New Art prints available on Society6 in addition to my Etsy shop!

I am so excited for the direction my art is going.  My first Etsy shop aeMcDraw still has my art and crochet but I separated out my map paintings.  I noticed that my best selling items were map prints, so I decided that my new shop would be dedicated to that.  It was such a simple branding issue to provide it all in one location.  I have been busy ever since with custom orders.  And I am so completely happy.

Take a look at my latest works, and let me know if you would like a custom hand painted map.   email at anneemcgraw!at!gmail.com

See more past work map paintings here.

RockIII (7x10.25" watercolor paper) by Anne E. McGraw

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This year I was unable to go to the Outer Banks (North Carolina) for my family reunion.  I instead painted a small painting of the dunes over-looking the ocean.  I know I have spoken about this before (about why I love painting maps and landscapes), but I truly do believe as we create we transport ourselves into our painting while we work.  At least I do.  That is how I worked in Architecture when I had to create a floor plan or figure out a stair section.  I would just close my eyes and imagine myself there in that space.  I would figuratively go through it in my head and open my eyes and draw exactly that plan or section.  And there really is no other way to keep track of it all other than that.  It might sound artsy . . . → Read More: Christmas at the Outer Banks]]>

Over the Dunes (5x5" oil painting on panel)by aemcgraw

This year I was unable to go to the Outer Banks (North Carolina) for my family reunion.  I instead painted a small painting of the dunes over-looking the ocean.  I know I have spoken about this before (about why I love painting maps and landscapes), but I truly do believe as we create we transport ourselves into our painting while we work.  At least I do.  That is how I worked in Architecture when I had to create a floor plan or figure out a stair section.  I would just close my eyes and imagine myself there in that space.  I would figuratively go through it in my head and open my eyes and draw exactly that plan or section.  And there really is no other way to keep track of it all other than that.  It might sound artsy to say, but really, if I asked you to recall a day in your past, you would roll your eyes up in your head and try to physically recall being there and remembering.  And that is how it is with painting a landscape or a memory as well.  You just try to recall being there.  You may not get the exact details right, but you do your best to “paint the picture” and translate it for your audience.

I guess I said all this to say, even though I was not at my family reunion this year, I painted this picture so that I could be there.  I was there in spirit.

My cousin wanted to give a painting of the Outer Banks to her parents for a Christmas present.  If I can say that any one member of our family loves the beach, it would be her parents.  They are the couple who go down with the chairs, books, and boards at 9am and do not return until lunch and dinner.  They swim, walk, and read by the beach.  Basically, if the sun is shining you don’t even ask where are Bob and Sue?  You know exactly where they are. 

Kelly saw this painting in my shop and I suggested that it should include two people reading at the beach to represent her parents.  Cousin Pete’s request was that Bob’s hat was in the painting.  I laid out the perspective, a canvas size, sent a few sketches, and after final approval started painting.  It took a full day to get it right and get the paint on the canvas.  After that was getting the details right and a few more paint daubs.  Then, the waiting period begins, a few weeks for the oil paint to dry and a high quality gloss varnish is carefully applied.  The high quality linen canvas, several applied Gesso layers, quality oil paints, and varnish will insure that this painting will last several lifetimes.

I’ve kept it secret, until now, because it was a surprise Christmas present and I am so happy to share it with you all now.  In the end, the gift was so well received.  And I couldn’t be happier.  I had such fun painting it.  And I love even more that it is a gift of art within the family that will be past down generations.

Outer Banks (12x24" oil on linen canvas) by Anne E. McGraw

I just finished a new crochet rug for the shop.

Farmhouse Rustic Ivory Wool Crochet Rug

Made of  100% virgin moth proofed vintage wool yarn that I acquired through a swap.  Crocheted, two strands of wool yarn together, to a 30″ diameter and a plush thickness.  It’s durable because of the thickness to have in your mud room, but also would make a perfect home in your bath or kitchen.

Color: Ivory; off white Material: 100% virgin wool; mothproofed Size: 30″ diameter; thick; weighs approx. 14oz. Care: Wash in lukewarm water with mild soap, air dry; Dry clean as needed.

Purchase Here

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I have . . . → Read More: Crochet Rug for Rustic Interior Design]]> I love the farmhouse, rustic, cabin in the woods decor.  I think that is a lot of what my new ‘Summit Ridge’ branding is all about.

I just finished a new crochet rug for the shop.

Farmhouse Rustic Ivory Wool Crochet Rug

Made of  100% virgin moth proofed vintage wool yarn that I acquired through a swap.  Crocheted, two strands of wool yarn together, to a 30″ diameter and a plush thickness.  It’s durable because of the thickness to have in your mud room, but also would make a perfect home in your bath or kitchen.

Color: Ivory; off white
Material: 100% virgin wool; mothproofed
Size: 30″ diameter; thick; weighs approx. 14oz.
Care: Wash in lukewarm water with mild soap, air dry; Dry clean as needed.

