Burning the Fog

Marina Sun
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

I did this watercolor sketch from past memories and paintings of marinas and ship yards. It's just an impression and it was fun for me and of course I relish the healing factor that comes from the creative process. Approximately 10.5 X 14" unmatted and unframed. On archival Arches watercolor 140 lb paper. You'll love this one for sure on your wall. Shipped to you free anywhere in the USA. All copyright laws are applicable and enforced. Reproduction rights belong to artist.

For Sale

$75

Roses

Roses
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Quick little ink line sketch with watercolor of some roses. There is a touch of fall in the air when looking at these roses....they are already turning colors. Wished I could have caught the color better but in a hurry.

Hungry

Hungry
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

There he sat, by the overpass bridge, leaning against the light signal post. Beard untrimmed and clothes very worn but he was not dirty. Always looking at the ground instead of the passerbys. The cardboard sign in hand had the word 'HUNGRY" scribbled on it......right below that were two more words..."SEMPER FI". What I did next, when I got beside him at the stop light, is my business....He was a Vietnam Vet.
This had to be done with and ink pen and in my moleskine book...NFS. I couldn't get his face out of my head til I put it in the book...with honor.
7th and Broadway, K.C. Missouri.
Small prints of this are $25. and that includes shipping in USA. God bless.

Small Print 8 X 10

$25

Caricature Birds

Caricature Birds_edited-1
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

There I was in the middle of the woods enjoying the cool of the air and the sounds of nature. I had no drive to draw but these guys kept getting louder and floating through the tree tops....that's right they were just kids. Trying to fly and look good for the day was not their best suit yet.
So I took out my pen to get even and only had the back of a email paper in my paper. I cut them out and here they are......caricatures for sure....my friends.

Turquios Skies

Turquios Skies
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Turquios Skies

This is a quick sketch I did while on vacation a few weeks ago. The sky was so turquoise color and my favorite birds, Ravens, soaring on the hot air currents. Man I wish I could soar like that. Ground colors are so magnificent there. I can't wait to paint this someday.
I did this in my aquabee, 5 X 7 sketch book. On this particular page I had a prior wash of matte medium and water before drawing. Ink and watercolor sketch outside of Taos, New Mexico. En Plein aire

SHOWS

Hello friends,
Are you as busy as I am trying to get ready for all the different shows? Between trying to get things painted, I always wait til the last minute, and shipping other paintings it seems hectic.
Thank GOD I have this extra week off of Chemo. It's a blessing not having to go in there and be on that stuff for three days and then the lingering side affects.
I would also like to welcome my friend Laura, who just signed in as a follower.
I apologize for the lack of posting but my schedule is a little strange but in a few weeks maybe things will level out.
Here's a big THANK YOU for reading my blog and please comment on anything you feel lead to. Understand that I don't put everything on this site because of being copied but I try to put some. I sell mostly from Galleries and shows.
See you soon!!!!!

Life Drawing Sketch

Life Drawing Sketch
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

This isn't posted here to offend anyone....it's just art. I thought you might like a sketch I did today. I'm so busy for shows etc. for the next 90 days I hardly have time to think. But I always try to meet with my friends and hire a model for some quick 5, 7, and 10 minute poses...This is a 7 minute for each. I like the tension of putting one pose against another or series. This was done with pencil block in and then quickly applying ink brush.. Enjoy, I hope.
Someday I'll do a painting from this.

Good Morning

Dear Friends,
Hope you all keep on journaling and dooodling the next few days because I have chemo again for a few days so I won't be blogging.
God bless

Rio Grand River Series

Rio Grand River Series
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

That famous river of every western novel I have read....'The Rio Grande'. This is the first of a series I will be doing from my recent days to the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. Trying to do it justice is sometimes so frustrating. My memory, sketches and some photos help but it's not like setting up on the site and painting with all the smells, sounds, sights and mother nature telling you how to paint it.
This is 8" X 16", on archival/acid free board and a watermedia painting.
I hope you enjoy, I did. LOL

This is offered unframed and unmatted but shipping free within USA boundaries and insured. Any interest outside of USA please email for instructions and possible extra charges. Any questions please feel free to contact me. Thank You.

For Sale

$175.00

Getting Materials

Well I'm trying to get some paintings together but I thought you might like to see how an old artist looks trying to gather info on the Rio Grande River up in the Mountains. Don't laugh.......this is my best side.
Hope you like these. The upper right is the Rio Grande River Gorge outside of Taos, New Mexico.

