Tennis Shoes - A Coming of Age Story

"Tennis Shoes"

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

$500

The story of this painting was inspired by my neighbor.  Her daughter is an avid athlete and loves to wear her tennis shoes and play basketball and baseball among other sports.  When I asked her to model for me...I could sense the dread.  She had to put on a dress!  The horror of it all!  She, of course, looked adorable...but prefers her shorts, a tee shirt and her tennis shoes.  So the story of this piece is a coming of age.  A young girl dressed up to go out but longing for the comfort and simplicity of her sports wear as she gazes longingly at her tennis shoes.  

Waiting for Daddy - National Military Spouse Network's First Annual Small Works Show

Waiting for Daddy

16 x 20

Oil on Canvas

$600

This is one of the pieces I am showing at the National Military Spouse Network's First Annual Small Works Show.  The show will be October 19th at the Mary Gates Learning Center in Old Town Alexandria.  The show features works of art by Military Spouses.  I love that the mother in the picture seems to be looking for something and the child is looking at the viewer.  My story...in my head...is that she is waiting for her husband to arrive home to meet his child.  The little one is, of course, oblivious to the whole situation but is distracted by something in the distance.  It was a fun piece to do.  And fun to imagine a joyous reunion.  

My blog will be silent for a while. I am off to Switzerland with some fabulous art friends for 10 fabulous days.  My husband will have to fend for himself!  

So Bon Voyage to me!!!  

Sue - National Military Spouse Network

Sue

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

Sue Hoppin is the founder of the NMSN, National Military Spouse Network.  It is a networking and professional development organization supporting military spouses who balance their own goals and ambitions with the military lifestyle.  

I met Sue recently through our mutual facebook friend, Carrie Roets Waller.  Carrie is an accomplished and award winning watercolorist.  Sue is organizing the third annual National Military Spouse Network Summit and this year will feature a Military Spouse's small works exhibit which I will curate.  That is what brought Sue and me together...Carrie and her recommendation that I curate this show with her.  I am very excited.

Then I met Sue in person and found out that she is a bundle of energy, ideas, and she can make things happen.  So the first Annual NMSN art show will be during the Summit on October 19th at the Mary Gates Learning Center in Old Town Alexandria.  It is going to be a great show and a great networking event.  

After meeting Sue and hearing all her wonderful ideas I was compelled to try and capture that spirit on canvas.  Sue has a shock of long, thick, black tresses that are absolutely gorgeous.  I loved painting this one...I am pleased to say that she loves the painting also.  

So I continue...painting smiles AND it counts as a Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 entry!!! Yayyy...winners all around.

Hugs

Hugs

12 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

I am trying to keep up with Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 but not faring as well as I would like.  It is more like 15 in 30 for me as I am posting every other day.  Then there is that darn trip to Switzerland ;)  that will put me out of the game for 10 days!  But I do what I can.

This painting is of one of my precious grand nieces hugging her doll...I just love the angles and positioning of the legs.  It was fun to block in the lights and darks and let the painting take shape.  I did have a bit of a challenge with the doll...not wanting it to look too much like human skin...trying to get it to look more plasticky.  When my husband arrived home from work I excitedly presented my work for his praise...he said the monkey looked too yellow...so back down to earth I fixed the monkey to look more like a doll.  Ah, well...he keeps me from getting a big head...

Just Another Gig

Just Another Gig

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

$400

The source for this painting was taken when I was in England at a friend's wedding.  The event was marvelous...I really got a small taste of non-touristy British life...right down to the fish and chips at the rehearsal dinner!  The wedding was fabulous and the reception so much fun.  This musician was part of a 4 person ensemble including a sousaphone, banjo and clarinet.  The musicians personalities were priceless ranging from "over the top" to "worn out."  I plan on painting the whole band in the future...it is on my short list!!

A Road Well Traveled

A Road Well Traveled

12 x 12 

Oil On Raymar Panel

$300

I saw this couple on a jaunt downtown one day.  They were so comfortable with each other...both wearing their fanny packs and their hats.  I could tell they had been together for a long time.  I would imagine that they could finish each others sentences and read each others thoughts.  I also imagine that they carry sunscreen and snacks in their fanny packs...and anything else they need for their journeys.  

I painted with a limited palette...limited for me at least.  The colors were cad yellow medium, ivory black, white, cad red and prussian blue.  I chose those colors because it is what was left on my palette from my last painting.  I decided to use those and only added some flake white.  It was fun to mix the colors, especially the greens.  I hope to experiment with more limited palettes to help me achieve a more cohesive look when I paint. 

The Recital

The Recital

18 x 36

Oil on Canvas

$600

After working diligently on trying to reproduce Mary Cassatt's "Girl Arranging Her Hair" and being mindful of every brush stroke and exact colors I needed a respite!  I chose one of my loves...little ballerinas.  I scoured my source photos and found this one of a friends recital.  I love the body language of all the little ones and the looseness of the tutu's.  The light source was from above so I concentrated on the glow surrounding their hair and shoulders as well as a slight reflections in the polished floor. I decided to lose as many edges as I could...always a challenge for me...but I had great fun doing it.  How fun for me!