RED EYED AND BLUE

I think I will try the daily painting experiment that has been done by many artists trying to dig out of a rut. An exercise in discipline...a painting a day for 365 days to get the creative juices flowing. Any bets as to how many days I will actually go?!?!? (Can I bet on myself, the overwhelmed procrastinator? ) One small 3x5 picture a day...doesn't matter what medium...just GETTR DONE!

Something totally different for me and an exercise in color. This is 5"x7" and the first "Painting a Day" in a series of small works intended just to get me to paint EVERY DAY, no excuses. It only took 10 minutes to fill the sheet with color, another hour to make all the lines flow and put in an abstract design. Wow, that's out of my box, for sure. The title reflects the song I was listening to when inspiration struck, and also my mood on a rainy morning.

RISING SUN RECEPTION

LEFT TO RIGHT

Lynne Simone, Evie Harper, Robert Hernaiz, Patty Ritter

A great time was had by all...still waiting for more pictures to post!

ANATOMY OF A DOG PORTRAIT.... SIRIUS-LEE (NO, REALLY !)

I decided to do a portrait from start to finish and document the progress here...this is a commission of a chocolate lab that I am currently working on. First, I choose an appropriate color palette of pastels...

I start by enlarging the picture I am working from, then use it to block in the general shape of the animal. I check and recheck measurements, here. If this preliminary sketch is off, it will be harder to fix it down the road. I have 5 reference photos for this animal, each with a closeup of important parts, such as the nose and/eyes.

I block in the first layer of color, careful not to completely go over the outline sketch. At this point, think paint by number. This is also known as the "UGLY STAGE." (where you would think that this could NOT POSSIBLY turn out to be the likeness of the animal that it will become) Good placement and depth of the eyes is what my goal is. They must resemble two marbles, but be three dimensional and have enough color variation. I put the highlight in for the 3d effect. All other lights go on last.
Then I slowly begin to build layer upon layer of color to get the right shading. I do blend with my little finger and sometimes remove excess pastel with a chamois. At this point I take a step back and measure again. I am finding that the eyes are a bit too close together and will work to widen the space inbetween them without totally redoing them. Also, the head needs to be widened at the widest point, where the ears are the pointiest...

I'll add to this when I have more time....

PEACE AT LAST

This post is dedicated to my dear friend, Jim, on what would have been birthday #41. He was a kind person, always the link between long lost friends from college. Intelligent beyond words, he often put too much thought into things, which led to self doubt and self fulfilling prophecies....he became troubled and withdrawn from an unaccepting society. Sadly, he took his own life 5 1/2 years ago while battling mental illness and drug dependency. Hard to believe he has been gone that long.

This miniature watercolor, measuring just 3"x5" is of Awosting Falls in upstate NY near New Paltz where we went to school. We spent many a day hiking there...and forging friendships. Jim is in the red shirt at the bottom of the falls...apropos, since it really is his final resting place. Our group of brothers/sisters sprinkled his ashes over the falls in a tribute of sorts the summer of 2003.
What I wouldn't give to be able to call and wish him a Happy Birthday...


I mourn him still....

SOLD A PIECE AT THE RISING SUN

Sold my first piece at the Rising Sun Cafe'...a watercolor hummingbird I'd done a few years back. Both happy and sad to see it go....
I have 18 works hanging and am looking forward to much exposure and a successful two month display. Every Art League member that has hung there has sold something and we are excited about this partnership with this growing HOT SPOT in the Hernando County Art World! Stop in, have a cup of coffee and enjoy the view...10 S. Main St., Brooksville. They serve amazing homemade potato soup, too.

MY FIRST POST

SOOOOOO very exciting!

I am working on a few projects including finishing a portrait for a 90 year old woman who can no longer see to finish her own drawing of her grandchild. I hope to be finished by Weds so I can relax and enjoy my 29th birthday Thursday, followed by the annual GIRL'S WEEKEND trip to Madeira Beach. Three days of peace, quiet and plenty to eat and drink. This is our 5th year...a milestone. We bought matching shirts for the occasion ;) Someone say AAAHHHHH........!

I always take lots of pictures for inspiration...have only done one so far...I'm happy with the way he turned out. He reminded me of one of our many boys....