Postcards from Spring--Color My World--March Blog

Postcards from Spring 2014

by Cindy Morawski



Sunrise in the Garden


Part of the TAG Exhibit--Emily Morgan Hotel--Spring Art Show
March--June 2014

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You're invited! 

The Stillness of Rabbits

 

Look for my spring rabbit portraits in the Starving Artists Art Show, San Antonio's LaVillita in Maverick Plaza, April 5 & 6, 10 to 6.  Happy Easter!

 





 

Beloved, Mother Rabbit and Baby



Wide-Open Spaces

 

My title was inspired by the beauty of the outdoors and the lyrics of the Dixie Chicks.  My March landscape will be one of my original works featured in the Randolph Art League's FIESTA Art Show at Alamo Plaza, April 11--17, 2014. 

 

 

*Please check out my Cover Art and weekly art installments and postings on Facebook--Morawski Fine Art & Cindy Morawski.  Thanks!

 

 

www.CindyMorawski.com

 

Studio:  (210) 522-0706

 

 

2014 Spring Arts Festival~~Northwest San Antonio

February Blog~~Art Tributes to Wacky Weather, the Winter Olympics, and Valentine's Love of My Feathered Friends

Birds of a Feather

 

2014 Bird Series:

Ruffled Feathers

 

by Cindy Morawski

 

 

 

Skating is for the Birds!

 

 

Polar Plunge.  Bi-polar.  The local weathermen have been having fun with all the name calling when it comes to 2014's winter weather patterns.  There's no doubt, though, that South Texas has lately been having a roller coaster ride with cold winter weather.  Just when you've lined up your sweaters for a frozen day, it will then suddenly warm up and make you want to put on a pair of shorts.  The cold days have included extended freezes, ice, sleet, graupel ( a snow-like substance that resembles dip-n-dots ice cream), road closures, school closings, delayed events, and more.  Brrrrrrrrrrrrr!  Besides the roller coaster effect, I also feel like I'm on a tilt-a-whirl--dizzy from all the unexpected ups and downs of a climate that's turned wacky!  What are scientists saying about all of this? 

 

I've been watching ice skating in the XXII Winter Olympics from Sochi.  The opening ceremonies kicked off last night.  I've also noticed lots of ice right in my yard due to the recent freezing temperatures.  And, because of the two events, I created a cartoon for my birds--who are landing on the bird bath and finding--nothing but ice.  I entitled it~~Skating is for the Birds!  I've been giving them lots of bird seed to help them survive, but every time I put out more water, it freezes, and then they don't have anything to drink.  I've also noted that some of them are pecking the ice and then eating it.  They are catching on. 

February signals a couple of Holidays.  Valentine's Day:  Love and affection.  Cupids.  Hearts.  President's Day:  Birthdays of Washington and Lincoln.  Tributes to our Great Presidents. 

 

For the Holiday of Love, Valentine's Day, I'd like to pay tribute to more of my backyard birds.  I LOVE my little feathered friends.  They are fun to watch, and I also enjoy photographing, sketching, and painting them.  I'll include some of my 2014 bird series paintings.

 

 

Fluff and Flutter, Ruffled Feathers

 

 

Tufted Titmouse, Backyard Visitor

 

 



House Wren

 

 



Red-bellied Woodpecker

 

 

Hope all of you, have a February full of fun, love, and adventure!  Happy Valentine's Day!  Happy President's Day!  And, Go USA!  Hope our Olympic heroes bring back the gold this month!

 

 

Lastly, I had my webmaster, Lori Schroeder of L.S.Website Designs, re-vamp my website's gallery.  I'm going for a more user-friendly approach.  My artwork is now in themes or categories.  Please check it out:  www.CindyMorawski.com.  Thanks!

