Trinket (finished): July 10, 2009

"Trinket" is complete. This is a 5"x7" acrylic painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. Trinket is a very bashful little Yorkie and, oh, so cute!

Trinket (in progress): July 9, 2009

I've finished Trinket's body and legs and put in the background layer of color for her face.

Trinket (in progress): July 8, 2009

"Tinket" is the third Yorkie in this set, a work in progress.

Cookie (finished): July 7, 2009

"Cookie" is complete. This is a 5"x7" acrylic painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. Cookie is an adorable little Yorkie who has a pet parrot who calls to her, "Here, Cookie, Cookie!" So cute!

Cookie (in progress): July 6, 2009

Cookie's body is done. Her head looks awful strange at this stage of the painting.

Cookie (progress): July 3, 2009

"Cookie" is in progress, the second of three new Yorkie paintings.

Sweetie: July 3, 2009

"Sweetie" is the first of three new commissioned Yorkie paintings. She is painted in acrylic on 5"x7" 140 lb. watercolor paper.

By the Bitterroot (finished): June 29, 2009

After looking at this for a week and after consulting with my client, I made some adjustments, most of which were fairly minor. The most obvious change was to the shadow-side of his face. The dark shadows have been lightened in places and the reflected light has been darkened. "By the Bitterroot" is 11"x14" acrylic on stretched canvas.

By the Bitterroot (progress): June 12, 2009

"By the Bitterroot" is nearly complete. Even when I think I'm done, I can always find something else to adjust. After photographing the painting and putting it on the computer, I can see that his chin needs more definition.

It's been a real struggle to paint the last couple of days because the air is so dry here, especially in the afternoon. My paint has been drying out and crusting over really fast so I have to keep mixing new batches. At times, it even dries out before I get the paint from palette to canvas. I'm hoping it will rain later this evening to replenish some of the moisture and I will get back to painting tomorrow.

By the Bitterroot (progress): June 11, 2009

She has been completed and some of his face color has been applied.

By the Bitterroot (in progress): June 10, 2009

This is progressing along. His hat and eyes have been put in and a large portion of her face has been laid in.

By the Bitterroot (in progress): June 9, 2009

I redid the yellow shirt and progressed to the red shirt and man's hand.

By the Bitterroot (in progress): June 8, 2009

The background is complete, unless, of course, I see something that needs changing later. And I have started working on the yellow shirt.

By the Bitterroot (progress): June 6, 2009

"By the Bitterroot" is a commissioned painting of a couple by the Bitterroot River in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. It is being painted in acrylic on 11"x14" stretched canvas. This is just the beginning - a work in progress.

Grizelda & Lola: June 4, 2009

Whoa! Two in one day! It's amazing what you can accomplish when the pressure is on!

"Lola" is a 4"x6" acrylic painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper.




"Grizelda" is a 2.5"x3.5" acrylic ACEO on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Joe: June 1, 2009

Graduation is over and I'm back to painting "real" paintings. This is "Joe", a 5"x7" acrylic painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Add-on to MF's Graduation Cap: May 30, 2009

Graduation is tomorrow. This was a last minute addition to jazz up MF's cap. It was a little too plain before. I like it better with the soccer balls.

ED's Graduation Cap: May 25, 2009

E.D. is another soccer player. His cap has the red bull logo with a soccer ball and the Juventus ("the most successful team in the history of Italian football") logo.

Two Grad Caps in one Day: May 21, 2009

Two caps were completed today. The high school's colors are gold and black. The girls are wearing gold and the boys are wearing black this year.

BH's Graduation Cap: May 20, 2009

BH's cap is complete.

MG's Graduation Cap (finished): May19, 2009

MG's cap is finished using Golden fluid acrylic paints.

MG's Graduation Cap (progress): May 18, 2009

"MG" is one of my son's graduating classmates. This is his graduation cap in progress. He is a fantastic soccer goalie and obviously a fan of professional Pittsburgh, PA, sports teams.

Graduation Caps: May 13-14, 2009

I went on vacation to Florida for a couple of weeks and now I have quite a few paint jobs to catch up on. I took lots of reference photos that I hope to turn into paintings some time in the future.

My son is graduating high school in a couple of weeks. I painted his graduation cap using white and gold Golden fluid acrylic. The cap is black so wherever you see black, it is the fabric. No black paint was used. His school colors are gold and black, he is a soccer player whose jersey number is "8", and his mascot is the "Fighting Yellowjackets".

I began painting yesterday (the left photo). The first layer of white makes the balls look like a lunar surface. It took 3 coats of white and 2 coats of gold to cover the black fabric. The finished cap is on the right.