I'm BACK!

Hey friends,
Thanks for standing by while I was on my first vacation in over two years. It was a glorious time.
I have so much material for future paintings etc... I can't hardly wait to get at it but first I have to rest up from the trip. ahahahha!
I spent a couple of weeks in my favorite location.......Taos, New Mexico. Seeing old artist friends and hanging out was just what I needed. It recharges a persons batteries, at least for me.
Stay tuned for future sketches and paintings...God bless....LOL

Welcome

Welcome to Barbara and Arti as new followers. I appreciate you signing aboard and look forward to any comments etc.. in the future.
Just a note to all that I will be gone for 2 weeks traveling and doing art. My plans are Wyoming, Colorado and a good stay at Taos and Santa Fe. Areas that are near and dear to me. SO there will not be any postings for a few days.
You all have fun while I'm gone and I'll post when I get back.
Regards
Ricky

Ibise Bird

Ibise Bird
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

I love these guys and when I lived in New Orleans I could go out and see them all the time. Roosting in trees with mossy stuff hanging or in the wet mud areas. They are a super sight. They hunt like nothing I've ever seen. Beautiful white with big red beaks and legs.....kinda like me..hahaha!
Watercolor and casein on crescent watercolor board and approximately 6 X 10". Shipping is included in the investment costs and of course if a letter of authenticity is wanted it will be provided.

FOR SALE

$875

Man Made Dam Sketch

Man Made Dam Sketch
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

I couldn't believe I ran in to this today. Rained all night here and then when I'm out sketching I got rained on several more times.. This page got wet numerous times but again the subject was unique in the middle of woods.
Why they used this old truch and debris to dam this creek I still haven't figured it out. But boy it made the water gurgle from underneath......neat sound while doing a quick watercolor and pen sketch.....there may even be pencil in there. I started and stopped too often and that old red oil barrel holding up the front end sounded like a drum when rain drops hit it. COOL and fun. I hope to do some type of painting composition of this sketch soon. Moleskine sketchbook.

Not For Sale

Irish Gentleman

Irish Gentleman
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Artists and Friends,
Here's a sketch in the Moleskine sketchbook. I keep getting questions as to how am I watercoloring in this book? You have me wandering myself because I don't seem to have a problem nor the answer to this question. It's difinitely a different type of paper and we all figure out what to do on certain papers unless we dislike it and never use it again.
I sketched this fine fellow some months ago during Irish Days in Kansas City. So today it was his turn for me to play with the watercolors. Moleskine with pencil and watercolor. He was enjoying his brew.

Not for sale because of sketchbook

Rolling Hills

Rolling Hills
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Hey friends,
This is a watercolor sketch and done in a style that I really love painting in. So many appreciate art only if it looks like a photo. Well I applaud having the technique skill to do that and having been there and got the tee shirt, I moved through time to a more loose and impressionistic style.
Please ask any question on process or whatever. Your comments are welcomed.
Saw this view and thought what a nice painting that will make someday. So, I proceeded to do my watercolor sketch for some future motivation to turn this into a full sheet. This is appox 10 x12 on 140lb CP archival paper. Like all sketches not everything turned out how I wanted but that is why we do preliminaries.....right. Try, try and try again. The healing is in the process not the end result. Enjoy.

This piece is unframed and unmatted and shipping included in costs and will be shipped to anywhere in the USA in a sturdy packaging construct. Outside of USA arrangements for shipping need to be made. It retails for $175. All original art unless otherwise stated. Enjoy .......... Thank You

FOR SALE

$175.

Red Panda

Red Panda
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

This is the cousin to the GIANT PANDA, big and black and white. The Red Panda is always confused with the Fox or Raccoon family but it's not either. He travels the same bamboo forest as his cousin. The Himalayas and two provinces in China is where you will find him.
This is a Watercolor and ink sketch on 140 lb cold press archival grade arches paper. I started drawing with permanent artist ink immediately and set some parameters for the animal to fit on the page. Started throwing in some color washes and came back to finish with ink and some white splatter to represent snow.

The image size is approximately 6 X 10". It comes to you unframed and unmatted to hold down costs for both of us. Shipping is included anywhere within the USA boundaries. Outside of the USA please email me for arrangements. Shipped in a strong construct package for safety.

FOR SALE

$55.

