Arts Around the Lake 2011

If you live in Richmond, or the surrounding area, please join me at the 32nd annual Arts Around the Lake show this Sunday, September 25, 2011. The show will run from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. around Westhampton Lake on the University of Richmond campus. If you are one who likes to purchase art already framed and ready to hang, this is the venue for you. I will have many large original watercolors that are not for purchase online due to the size and weight.

Abstract Tulips $995 dimensions 34" by 49"

Original Watercolor Dress $995 dimensions 37" by 51"

Original Blue and Black Abstract $255 dimensions 26" by 34"

Blue and White Abstract $255.00 dimensions 26" by 34"

Turquoise and Orange $195 dimensions 16 1/2" by 20"

Italian Street Scene $195 dimensions 17" by 21"

Island Getaway $195 dimensions 19 1/2" by 23"

Black Eyed Susans $195 dimensions 19" by 20"

Fall Leaves $195 dimensions 18 1/2" by 20 1/2"

Caribbean Colors $195 dimensions 18" by 21"

Artichoke $95 dimensions 11 1/2" by 12"

Topiary $95 12" by 14"

All paintings listed are original and one of a kind. Each painting is custom framed by the professionals at Frame of Mind on Grove Avenue. They only use the best quality mats and frames in order to present each painting in the best possible way.

Approximately 100 Richmond, Virginia area artists will be displaying and selling their juried artwork in various mediums. Arts Around the Lake is sponsored by the Greater Richmond Alumni Chapter. Admission and parking are free.

Please stop by and say hello! Watercolors by Laura Trevey / Booth #46

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Currently Painting

I am busy in the art studio today working on another custom house portrait. The home is so beautiful, I hope I can do it justice. Check out my new website page for a portfolio of homes I have painted.

You can purchase yours here. They make great wedding, birthday and Christmas gifts!

** Sign up for my email newsletter - in the center column - for info on my

ebook "smART business" coming soon!

{a personal account of How To Sell your Art/Craft}

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New and Improved Website

I am over the moon excited to share with you the new and improved Bright Bold and Beautiful website. In addition to purchasing my watercolors on Etsy, you can now place your order directly from lauratrevey.com. At the top, the navigation bar will take you to the home page, about, shop, contact, press, and blog. Shop by categories by clicking on originals, prints, custom home and giclee.

I also made it easy to navigate from this website to facebook, tumblr, twitter, bloglovin' and the BB&B iTunes app to download for free! Be a social butterfly and join me on these sites... And if that isn't enough, join my mailing list ~ box in the center column ~ for my ebook "smART business" coming soon!

Thank you to the magazines, websites and blogs who have featured my work. You can view a sample in the new press section. {always being updated, so send me an email if you have something to add...}

** a million thanks to the wonderful Shari of Little Blue Deer for the website design **

Art Sales on Etsy

Woo Hoo! Watercolors by Laura Trevey is celebrating over 1300 sales!

25% off everything for a limited time. Use coupon code OVER1300 at checkout.

Thank you for your support!

{ blue crab print }

Other exciting news, Shari of Little Blue Deer is working hard on giving lauratrevey.com a bright facelift! In addition to my Etsy shop, you will be able to

purchase directly from my website as well. I'll keep you posted.

{ colors giclee on canvas }

Choose from 57 original paintings, 37 quality {140lb paper} art prints, Giclee on Canvas and hydrangea notecards {make great stocking stuffers!}

Mo

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Watercolor Paintings : Colorful Trees

Winter Wonderland ~ Original Watercolor Painting

Colorful Trees ~ Original Watercolor Painting

by Laura Trevey on Etsy

House Portraits by Laura Trevey

I was commissioned to paint this house portrait. What a beautiful home! I enjoy painting custom work that is meaningful to each client. Thanks for keeping them coming. Even though my turn-around time is approx 3-4 weeks, the holiday season is approaching, so book your home portrait now to avoid longer waiting time. Thank you!

Mo

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painting by Laura Trevey

Cool Art Wall

I was visiting all of my favorite blogs this morning while enjoying my coffee.

