Gretchen Hash-Heffner

"Lil Gus"

2011-02-16T17:34:00.000-05:00

My latest landscape painting. "Lil Gus" was plein air painted at Aiken Equine Rescue in Aiken, SC. An absolutely wonderful place. Beautiful views everywhere. $150 framed in a beautiful wide brushed gold and walnut frame. All proceeds will be donated back to the equine rescue. My way of giving back to such a worthy cause. Painted on a stretched canvas in acrylic paints.

Two new christmas ornaments

2010-11-27T08:10:00.000-05:00

Happy thanksgiving to you all. I hope it was a good one. "En Vogue" is one that features a standard poodle wearing a beret. The other is a fox. Both are $6. Contact me directly or visit my gallery shop located at Antiques & More in Aiken.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

2010-11-25T07:54:00.000-05:00

The holidays are upon us. I would like to invite you to check out my website again. I have added christmas ornaments and also christmas cards to it. www.gretchenhashheffner.com

Here is a sample of what you will find. If you are interested in either or any of the artwork, please contact me directly at southernescapeart@yahoo.com

Exciting Announcements

2010-09-21T16:51:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone. I am back. Lou's dads funeral was emotional to say the least. Military funeral. Now back to real life.

Currently I have a one man show hanging at the Hitchcock Health Care Center off of University Parkway in Aiken, SC. It will be hanging through the end of this month.

My little gallery space at Antiques & More at the intersection of Pine Log Rd and Banksmill Rd. is going to be celebrating its 6 month anniversary next month (October). Everything in my space will be 20% off to celebrate. So please stop by. Remember christmas is just around the corner. The sale does exclude my notecards.

September 25th thru October 18th please visit the Aiken Historical Museum. The Aiken Artists Guild is having a fall show and I have a few pieces hanging in it. All art is for sale. A portion of the sale benefits the Aiken Artist Guild's Scholarship Program. A very worthy cause!

In two weeks I will be gone for a week to serve as Artist in Residence at Barnwell State Park. Very excited!

In July 2011 I will be the artist at MCG Hospital for the month. I am planning on doing some very large, colorful acrylic paintings of horses. Head shots I think.

I do hope you will visit and see all the great art... mine and the talented artists as well.

Till next time - Gretchen

"Night Show"

2010-08-24T17:34:00.000-04:00

A beautiful sunset is the background for these palm trees. It is a watercolor 4 x 5 and it is unframed. $45.00

"All Love"

2010-08-24T17:26:00.000-04:00

Another small watercolor dear to my heart... a girl and her horse sharing a kiss in the sunset. It measures 5 x 6. It is unframed. $65.00

"Still Waters"

2010-08-24T17:20:00.000-04:00

A small watercolor measuring 6 x 2. It is unframed. $35.00

Palmetto II

2010-08-24T17:15:00.000-04:00

Another in my palm tree series. "Palmetto II" is a watercolor and measures 5 x 7. It is unframed. $65.00

Back from vacation

2010-08-20T09:19:00.000-04:00

Spent a week at Pawleys Island for the second year in a row. Just love it there. So quiet yet close enough to restaurants, etc... Here is a new watercolor. "Palmetto I" 7 x 8 unframed $75

Shadow of a Cupola

2010-07-25T17:30:00.000-04:00

I love the colors and the insinuated lines. This one "Shadow of a cupola" is a 6 x 9" watercolor on 140 lb hot press paper. $75.00 unframed.

Water Awaits

2010-07-14T18:12:00.000-04:00

A new one I painted today as a demo for my adult class - Intro To Water Media. "Water Awaits" is a 5 x 7 on masonite board. Unframed is $50.00 Email if interested southernescapeart@yahoo.com

"Reaching"

2010-07-13T17:51:00.000-04:00

I took the reference photo a year ago. I loved the white birch tree reaching up to this deep blue cloudless sky. Well, I found the photo and was able to do an acrylic painting of it. 8 x 10 in a beautiful deep wood frame accented with gold. $150 framed. Will remove from frame $125. If interested please email me southernescapeart@yahoo.com

"Looking Back"

2010-07-01T16:45:00.000-04:00

As promised, I have been painting... small paintings but I have been able to paint depsite teaching summer art camp. "Looking Back" is an acrylic painting, framed in a wide black frame. Painting itself measures 12" x 9". I love this one!!! $125 I will take out of frame if you prefer and price drops to $100 then. Email me if interested southernescapeart@yahoo.com

Getting ready for summer art camp

2010-06-17T13:35:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone, don't fret, I have been painting! It's is just most of my time has been occupied by getting ready for summer art camp. I am again teaching the 4-6 year old children. Many have been with me for the last summer or two so I just love seeing them again and how much they have grown. The difference is I am only teaching two weeks not four. Needed a break this year for a little and also wanted time to be able to create my own art along with spending time with the horses and the newest addition to our family... Hobeaux - a pitbull/mastif cross. He is a love! Showed up on our doorstep about three weeks ago. Anyway, I just finished two new paintings - one is a small watercolor of an ocean cliff with a lighthouse and the other, a small acrylic equine painting. Both will be posted soon.

