The Adjustment - Ballerina adjusting her straps

The Adjustment

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

$1200

One of the reasons I love to paint ballerinas so much is because of the freedom painting tutu gives me.  I begin by laying in darks and letting the skirt take shape.  Once the darks are all in I lay the medium colors in...adjusting as I go.  I never try to exactly mimic the tutu I am looking at...I take artistic license to let the paint flow and form the skirt.  Once I get a good shape I add some highlights to show off the shape of the skirt.  

In this particular painting the girl was not really playing with her straps.  When I started painting I thought it would tell a good story.  I imagine a little girl just getting her outfit on ready for her recital.  She nervously adjusts her straps while walking towards the stage.  I love that her tights were loose and baggy.  

It was just a fun piece to paint.  

Getting Ready - A mother's encouraging hand

"Getting Ready"

6 x 6

Oil on Raymar panel

$350

Pablo Picasso said "painting is just another way of keeping a diary."  Truer words were never spoken.  I love telling stories with my paintings...but it is not always my story.  This particular painting is a mother fixing her daughter's hair before a ballet performance.  The girl looks a little worried...the mother is calm and reassuring her daughter.  Who doesn't appreciate the confident, calm voice of reason telling you that everything will be all right...that you will be fabulous...and that the audience will love you.  It is a classic moment.  

Though this particular moment is not my story...it is representative of my mom's encouragement.  She would always tell me that everything would be all right...that I can accomplish anything I put my mind to...that the sky is the limit.  

Because of my family's belief in me I have always set high goals.  I aim high...I believe I can...

Pink Boots

Pink Boots

17x31

Oil on Canvas

$1200

Recently I was visited by a beautiful ballerina wearing pink cowgirl boots!  How fun is that?  Can you imagine how excited I was when she walked into my own home???  I was so excited!  I was able to get a few snapshots before she twirled off into the sunset! 

Ballerina

Ballerina

6 x 6

Oil on Raymar Panel

Randy Higbee 6 x 6 show

I am very happy that my little "Ballerina" painting has been accepted into the Randy Higbee 6 x 6 show in Costa Mesa, California.  This little ballerina is actually Alice Russell who was kind enough to pose for me.  I took lots of pictures and have been using them as source references for numerous paintings.  When the time came to choose a subject for the Randy Higbee show I knew Alice's graceful ballerina poses would be perfect.  I tried to keep the paintings loose.  On such a small surface I tend to tighten up...but was pleased with how this one came together and I am proud to have it in the show.  

Ballerina - Pointe Shoes

Ballet

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My cousin's daughter takes ballet...What a treat for me!  She agreed to come over for a photo shoot.  I took dozens of pictures of her with long tutu's, short tutu's, leotards and...most importantly Toe shoes...which I found out are REALLY called Pointe Shoes.  She is a beautiful girl and a fabulous model.  Her body lines and expressions were more than I could have hoped for.  It was a wonderful day.  Since then I peruse the photos often selecting different ones to paint.  I have painted her about 8 times...only two will ever be seen by the public ;)...but I have had a ball.  This is my favorite.

Resting - a ballerina's respite

Resting

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

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I was fortunate to have a lovely ballerina pose for me a while back.  Alice is gorgeous and showed up with pointe shoes, tutus and a leotard.  It was such fun to see her in action...such a graceful young dancer.  Capturing that grace is the hard part!  Alice was gracious to continue to pose and then sat on the floor to rest...I loved this shot.  I always like paintings that tell a story...even a story of an exhausted ballerina. Of course, Alice wasn't really exhausted...it is just a good story.