Watercolors

‘THE PASSING’ — NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

As we near the close of Native American Heritage Month, I decided to share a poem I wrote last year that focuses on the heartache and loss that came to so many of the American Indian tribes at the hands of greedy people and government agencies. This particular poem emphasizes the history of the Cherokee people because they are part of my personal heritage. But we want to remember that every tribe was affected negatively — even in heart-breaking ways — and unfortunately, all the prejudice and ill-treatment has not completely disappeared yet.

Original watercolor by Sandra Pavloff Conner


THE PASSING

Today the old chief passed,
Enwreathed by potent memories
Of battles fierce, of freedoms lost,
Of smoking pipe with enemies
Who swore to keep the peace treaties
But quickly spurned such promises
When greed for lands gained upper hand.
Today the old chief passed
And hastened to his ancestors,
To mountains, valleys, fertile plains,
Sparkling rivers, fields of grain,
Miles and miles of vast domain
Where Cherokee live free again,
Never again to be betrayed.
The old chief passed today.

SMOKIES ART NOW AVAILABLE

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

All of my regular readers know how much I LOVE the Smoky Mountains. And recently I created a design using one of my watercolors of the Smokies. That design is available now on several different products from my art shop, so I thought you might enjoy seeing some samples.  If you love the Smokies as much as I do, you can find these products and lots more — and make a purchase — at this link: Art-by-Ahyoka/Redubble.

MY NEW ART SHOP

| Sandra Pavloff Conner
I am so excited!!!

I’ve been thinking about making more of my artwork available for purchase, so have been checking out various venues, both online and on the streets. At this point, I’ve decided to stick primarily with an online shop, because some of the people who have expressed interest in my work would not be in a position to visit any local stores or art shops. After researching several online sites that assist with making art available on multiple products, and also handle the shipping, I decided to open a shop on Redbubble.
 
Most of you have been so encouraging about my art over the past 3 years that I thought you might like to know the new shop is now open for business. There are scores of items available with my artwork on them — laptop and phone cases, caps, clothing items, clocks, throw pillows, tote bags, coasters, journals, shower curtains, greeting cards and art prints — just to name a few. I am including a few pictures in this post — a small sample of products. I’ll also be continuing to add more artwork over the next few weeks.
 
You can find the new shop at this link:  Art-by-Ahyoka

Hope you come over and check it out. Also, if you click on the little heart at the top right corner of any designs you like, it makes me look good.  🙂

ART IN BLACK & WHITE

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

There are a number of black and white photography challenges out there — and also a number of terrific black and white photos posted in response. I’m not really a photographer, but I am an artist who uses watercolor, acrylics, and inks. So every once in a while I like to see what some of my artworks look like when they are converted to black and white. Thought I’d share a few of those today.

Sled Against Fence – B & W
Art in Black & White

on a roll with my christmas bags

| Sandra Pavloff Conner

Yay!  I’m on a roll getting my Christmas gift bags painted. Usually, I’m running very close to Christmas getting any of these done. But I now have 4 completed, and I may get two more finished by the end of the day. Both of the newest ones have a touch of gold, which really adds to the holiday spirit. The one with blue flowers is done in watercolor, and the one with red roses is acrylics. I think I probably get more fun out of painting them than recipients do out of receiving them, but that’s okay. I paint mainly to destress and relax anyway. And I love anything Christmasy. So bring on the bags.