Mom - Mad Hatter

Mom - Mad Hatter

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

I come by my love of hats honestly.  My mom always loved hats and had some of the most fabulously outrageous ones...I loved them all.  She often wore tall hats as she is only 5 feet tall and my dad was 6 feet 3 inches.  I wish she had kept them...but alas a military lifestyle is not conducive to holding onto things that were not necessities.  

I collect hats. Love to wear them and I use them extensively as props for my models when I paint and I just love looking at them.  I am always looking for something unusual...but a top hat with a blusher veil will always wins me over.  

This portrait is one of the ones that I thought was finished a couple of days ago.  Then after letting it sit and re-evaluating I decided to re-work some if it...which led to re-working all of it a few more times.  The last thing I did was the reflection of the shirt on the neck, cheek and chin.  Then I had to call it done.  

Brownie

Brownie

8 x 16

Oil on Raymar Panel

$500

Last weekend I went to the National Mall and visited the World War II memorial.  There was a group of "Rosie the Riveters" being brought in as part of the Honor Flight program.  To greet these wonderful women who worked in the factories during World War II, there were young women dressed up in "Rosie the Riveters" outfits and other vintage costumes.  One woman bought a vintage brownie and cub scout uniform uniform and dressed up her little ones to join in the fun.  I was so taken with nostalgia and the adorableness of the kids that I just had to, with permission, take a couple of quick pictures.  As I am having a hard time focusing during our preparation for our move to North Carolina...this fun little painting was a welcome respite from my larger, more detailed pieces.  

selfie - graphite on sketch paper

This is graphite on a 9 x 12 piece of sketch book paper.  And by graphite I mean a #2 pencil.  I started sketching with #2 pencils because they are so readily available and I usually have one in my purse.  I sketch selfies quite often because I want to practice...I want to practice facial features and gestures...and I am the only one available...so I sketch myself.   I try to sketch my husband in the evenings when we are relaxing and watching TV...but sometimes he moves too much.  I am working on sketching when my model moves and can get a reasonable likeness...sometimes I keep two or three sketches going hoping he will settle back into a previous position.  It is a challenge...a challenge I enjoy.

Maria Bennett Hock - Self portrait

Maria February 2016

11 x 14

Oil on Raymar Panel

When I am between projects I usually paint a self portrait.  I do it because I am the model that is most available to me any time I need one, it is good practice, and it gives me time to think about my next project.  As I am just finishing a large double portrait that has been very time consuming and am getting ready to start another series I decided a self portrait was in order.  So today I set about trying to find my likeness once again.  When I post my self portraits, as I often do on FB (though I don't post all of them ) I am met with specific criticisms.  I am often told I don't look like what I portray.   Of course a good critique is always welcome.  :)  My only response is that I paint what I see...what I feel and what my abilities allow me to paint.  I am doing the best I can.  With that said...here is my latest self portrait.  

I am so very sad

The Saddest News

NFS

A year ago today I posted on Facebook "I am so very sad".  I remember it vividly.  I had just received the phone call that my father had passed away.  I remember walking around my living room not knowing what to do with myself.  I was so sad, I was alone...I felt gutted.  I didn't know what to do.  I sat on a chair and cried...still not knowing how to handle this flood of unwanted emotion.  I thought I must look pitiful sitting here crying...curiosity got the best of me.  I took out my phone and took some "selfies".  My goal in my artistic journey is to portray emotion and I was compelled to chronicle my own emotion.  As the year anniversary of that fateful day approached I knew I would paint this picture.  I knew it would be a sketch that I didn't spend much time on...but I knew I would paint it.  

My Father was everything I want to be.  He never followed the crowd...he always followed his own convictions.  He was funny...loved to joke around and love to sing.  He knew more oddball, offbeat songs than you could ever imagine.  He was always singing.  He was always in a good mood.  He was accepting.  

One of the best things my Daddy ever said to me was " look it up".  Whenever I asked a question he made sure I found the answer, figured out the solution, used my brain.  Of course when I was a child I hated it when he didn't just tell me the answer...but today I realize that I am a problem solver because of his insistence that I "look it up".  