"Do You Really Know Me?"

2010-05-16T18:51:00.000-04:00

This has been entered into the Aiken Artist's Guild Members Show which is being held at Aiken Center For The Arts. It is one of a series I am doing. It is also the first time I have made art that has a statement to it. The show will hang from May 17th thru June 21st. Opening reception is May 20th, Friday from 6-8pm. Hope to see you there.

Thoroughbred Racing Museum of Aiken, SC

2010-05-14T18:14:00.000-04:00

I have had the honor of being chosen as one of four artists to have work selected to be for sale at the Thoroughbred Racing Museum. Four of my silverpoints were chosen. I am so excited by this opportunity. A portion of the sale price will go towards the Thoroughbred Racing Museum, a beautiful piece of Aiken's history. The image is titles "Worth The Look". Silverpoint is a technique where the artist actually draws with a piece of silver on a prepared surface. When the drawing is finished, it is left to tarnish, much like a silver tea service would, after the artist is happy with the darkness of color, it is then framed and tarnishing ceases. It is a rare artform. Please visit www.aikenracinghalloffame.com/Online_Art_Gallery.html to see all artwork available

Please visit / Grand Opening

2010-05-14T18:01:00.001-04:00

Announcing the Grand Opening of my booth space and "Antiques and More" on Pinelog Rd. & Powderhouse Rd. in Aiken, SC. The shop is now open but the Grand Opening will be Friday and Saturday, May 21 and 22 from 10 -5 pm both days. There will be gift certificates drawn every hour and also I am offering 15% off all artwork inclduing my notecards. Please stop by.

Website!!!!

2010-03-05T14:47:00.001-05:00

It is finally up and running! I am constantly adding to it and tweaking it but at least I have a web presence. Let me know your thoughts, changes you would like, or helpful hints. Thank you for all your support through the years. www.gretchenhashheffner.com please visit and sign up to receive updates and announcements. to do this scroll down to bottom of home page and click on receive updates.

Summer Breezes

2010-01-09T08:38:00.000-05:00

Reference photo taken in pennsylvania on one of my many trips with Lou when he is out doing his dentistry. Don't get to do that much anymore - join him on trips. I love the grasses in this one. I feel I really captured the depth and sway. 8 x 10. $100. If if interested southernescapeart@yahoo.com

Templin Road

2010-01-08T22:15:00.000-05:00

Lou and I before moving to AIken, SC lived in Glenmoore, PA which was Chester County. Templin road was the road we faced onto. Where I rode was also along Templin rd. Many a good memory. 8 x 10. $100. If interested southernescapeart@yahoo.com

Fire Sunset

2010-01-08T22:00:00.000-05:00

My second interpretation of my south carolina sunset photo I took on vacation this past summer. This one is 11 x 14 done in acrylic. $154. Email if interested southernescapeart@yahoo.com

Reflection of the Past

2010-01-08T21:47:00.000-05:00

New acrylic painting. It is 11 x 20. I was given this photo by a friend and instantly new I had to put my artistic spin on it. One of my all time favorites! $220 Email me at southernescapeart@yahoo.com if interested.

Hopeland Gardens, Aiken, SC

2009-12-19T13:29:00.000-05:00

This is a new painting I had started plein air but was unable to finish on location, and now the weather is not cooperating. Will most likely finish from referance photos. Hopeland Gardens is a beautiful tranquil gem in the town of Aiken. Gifted to the town by Mrs. Iselin when she passed, it is a favorite place of mine to visit.

Hopeland Gardens, Aiken, SC

2009-12-19T13:23:00.001-05:00

This is a new oil painting I have started. It was started on location (plein air). The weatehr has not cooperated so I have not been able to get back out. Will most likely have to finish from photos. I love the winding sand path, and the gazebo. Please email if interested southernescapeart@yahoo.com.

