Copying Master Artists had been on my to-do list for a long time. I kept putting it off , still painting and drawing, and hoping to find time to do this.   Workshops are expensive and I still squeeze in at least one (two if I can) a year. Little over a year ago a workshop I had planned to attend  was canceled,  I had just quit the co-op gallery I was in (that's another story) , and I felt that I was not growing with my skills as a good artist.  I live in an area that does not offer quality art instructions. So I decided to do copies of old masters, and paint paintings for ..read more

  Yesterday I drove from a family reunion in Mississippi headed back home to Louisiana. I was close to the Hattiesburg heading toward Jackson, a part of the country has lots of hilly roads, going over a hill road, driving in the right lane, when I had to slam hard my breaks to keep from hitting a huge old white truck in front of me that was going very slow, and there was also small white unity truck, going just as slow, blocking the left lane. I had the feeling the big truck was hauling too much weight it could not pull, or was having engine problems. I looked into my rear-view mirror ho ..read more

I have wanted to copy master's oil paintings for a long time, and kept putting it off because of deadlines and busy schedules. This year I decided not put it off any longer.  I have drawn many copies from beautiful drawings from old masters, and enjoyed the experience very much! The area I live does not have a gallery that lets artists copy master paintings, so working from quality prints was my next option. Because of the cost of buying high quality prints , I decided to treat it like going to a art workshop.   Things I looked for in choosing an art print to work from.     ..read more

I will be one of the artists in a week long plein air event, for a private art show, in Natchez Mississippi next week!   NATCHEZ ART ASSOCIATION Home About  WILD GAME DINNER - MENU   Appetizer:   Crab Dip/Toast Points; Candied venison bites Entree: Duck & Deer sausage jambalaya with colorful peppers and parsley. Scalloped potatoes/porchitto ham Vegetable Medley - Seasonal Pumpkin style  Dessert Refreshments:   Coffee Wine - Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay Punch - non/alcoholic Music by Eric Genius https://youtu.be/MJ3AGC5AwFY ​ ARTIST GALA   An A ..read more

Day 1 of 30 Day Challenge I did this little 6 by 8 inch oil painting of a birdhouse in my back yard. It was a very hot, humid Louisiana day, with lots of mosquitoes, and salamanders (one got a little too close to me).    I have read that plein air painting will help improve one's painting and will develop a unique painting style. I have been painting still life's in my studio or about 4 years, and do not like working from photos, so I'm ready for a ways to improve my paintings.   My strongest art skill is drawing! My weakest is being slow, forgetting about trying different st ..read more

  This is a little plein air painting that I finished yesterday! I worked in the morning and the weather was hot and humid with temperatures in the high 90's, with high Louisiana humidity to go with it! I felt like a cooked turkey when I finished! I painted inside of my husband's old truck for more privacy. It also helped to keep the bugs away too!   This is a scene from the local park that has been a big part of my life. I took my sons here many times when they were children to play and walk the hiking trails. Worked teaching art as an art teacher in summer camps for many years at ..read more

  I was interested in finding out how different underpaintings colors effect the final painting. The day I took pictures of this scene, it was a fall overcast day! I think each painting has  good qualities. One painting gives a little warmth feeling, while the other shows a cooler feeling.  It was hard to paint the same picture twice, but I learned that it was a good way to improve the composition.   Thank you for taking the time to read my blog,   Debra Snyder Heard     Related Posts: Talent Needs Passion! Take Tons of Photos to Work From ..read more

    I am "Artist of the Month" at the Ouachita River Art Gallery in West Monroe, Louisiana! Be sure to stop by if you are in the area!   Thank you,   Debra Snyder Heard     Related Posts: "Painting Small Country Churches" by Debra Snyder Heard "The Yellow Rose" Small Teacup Paintings Why I Do Art Still Standing Memories Small Country Church Alone At Last by Debra Snyder Heard Art Crawls ..read more

I got to be a guest on the weekly television show called “The Dead Files.”  This episode is called “Benton Revenge” which takes place at Sicily Island, Louisiana! It is one of the Travel Channel’s shows, and will be aired this Saturday May 7th 10 pm/9c! My part was the sketch artist for the main charter of the show.   The director and crew were all very nice! My part took place in Natchez, Mississippi, which was my home town growing up . I had a ways to drive, and was scheduled to work at 7:00 p.m that evening. The crew is from California and Hollywood, who are people with thei ..read more

      I  "Alone At Last" by Debra Snyder Heard  8 x 16 inch Oil Painting On a trip to south Texas my husband and I stop to visit LBJ's Ranch Home!  It's a beautiful farm and worth going to!  I have decided after this trip, that I would love to visit more of our American President's homes that are open to the public. It is a wonderful way to see and feel American history ! I love the way the landscape looks, and that modern buildings are not there.    Thank you for reading my blog!       Related Posts: Take Tons of Photos to W ..read more