I could fill volumes with stories about how wonderful my Daddy was.  I love him so much.  Today I am melancholy...I am reminiscing...I am sad....but I am so very happy to have had my Daddy for as long as I did.  

this is the pencil sketch I did before I painted my sad portrait.  

Hair Hair!

Michael Bennett Hock

 16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

My oldest son, Michael, has the most fabulous hair!  It is thick and curly...just fabulous.  I love painting hair and love it when he lets it grow so it gets really curly.  I am constantly asking...no begging... anyone in my family to sit for me.  Every once in a while I wear them down!  Being snowed in I have been able to get my husband to sit...though he does fall asleep.  I guess hiring a professional model would be ideal...but not always financially viable. Suffice it to say I have been having a great time, experimenting, painting and planning with no pressure or expectations.  My favorite way to paint.  

Maria Bennett Hock - self portrait

Maria - February 2014

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

My version of the selfie takes a bit longer than the nano-second it takes to click a camera on a phone.  I have been wanting to work from life more and find that I am usually the only one here...so I paint self-portraits.  I have difficulty seeing myself and my canvas without wearing my glasses...so all my self portraits have my glasses slipped down my nose a bit.  

I think it was important for me to do this self portrait because my last one was so angst-filled!  I needed to do an "I'm OK" self portrait.  

Now I can concentrate on getting some paintings done...now that I am all warmed up!  

My Mom

My Mom

18 x 24

Oil on Canvas

NFS

Last time my parents visited I was fortunate to be able to sketch and take lots of source photos.  My, usually camera shy, mother didn't just come out of her proverbial shell...she blossomed.  She allowed me to take lots of pictures...wore costumes...hats...posed...It was amazing.  I love painting portraits and to get to paint portraits of my family is a bonus.  

Bluesman - portrait of a harmonica musician

Bluesman

17 x 25

Oil on Canvas

$800

I have a very musical family.  When we get together there is usually a lot of singing and playing of instruments.  At our last family reunion my brother, Richard, showed off his newly learned harmonica skills while my other brother, Dan, snapped some photos. I love the darkness in this piece that leads to the glow around Richard's white beard.  

The photo was used with permission from Dan, who is a professional photographer.  

Jeanne "The Determinator" Dicasali

Jeanne "The Determinator" Dicasali

6 x 6 

Oil on Raymar panel

This is the next Hilton Head Challenge member...I was a little behind but am getting caught up!  

Here is Wanda's assessment of Jeanne...

"Received notice that some sort of celebration went down on Ferry Road in Atlanta, Ga. on Wednesday.  Neighbours reported people were singing and yelling Happy birthday Jeanne but we not sure what that was all about.

In fact, not much is known about Jeanne “The Determinator” Dicasali, a relative newcomer to the sisterhood of felons.  This, of course, leaves the field open for speculation.  We do know she is very focused and determined but because she is unassuming often slips under the radar (a good trait to have as a felon). But be cautious – crime, like art, is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration and the quiet ones can often rise to the top through sheer determination.

To enhance her public disquise, Jeanne began to draw as an adult signing up for drawing blogs and tutorials.  We even discovered a lovely little watercolour of cherries allegedly by her.  It appears she has now moved to oil and surveillance has shown her in the company of Karin “Quickdraw” Jurick and the other Hilton Head felons.  Speculation is that she is likely to continue this practice.

She is also known to have international connections as her husband has been seen crossing the border into Canada often over the years.  We will stay alert in case this happens again.  She is not thought to be dangerous at this time but that could change.  Proceed with caution but proceed!"

Carl Baratta - 30 artists in 30 days Challenge

Carl Baratta

6 x 6

Oil on Raymar panel

I met Carl Baratta through my brother, Richard.  Carl is a fabulous artist who works at the Art Institute of Chicago.  His work can be seen here.carlbaratta.com.  When I wrote to ask him for a picture for this project he replied immediately and sent this one explaining that he does not have a lot of pictures of himself and this was taken when he was looking out for bears.  When I began my art journey, Carl was always there ready to answer questions and help me out.  

Leslie Saeta's challenge has taken me many places.  I have met new artists and found out more about many that I know.  It has been a wonderful learning experience...and it is not over yet!!!  a couple more days left!!!