Charlie: April 21, 2009

"Charlie" is a 5"x7" acrylic painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Rhododendron: April 20, 2009

"Rhododendron" is painted on a 5"x7" sheet of 140 lb. watercolor paper. The background is a wash of watercolor; the flower is acrylic. I used this as stationery and mailed it to my mother-in-law.

The reference photo of the rhododendron was taken by Jeanette Jobson. It was submitted for Virtual Sketch Date, a monthly blog in which artists are asked to create a work of art using the same reference. Results are posted on Flickr.

Wiley: April 18, 2009

"Wiley" is a 5"x7" acrylic painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Wiley (progress): April 16, 2009

"Wiley" is another Yorkie, in progress. In this state, he looks like he's trying to hyp-no-tize you. But don't worry. His warm cuddly spirit will emerge in no time.

Mountain Goat (finished): March 31, 2009

It's finished! Maybe. I'll have to live with it for a day to see if I want to make any changes. "Mountain Goat, Hidden Lake Overlook, Glacier" is an acrylic 11"x14" painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Mountain Goat (progress): March 27, 2009

I worked on this until bedtime on Friday so it was too dark to photograph the progress that day. And then, this weekend was super busy. I finally got a photo taken late this afternoon (Sunday). Some of the foreground has been laid in.

Mountain Goat (progress): March 25, 2009

Great progress was made today!

Junior Duck Stamp and Website: March 24, 2009

Today, I, along with 4 others, had the priviledge of judging the Junior Duck Stamp Competition for Montana. We gathered at the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge in Stevensville and spent 4 hours pouring over all the entries. It's very exciting to see the talent that our young artists have. They ranged in age from kindergarten to high school. The best of show entry will go on to the National Junior Duck Stamp Competition in Washington, DC, in April.

In other news - I now have an official website! It's been long in coming so I'm really excited to have it done. It's still a work in progress but I do have the basics - a gallery to showcase my work, an "about" page with my biography and artist's statement, contact information and news about current, upcoming and past show. You can visit it at www.KianaFecteau.com.

Mountain Goat (progress): March 20, 2009

Some of the detail in the mountains has been put in.

Mountain Goat (progress): March 19, 2009

This is the beginning of a new acrylic painting "Mountain Goat, Hidden Lake Overlook, Glacier". For the underpainting, I used a wash of acrylic paints thinned down to give a watercolor effect.

Juliette (complete): March 15, 2009

"Juliette" is a 4"x6" acrylic painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Juliette (progress): March 14, 2009

This is Juliette. She's a Yorkie in acrylic, in progress.

Glacier III (finished): March 10, 2009

"Glacier III" is an 11"x14" acrylic on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Glacier III (progress): March 9, 2009

This is coming along. It looks a bit ghastly because of the swaths of wild color on the lower third of the painting. That was done just to get some paint on the surface. It will be followed by more exacting colors and shapes.

Glacier III (progress): March 7, 2009

Some of the shadows and highlights have been put in on the mountain.

Glacier III (progress): March 6, 2009

I only got a little done on "Glacier III" today. The Olde Coffee Mill in Stevensville, Montana, called needing an artist to show for First Friday, which is tonight. Their previously scheduled artist didn't work out so I put up my paintings and a few of my husband's photographic prints. They will be on display through the rest of the month.

Glacier III (progress): March 4, 2009

This is an acrylic painting (in progress) of a scene along the Red Rock Lakes Trail in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park, Montana.

Even More Bike Rack Designs: March 2, 2009

These are the last of the Bike Rack Designs. The designs themselves are 15" in diameter painted and drawn in ink on freezer paper.

Lake Louise, Canada (finished): February 26-27, 2009

"Lake Louise, Canada" is an 11"x14" acrylic painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. The reference is a photo by Debbie Later for the Virtual Sketch Date blog for February 2009.

Lake Louise, Canada (in progress): February 25, 2009

This is an 11"x14" acrylic painting in progress. This is part of a project for the Virtual Sketch Date blog and the reference for February 2009 is a photo of Lake Louise, Canada, taken by Debbie Later.

More Bike Rack Designs: February 21, 2009

Here are a few more designs for the bike rack competition. The following are the guidelines:

-The design should be in black (any media) on white paper or poster board.
-Design should fit in the top two thirds of a 15” circle. The bottom third must remain empty space. Please include the 15” circular frame in your design.
-The design has to be a bold silhouette that may be cut out of metal and is reversible. (No numbers or letters).
-The image should reflect the local history, natural world, landmarks, activities, etc. that are relevant to the Stevensville Community.
- The design should avoid having sharp edges, points and small openings that once cut out of metal could be dangerous for small children.
- There is no limit to the number of design entries from one artist.
- Deadline: Wednesday, March 4, 2009
- Include with your entries: clearly printed name, address, email and phone number(s). Submit entries to: Bike Rack Design Entry, Stevensville Main Street Association, 102 Main Street, Stevensville, MT, 59870.

