New Print Drawing for November

This month we are giving away another signed print. But this time, you get to choose the print. You simply go to www.penart.etsy.com, pick your favorite print, tweet that title in a direct message in Twitter to PenArtDesign, or email the title and your name to info@penbrady.com. Either way you will be entered into a drawing for a print to be given away on November 30th. The winner will be notified by December 1st.

The October winner is Allan Burch. Allan is a fantastic artist, specializing in portrait illustrations. His work has appeared in numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, Field and Stream magazine, and The Boston Globe. His distinctive style has been utilized in advertising and industrial campaigns, as well as gracing the covers of several books. You can see Allan's work on line at www.allanburch.com, follow him at allanburch on Twitter, or view available prints on www.allanburch.etsy.com. Congratulations, Allan, on winning the Pinnnacle Genesis signed print.

Don't forget to sign up today for your chance to win a signed print of your choice from Pen Brady. It could be a unique gift for someone special for Christmas, or a great gift for yourself. Best of luck to you all.

Win a Signed Edition Print

Want a chance to win a hand signed print by Pen Brady?

This month we are going to give away a 11" x 12" print of the painting Pinnacle Genesis (shown above,) created in 2008. Ready to frame, the artwork is printed with archival pigmentation inks on thick matte paper and hand-signed by Pen. The winner will be chosen by a drawing on October 31 and notified by email. Don't miss out on the chance to own this print ( a $70.00 value) absolutely free. We even pay the shipping.

All you have to do is go to http://penart.etsy.com and get the code printed the bottom of the Shop Announcement block. Then through Twitter, send a Direct Message to PenArtDesign with that code, your name and email address. We will put all the names in a hat and have one of our unbiased daughters draw the winning name on October 31st. Your email address will not be sold or given to any third party.

While you are there, take a moment to see the other limited edition prints, and note cards sets available on Etsy. For your convenience, items can be paid directly through your PalPal account.

We hope this promotion goes well. If so, we plan to do this once a month, so come back to the blog often or follow PenArtDesign on Twitter, as notices will be posted. Thank you and good luck.

Featured Artist at Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Last Saturday, October 10th, Pen was the featured artist at the Quicksilver Art Gallery in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. During the monthly 2nd Saturday Art Walk, several of her prints and original paintings were on display for the evening event. Pen was on hand to meet the visitors and introduce her art on a personal level.

Quicksilver Gallery will be the exclusive representative for Pen's limited edition prints in Eureka Springs. They will have a full line of the small prints and several framed large prints; all are signed and numbered limited editions. Steve, Brian, Carol, and Lyla are the people who make Quicksilver a pleasant experience and can help you find that perfect gift of art. Featuring over 130 artists, there is something for anyone's fancy. If you are in Eureka, stop in and look at the fine works available.

Above is a rare photograph of the artist. I was able to capture the elusive Pen while I was standing across the street with a 20x zoom on my Canon SX10 IS super spy camera. Immediately after I took the picture, she quickly returned to the gallery interior and never was able to be photographed the rest of the evening.

The Big Event - The Third Annual Pinnacle Hills Art Festival

I can't believe it is finally here. The months have flown by and the weekend event we have been planning for the past few months is at hand. And, true to the nature of the Brady, we are still frantically getting things ready. We will be leaving early on the 11th to be set up by one or two in the afternoon.

Last year, Pen received first place in the two-dimensional art division and hopefully we will fair well this time, as we have increased inventory of prints, with twenty framed original and limited edition prints and over 100 limited edition prints in sealed packages. We are also introducing a new line of bookmarks along with the notecard sets available for those "less expensive" options.

If you are within the area, please stop by to meet Pen and enjoy the events at the festival.

New Featured Painting - Gravelbar Theater

This is the unveiling of Pen's painting "Gravelbar Theater." This artwork was actually created last winter, but sat unattended on my computer until a couple of weeks ago. After combining the scans and color correction, the image is ready for print.

The work introduces the distraction display an adult Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) performs when protecting its young. When approached, the bird suddenly develops a broken wing. Struggling to flee, it appears to barely be able to walk, let alone fly. As you almost can reach down and get the bird, it somehow gathers enough strength to keep a step or two ahead of you. It continues this little act until you have been lead far enough away from its chicks. At this time, the wing suddenly "heals," the bird takes flight, and mockingly gives its signature call, "Kill-Dee, Kill-Dee, Kill-Dee." One can see how effective this display can be when luring a hungry predator away from the brood of chicks.

