More Klimt Art Deco Painting Madness!

I guess it's time I admit - I am a "Klimtomaniac". I don't expect to recover anytime soon.


“Everything changes,everything moves, everything revolves - everthing flies and goes away."

~ ~ Frida Kahlo~

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: Everything Moves
Medium: Acrylic, Gold Leaf on Canvas
Size: 24 x 36 in
60 X 90 cm
Date: 2007

I'm a bit bleary eyed from this one, so am cleaning my brushes and turning off the computer. Happy Friday to all!

Blond Girl Red Bird Painting For Today

My collectors have often reminded me that I just don't paint blond girls often enough! So I thought I'd remedy that with a blue eyed blonde with her little red birdie friends.


" The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship."

~ William Blake

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: Musings Under The Stars
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 5 X 7 x in
13 X 18 cm
Date: 2007

I've listed this painting for auction on eBay. I decided to start this one at a low opening bid of $9.99 without any reserve...hmmnnn...kinda risky I guess, but what the heck!

Painting Inspired by Klimt and Francesco Laurana

"Sculpture is more than painting. It is greater To raise the dead to life than to create Phantoms that seem to live."

~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I recently discovered the work of Francesco Laurana while thumbing through a book on Gustave Klimt. I fell in love with the work of this early Renaissance sculptor. There is a quiet serenity to his female figures that must have also appealed to Klimt. This piece is inspired by both Klimt and Laurana. The palette is predominantly green with gold, bronze and silver metallic art deco background. I've posted this piece for sale in my Yessy Gallery.

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: After Laurana
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 10 X 30 in
26 X 76 cm
Date: 2007

*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan

Painting for Today - Folk Angel Under The Stars

This entry is going to be very short, I printed and painted all day and I'm tired! So without much talk I'll post a little painting I finished today. I'll be at auction on eBay this evening.




" Judge of your natural character by what you do in your dreams."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: While In Your Dreams
Medium: Acrylic on Wooden Block
Size: 5 X 7 x .75 in
13 X 18 x 2 cm
Date: 2007

And now it's off to walk the dog!

*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan*

Art Deco Art Nouveau Paintings, Paintings!

I've kept my Ebay store open during these busy summer months, but it's been so long since I put a painting up for auction. I miss the excitement of watching for bids, having people stumble upon my work for the first tiem...so today is the day! I've been working on a number of Klimt inspired paintings and I've scheduled this Frida piece to start tonight. With any luck, I'll get back in the groove of listing something new for auction every night.



" It is you whom I love today..."

~ Frida Kahlo

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: It Is You Today
Medium: Acrylic on Wooden Block
Size: 5 X 7 x .75 in
13 X 18 x 2 cm
Date: 2007


*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan *

Late Summer Got You Feeling Blue?

With the shorter days and cooler nights of late August, I'm thinking about the summer that seemed to slip so quickly away from me...Preparation for the trade shows gobbled up so much of my precious summer. I'd have to think long and hard before I schedule another one. I'm determined next summer will be filled with music and arts festivals. If I have a summer of 2007 regret it's missing that most wonderful weekend of all, Hillside Festival, in Guelph Ontario. Just visit the website and I know you'll be trying to find a way to make it to Hillside 2008!

But for now, I'm happily back to my studio, dog on the floor and kitty in the windowsill. It's a cloudy day and the breeze so moist, I can't decide if it's hot and humid or cool and damp. Paint is drying slowly, but sometimes that's a good thing.



I finished this little piece earlier this week. I've used a lot of texture and added a clay wooden cross to the background. I've put a few more new pieces up on my website, so hope you'll have a chance to take a look.

August Already?

The Buyers Market show is now history and I'm back in my little studio painting and printing and wondering where did the summer go? Already August, the days noticeably shorter and cicadas doing their daily serenade. We're off tomorrow to set up for one last trade show,By Hand in Toronto. I think the best part of these trade shows is getting out there and meeting other artists...I learn so much from my colleagues, both in terms of creativity and the business of art.