Emily Clark is definitely on my blogroll as a daily read! Emily has a wonderful series called now and then, where she features different bloggers rooms with before and after shots. I was admiring Marianne's rooms (another favorite design blogger of Haven and Home) and what did I see on the cool art wall but my little blue crab print. It's always

so exciting to see my art in unexpected places. I love the black frames Marianne!

Visit my Etsy shop for more prints and originals

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Happy Friday!

So glad the weekend is here! Happy Friday, and make it a bright bold and beautiful one! For a good laugh, watch me painting without knowing I was on camera on youtube.

Pansies watercolor painted today and new in my Etsy shop!

Did you enter the $100 Bamboopink jewelry giveaway yet?

Mo

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House of Fifty Fall 2011

The Fall 2011 issue of House of Fifty {Ideas for Inspired Living} is out today and the inspiration is overflowing! Highlights: Lauren Leiss reveals her new line of fabrics and furniture, Shari Miller shares her tips for working from home, Janell talks about adding color to your home and I love the 8 tips to taking better photos!

Thank you Janell for featuring one of my custom home portraits {a watercolor painting} for the article, "What Makes a House a Home?" - page 84-85. For more details and to purchase, click here.

Mo

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Art Prints Sale

Beat the HEAT, and take advantage of this super COOL sale: Buy 2 Get 1 FREE sale now until the end of July! The sale applies to any of my watercolor prints. Make a collage with coordinating designs. Some fun groupings are: 1 my new hydrangea prints in pink, blue, and green 2. my beach themed crab, lobster, and beach chairs 3. whimsical and colorful dresses 4 red yellow and blue punch buggy prints

5 warm Autumn toned landscapes

I have 40 watercolor prints to choose from as well as many originals in my shop. So have a great weekend and I hope to be sending a package your way soon!

How to purchase: Select 2 prints and purchase. Put your 3rd print selection in the message to seller upon checkout - or send me a convo

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How To Frame Watercolor Paintings and Prints

I often get asked, "How do you frame watercolor paintings?" Here are some suggestions with framing your original paintings and fine art prints from my customers. Thank you to those who have sent in photos. They really provide such a valuable resource to others. I absolutely love how one of my clients framed this home painting! The beaded detail in the frame with the double mat works so well.

A custom home portrait, and "Mystic River" print seen below in Melinda Henry's beautifully decorated home. See the entire home tour here.

The colorful "Container Garden" print in a simple black frame looks wonderful

against the yellow and blue.

For a girls room, the white frames are fresh and bright for a fun collage of dress prints.

Related: My Art Studio

Mo

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Step by Step Watercolor Tutorial

I paint a lot of custom home paintings {house portraits}, and thought it might be fun to take photos along the way. This is my latest home watercolor and I am very pleased how the colors turned out. The burnt red shutters are a wonderful contrast to the lights in this piece of art.

The first step is to lightly sketch the home to get the perspective correct. I use a Faber-Castell B pencil. It is not too hard on the paper, and it doesn't smudge either. When I start to paint, I always have clean water and fresh paint on my palette. I clean the water multiple times throughout the painting process.

I begin with the important details of the home. I want to make sure I don't overlook them. these include smaller items that require a small brush, such as a number 3 or 4 watercolor brush.

I like to jump right in with the foliage, plants and trees. You will be amazed how much of the painting is the natural landscaping. Once I lay some initial color down, the whole project is less intimidating!

I clean my brush after every color, and almost after every stroke, to keep the paint fresh on the paper. Oh, the paper I use is Arches 140 lb bright white. There are many many great watercolor papers, I just started with Arches, and love the way the paint moves, so I have never changed.

I start adding different colors by painting the roof, window panes, driveway and stairs. I also loved the red shutters - it wakes the painting up!

Don't get too fussy. Once I lay the paint down on the paper, I like to blend it with other shades in the same color family, and then leave it alone. The magic of watercolor is how the paint blends all on it's own. Add a few more touches like shadows and linear details, and sign it. One question that most every painter asks is, "How do you know when a painting is done?" A couple of years ago, I was taking a watercolor workshop, and the instructor said, "If you think your painting is 80 percent finished, then you are done!" Whether you agree with this statement or not, it works for me - so I stick with it.

Would you like a painting of your home, or vacation house? Click here for more details.

To view more, click here.

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