Sharing - A boy and his dog

Sharing 

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

$600

I just love this scene for so many reasons.  It shows the special bond between a boy and his dog...it shows the selfless act of sharing his cup of water...and it shows the complete and utter trust between the two.  It was a joy to paint.

In other bits of good news I have had the complete and utter privilege of photographing both of my parents in a recent photo shoot and plan on portraits of them both in the near future.  They are in their late 80's and cannot sit for me but agreed to the shoot.  

AND I begin my next copy at the National Gallery of Art this Wednesday.  I am painting "Autumn" by Winslow Homer.  I love the deep rich reds and greens in this piece...and of course the figurative work also.  Stay tuned to see my progress...

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.

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!!!

You Gonna Share That Gelato?

"You Gonna Share That Gelato?"

12 x 16

Oil on Raymar Panel

$250

This is, of course, from my recent trip to Switzerland/Italy/Germany.  We were in Italy here...where else would you get gelato!  This dog desperately wanted some of the delicious treat but waited patiently until he was allowed to lick the bowl.  I love the look between the two...an anxious understanding.  

The setting was one of the cobblestone stairways...of which there are many..in Italy.  They all look so quaint and foreign to me that I could only think of movie sets and how wonderful it would be to film real life in Italy!

Yesterday my son agreed to sit for me so I could paint from life.  Here is his Steampunk look. He owns the top hat and glasses.  I imagine I will be doing more of these as he has agreed to sit again...and his wife has also relented and will sit for me also.  It is such a good exercise.  This one was done in three 20 minute sessions...then I called it done.  When I do these I am trying to get as reasonable likeness as I can as quickly as I can and not be too knit-picky about it.  I am pretty pleased but will do better next time!

Well, arrivederci!!!  Which means, of course..."till we meet again"!  

Beatrice Townsend by John Singer Sargent - The finished copy

I just picked up my copy of Beatrice Townsend by John Singer Sargent.  I am pretty happy with it and wanted to recap the process.

As a Copyist at the National Gallery of Art I applied for permission...the piece has to be in a gallery that is approved for copyists and since only one copyist can be in a gallery at a time, I have to make sure there is a day available for me to work.  When I got the green light from the Registrars office I began my research...I had requested the Sargent piece and was thrilled that it was available for me to copy on Fridays.  First I looked up anything I could find on Beatrice Townsend but found precious little. I then researched Sargent and found a lot of good information including his palette.  It was explained and the author added colors I could use today since I was not familiar with some of the colors on the list.  I got this from Aaron Miller's blog and found it most informative. 

After reading a bit and researching I was itching to get started and I began sketching.  I usually sketch the piece two or three times just to see how everything lines up...where everything is on the canvas.  I like to have a good idea before I go to the gallery.  I also print out a small 8 x 10 copy of the piece to use for reference.  Once I feel comfortable with the sketches I head to the National Gallery of Art to begin. 

I brought a blank canvas and started at the very beginning.  Once I completed the sketching  and made sure everything was in the right place I started placing in colors.  I worked on matching brush strokes, especially with the little dog.  Those strokes were very definite and defining.  

Here are some pictures of me working a the gallery.

It is very common to have people stop and watch.  Solitude is the norm for my workday...so this sudden influx of interest in what I am doing takes some getting used to.  I am surprised at how well I am able to tune people out and just concentrate on the task at hand.  Having said that I try to be helpful and pleasant to anyone who has a comment or question for me.  

It was a challenge but great fun and I cannot wait to start my next piece.

Beatrice Townsend after John Singer Sargent at the National Gallery of Art

Beatrice Townsend

After John Singer Sargent

NFS

This is my progress so far on Beatrice Townsend by John Singer Sargent.  I am painting at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC participating in the Copyist program..  I am really have a great time.  My day began by re-assessing placement of the facial features, neck and the size of the puppy.  I figured out the dog's head was not bit enough so I made that bigger.  Adjusted the sash a bit and then tackled the facial features.  I knew the mouth was too high...but I remained in denial all day long...I kept thinking that it was OK.  Then just before quitting time I fixed it.  I knew I would never be happy with it...so down it went.  