Purchase Here

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I have a personal hand crochet rug that I made over 5 years ago that is still in mint condition, considering I walk on it everyday through my front door.  I bought a rubber mat at the Big Box store and have it under the rug to keep it from slipping.

Here is a photo of that rug upon first completing it on Flickr and Ravelry.

And here is a photo of that same rug 5 years later.

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And yes, my inspiration for this painting.

Coming or Going (acrylic on 5x5" pamel) by Anne E. McGraw

And so I am working on a few other hand crochet rugs,

here they are in progress.

I had a custom oil painting order which I can only reveal after the Holidays.

And I sold lots of great work that was ready made and ready to ship.  Customer comments are so positive and I can’t believe even during this Holiday rush how fast shipping is going.  Priority mail upgrade during December is your friend, and I offer that upgrade free to my customers.  It’s better customer service to have your gift arrive on time than me fret over losing a dollar in shipping since my standard shipping price is lower than Priority flat rate.  I think in addition to having a customer feedback report glowing about your beautiful and wonderful item, it’s that additional detail that your item arrived so quickly.  That means you are on top of . . . → Read More: December to remember]]> It’s only midway through and I am so happy to share that my December is one to remember.

I had a custom oil painting order which I can only reveal after the Holidays.

And I sold lots of great work that was ready made and ready to ship.  Customer comments are so positive and I can’t believe even during this Holiday rush how fast shipping is going.  Priority mail upgrade during December is your friend, and I offer that upgrade free to my customers.  It’s better customer service to have your gift arrive on time than me fret over losing a dollar in shipping since my standard shipping price is lower than Priority flat rate.  I think in addition to having a customer feedback report glowing about your beautiful and wonderful item, it’s that additional detail that your item arrived so quickly.  That means you are on top of things and professional and attentive.  And it’s just nice.

Here are a few sold items from my shop.

New Orleans City Map Print

Vintage Red Fingerless Gloves

.South America 5x7 Print

Prison Break Beanie

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Zac Brown Band Multi-Colored Hat

Burnt Red Fingerless Gloves

Hand painted Wood Block Art

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And from my new shop on Etsy,  Summit Ridge, I sold an original watercolor.

Breckenridge Colorado Watercolor

There is still time to shop and ship.  Priority cut off date is the 20th.  All the items in my shop are ready to ship.  And you can’t lose if you use the HolidaySale15 coupon to get a 15% discount on your order.

And if you want to get super procrastinated about your shopping, and you are local, I can always deliver.

Happy Holidays!

Rocky Mountain Watercolor Series

Each watercolor is original, not a print, on 7×10″ paper.  The image is contained within a 5×7″ size with pencil outlines.

Here are a few close up details.  All available here.

RockI (7x10.25" watercolor paper) by Anne E. McGraw

RockII (7x10.25" watercolor paper) by Anne E. McGraw

RockIII (7x10.25" watercolor paper) by Anne E. McGraw

From the Colorado Collection: Rocky Mountain Silhouette As the snow develops over the mountains, the sky turns white, the peaks of the mountains turn soft while snow gathers on the crevices.

Rendered in dark wood stain and white acrylic paint on 1/8″ plywood; Varnished with a glossy UV protective finish

Size is 12×24″ in two panels making the final measurements 12×48″

Signed and dated on back Sold unframed; hardware not included

Open Edition Available in single panel editions

Enter HolidaySale15 upon checkout and you will get 15% off!

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This is a store wide sale that includes everything from Original Art work to notecards to Crochet!

With unemployment at it’s highest and benefits running out for a lot of folks it is really important to support small and local businesses.

So spread the word about my Sale and drop hints to your friends about what to get you for Christmas.

We should all eliminate the term ‘starving artist’ from our vocabulary.  There are many artists making a living in art who are not starving.

One of my favorite quotes from Bob, “Exposure is what people die of when they get lost in the woods. Artists need to get paid.”

You can read more quotes here.

And just recently Bob did a video showing off his shoebox paintings and talking a bit about making a living in the art world in Denver.

The “Non-Starving Artist . . . → Read More: Bob Ragland NonStarving Artist]]> I met Bob a while back because of a random post on the internet.  I followed to his website and it was then I discovered he lived just a few blocks away from me.  Such a small world!   I emailed and met up with him to discuss art and art marketing.  He is a great motivator and has such a positive message for selling art.

We should all eliminate the term ‘starving artist’ from our vocabulary.  There are many artists making a living in art who are not starving.

One of my favorite quotes from Bob, “Exposure is what people die of when they get lost in the woods. Artists need to get paid.”

You can read more quotes here.

And just recently Bob did a video showing off his shoebox paintings and talking a bit about making a living in the art world in Denver.

The “Non-Starving Artist Program” of Denver’s Bob Ragland

You can browse Bob Ragland’s wesbite and works here. (music upon entering site)

Bob’s sculptures are also at the Kirkland Museum here in Denver.