Latest Portrait

Here is the latest portrait sketch of a girl named Sammy.  I never met her but she is adorable.  This is a friend of a friend's daughter and she served as my portrait demo at the Clifton Art Show a few weekends ago.  The first picture was my demo and I completed it in record speed, probably 20 minutes, but I didn't like the lack of depth of the skin tone, so I repainted it as you will see in the second photo.  I'm extremely happy with the skin tone, but it is not picking up in this ipad photo (the opposite of my son's painting).  I might take a picture with the Canon and see if it shows up better.  Once again my portrait sketch turned into a full blown effort.  I really enjoyed painting Sammy and was sad when I couldn't figure what else to improve and called it done yesterday.

I was going to crop this painting and make it a 6 X 8" because of the orientation of her on the canvas, but I really like the fact that there is a lot of space around her face, in fact I wish there was more.  I think more space would have a moody feel and I would reserve it for teens or older kids.  

I hope to do more of their portraits.    This is 8 x 10".   I'm taking orders :-)  The price is $250.

Hazard Pay?

How do you hurt your wrist painting?  I have been wondering why my wrist hurts so much over the last few days.   I figured it out tonight.  I went to open the large mouth jar of dirty turp I have lying around to dispose of my used gamsol and I wrenched my wrist trying to open it.  What?! Really?  Ridiculous.

I can barely type.  Luckily it is my left hand and I'm right handed.  Did I say ridiculous?  Argh.

Winter Class Starts January 17 2013

December sure went fast.  Not that we are quite done yet, but pretty close.  I haven't sent out a notice of my upcoming winter class yet, so I thought I would start here because it is so much easier than compiling my list.  I still have 6 slots left.  The class starts January 17 and runs for 8 weeks (except Feb 21).   Here is more information:

Still Life Painting Class
January 17 - March 14 (no class Feb 21)
Thursdays 7-10 pm
Herndon ArtSpace
750 Center Street Herndon VA
703 956-6590

Several students have asked about painting portraits.  I would be up for that if students want to paint from photographs.  I can't manage a live model.  So difficult to find and very unpredictable and costly.  Please contact me via messages here.  Hope everyone enjoyed Christmas.

Kid's Portrait Challenge

I created a portrait challenge for myself to paint small 8 x 10 kid's portraits.  I did this to coincide with the Clifton Art Show last weekend, which I participated in.  Here is one of the commissions I received.  I rushed to finish it for a friend who is traveling for Christmas tomorrow.  Pretty happy with it, but the edges.  Going back to the easel now to finish up a bit.  Have to recharge my ipad, which is what I'm painting from.

Apple and Pear Demo

I'm fixing or finishing some of my class demos for tomorrow's show sponsored by my home town of Clifton, VA and also sponsored by the Clifton Betterment Association.  I want to have work that is reasonably priced.  I did this demo in the Spring I think.   Fixed the background a bit and voila. Used lots of liquin so it will be dry by tomorrow.

I'm itching to work on that pear but if I continue to paint on it, I will defeat my objective.  This is 12 x 12.  Please come see me tomorrow.

Clifton Art Show 12641 Chapel Rd
12-6pm show and demos
6-8 pm free reception (Catered by Shirley's Catering and wine selected by Clifton Wine Shop)
We are in the town hall next to the fire station.

Onions

Here is another painting I did on my two day art vacation.  I haven't painted onions in a long time so it was fun to paint them again.  Unfortunately as the sun set so did the light on my easel and palette.  I have to correct the orange that mistakenly got into my permanent rose paint while painting in the shadows.  I would also like to put some lights on box and put words on the box.  I finished the background a bit more after this photo but left it brushy.  A bit wobbly photo here with all the light reflecting off the painting and the bad angle  (at least I hope its the angle of the photo).  Must tighten this up a bit.

Pumpkins and Kale - On the Easel

I'm having a blast painting today.  I have these fabulous pumpkins and couldn't resist.  My husband purchased this green beauty at the farmers market, which has been the in fridge for 4 weeks.  The large orange pumpkin came from a rogue pumpkin seed that bloomed this summer and took over our front yard (probably from two Halloweens ago).  That too has been the fridge and at my class several times and is at least three months old (still perfect).

Also have been trying to painting this kale for the last four week and haven't been able to find the right set up despite many attemps.  Been chillin' in the garage (thank goodness it is winter -- built in fruit and flower fridge).

Anyway, here is what I'm working on right now.  This is just the block in but I'm loving it and may just leave it pretty much the way it is.  Having a blast on my two vacation days!!  The top painting is the final.  Left it blocky and love it!

Silver Sugar Bowl

I ran across this oil  sketch of some azaleas and dogwoods I did in this Spring.   I'm trying to catalog what I have to bring to the Clifton Art Show this coming Saturday.  I had forgotten about this painting.  I think I will include it in the work to be shown.  It is 8 x10 in a rather elaborate frame.  I do plan to make most if not all of my paintings available with and without the frames.  However, I buy my frames from JFM Enterprises and they are rather nice.  I haven't been able to find another provider of quality frames for less.

On the Easel

I got up very early this morning (4:30 am) to paint.  I've done this twice now and it gives me about two hours before I have to get my son up for school and start getting ready for work.  I have really enjoyed these early morning sessions and plan to do this whenever I get enough sleep and have the time.  Here is how far I got this morning.  These are roses from my wedding anniversary bouquet.  My poor husband, I'm probably the only wife who gets a bouquet and immediately puts in the fridge until I can dismantle it to paint it.  I think it needs more of the large roses in the background, so I better rush before these roses are history. 

I'll be published in International Artist Magazine

I was recently notified that I will be published in International Artist Magazine as a finalist ? for their Still Life Challenge/competition.  My painting above will appear in the Feb/March issue.  I'm so thrilled.  I'm not exactly sure what happens next.  I know they award grand, second and third prizes.  I assume that I am not one of those winners but one of 10 honorable mentions or finalists (not exactly sure the title) that also gets published.  Given this is the first time I've entered, I'm not exactly sure what my title is in this event.  Whatever the title. it doesn't matter--I'm just honored. I will get a full page spread on my painting "Camellia, cherry blossoms and dogwood" and a write up of my inspiration and technique.  I'm so excited, but many more logistics to go  including concerns about whether they have received my photographs in the appropriate size which is a must to be published.  I'm still biting my nails and pinching myself.