Bike Rack Designs: February 17, 2009

These are some designs that I have created for a bike rack design competition which is sponsored by the Stevensville Main Street Association and the Stevensville Art & Sculpture Society. These were drawn with ink on freezer paper.

Chair: November 3-5, 2009

This small child's chair was painted with a bird theme with eggs, feathers, seeds, birdhouses, a nest and tracks. This chair will be auctioned off at the Red Shoe Ball on February 13. The ball benefits the Ronald McDonald House in Missoula, MT.

Rooster redo: January 23, 2009

The background for this rooster has been softened.

Roosters: January 21, 2009

These roosters are 4"x6" acrylic on handmade watercolor papers.

Roosters: January 16, 2009

Two of the roosters have been done except for the foreground, or grass beneath them, which I will do once I get all three roosters completed.

Aliens and Roosters: January 13, 2009

I redid the alien for my son. He wanted it bigger and with a wider stance so I adjusted the legs for him.
I also began three 4"x6" paintings of roosters on handmade watercolor paper. I plan to mount these paintings in floatframes in which the paintings are pressed between two sheets of glass and mounted in a frame. So instead of a mat creating a space between the artwork and the frame, there will be clear glass, thus the color of the wall behind the framed painting will act as the mat. This will show off the rough edges of the handmade paper.

Aliens: January 5, 2009

These 4"x6" aliens were created by my 11-year-old son and colored by me using acrylic paint on watercolor paper.

Yorkies (finished): December 9, 2008

The Yorkshire terriers are finished: "Harley", "Walker" and "Scooter". They are all 5"x7" acrylic on 140 lb. watercolor paper. I have changed the background so that it is less distracting and so that the dogs stand out more.

Yorkies (progress): December 8, 2008

Paint has been applied to Scooter's body.

Yorkies (progress): December 6, 2008

"Walker" is a 5"x7" acrylic painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper. "Scooter" has been begun but is still in progress.

Yorkies (progress): December 3, 2008

"Walker" is still in progress. His eyes are a little crazy looking. Maybe I should have completed them first. Some days, paintings go very smoothly. This one has been a struggle. Some days are like that.

Yorkies (progress): December 2, 2008

"Walker" is still in progress.

Yorkies (progress): December 1, 2008

"Harley" is a 5"x7" acrylic painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Yorkies (progress): November 26, 2008

The background has been adjusted and muted a little. The progress on these paintings has been really slow because of the Thanksgiving holiday and other things.

Yorkies in progress: November 24, 2008

This is a set of Yorkshire Terriers: "Harley", "Walker" and "Scooter". They are 5"x7" acrylic on 140 lb. watercolor paper. A preliminary layer of acrylic has been laid into the background.

Caricature: November 13-14, 2008

This is a caricature of a family drawn with black ink on paper.

Clothes Closet Poster: November 7-9, 2008

This is a poster that I designed and created for the Clothes Closet in Stevensville, Montana. The Clothes Closet is a nonprofit organization that provides clothing and household goods to those in need. They were providing this much needed service from a rent-free building but recently had to move out. They now must raise funds to pay for a new location.

Dempsey: November 5-6, 2008

"Dempsey" is a 5"x7" acrylic painting on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Me & Dad (finished): October 31, 2008

After some final touch ups, "Me & Dad" is finished. It is a 16"x20" acrylic painting on stretched canvas.

Me & Dad (progress): October 29, 2008

"Me & Dad" is almost finished. This is a commissioned painting and has to pass muster with my client.

Me & Dad (progress): October 27 & 28, 2008

"Me & Dad" is a 16"x20" acrylic painting on stretched canvas, in progress. This is a painting of a boy and his dad boxing. I love the juxtaposition of the small fair-skinned boy against his larger rugged dad.

Jasper: October 17, 2008

"Jasper" is a 2.5"x3.5" acrylic ACEO / ATC on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Gillie: October 14, 2008

"Gillie" is a 2.5"x3.5" acrylic ACEO / ATC on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Kristina: October 14, 2008

"Kristina" is a 2.5"x3.5" acrylic ACEO / ATC on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Smoke: October 13, 2008

"Smoke" is a 2.5"x3.5" acrylic ACEO / ATC on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Jasmine: October 13, 2008

"Jasmine" is a 2.5"x3.5" acrylic ACEO / ATC on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Callie: October 12, 2008

"Callie" is a 2.5"x3.5" acrylic ACEO / ATC on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Siam: October 12, 2008

"Siam" is a 2.5"x3.5" acrylic ACEO / ATC on 140 lb. watercolor paper.

