SPRING has SPRUNG . . . New Artwork for March 2015!

 

Spring showers bring more flowers . . .

 

 

Sunshine and Daisies, 5x7 landscape painting with a field of flowers

Dandelion Portrait, 8x10 flower painting in a gold oval frame

 

 New ART Birds for Spring 2015!

 



New Growth, Young Mockingbird, 5x7 bird painting



Little Bluebird, 5x7 bird portrait in a pewter oval frame

 

Winged and Human Portraits

Breakfast with a Monarch, 8x10 portrait painting of a butterfly

Sister Grimm, Searching for San Antonio's Past, 18x24 portrait painting

 

In early November, it was unusually cold.  In fact, it was almost freezing when I took part in a Ghost Tour in downtown San Antonio with Paul and my DayTripper friends.  Sister Grimm was waiting for us in her Victorian dress and accessories.  She was prepared to give us some goosebumps with her ghostly tales of San Antonio's past.  I figured I might get a double case of them.  From the cold and the scary stories of Sister Grimm, I had an above-average chance of getting lots of goosebumps.

 

Before we started, she asked if we had any questions.  "Are you going to be warm enough tonight?"  I asked her.  I had bought a new winter coat to withstand the cold.  She replied, "Oh, my goodness, yes.  I have my sweatsuit on under this dress."  Then, she cleared her throat and had a far-away look in her eye.  We were going to do some time-traveling.  Our first stop was the old and haunted Menger Hotel by Alamo Plaza. 

 

Our last stop for our tour through SA's historical and scary past took us to the San Fernando Cathedral on Main Plaza.  She motioned for us to follow her.  The group bunched up and then proceeded.  We ended up behind the old church.  Looking toward the doorway, she told us her final story.  Then, she looked up.  It looked as though she'd seen a ghost.  A distant light flooded down on her.  Her face glowed in the semi-darkness.  I looked around at the others.  Everyone was quiet.  I wanted to remember this moment.  I snapped a quick photo.  Three months later, I started on her portrait.  I kept thinking about all her stories while working in my studio.  She left an impression on me. 

 

 

    ART on DISPLAY

Bakery ART Show--Great Harvest Bread Co.-- at 2267 NW Military Drive in Castle Hills, North Central San Antonio

• 15 paintings on display and for sale for the month of March
• Art Demo and Reception with refreshments--Friday, March 27th,  9:00 a.m. till Noon 
• Spring and Easter Art Cards and Art Matted Prints will be available and for sale

 

 

HAPPY SPRING!

 

www.CindyMorawski.com

Morning, Noon, and Night . . . Landscape Paintings with Cows, Canyons, and Cars

Hill Country Morning

 

Morning:  Nothing like a beautiful morning sunrise in the Texas Hill Country, especially if it's near the water.  This painting started with a charcoal sketch.  The next step included a watercolor wash as an underpainting.  The last part of the process ended with the layering of pastels.  It's presently on display and for sale at the River Art Gallery at downtown San Antonio's historic LaVillita Village. 

 



The Three Sisters

 



Afternoon:  This painting's landscape was inspired by the Luckemeyer Ranch outside Salado, Texas.  The ranch and cattle belong to Karen and James Luckemeyer.  I met their Black Angus cattle, the three sisters, on one fine November Day before Thanksgiving.  The cattle were backlit by the sun going down in the late afternoon.  The girls were as curious about me as I was of them.  My painting is now a part of the Luckemeyer art collection.  Thanks for your hospitality and support of my artwork, Karen and James! 

  

West Texas Sunset

Sunset:  West Texas is well-known for their colorful and beautiful sunsets.  My 18x24 landscape painting was exhibited at the new Jerry's Artarama art store on San Pedro Ave. in San Antonio for the month of January.  My initial inspiration for this sunset painting started with one of my past art road trips.  BIG Skies lead to many ways for self-expression through art. 
 
 

Primal Sunset

 

Almost Dark . . . Sunset:  My 12x36 panoramic landscape of NewMexico tells the western story of a rugged, open land.  I chose to put the landforms in silhouette for the purpose of drama and contrast.  I like New Mexico's landscapes, culture, and seasons.  They all remind me of their spicy chili peppers. 





City Lights of San Antonio

Night:  Night-time in San Antonio!  I first photographed this scene while downtown at an art reception.  I loved the bright lights of the moving traffic and cars, plus, the colorful signs and buildings of this urban setting.  I enjoyed painting this 11x14 painting.  It was bought by an artist from New Braunfels at the River Art Gallery.  Limited prints are now available. 


Current and upcoming art shows are featured on my website:  www.CindyMorawski.com.  I also have links to my gallery and information about my art classes.  Hope you'll check it out!  Thanks!

Sweet Wishes for Valentine's Day!  Sending out love and hugs!  ~~Cindy

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