capital Grille for the opportunity!
Stay tuned...I will post here if my artwork is selected to adorn this special 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon.

To learn more about Rachel Dickson and her art visit http://www.racheldickson.com

To learn more about The Capital Grille visit http://www.thecapitalgrille.com

Coffee mug art?? Good to the last drop!

If you are a coffee drinker, then I am confident you, like I, have a favorite coffee mug or two. I used to have these FABULOUS coffee mugs that featured paintings by Van Gogh and Monet and Matisse. My favorites of these mugs featured "The Starry Night" and "Cafe Terrace at Night" both of which were painted by Van Gogh. Having never forgotten these mugs...I got to thinking, I wonder if I could have my artwork on a mug? Well, thanks to zazzle.com this is now possible!!

Check it out! 
http://www.zazzle.com/racheldickson*

well, that turned out to be pretty cool!

Last Thursday I had the privilege of having my artwork on display and for sale at the downtown Toledo Art Walk hosted by the Toledo Art Commission.

Special thanks to Brenda and George Benson for recommending that I participate!

Ironically, I think I received the most comments about how I went about hanging and displaying my art. (not sure if that's a good thing or not?) But anyway, here's photos of the display.

Foot traffic at these sorts of art affairs is always impossible to predict...so I went into this with a wide-open mind and decided that if nothing else...I'd use the experience to learn and build on the next one. Needless to say, it was very educational and wonderful to be surrounded by other artists once again!

Want to view more of Rachel's art? click here 


No idea what the next art venture might be...but I'll certainly keep everyone posted. Until then...enjoy the art! 

Old brick buildings, sidewalks and fine art

619 Monroe Street in downtown Toledo will be the site among many sites for tonight's (Sept, 13, 2012) Art Walk hosted by the Toledo Art Commission.

To view the map of all participating art venues tonight click here.

Come on downtown tonight and stop by what's listed as #11 (Hannon's Block, 619 Monroe Street, Toledo, OH) on the art walk map and say "Hi" to me while viewing the artwork of so many great local artists!!

After having attended some of the art walks of 2012 here in Toledo, I'm very excited to be able to show and sell my work tonight! I'll be featuring some brand-spanking-new art work tonight too!

Special thanks to Chris Summers and Brenda and George Benson for making this a possibility!

See you there!

For more info about Rachel's art visit http://www.RachelDickson.com

Myths, Rivers and Rocks

YES, Michigan!  ....and oh so fabulous!
I had the privilege of visiting a place this past weekend that I haven't seen in YEARS! The Mackinac Bridge! This bridge separates Lake Huron and Lake Michigan and connects the Lower Peninsula to the Upper Peninsula of the State of Michigan. It's quite a site to see. (In fact, click here to view the Mackinac Bridge Camera view)

Most amazing to me was the clarity of the water. I'd forgotten how clear the rivers and lakes of Michigan are...and Lake Huron most certainly did NOT disappoint. The clarity of the waters of Lake Huron remind me of the painting above because you can see the rocks on the bottom through this clear water.

Anyhow...this little mini-abstract titled "Lethe" was named for the mythological river of the same name.
Primarily painted with hues of blue, black, green, orange and silver acrylic paints it measures only
3.50" x 3.50" x 0.75" (Please note the size of this piece. Hence the name mini.) and is painting on an oak wood block. 

Want to learn more about this mini-painting?
Click here to view or purchase the abstract painting "Lethe".