 



 

 



Commissioned Artwork for the New Year and a Look at Past Paintings

Washing Day, Nov. 2013 Commission

Commissioned Painting--Celebration Lawn


 

Sadie--Pet Portrait~~Commissioned Artwork

 

 

Commissions~~Another Road to a Painting

 

by Cindy Morawski

 



 

 



Webster's Dictionary defines-- commission, verb, "to order to be made."  That's a way of initiating an artwork or painting.  My commissioned works featured here-- were started with a consultation with the buyer or client.  I met the person interested in the commission and talked about the subject of the painting.  My references were mostly from photographs.  However, I also tried to go to the site if it was a landscape, or I met the pet for a portrait of the animal. 

 

San Antonio Residence--Commission

 

The more familiar I get with my subject, the better.  I try to photograph my paintings' subjects as well.  I'll take the photos from several angles and at different times of the day if they are outdoors.  Sometimes, I have to go with the client's photograph.  I simply can't travel to the site--it's too expensive or too far away.  If it's a pet that's a tribute portrait, i.e., the pet passed away, I can't meet the animal or photograph him or her.  I have to rely on the owner's photography.  I will also interview the person who is commissioning the artwork and ask questions about what they want or expect.  The details can make all the difference.  If there's a story behind it, I let that guide my inspiration too. 

 

Commissioned Paintings are a wonderful way to get the painting that you truly want.  It will involve your wishes, your subject, and your way of preserving a memory for the future.  It can also be a treasure that is passed down through multiple generations of your family. 

 

If you are interested in a commission to kick off the New Year, please give me a call at my studio, (210)-522-0706, or email me:  cski02@sbcglobal.net.  We'll start with a consultation.  The possibilities are endless.  Other artwork can be viewed through my website:  www.CindyMorawski.com.  Thanks and Happy 2014!!!

 

 

 

 



 



For the Love of Trees~~Happy Holidays!!!



For the Love of TREES

 

Paintings and Narrative by Cindy Morawski

Two Trees near Bandera
 

Paul and I took an outdoor holiday with a friend last February in Bandera, Texas.  I fell in love with the bare trees along the Medina River.  We stopped for lunch and were lucky to get a window table that looked out on the tree-lined river.  The Comfort of Trees, the painting below, was inspired by that mid-day stop.  The above one, Two Trees near Bandera, was our final stop at the city park near sunset.   The horizon glowed, the shadows turned an inky purple, and the air turned chilly.  I was mesmerized.  "Hey, where'd you go?"  Paul said to me as we stood near the water.  I guess I was too happy to reply.  I was memorizing the landscape.  I wanted to keep it as a gift to myself.  I'd bring it out when I had to wait in the dentist's chair.  I'd unwrap it on a gloomy day of frustration.  I'd think of it while stuck in traffic on 410.   



The Comfort of Trees

Sometimes, it's important to stop and look up.  For me, that means literally looking up.  I look up at the sprawling Texas Live Oak in my backyard and get a mighty big show.  Squirrels chattering and racing around, birds singing and fluttering in a dance of movement, and the glorious sunlight filtering through the leaves like a church's stained glass window are all wonders to behold.   It's a mini-vacation.  Just give me five minutes on the back deck looking up, and I can wipe the slate clean, start fresh, and feel good about the world again. 

 

 

 Texas Live Oak

 

 

 

Soliloquy

 



 

  Putting a tree in the spotlight gives it a starring role in the forest.  It's a soliloquy of grace and beauty. 

 

 

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2013 Season's Shows and News

Fa! La! La! La!! 



 

•  Kristkindlmarkt!  A traditional German outdoor market with hand-crafted gifts from the heart--Saturday, December 7th, 10 to 5, 422 Pereida St. at S. Alamo, King William District, San Antonio~~I'm participating this year with mini-paintings, art cards, art prints, art gift bags, and more.  Happy Holiday Shopping!  Free Admission.
• Winter Art Show Opening at the Emily Morgan Hotel:  Thursday, December 19th, 6 to 8 p.m. --705 E. Houston Street near the Alamo in downtown San Antonio!  This exhibit starts this month and continues for three months.  It features local SA artists--painters and photographers.  All the work is for sale.  The show is located in the library of the hotel. 
• Christmas Commissions available~~Pet portraits make wonderful gifts for Christmas.  I also have extra inventory this season with all types of holiday art gifts.  If you are interested, please call my studio:  210.522.0706 for an appointment.  Thanks!  ~~Cindy

2013 Holiday Tweets~~Small Bird Paintings, Bird Christmas Cards, and Bird Calendars~~Great Christmas Gifts!

 

Who? ? ?     the OWL series, of course . . .