I still have quite a bit to do...finishing.  The white collar needs detail and the necklace has to be repositioned a bit and some dimension added to it.  

No joke of the week this week.  Everyone was very quiet.  I don't know whether it was because I had to concentrate on features so much that I didn't interact or the heat got to everyone and they were just too hot and tired!  The highlight of the day was a little boy around seven or so who walked by...smiled...and gave me a thumbs up!  

Here I am diligently working away...you can see how empty the gallery was today!!!  So unusual!

Karin Jurick Workshop - Hilton Head Island 2012

It has been one year since I started my blog!   How appropriate to review/recap my Karin Jurick experience 2012 since the catalyst for this blog was Karin Jurick's workshop at Hilton Head Island in 2011.  I was encouraged to start a blog and paint daily.  Both practices have served me well.  

Pretzel

8 x 8

Oil on Board

This is my favorite painting from the workshop.  I love the perspective and I love the copper/bronze skin tones...coupled with the body angles it was an interesting piece to paint.

Here is Karin giving one of her fabulous demo's.  If you haven't seen her in action you are truly missing a master at work.  She brings life to each stroke applied to the board.  For me, watching her paint was the highlight of each day.  Here is a small taste of her genius in a youtube video

Yes, we had fun...and though I hadn't ridden a bike in eons...you really DON'T forget!  

This is my rendition of Karin's photo.  It is also the same photo she used in her you tube video at the link above.  It was a great warm up and great to see everyone's different take on the same photo.  I am using one of Karin's table top easels made by Brett. 

Here is one of the infamous mug shots.  Karin gave each of us a 4 x 4 board and a picture of a mug and we painted.  It is a great exercise.  

Another day, another painting!  I caught this dynamic duo chatting it up on the beach.  I just couldn't resist that bright red jacket and adorable white dog constantly talking and looking inquisitive!

We all are rapt in the magic of Karin's masterful brush strokes.

The Morris Whiteside Gallery hosted a reception for our class honoring Karin's work that hangs in the gallery.  Chris Werst, Regula Scheifele, Karin Jurick, Lydia Jechorek and I sported colorful Pashmina's generously given to us by Chris.  Here we are in front of Karin's work.

Last but not least, we ate at fabulous restaurants on the island.  Robert Irvine's "Eat!" restaurant...the food was delicious.  

It was a wonderful week filled with art, laughter, support and more art.  I treasure the relationships that developed through this class.  

Georgia On My Mind

"Georgia on My Mind"

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

Sometimes you have to take a break from a 30 in 30 series of portraits and just paint something else!!!  

When I began my 30 in 30 series I received a phone call from a dear friend and wonderful artist, Kathy Cousart...click her name to visit her website...ohno... I digress...

I received a phone call from Kathy asking about my series and encouraging me...cheering me on and giving me confidence.  It really meant so much to me.   When my brain was muddled with the next 6 x 6 portrait and I needed a break I decided to paint Georgia, Kathy's adorable puppy and name it "Georgia on My Mind" because she was...on my mind that is.  It was fun to play with the whites and the bright red Georgia Bull Dawg shirt.

I sent Kathy a picture of this painting and she loved it...I am so very happy to be able to send her a small token of my appreciation for the kick in the pants I needed to get started!  

My attempt to make the world smile, one painting at a time, is working.  

Now back to the 30 in 30 series!!!  Break is OVER!

Roxie Girl - Portrait of a Puppy

Roxie Girl

6 x 6

Oil on Board

NFS

This small painting was done for the Daily Paintworks weekly challenge.   The challenge this week is to paint an animal close up and was issued by Taryn Day  She is a fabulous artist who's work can be seen on her blog...Awake and Painting.  

When visiting my son, daughter in law and grandson I had the chance to take some pictures of their beloved Roxie Girl.  I am happy to say they love the little "mug shot" of Roxie Girl!