I call this one "3 Argyle Avenue". It's been on my easel for weeks and I finally finished it this afternoon.

Praying Angel Cross Icon - My Painting For Today

I've been working on a series of large angel and Madonna icons for the Buyers Market of American Craft show next week.

This is a contemplative angel, rather peaceful, her hands raised in prayer. My hubby cuts the crosses in 3/4 inch plywood. I gesso them and apply the Celtic braid in texture medium; sort of like decorating a cake. I let it dry over night then carry on with the painting. Once I'm satisfied I seal it then add the sparkling little crystals.




“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.”

~ St. Thomas Aquinas

Title: Enduring Faith
Size: 14 x 24 in
60 x 36 cm


*All Image Rights Reserved © Wendy Ryan *

More Paintings. Surreal Cats Angels and Horses

Well, the new printer is installed and somehow this weekend I'm going to have to learn to use it! But in the meantime I'm painting, which is of course a lot more fun than printing!

I think I'm just about caught up posting my new work to my website. Here are a couple pieces that I finished this week.

. This one is a bit on the surreal side. It's called "It Was Cloudy".



When I was a girl I had an Appaloosa pony. Like so many farm stories, there was an unhappy ending to our Appaloosa story. But all is well for this little angel speeding across the snow on her grand spotted steed. This one is called "Dreaming Free".

Clogged Printer and Another Madonna Painting

With only two weeks left until we pack up for the Buyers Market of American Craft show in Philadelphia, the last thing I needed this weekend was a clogged printer! I realize there's never a good time for technical difficulties but Sunday evening has got to be just about the worst. My good old Epson 2200 has produced countless prints for me over the past two years without so much as a burp. Tomorrow will tell if it's time for yet another investment....

But in the meantime, I have finished some more new work. This one is called "Intention So Pure".

Saint Rose of Lima Icon Painting for Yesterday

With that large commission piece finished, it was time yesterday to move on to another commission. Out of the blue on the weekend, I had received a phone call from a collector in New Orleans. During the course of our conversation she mentioned that she is just now, finally returning to her home after almost two years. Her grace and dignity in the face of that disaster and the challenges that followed made this little commission a particular delight.

So here is her Saint Rose of Lima.



Although she was only 31 at her death in 1617, she was known as "Mother of the Poor".

Sunflower Sunday Family Painting Commission

I realized today that I have so many new paintings completed during the last few weeks and I haven't taken the time to post them. So tonight I'm making a start by posting the painting I finished today.

It's always the best feeling when I finish a commission, send the image off to the client and they're happy... beyond happy, over the moon, delighted beyond words is my preference of course! And today was one of those happy days. From the start it was my favourite kind of commission. Lovely clients who made it clear what they like but put great trust in me and encouraged me to paint. It's a sort of portrait that portrays where this family is in their lives, who they are to each other. The figures are intended to "represent" the family members rather than "be" them. And they love Sunflowers!

So Long Since I Blogged

Almost a whole month since I last posted an entry. I'm realizing that committing to a blog takes more time, discipline and creativity than I seem to have. I'm still a daily painter...just not a daily blogger I guess.
But I'm back today with a painting I finished yesterday.



So far this one is just called "That Cat Today."

Horses Angels and Women Lots of Paintings for the Beaches

It's after ten o'clock already and I'm still putting my stock together for the Beaches Arts and Crafts Show. I spent the week painting new work and now in the 11th hour, it's time to print a few more greeting cards and frame a few more prints.

But before I return to my work, I've got a couple new pieces to share.


A True Learner

God's Pleasure

In the Clouds



A Bit of Childhood

My Most Agreeable Friend


One Truth

It's been a busy, busy week...and now it's time to return to my printing...If you're in the Toronto area, I hope you'll come see me at the show.