Red Footed Booby Bird

Red Footed Booby Bird
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Moleskine Sketchbook used. These birds are fantastic looking. It morphs in color until adulthood. The feet are bright red, body white with black outer mark and the bill is a beautiful pale blue. This is a sea bird and they get up to 2.5 feet tall. I thinkd they look very nice. Found on Eastern Island, Midway, ...and Hawaii. Which is where we took a photo of this guy/girl. They nest in shrubs and in this case an Ironwood tree in the National Park. Nest made out of big twigs for a big bird...enjoy. This is the biggest of the boobies. haha

Not For Sale

Country Barn

Barn May17
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Painted this in watercolor on CP paper 140 lbs.. Used some ink lines here and there. This is approx 9 X 18 watercolor , 140 lb cold press archival paper. I have several pieces of paper I'm trying to use up as I go out and paint. Normally I have sheets precut etc.. In painting this,
I had to move a silo over behind the barn and attach a section on the barn for composition purposes that would please me. Then of course, as some of you know my art, I rarely use local colors. Enjoy.

FOR SALE

(unframed and unmatted, shipping included, insured)

$135.

Shade at last

Shade at last
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Quarter sheet, watercolor on CP paper. Approximately 11 X 15".

Private Collection

Apple Time

Apple Time
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

This was a prize winner at the Missouri Watercolor Society. Watercolor and gouache. Approximately 8 X12" on 140 lb cold press archival paper.

SOLD

$165.

Grandad's

July 4th Farming
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

This was such a joy to paint and using colors like a mad man is just heaven for me. Lots of negative and positive painting method used here. Approximately 15 X 22" on CP archival paper. It comes unframed and unmatted to keep cost down.

FOR SALE

$225.

Popsicle Farm

Popsicle Farm
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

This is also in a private collection. Quarter sheet watercolor with some gouache. Most of paintings are designed paintings although many are painted en plein air.

Not For Sale

Artist Collection

Candy Tree

Candy Tree
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

This still hangs in a private collection. Watercolor, half sheet.

Amish Harvest

Amish Harvest
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Watercolor, half sheet and sold quicker than I could hang in another gallery.

SOLD

$345.

Twins

Twins
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

This was on the full front page of the Art section in a major sunday newspaper. I couldn't have been happier and the curator of the gallery called to tell me and it sold the next day. How blessed can one artist be.?

Approximately 8 X 10", watercolor on 140lb cold press archival paper.

SOLD

$265

Rush Creek' Want to be"

Rush Creek' Want to be"
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Just showing the watercolor sketch in my book before becoming a major art piece.

Christmas Mornin

Christmas Mornin
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Free Styling" painting at its funnest. Just let the color rip on a full sheet of watercolor paper. This is approximately 22 X 30" watercolor and gouache, 140 lb cold press archival paper. The painting is unframed and unmatted to save cost on shipping. Shipping is included inside USA boundaries. Outside USA boundaries contact me for arrangements and extra costs, if any.

FOR SALE

$695

Wood Store

Wood Store
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

This is a full sheet watercolor. I apologize for the glare. There was a photo of this before framing but I can't find it and I have not had it photographed yet.

The painting is approximately 22 X 30" unframed and unmatted to save shipping costs. Painted on 140 lb cold press archival paper. Shipping included and shipped to anywhere inside USA boundaries. Anything outside USA must email for arrangements and shipping costs, if any.

FOR SALE

$ 695.

The Good Ship Lollipop

The Good Ship Lollipop
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Yea, I know but really I'm not on drugs. This is on a quarter sheet of CP paper, watercolor.

Late snow

Late snow
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

We just had a nice 4 inch snow in the last 48 hrs and it could be the last of the season. So I took advantage of it. I don't paint many night scenes but the light was just gorgeous along with some articstic licensing. Hooray for art.

This is approximately 4.5" X 11" watercolor on 140 lb cold press archival paper with a 3.5" white mat and sturdy backing.

This comes unframed but shipping is included in investment. Shipped anywhere within USA boundaries. If outside USA email for arrangement and cost, if any.

FOR SALE

$ 95.

Cold Bright Sun

Cold Bright Sun
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

When the sun tries to come out the snow lights things up quick. Hard to see to paint. This is a half sheet, watercolor, some gouache. A push-pull painting. This went over big at one of my solo shows.