Young Racehorse Prospects

2009-12-14T13:58:00.003-05:00

This time of year is always a time of reflection. The new year will be soon upon us. I was going through my photographs that I use as inspiration for my paintings and ran across this one. Young racehorses: their future is yet to be told, will they be the next GREAT one? This year marked the anniversary of my great aunt Jane"s passing. I cannot believe it has been a year. I talk to her often and more often than not when I have needed support or help it has come. I believe it is her watching over me just as she did when she was here on earth. I always called her my guardian angel. I don't know what the new year will bring but I will embrace it< as it comes for better or worse.

"Hi There"

2009-12-04T18:48:00.002-05:00

A new horse painting. Its done in my favorite palette of colors. 8 x 10 framed in a simple black frame. $50. if interested please email me at southernescapeart@yahoo.com

My favorite paint

2009-12-03T07:25:00.002-05:00

A 6 x 6 painting of my favorite color of paint "sap green". It's also on a new painting surface for me. It's called clayboard. Nice smooth surface. This one is supposed to hang from a corner. $50.00 If interested please email me at southernescapeart@yahoo.com

Huntington Island

2009-11-30T18:55:00.003-05:00

New acrylic painting of a series I have been doing. Seascapes and the area around. This one is Huntington Island in SC. $125.00 Approximately 11 x 14 framed in an oak frame. If you want to purchase please email me at southernescapeart@yahoo.com

I need your votes!!!

2009-09-17T17:08:00.004-04:00

Please vote for my artwork. I have entered an international art competition. Thank you for your time. Please go to this link http://acrylics.winsornewton.com/en/win/gallery/?start=97

Pink & Green Whimsical

2009-09-17T17:01:00.003-04:00

Another print of Whimsical. I love pink and green - I am a preppy 80's girl. It is 6 x 9. Unframed. $25.00 email southernescapeart@yahoo.com if interested.

"Whimsical" horse print

2009-09-12T18:41:00.003-04:00

I have been experimenting with linoleum block printing. This is one of my images. I have done them with gold, orange, green, pink and blue printing ink. Pretty pleased with this image. It is titled "Whimsical". 5 x 7. Unframed as of now so prints are $25.00 each. Email southernescapeart@yahoo.com if interested.

Please vote for me

2009-08-29T13:12:00.004-04:00

Please copy and paste http://acrylics.winsornewton.com/en/win/gallery/?start=17 and vote for my four paintings. I am trying to win some art supplies.

"Face to Face"

2009-08-29T12:51:00.004-04:00

I have been trying to keep to my promise of giving myself time in the studio everyday. "Face to Face" original is in permanent collection but giclee's are available. $100 each 12" x 18" archival inks and paper. Please email if interested southernescapeart@yahoo.com

Pawley"s Island

2009-08-26T11:28:00.003-04:00

A painting from a photo I took while vacationing in Pawley's Island a few weeks ago. 12" x 24" .

Untitled

2009-08-26T10:25:00.003-04:00

I have been into painting coastal scenes lately. Here is a new one. Approx 8" x 15". Unframed. $125.

Flamingo

2009-08-25T18:15:00.005-04:00

I have promised myself now that summer camp is over to focus more of my time on my own art. Here is a small flamingo painting. I just love pink and green. 6" x 6". White frame. $60. On an exciting note I am going to be taking my notecards, t-shirts and my paintings onto a more global level. A little nervous though.

still life

2009-08-03T21:13:00.003-04:00

I have been doing a lot of still life studies to get back to the basics and rehone my skills. This done in oil on masonite board with oil primed linen. $125.00. Size is 12" x 9". Please conatct me if interested at southernescapeart@yahoo.com

Carolina Goodness

2009-06-25T18:10:00.004-04:00

This is an older peice but one of my favorites. It is a watercolor piece and is framed in a beautiful gold frame. Museum matted. It measures approximately 24" X 28". It is $300. Please email if interested at southernescapeart@yahoo.com

En Vogue

2009-06-25T18:02:00.005-04:00

Wow it has been a long time since I updated my blog. I apologize. I have been painting though and will post some of the new pieces I have done. Here is the first one. It is titled "En Vogue" and is 20" x 24". Done in acrylic. It is a standard poodle if anyone is wondering. They are my favorite dog. It is $200. Contact me at southernescapeart@yahoo.com if interested.

Being Brilliant

2009-03-09T14:54:00.004-04:00

It's finished!!! I love the colors. I am so pleased with the results. Loose but just enough detail. I have titled it "Being Brilliant". A play on words... the horse's movements are brilliant and the colors used are brilliant. It is 20' x 24' and painted in acrylics. $275. Please contact me at southernescapeart@yahoo.com if interesting in purchasing.

