Splish Splash!

Splish Splash!

8 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

The Hilton Head 4 Bi-weekly challenge continues with Lydia's resource photo of a little girl in a pool.  I loved painting the water and wavy reflections of her pink suit in the water.  It was quite a challenge for me...really stretching myself out of my comfort zone.  

These challenges make me paint things I would never choose and though I am sometimes stumped...I always appreciate the knowledge gained from the new and unusual resources to paint from.  

This is Lulu's rendition of the source photo.

And Lydia's painting!

The Field Trip - National Gallery of Art

The Field Trip

12 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

This is the continuation of this painting depicting a group of school boys on a field trip to the National Gallery of Art.  They were all taking notes and hopefully talking about the artwork...though I think they noticed the girls from a nearby school who were also on a field trip. 

The painting in the background is called "The Old Musician" by Edouard Manet.  One thing I really love about painting these pictures from the National Gallery of Art is the education I get researching the paintings in the background.  I like to find out as much as I can about the master's artwork and then try to find a commonality between the two pieces.  In this one the people in the background are mimicked by the boys on the field trip.   

Sherrie McGraw workshop portraits

This is the first painting I did at the Sherrie McGraw workshop.  The whole process was wonderful but very different.   When beginning these paintings, instead of defining features by drawing the head, eyes, nose, etc....I massed in the area that the figure occupies.  The idea is to identify the overall concept of the piece.  It is a very freeing way to establish features by capturing the light and shadows.  

I was able to get a little farther along with this figurative piece.  I realized the facial features more and worked on the folds in the fabric.  It was the second piece I worked on at the workshop and I was getting used to the procedure a bit more.  

Here area couple of action shots of Sherrie McGraw explaining the process to me.  It was fascinating...the workshop...meeting Sherrie McGraw and Jacqueline Kamin...and painting using their processes.  I am anxious to incorporate those processes into my work and anxious to see the result.  

Stay tuned...

Sherrie McGraw Workshop

Workshop sample

not for sale

I attended a Sherrie McGraw workshop in Atlanta, Georgia last week and painted portraits from life all week.  The last day I decided I needed to get out of my comfort zone and try a still life.  It is quite a departure for me.  I learned so very much. Sherrie McGraw and Jacqueline Kamin helped me out with composition, colors and Sherrie even painted ONE of my roses...guess which one Sherrie painted and which ones I did...

More about the workshop after I catch up on my sleep!!!

Hilton Head Four challenge - Girl with a Watering Can

"Girl With a Red Pocketbook"

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

This is the Hilton Head Four bi-weekly challenge entry.  "Girl with a Watering" Can by Pierre Auguste Renoir is one of my favorites and I couldn't resist this young woman in a blue skirt studying the piece.  I loved her red purse...ergo the name!

I supplied a source photo from one taken at the National Gallery of Art and my 3 partners in crime supplied their versions.  It is so fun to see what others see in a source photo.  The lessons I learn from the different cropping and colors are priceless.  Three of us painted pretty much the same scene with Lydia stepping back and painting the whole figure.  I think she just liked the boots on the woman.  

Regula aka Lulu did a quick sketch digitally.  I love the watercolor effect it has...such soft colors and she was able to include just enough information so you know the scene.  It makes you think.  hmmmmmmmmmm....

Chris also did a quick digital sketch...

Last but not least Lydia's version "looking forward to spring".  

The Swinger

The Swinger

8 x 16

Oil on Raymar Panel

I love golf...the Masters Golf Tournament was last weekend and it is always a great competition.   My husband was stationed at Ft Gordon, Georgia in the 80's and we rented a small apartment near Augusta National where the Masters is played.  Back in the day there wasn't the security that we have now and wandering onto the golf course to watch was pretty easy.  So we jumped in and were able to see some of the pro's in action.

The source for this painting is a golf pro at a nearby course.  She was kind enough to let me follow her around and snap pictures relentlessly.  If any of you have ever been on a golf course you would know that the clicking of a camera shutter is NOT acceptable during a golfer's swing.  I learned that the hard way when watching Clint Eastwood play at the "Bing Crosby Pro Am" at Pebble Beach (also in the 80's).  I took a picture as he was putting...the camera went "CLICK' and then WHIRRRRRRRRR because I had a self winding camera...well...I almost got thrown off the course.  If I recall, I was still cute then and they let me stay.  Ah the joys of youth!  hahaha...

Well, I digress...Liz let me shadow her and take copious photos in all stages of swinging, putting, and setting up.  I love all the angles here...the arms and legs all doing unnatural things.  Always a challenge and something I love to figure out while I paint.

Red - Just for Fun

Anneliese Hock

6 x 6

Oil on Raymar Panel

Did you ever have one of those days when you have so much to do it is overwhelming???  Instead of doing what you have to get done you do something totally random...something that you don't need to do...something that is just fun???  Well, that is what I did today.  I met my  husband's, cousin's daughter on facebook.  She just cut her hair...a great cut...it is bright red and I just wanted to paint her.  She is adorable and I don't think I captured her "free" spirit totally, but I had a great time with her.  

Tomorrow...back to what HAS to get done...or maybe not ;)

Life is good.

Bandaid - Portrait of Lucy

Bandaid

20 x 24

Oil on Canvas

This is one of my grand nieces, Lucy.  Lucy and her sister Vivi have been my little muses for a few years now and I never tire of painting them. When they visit they often dress up in tutu's and pose for me.  This particular time Lucy sat in my favorite little white wicker chair and told me exactly when I could take her picture.  She kept mentioning that she had a bandaid on her leg...so I figured it should be an important part of the composition.

This piece will be featured at Lorton Workhouse Arts Center in Gallery 902 for the month of April.