The image size of the original is approximately 18"x 18" and was created with Pen's usual acrylic and India ink on 3 ply Bristol. The full-sized print is available in an edition of 100, as well as a smaller size of 11"x 11", also in a limited edition of 100. At the moment, the original is unavailable for sale. I like to keep the original around for a bit until the first few prints have been done. It helps in color corrections and such to have the original close at hand.

In my most humbled opinion, I believe the warm, earthy tones of this painting has a bit more masculine appeal to it. The complex structure to the line work is indicative of some new directions Pen has been moving toward in the more recent works. I have always been a great fan of the diagonal in artwork, so I enjoy the composition of this piece.

So there you have it. Hot off the press, or soon to be, as I am going to run the first four or five prints of the smaller size edition as soon as I finish this blog. I hope to have this one offered in the Etsy store later on today or tomorrow. If you haven't been to the shop, please take a look. There are about 25 or so images there you can view, and if the mood sets you, purchase a print for yourself. As always, your thoughts and comments are always welcome.

—Padraic

A Bit of News from the Slacker

Wow! I can not believe it has been 15 days since I made a blog entry. I swore when I began this, I would not let it happen. But guess what? I did.

Turning the ripe old age of sixty on the 10th of this month had me preoccupied last weekend. My brother Mike and his significant other, Richard (how freaking impersonal is that? Sorry, Richard, soul-mate is probably better?) came to visit for the weekend to help me through the milestone. Needless to say, celebrations were continued each day and ale was never in short supply. As a result, the computer was neglected and sat silently, save for a few insignificant twittering just to keep my fingers from forgetting their positions on the keyboard.

The weather remained pleasant, for July in Missouri, and a few evenings were spent in quiet reflection to regrow brain cells and refocus on directions I needed to relocate. So, with that over and confessed, I return to the duties at hand...tomorrow. (Never do today what you can successfully put until tomorrow. I believe that is the translation of the Gaelic inscription under the Brady coat of arms.)

On a serious note, Pen, Savannah, and I were involved in a search today for a 9 year old girl that was missing here in Cedarcreek. As most of you know, I am the assistant chief down here and was called out this afternoon to initiate the search. Pen and Savannah volunteered to help as well. After about four hours of searching through thick underbrush of the Ozark backcountry in sweltering heat and humidity, she was located at a lake access and was ok. Only after being returned to her home, elements of possible abuse and ugly situations began to emerge after law enforcement began speaking with the little girl. Apparently, this was not an isolated occurance. I hope the best for that little girl.

See you tomorrow and I will have new content to amaze and entertain you, hopefully.

Padraic

Springfield Art Walk This Friday Night

Springfield First Friday art walks are really undergoing a change, a good change. When Pen and I first went to one of the events about four years ago, we had a great time. We looked at a wide spectrum of art styles, from the conservative to the avant-garde. A glass of wine here and there, coupled with conversation on art, politics, and whatever was on the individuals mind.

But this year, when we went a month ago after a six month or so hiatus, the atmosphere had become more festive. There was music in the square. Street dancers were displaying their abilities to spin in ways that would certainly dislocate several major joints in my body. People were everywhere, laughing and dancing. Musicians on street corners played everything from old folk songs to blues and jazz. There were fire and belly dancers, spining and swaying to exotic beats of drums. The feeling I got was everyone was in a joyful mood. Not only were the art galleries and restaurants open, but many of the eccentric little shops with trinkets and clothing from a bygone era, and wild new things that made you laugh and wonder what the hell it was you were holding. We liked it. We saw no displays of hostilities, only smiles and howdys. The things old hippies like to see again.

The art, as always, gave you a chance to stand back, hold your chin and give an impression of wise counsel as you ponder the significance of the work (even if you couldn't pronounce the title, let alone, know the process which created it.) But the bottom line was we were having a great time. My daughter had her guitar slung over her shoulder as she scurried away from her uncool parents to rendezvous with a young man she hadn't seen since they were in elementary school. We later saw her on the grass, playing the guitar to the young gentleman who obviously couldn't believe that girl in front of him was the same skinny little girl he had not seen in over seven years. We were all having a wonderful time, and it wasn't costing a thing.

To narrow my long-winded approach to this post, if you are in the area of Springfield, Missouri, go to the art walk on the first Friday of each month. Check out the several galleries downtown and in the vicinity (the Josh Mitchell Gallery/The Art Station at 1424 East Cherry is a bit out of the downtown area but not too far to go for some very interesting exhibits.) I think you will enjoy youself.

Oh yeah, buy some art while you're there and keep an artist working.

—Padraic