Tonal Portrait of baby

I was commissioned this summer to paint a portrait of this little girl. I wasn't very excited about it because they wanted it in the blue tonal style that I did a couple of years ago. I figured that one was just a fluke that it turned out so well and I wasn't sure I could successfully duplicate it. Two days ago I just dove right in and started it and I was able to finish it yesterday. This type of portrait is difficult because you have to concentrate so hard on your values. This work really pushed my abilities and I'm glad I did it because it gave me more confidence.

Thanks for checking out my work. Have a wonderful day.

On the easel right now!

I had three tiny canvases so I decided a while ago that I would put them together to make a tryptich! This is challenging to paint so small and get in any details! Oh well, it may not be ready for the Open Studio Tour but that is what I'm aiming for as a deadline.

Thank you for looking at my work.

Still on the easel but almost finished!

I know this is taking forever but it is taking me forever to get it JUST the way I want it!! I think it will be a winner when I do complete it.

11/19/11 The Colonel for Gracie Leudecke

This is "The Colonel," and she, yes SHE, belongs to a little girl at the school where I sub. She has begged me for 8 weeks to paint one of her chickens and I had a really good day at the studio and finished the whole thing. Gracie told me that she told the Colonel that I was going to paint her and the Colonel was very excited! They have several with unusual names : Chicken Nugget, Dark Meat and Honey!!

This is my first hen and it was a lot of fun. I used a combination of palette knife and brush with lots of thick paint! It will take forever to dry - that is ok because by then Gracie might have forgotten about it OR she will be mad because she thinks I FORGOT! I 'm telling her mom , a teacher at school, about it and I'll bring it to her when it is dry.

Thanks for hanging in there with me through this job. I am on a real painting tear now so there should be lots to see soon.

09/10/11

This was a landscape that I enjoyed painting of the Florence countryside. It was one of the first paintings that I ever used a palette knife on. I really enjoyed it and have since then painted many others this way.

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On the easel

I love this image of a blustery Hilo surf. The water is just the right color and the rock cliffs are taking shape nicely.

We have decided to move our spots in the studio. I have opted to move to the back corner where it is cooler and give up my position I shared with Sharon on the side wall. Some artists are painting larger paintings and need more room. I might have multiple works going on but I just put mine on the ledge and rotate them. This way I am out of the hustle and bustle and am a little more focused.

Thanks for taking time to look at my blog. Stay cool.

05/21/11 On the easel

I haven't been able to paint for a few weeks now because I've been subbing and will be subbing all next week. It is a necessary evil!

This picture is from a friend who went on an anniversary trip with her husband up and down the canals in England. She happily surrendered (just a loan) some of her pictures for me to paint. This is just the under painting and the beginning of the cows.

Can't wait until I can spend weeks at a time painting again. I sure do miss it but running out of money in the summer months is harder on me than missing a few days of painting.

Thanks for taking the time to stop in to check out my blog.