I Lost My Shoes

"Where are your shoes?"

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

$500

This couple was sitting at an outdoor cafe and looked very intense.  I imagine the conversation…"When was the last time you saw your shoes?"  "How does someone lose their shoes?"  "Are you sure you had them on when you left the house?"  "Well, I guess we should get you a new pair."

I am woefully behind on my 30 paintings in 30 days.  Life got in the way…as it sometimes does.  One thing I really like about the challenge is that it is very casual…there are no challenge police ready to give me a ticket.  It is my 4th 30 in 30 challenge and the only one I have not been able to complete.  I am sure I will try another one…they are very motivating.  

Love Letters - Reminiscing about the past

Love Letters

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

$600

My dear friend Renee agreed to sit for me so I could paint from life.  I have painted her portrait three times so far…once from the sitting and two from photographs.  This is an emotional piece…a woman reminiscing on her life while reading letters from the past.  

The table is scattered with letters as if she had been there a long time reading and re-reading words written long ago.  The daisies remind me of the "he loves me-he loves me not" practice of pulling petals to reveal feelings.  The red scarf shows love surrounding her but falling off one shoulder representing love lost.  I was able to achieve my vision for this piece though this woman really doesn't look like Renee…it resembles her but Renee is much more beautiful.  

The best part about Renee's visits is just that; the chance to visit.  We shared stories and I  got to know one of the kindest people in the world.  I am truly grateful that she took time from her day to come to my studio and let me find my vision.   

The Critic

The Critic

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

$250

After having been away from my easel for a week I decided to warm up with this little girl.  She was in a gallery and very seriously critiquing the artwork.  It was so fun to see her posture and hear her likes and dislikes.  I love the angles of her elbows and curve of her back.  She has been on my list of paintings to do for a while now.  

Tomorrow my model is returning so I can work on her portrait some more.  I am very excited!  

My new Shoes

My new shoes

8 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

How far would you go for a joke?  In my family you would take an hour out of your afternoon to paint your new shoes.  

Since I started painting full time I want to paint everything…of course that is impossible.  But I find my friends and family often suggest things to paint.  When I post a picture it is often recommended that I put my brush to canvas and immortalize the scene.  So when I posted a picture of my new shoes on Facebook my brother's comment was "paint them, paint them".  I knew he was joking…but in the spirit of fun…I painted them.  I hope he likes his Christmas present…hahahahahahahahahahaha!

Riley Patrick Hock has arrived

My Son

10 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

Illness has totally thrown me off the 30 in 30 wagon.  Not serious but enough to have me out of commission for a while.  I have been sketching a bit and trying function normally but moving slowly!  I headed to my easel and decide to do a quick sketch of my son and his son. Riley Patrick was born recently and needless to say I am overjoyed!  Painting one of the photos my son and his wife sent makes me feel closer to them.  It made me feel better. ;)

Patrick and Sammy

Patrick and Sammy

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

Number 11 in the 30 paintings in 30 days!  This is my cousin's son and his adorable puppy Sammy!  I was drawn to the loving look in his eyes.  Man's best friend throughout the ages.

Michael - A value study

Michael - Value Study

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

The source for this piece is a photo my brother, Dan, took.  I loved the darks and lights and I love the position of the hand.  I thought painting it would help me practice laying my darks and lights.  I also wanted the challenge of the hand.  I painted it quickly, as it is a study, and I would like to take my time with a larger version.  

This is my submission for the 30 in 30 challenge.  

Renee from life session 1

Renee from life, session 1

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

My dear friend Renee has consented to model for me! I am so very excited.  She is an elegant woman with long beautiful gray hair, fabulous bone structure and wonderful personality!  She arrived at 9:30 and I set up in my dining room.  I love the light that floods through my dining room window so it is always my first choice when setting up from life! Of course my husband wishes I would leave my paints in my studio…but sometimes the studio expands into my living room.  

Renee is delightful to talk to and we chat as I paint.  I couldn't be more pleased with the whole experience.  This is the first sitting and I am pretty pleased with the block in and composition.  I originally had flowers and scattered letters on the table but decided I was diluting my vision with unnecessary props.  I moved my easel closer and honed in on her face and hands.  I am so happy with that decision.  