Yikes! A whole week since I posted here? I haven't retired, that's for sure. The first outdoor show of the season is now behind me. Art In The Park was hot and sticky and great! It rained before and after but held off while the show was open. I didn't have a lot of time to get around and visit my fellow artists but I met a few very fine artists.

So, this is a crazy week, getting ready for The Beaches Arts and Crafts Show at Kew Gardens in Toronto. This is another new one for me. But so far, the weather sounds great, the tent is ready and I'm busy adding more stock...so it's time I get back to work.

But before I return to my paints, thought I'd post a few new pieces.

Horse and Child Painting for Today and Frida News!

" Distance tests a horse's strength. Time reveals a person's character."

~Chinese Proverb

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: Time and Distance
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: Size: 12 X 16 in
40 X 50 cm
Date: 2007

I actually finished this one on the weekend, but didn't get to posting it here.
This week is a blur! It's a rush to the finish to be ready for my first summer show Art In The Park !!! I'm putting last minute touches on original pieces, printing and framing, and well, trying to keep it together! And in the midst of all this chaos, I just filled my first order for the Colorado Springs Fine Art Center Museum Shop. I am so honoured, humbled, thrilled, delighted!!! Well, I could go on and on, but it's late, I'm tired, but it's all about Frida.

Another Fast Ride - Child and Horse Painting for Today

As I child, I was "horse crazy". I loved them. I have wonderful memories of feeling free and incredibly strong while riding...until I fell off, but that's another story...
So, here is a favourite subject, a child on a horse, running free in a sort of dream scape...



And a little detail...



And another little detail...



" To ride a horse is to ride the sky."

~Author Unknown

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: Another Fast Ride
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: Size: 16 X 20 in
40 X 50 cm
Date: 2007

You can drop me a note anytime if you're interested in any of my work.

Two More Angels Paintings for Today

I'm still trying to figure out how to retrieve everything that I managed to loose yesterday...got a few more widgets to find a place for in this template...
But in the meantime, I'll continue to post my work as I get it finished.

I worked on a couple of angels today...



"Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge."
~ William Shakespeare~

Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: Sweet Mercy
Medium: Acrylic on Wooden Block
Size: 5 X 7 x .75 in
11 X 15 x 2 cm
Date: 2007

This little primitive angel is painted in acrylic on a textured background. The clay Celtic Cross holds a sparkling Swarovski crystal.

And another little angel...


"In charity there is no excess."

Sir Francis Bacon,


Artist: Wendy Ryan
Title: Prayers of Charity
Medium: Acrylic
Frame: Black Wooden Frame
Outside Dimension: 6 x 8 in
15 X 20 cm
Date: 2007

And evening falls again...

Frida Unnamed Almost Finished Painting For Today

Well, if my blog looks a little different to you today...you're right. I was doing a little routine maintenance and with my usual technical aplomb managed to delete just about everything! Yes, I know, I should have backed everything up...but I hit the "other" button first and poof!
So, with frazzled nerves, I'm posting now. I didn't have the heart to try to fix everything...maybe tomorrow.

So, on to the art. I spent today finishing up pieces that were "almost there" but not quite. I started the Frida below a few weeks ago, but it still isn't quite finished. I think I still want to add some embellishment to her hair.



So for now, it's "Frida Unnamed"

And I hope you'll check out my little Nibblefest piece on eBay.

Nibblefest! It's The Sixties Again! Painting For Today

Every 20th of the month is Nibblefest time for participating artists who sell on eBay. It can be a little risky...but once a month it can also be a lot of fun.

Here's the story: NibblefestArt Contest (NFAC)is a themed art contest beginning on the 20th of each month. Please search for NFAC to see more great entries, starting at just 99¢! This month's theme is "Groovy 60s".

I wasn't going to participate this month, but I changed my mind when I saw the theme. So I've just listed this little girl on eBay and I am just about ready to call it a day!