The Colonel

The Colonel

16 x 20

Oil on Ramar Panel

NFS

I love painting my husband.  He is pretty cooperative...modeling is not his favorite thing to do...but I can talk him into it from time to time.  I love to paint him because his face is so interesting.  He has these wonderful deep set eyes that are a chameleon like gray/green/blue depending upon his surroundings.  They are the kind of eyes that look translucent.  His brow is furrowed and has a slight scar above his lip on his left side.  I know his face so well.  

Often when we are out in restaurants or just sitting in a park I will say to him "stay just as you are" and he knows by now to just sit icily still while I whip out my phone and take pictures.  The I may direct him to put his coffee cup down or turn one direction or another.  He knows that the atmosphere is perfect and I am trying to capture the light!  Then I do studies when I get home...until I can get him to sit for me again!  

Brotherly Love

Brotherly Love

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

This is painting of My son, Jason, currently serving in the United States Air Force and his two sons.  Jayden is the older brother and Riley the younger.  It was such a precious moment captured in a split second on film.  I have painted these three numerous times and I am sure they will be the subject of many paintings to come.  

What I really loved about this composition is the differences in the body types and gestures.  The adult in the background is leaning forward and holding up the youngest child while the older brother leans forward to give a quick kiss on the forehead.  

Salute - Steve Campbell and Colonel William "Wild Bill" Campbell

Salute - Steve Campbell

20 x 16

Oil on Raymar Panel

This Salute portrait has particular significance in many ways.  The subject, Steve Campbell is a veteran and currently works as a pilot for commercial airlines.  He is a friend of my brother, Mike Bennett, who is also a veteran and commercial pilot.  I met Steve at Mike's retirement ceremony.  I was excited to meet a veteran at the retirement ceremony and then I found out Steve is the son of a Tuskeegee Airman!  How exciting!  His father was Colonel William "Wild Bill" Campbell.  You can see a short video tribute to his father here.  He was an amazing man and our county owes him great respect for all he did for us.  

This is my first post of 2016 and I am very excited to begin the year with a  tribute to two heroes that served our country.  

If anyone is not familiar with the Tuskeegee Airmen you can see a short clip here.

My Hero - Daddy is home

My Hero - Daddy is Home

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

Sketch for larger piece/NFS

While visiting my son and his wife on a military base last summer I was fortunate to catch some touching moments between some military members and their families.  This is one such moment.  This dad had just gotten home from work and I could feel the love as he hugged his daughters.  I did this quick sketch in anticipation of doing a larger piece using some or all of these figures.  

The look the youngest daughter is giving her father is the one that completely stole my heart.  Not only do I love the feeling it gives me, as an artist I love the angle of her head and the lines in her jaw and neck.  Such a beautiful angle.  

My Happy Place - A little bit of heaven

 My Happy Place

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

$1200

I love moments like this.  So peaceful, so serene and I can just feel the love.  The young girl is safe in Daddy's arms and Daddy is protecting her.  Both Father and child feel special...feel safe.  At moments like this I wish time would stand still.  I wish I could be in this moment forever.  

My father is gravely ill.  He has had a wonderful life and has been a great example of everything I want to be in my life.  But I am not ready to lose him.  I knew this time would come but part of me never believed it would really happen. 

I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world to have such a wonderful Dad. I am filled with amazing memories.  

At Peace - Portrait of a Wonderful Life!

At Peace

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

The loss of a parent is something I cannot begin to imagine.  Both my parents are doing well, still traveling quite a bit and enjoying life.  I am doubly blessed and I know it.  I guess that is the reason my heart breaks when I hear of a friend who's has suffered this loss.  It is inevitable but I cannot imagine being prepared for it. 

That leads me to this portrait.  A much loved father who has enjoyed a wonderful life and now leaves precious memories to his loved ones.  

I did this quick sketch to celebrate his life and possibly put a smile on someone's face...someone who loves him.  

Say Cheese - Demo from Second Saturday Art Walk

Say Cheese

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

$150.00

I had a great time at the Second Saturday Art walk at Lorton Workhouse Arts Center.  I was fortunate to be able to do a painting demonstration so I chose this fun piece.  When taking source photos in downtown DC I like to take pictures of people taking pictures.  The poses and contortions of the photographers are priceless.  I loved this little girl posing for her dad.  

This is the beginning of the demo and, yes, I am wearing my "Artists Helping Artists" apron.  AHA is hosted by Leslie Saeta who offers a wealth of information for artists.  It is an invaluable resource for any artist or anyone interested in artwork.

I was so happy to see many familiar faces and meet so many new friends that walked the galleries.  Lorton Workhouse Arts Center is such a great historic site to visit.  The history is fascinating and the artwork is varied and magnificent!  And on second saturday's they serve lots of food!  

Here is a close up of my progress.  It was fun to see this little painting come to life and see the delight on everyone's face as I added colors and discussed the why's and what's of my process.  

I am nearing the end of a perfect evening...and this is where I found out I won first place in the People's Choice awards!  The painting that won is titled "Barefoot Ballerina" and can be seen if you click the link.  

It was a fabulous evening full of friends, fun, food and, of course, my demo!  I can't wait to do it again!

He's Got the Whole World In His Hands

"He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

Commission  

I love painting smiles...I am the product of a military family.  Brats we are called.  Military brats.  It is a unusual community and only another brat knows what my path has been like and I understand theirs.  I know what it is like to be apart from my family...I know what it is like to count the days until you are together again...I know how joyous homecoming is.  I know how precious family is.  When I saw this reunion of a military member returning from deployment it touched my heart.  

Painting it was a joy...knowing I put a smile one someone’s face makes me happy.  So here I am...painting smiles again.  

Big Man and Little Man

"Big Man and Little Man"  

8 x 10 oil on Raymar Panel

My son left on a military deployment recently.  Before he left he took his son on a wagon ride and I was able to capture the moment.  Painting moments in time that we shared makes me happy.  It was a happy day.