 2013 HOLIDAY TWEETS

PART I

~~Cindy Morawski~~



 

White Spotted Owl

Barn Owl Portrait

Eyes Wide Open, Short-eared Owl

Great Horned Owl

Night Out with the Barn Owl

Little Feathered Friend, Burrowing Owl

Silent as the Night, Barn Owl on the Prowl

 

I have the above paintings available this Holiday Season in framed originals, reproductions, art cards, and in calendars.  If you love birds or know someone who does, one of these artworks could be a great gift idea.  Please look for them this Saturday.  Read on for more details! 

 

 

 

Holiday Tweets . . . More Birds . . . Part II

 



Cardinals~~Autumn Song and Winter Cardinal

 Two Ravens~~Soul Mates

Winter Song of the Blue Jay

South African Penguin

 

 

 

I have an assortment of many bird paintings for the holidays.  Cardinals, jay, ravens, and more.  All of my Bird Series Paintings will be ready for the 2013 Holidays.  Tweet! 

 

 

 

My Bird Series, along with my latest other paintings will be on exhibit and for sale this Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 Zion Arts Festival, 10 to 4, 1604 and Braun Road.  I'll be located inside in Booth #4.  There will be free parking, breakfast and lunch served, and a variety of artists and craftsmen with Holiday Shopping Galore!  Plus, the event is also a fundraiser for our local youth as well as a venue for our local artists.  Hope you'll join me!

 

 

This Fall, if you're searching for some delicious soup and a sandwich to go with it, or you're looking for some mouth-watering bakery items, head on over to Four Kings Café, 2047 Universal City Blvd. (off Pat Booker), Universal City. (phone:  210.687.6649)  I'll also have a Solo Seasons Art Show at the Four Kings for the month of November.  Good Food and Art!  What a winning combo! 

 

 

www.CindyMorawski.com

 

 

 



Morawski Fine Art and Framing

Come on by and check out what's new at Mockingbird Gallery and Studio,
 8603 Waldon Hts.,
 San Antonio.
Gifts for the Holidays!!!

Need something framed?  Just give me a call.  I'll get it done quickly, and it won't hurt your pocketbook!

Call for an appointment.  210.522.0706



 

2013 Postcards from Morawski Fine Art~~Demo Paintings

Big Sky Treasure, 16x20



Postcards from Morawski Fine Art
Demo Paintings

 

 

              Photo from 2013 Fall Home and Garden Show, Oct. 4th

    

One of my current roles as an artist is to work at the art galleries where my work is exhibited.  I also put in lots of time at art shows where I show and sell my artwork.  For example, during the first weekend of October, I was busy at the Alamodome in the 2013 Fall Home and Garden Show.  I had an art booth with the Texas Pastel Society.  Whether it's a gallery duty or art show, sometimes I do an art demo by creating a painting on site with a reference photo.  Big Sky Treasure, the above painting, was one that I worked on as a demo painting at the Alamodome Show.  It's fun to interact with the folks who stop by and watch.  I answer questions from my audience and explain some of my techniques. 

  









 









Color Splash in South Texas, 9x12

Another demo painting from my day at the Comfort Crockery, an art store and gallery where I exhibit my artwork.  The Crockery participated in the Hill Country Art Festival on September 21, 2013.  I found this landscape scene and inspiration near my home at a city park, OP Schnabel off Bandera Road.   The wild flowers and mesquite trees were my focus and a tribute to local color. 

 

 

 

 

Frio's Autumn Reflections, 11x14

 

  

One last postcard painting-- I painted this too as a demo at the

New Braunfels Art Gallery at the end of September.  I painted this scene using one of many reference photos I had.  I was located near the front window at the gallery when I did the demo.  This is a landscape from Garner State Park, located on the Frio River.

 

 

www.CindyMorawski.com