Horses In Paint

2009-03-01T21:16:00.004-05:00

This past weekend I taught a two day workshop on Horses In Paint. It was great. The talent that the artists had was so refreshing and it made my job so easy to help them find their own style and help them along the way. I was really happy with the results. Saturday am we worked on anatomy. I was able to borrow a skull, foot and hock bones to use. Then after lunch they sketched their photos on their canvas and start with their color washes. Sunday was spent finishing the paintings. They looked awesome. Good job to all! I have attached the one I started on. It just has the start of color washes on it. The workshop was held at The Aiken Center For The Arts.

Surfside Beach, SC

2009-03-01T20:49:00.006-05:00

Lou and I a few weeks ago just needed to get away. A lot had happened. I am sure you can relate, just one thing after another so we decided to escape to the beach. The winter is one of our favorite times to go. It's quiet and the seashell hunting is usually quite good. I have been a seashell hunter since I was a little girl going to Cape May, NJ with my family. Well, I hit it big this time. I found a starfish. It had been washed up on the beach. I have never found one so that was pretty cool but to make it better there was an urchin shell next to it. I felt like they were there just for me to find. I have other urchin shells from Hawaii but this was great. Really special! The watercolor was done from our balcony. When I got home I added some pen & ink to it. It was a good weekend.

Carole Sue Roberts Workshop

2009-03-01T20:38:00.006-05:00

I attended an oil painting workshop held by Carole Sue Roberts through the Aiken Artists Guild. I do not normally paint still life's but I believe you can always learn something from another artist. Well, I really enjoyed myself. I went outside my comfort zone and am really pleased with the results. The one still life with the larger pink camelia is on oil primed linen. What a beautiful surface to paint on. The other is on a standard gessoed board. I hope you like them as much as I do. I do apologize for the glare, there was no flash used.

Apple of my eye

2009-02-07T23:03:00.003-05:00

This one I have titles "Apple of my eye". It's a mixed media piece, 10 x 8. Unframed as of now. The blue background is not showing up well here. Same issues as the pears. Will try tomorrow to get a better pic of it outside. Speaking of outside, the weather has finally turned and is the high 60's, tomorrow is supposed to be 73. Awesome! We have planned an all day horse day. Bathing, riding, etc... Can't wait.

Pears anyone?

2009-02-07T22:59:00.003-05:00

Hi. The picture is not a great one. I will try again tomorrow and do it outside, but I wanted to get it posted. It is small, 6 x 6. Watercolor, and the tomes including the antique frame are much more of a golden hue tahn shown here.

Goin' to the Beach

2009-01-29T22:51:00.006-05:00

Hi everybody, Lou and I have had a tough week and soooo we are running away. Ok, just to the beach for the weekend. I am going to take some paints with me and hopefully get inspired. I am looking forward to seashell hunting. That is my favorite thing to do. I can walk miles looking and not even realize it... well, I do the next morning when my legs are screaming. See you Monday!

What tarot card am I?

2009-01-21T00:41:00.002-05:00

I was reading another blog and they had a link to a site that tells you what tarot card describes you after you take a quick test. So I did and I am The Moon. The description is as follows.

The Moon

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Moon is a card of magic and mystery - when prominent you know that nothing is as it seems, particularly when it concerns relationships. All logic is thrown out the window.

The Moon is all about visions and illusions, madness, genius and poetry. This is a card that has to do with sleep, and so with both dreams and nightmares. It is a scary card in that it warns that there might be hidden enemies, tricks and falsehoods. But it should also be remembered that this is a card of great creativity, of powerful magic, primal feelings and intuition. You may be going through a time of emotional and mental trial; if you have any past mental problems, you must be vigilant in taking your medication but avoid drugs or alcohol, as abuse of either will cause them irreparable damage. This time however, can also result in great creativity, psychic powers, visions and insight. You can and should trust your intuition.

A bright landscape

2009-01-18T19:28:00.005-05:00

I just finished this one. Not my normal color palette. I usually use blues, greens and purples but I wanted to step out of my safety box. I had fun with it. I actually didn't like it but set it aside and went back to it a couple of hours later and thought... pretty good. Framed with a cherry frame. 10" x 8" $90.00. It was painted with acrylics. If interested send email to southernescapeart@yahoo.com

Sand road in Aiken

2009-01-17T21:25:00.003-05:00

Here is the latest version of the painting I have been working on. As you can see I have modified things. I am still in the layering stage, trying to settle on the final version so that I can go in with thicker paint.