SOLD

Candy Skies

Candy Skies
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

I painted this in Wisconsin and it was immediately bought by an onlooker and inducted into a private collection of some big time artist giants. I couldn't believe it but then I tried to act real cool. Nothing had ever happened to me like that before or since. Half sheet.

SOLD

Private Collection

Market Day

Market Day
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

I just couldn't pass this scene up without putting my twist on it. Hope you enjoy. By the way this won an award in a state watercolor national invitational......Lucky me ! This is a full sheet 22 X 30 on Cold Press archival paper.

It comes unmatted and unframed to save on shipping and costs. Shipping is included in investment anywhere within USA boundaries, anywhere outside USA must email for arrangement and costs, if any.

FOR SALE

$745.

Fishing Hideaway

Fishing Hideaway
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

I can't wait to get in these cabins and pretend to fish while really sketching/painting and meditating. I'm almost the best company I know. ahahahaha. Watercolor-half sheet

Missouri City Creek

Missouri City Creek
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Done from value sketch on location and then finished in studio. Watercolor 15 X 22 on 140 lb cold press archival paper.

This painting comes unmatted and unframed to save costs and on shipping for you. Shipping included in investment anywhere within USA boundaries, anything outside must email for arrangements and costs, if any.

FOR SALE

$295.

City Market

City Market
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Half sheet watercolor at Kansas City, Missouri...Farmer's Market.

Private Collection

Study of boats

Study of boats
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Just something I do when in between painting. It keeps me thinking about shapes, balance, colors etc etc etc. My way of staying sane without thinking. Fun time for Ricky. It's approx 5 X 6". Watercolor of course

'The Preacherman'

'The Preacherman'
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

I enjoyed doing this one morning this week. It's a watercolor, 15 X 22". I had a 2" x 3" pic to go from but it was fun. These are always enjoyable to me. When I was young I basically cut my teeth on fine portraiture for a decade (the photographic type look). I hope you enjoy it. I was slinging paint on the next building..hahaha

Watercolor study of value study

Watercolor study of value study
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Just loved this old place when I sketched and did a value study for it. Now someday I'll take it to the next level for a finished painting. But aren't they all really studies for us?

The Nest

The Nest
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

There it was, high up in that big thorn tree. Nobody was going to get to these squirrels. So here is my days work and it was fun except for about a 130 mile per hour breeze.......excuse me it was 30 miles per hour. They just sat there and watched me work..hahaha!
Watercolor, approximately 10 X 14" on HP archival paper. Unframed and unmatted with shipping included to hold down costs. Shipped anywhere in USA boundaries, outside of USA please email for arrangements and costs, if any. This was painted in plein air fashion and finished in studio.

FOR SALE

$135

American Goldfinch

American Goldfinch
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

See the Goldfinch in the evergreens........they looked like christmas ornaments. This is a watercolor..approx 11 X 16" on 140lb cold press archival paper. Unframed and unmatted with shipping included to hold down costs. Will ship anywhere in USA boundaries, outside of USA please email for arrangements and costs, if any.

FOR SALE

$155

River Sketch

River Sketch
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Wonderful day sketching on the Missouri River. It was starting to cloud up for a big rain that evening. I wanted to catch the light and I think I accoumplished that. What do you think.?

Ye ole Bait & Beer Stop

Ye ole Bait & Beer Stop
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

I really loved designing this piece. Watercolor on 140lb paper.

The Stare

The Stare
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

She was great for watercolor with that face. She caught me drawing her but then I got this smile of sorts so I continued. She knew what I was doing. I finished this in the studio but gave her two pages in my little moleskine.

Rainy Day One

Rainy Day One
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Sketching on this rainy day down by the river. I tried to quicky capture some concrete debris that had been dropped there. 90lb paper in a sketchbook of about 9 X 12". Watercolor of course.

Oil Sketch

Oil Sketch
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

This was in 1976..... it was used for training artists in portraiture as it had been use by mentor to me. I remember when I first painted this and was so proud.....funny looking at it now. Memories.

Mr. Marvin Hill

Mr. Marvin Hill
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

Portrait of pencil, white chalk and gray paper. Back in 2000. I used to work this tight but try not too for many years now.

Still Livin'

Still Livin'
Originally uploaded by Ricky Holtman

I just loved doing this pen and watercolor. I use to work in this style long ago but like a lot of things went off in a different direction. It was good to revisit this technique and the tree actually screamed out what to use. Hope you enjoy'.