I look forward to session 2 on Tuesday!

Sary - Cuteness personified!

Sary

Oil on Raymar Panel

8 x 10

This is my latest painting for my 30 in 30 challenge hosted by Leslie Saeta.  This little girl is a fabulous little model who has posed for me numerous times.   She has personality plus.  She has been featured in quite few of my ballerina paintings.  This one is pure Sary…no props…just cuteness! 

Painting from life - Rene

Rene

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

Today was a fabulous and trying day.  Rene, my dear artist friend, came over to sit for me.  I am working on a special project and wanted to paint from life.  We set up the scene and she sat…and I painted…then wiped…then painted…then wiped…then painted.  This is what I ended up with.  I am getting there, but it will take a while.  I know I am trying to paint to fast and I need to evaluate and measure each stroke, each color, each value…step back…evaluate again and proceed.  It was fabulous because, though trying, I learned so much and am more excited than ever to pursue this project.  I just hope Rene will hang in there with me.  She is a fabulous person with so many wonderful stories.  I thoroughly enjoyed her visit.  weather permitting she will be back on Friday morning!

A Study in darks and lights

Kerilynn

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

Study

My goal for this piece was to simply show dark and lights…to project a likeness with as little information as possible.  I was doing great and then I started to knit pick to I had to stop.  I used a photo resource of a beautiful young woman who works at Huckleberry Fine Art in Rockville, Md.  It is a fabulous gallery…if you want to see some great artwork and have a great time…stop by!  When I asked if I could use Kerilynn's picture for a resource she generously consented.

So day 5 of Leslie Saeta's 30 in 30 challenge…a day of mostly rest…produced this sketch.  

Tomorrow I have the enormous pleasure of painting from a live model!  I am spending the rest of today setting up the scene and sketching so I will be ready for her!  

Sara - a budding artist

Sara

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

This is day #4 in the 30 in 30 challenge hosted by Leslie Saeta.  Today I painted a quick sketch of Sara a neighbor of mine.  She graciously offered to sit for me a quite a while ago. I asked her just to sit and read a book so I could paint.  She is beautiful and has the most gorgeous hair…what a joy to paint!  I have several resource photos from the sitting.  

Below is the sketch I did of her before I started the painting.  

I am thoroughly enjoying this challenge.  

Charlotte - Portrait of a cowgirl

Charlotte

11 x 14

Oil on Raymar Panel

$350

I love this little girl…I haven't met her, but I love her.  She has such personality and it is written all over her face.  Some faces are just meant to adorn a canvas…and this is one.

This is my third in a series of 30 paintings to be completed in 30 days thanks to a challenge presented by Leslie Saeta.  Some of my works will be works in progress because painting 30 paintings in 30 days is daunting.  I want to join in the fun of the challenge but not put undue stress on myself…I want to present my best work.  So I continue…stay tuned...

A Mother's Love

A Mother's Love

8 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

A mother's love is unconditional.  Whatever happens, whatever you do, however you act - your mother loves you.  This young girl is severely ill with a condition called dysautonomia.  I don't understand it, but I know it is serious.  Her mom is her rock…beside her every step of the way.  I can only hope and pray that her pain eases and she will be able to lead a normal life.  

When I want to pray and think about the person/people I am praying for…I paint.  It makes me feel closer to the issue.  That is what prompted me to paint this little sketch of a happy moment.  It made me smile.

For this new year I wish everyone health, happiness and joy!

Emma - Portait of a very special companion

Emma

8 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

Sold

This is my first of the 30 paintings in 30 days hosted by Leslie Saeta.  May I introduce Emma…a longtime companion who unfortunately is no longer with us.  Sometimes these paintings are difficult to do because I desperately want to capture the essence of the beloved pet…it is a huge responsibility that I take very seriously.  Since my goal is to paint family and friends…I knew Emma would fit into either category.  I am pleased to say that the painting was well received.  

As an aside I decided to show my sketches for this 30 day project…here is Emma's sketch.

As you can see I am not careful.  I am just trying to see where everything is in relation to where everything else is.  I am lining up the eye…nose and ear…It makes it so much easier to start painting.

So I am smiling as I prepare for my next painting!!!