So overwhelmed

2009-01-16T23:41:00.002-05:00

I apologize to all of you out there. I have not had a minute in the studio.I have been teaching quite a bit and I taught 10 hours today at the art center and then I do barn check tonight and the *#@$* frost free pump handle breaks of in my hand. It is very cold here in SC and I guess the metal couldn't handle it. And my husband Lou is up north working soooo it's just another thing added to my list. I am quite a positive person but wholly cow, how come *%@^ always happens when he is not home. This weekend I have promised to myself to give myself some time in the studio. Thansk for listening.

Happy New Year

2009-01-03T20:27:00.002-05:00

Well, I have not been able to spend any time in the studio. I had 10 family members descend upon the farm for the holidays. And then to top it off I got sick. They thought it was pneumonia but turned out to be diffused bronchitis. I hope to be able to paint this coming week.

Work in progress

2008-12-22T19:01:00.003-05:00

No "One Painting A Day" today. I taught today all afternoon so all I got accomplished was the first layer on the painting for the juried show I was telling you about. So far I like it. I am going to put green in where the brown is in the bottom right corner. In the photo it was pine needles but I think putting the grass there will be better. I teach again tomorrow afternoon so again I am not sure what I will get accomplished in the studio. 3 days till Christmas.

Reindeer Ornament

2008-12-21T16:51:00.002-05:00

SOLD
Today was the first chance I got to sit in my studio for a couple of hours and I took advantage. I sketched out an acrylic painting I am going to do for the Aiken Center For The Arts Juried Show: Retrospective of Aiken. Will post pics... not sure if I will do pics as I progress or just when it is completed. We will have to see. I also did a "One Painting A Day" piece. It's an ornament my Dad and Mom bought for me of a reindeer ornament. It has all this great fluffy furry stuff around it's neck. One of my favorite ornaments.

Taking a break

2008-12-17T20:44:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, no painting today. Too busy. I purchased a new used truck yesterday and traded in two wehicles towards it. So the one I had driven was already at the dealer but I had to get my old truck there. So I had to rely on a friend to help me. I did get Lou's new horse longed and rode my thoroughbred. But not much else was done today. Tomorrow I will get to painting. I promise!

One Painting A Day Apple #2

2008-12-16T22:17:00.000-05:00

As promised to myself I have continued on the "Painting A Day". I went out and got some oil paints. Water soluble. Not bad. I think I have painted for so long with acrylic and watercolor that I am having trouble just letting it happen. Practice makes perfect. So this is another view of the apple. Sorry for the glare on it.

Peek-A-Boo

2008-12-16T21:58:00.000-05:00

I finally finished a painting I had started when I was teaching an adult beginner acrylic class at Aiken Center For The Arts. I love the expressions I was able to put on canvas. I have a love of horses, tirtles and giraffes. There are only 8 or 9 species of giraffes and these two come from Niger. There are only 100 or so left and so preservation is a huge issue now. If the giraffes cross the border into Nigeria they are killed [poached.) So sad. The title is "Peek-A-Boo, I see you". It is 24" x 18" and unframed is for sale at $225. It is on wrapped canvas so framing would not be necessary. If interested please email southernescapeart@yahoo.com

Crazy dog

2008-12-15T18:52:00.000-05:00

I just had to put this up on the blog. If you live in Aiken you know stables are everywhere. This lovely and talented dog is located at "Stable on the Rail" which is located on Powderhouse Rd. Awesome photo.

One painting a day movement

2008-12-15T14:27:00.000-05:00

I have decided to join this "revolution". So yesterday I painted an apple as you can see. I had fun with the placement on the canvas. I did struggle though, I have not painted in oils for awhile and I went to use them and a lot were dried up and I ended up with 4 left. A naples yellow, sap green, alizarin crimson and green permanent. So, the colors in the painting are a little lacking but I think it turned out pretty good considering.

Two Landscape Paintings

2008-12-14T19:05:00.000-05:00

Here are two landscape paintings I did. The "Carolina Marshlands" is the one that I blogged had sold. The other "Purple Fields" is hanging in my livingroom but is for sale. If you are interested please email southernescapeart@yahoo.com. The price is $250 and is framed in an antique gold frame.

New to all this

2008-12-13T18:28:00.001-05:00

Hi, I am new to all this blogging and I seem to have a hard time logging on sometimes. I just sold one of my all time favorite paintings. I had said to myself that if it didn't sell during the holidays I was bringing it home from the gallery and sure enough it went to a gentleman who is taking it to Florida with him. I am in SC. I am going to try and post some pics. Here's a holiday practice .

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-22T21:02:00.001-05:00

This blog site is new and I am very excited. Please come back often to see my artwork.