Fluffy: October 10, 2008

"Fluffy" is a 2.5"x3.5" acrylic ACEO / ATC on 140 lb. watercolor paper. An ACEO is Art Card Editions and Originals. An ATC is an Art Trading Card. Both ACEO's and ATC's are 2.5"x3.5" (trading card size). This is the first in a series of miniature cat paintings.

Harley (finished): September 17, 2008

"Harley" is complete! This is an 11"x14" oil on stretched canvas. I'm including a close-up detailed image of the painting.

Harley (progress): January 12, 2008

"Harley" is just about complete. It will need minor tweaking and must meet with the approval of my client.

Harley (progress): September 11, 2008

"Harley" is coming along. Her body has been completed.

Harley (progress): September 10, 2008

Harley's underlying body colors have been put in.

Harley (progress): September 8, 2008

The background has been touched up and added to. Also the most distant parts of Harley have been put in.

Harley (progress): September 7, 2008

"Harley" is my latest painting in progress. It is oil on stretched 11"x14" canvas. I have begun with a soft background that establishes a sense of place and makes Harley the main focus.

Glacier Runner: July 31, 2008

"Glacier Runner" is finished after more flowers were added.

Glacier Runner (progress): July 28, 2008

Adjustments are still being made to "Glacier Runner". A couple of trees have been added to the area to the left and flowers have been reworked.

Glacier Runner: July 24, 2008

"Glacier Runner" is a 22"x28" oil painting on stretched canvas.

Great News!: July 23, 2008

One of my paintings, "Swallowtail and Lilac", has been accepted into the Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition which will be held at Devin Galleries in Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, from September 12 through October 11!

Glacier Runner (progress): July 22, 2008

A rock and some trees have been added to the area to the right as well as some of the Yellow Fawn Lilies.

Glacier Runner (progress): July 19, 2008

"Glacier Runner" is coming along. The trail and foreground vegetation has been put in.

Glacier Runner (progress): July17, 2008

The larger white bark pine trees are in.

Glacier Runner (progress): July 16, 2008

The snow and water were touched up and some trees have been put in.

Glacier Runner (progress): July 11, 2008

The water has been worked a little more.

Glacier Runner (progress): July 10, 2008

The mountain has been worked down to the water.

Glacier Runner (progress): July 9, 2008

More detail has been added to the lower right portion of the mountains. My palette consists of cadmium red, cadmium yellow, French ultramarine, burnt sienna and titanium white.

Glacier Runner (progress): July 7, 2008

More and more detail is being added to the mountains.

Glacier Runner (progress): July 3, 2008

Texture has been applied to the upper portion of the mountains.

Glacier Runner (progress): July 2, 2008

The sky is complete and background color has been laid in for the mountains.

Glacier Runner (progress): July 1, 2008

I'm finally back to painting! This is a commissioned piece of a trail runner in Glacier National Park. "Glacier Runner" will be a 22"x28" oil painting on canvas. The drawing was done on a neutral-colored underpainting after several layers of gesso were applied to the canvas.
I'm also showing an image of our new cat helping me do the drawing for this painting. We got him at the Missoula Humane Society which has a very nice facility and a knowledgeable staff. He's very different in looks and personality. I'm thinking he is an oriental shorthair. Someday I'll have to do a painting of him.

Western Heritage Days Art Show: June 13-14, 2008

I participated in the Western Heritage Days Art Show in my hometown of Stevensville, Montana. Friday evening, June 13th, we had a reception, quick draw and live auction. I did a painting of a quail for the quick draw but didn't have my camera with me to photograph it and display it here. It was sold during the auction.
Nine artists submitted artwork to be voted on by the general public. I was honored to receive the award for the People's Choice! Included here are the painting ("Backcountry Portal") and the ribbon.

Freedom revised: April 25, 2008

I changed the background of "Freedom".

Freedom: April 17, 2008

Well, so much for "a painting a day"! It has been very difficult to get much painting done lately.
"Freedom" is a 9"x11" acrylic painting on stretched canvas.

Horses on Wool: April 9-11, 2008

"Horses on Wool" is acrylic on wool, 19.5"x16".

Woolly Mountain Man: April 3-4, 2008

This woolly Mountain Man took a couple of days to make. He is 16"x17" and made almost entirely of wool. The images include a closeup of the details.
My mom did a woman using wool which you can see on her blog.

Fisherman's Dream: March 31, 2008

The porch under the light has been warmed up and the mountains have been altered.