Rosie Remembers

Rosie Remembers

24 x 20

Oil on Canvas

It is no secret that I love anything military related and Rosie the Riveter is no exception.  Recently a bus load of Rosie the Riveters descended upon the World War II memorial to celebrate their contribution to the war effort.  The trip was courtesy of the Wonderful Honor Flight organization who frequently flies in World War II vets...I am so glad they honored these ladies.  They were all clad in festive red and white polkadot accessories.  Most of them were wheeled about in wheelchairs and you could see the exuberance on their faces.  If I called out "Thank you Rosie" I was met with smiles and the iconic "gun show"  that is Rosie showing off her muscles.  It was a wonderful sight.  

I took my Rosie opportunity to take many source photos and try to get as many stories as I could.  The ladies were all so lovely.  

So here is my Rosie...remembering her glory days...when she helped win the war!  Thank you Rosie...

Woman World War II Veteran - Honor Flight

World War II Veteran - Honor Flight

12 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

$650

I am continuing my series of Honor Flight Veterans visiting the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington DC.  We are free because of these brave men and women.  Women WWII vets are hard to find.  As Honor Flights visit I look for women to include in my series.  I saw this woman in her group of Honor Flight vets and sought her out for a salute.  She was so surprised!  She is 94 years old and was thrilled to be included in the series.  I am thrilled to have her included...and I thank her and all the vets for their service.

Happy Fourth of July!  As we celebrate our independence I hope everyone will take a moment to honor the all veterans.

Generations

Generations

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

$1200.00

It all started with a visit to see my cousin Mary Ellen in Maryland.  We get together every so often to have an art day.  It always involves lots of art, laughter and good food!  On this visit I had the presence of mind to load my car with some of my hats from my prop closet and a couple of my kimonos just in case anyone was up for a photo shoot.  My good fortune continued when I realized that Virginia, Alice and Alvah we also going to join us.  After a respectable amount of time at the work table I approached everyone with the option to add a photo shoot to the fun.  They were all game and tried on hats and kimonos and posed for me.  What fun! Alice pulled out her violin and posed and even got some great shots of her Dad playing his guitar!  When I am not fortunate enough to have a live model in the studio...I opt for my fabulous collection of inspirational photos.  

Here we have Virginia and Alice...grandmother and granddaughter.  They were both so much fun trying on hats and kimonos.  I love the relationship between these two.  The love and respect is obvious.  I worked on this off and on for the last couple of months and may work on it some more...but for now I am going to call it done. 

In other news, we are getting ready for our move to North Carolina.  I have been cleaning things out.  I don't believe my studio has EVER been so clean!  I purged the space of my rejected paintings and put things away.  Of course now I can't find anything!  

My Mom

My Mom

18 x 24

Oil on Canvas

NFS

Last time my parents visited I was fortunate to be able to sketch and take lots of source photos.  My, usually camera shy, mother didn't just come out of her proverbial shell...she blossomed.  She allowed me to take lots of pictures...wore costumes...hats...posed...It was amazing.  I love painting portraits and to get to paint portraits of my family is a bonus.  

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.   

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!

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!

Mom Doggett...An amazing life

Mom Doggett...An Amazing Life

6 x 6

Oil on Panel

NFS

After I painted "At Peace" I quickly realized that his wife also needed to be recognized.  She was an amazing person.  She taught at the International School of Bangkok, Thailand and is lovingly remembered by her family, students, and so many lives that she touched in positive ways.  

These two portraits are on their way to France to celebrate life.  I love that...celebrating life.  I am sure there will be lots of stories and lots of laughter...and of course...smiles.