So Much To Do!

Paintings That Needed Finishing (JUST FINISHED!)

My last post was about deciding when a painting is finished. This post is about finishing some paintings that needed to be finished! It often takes much much longer than I thought it would to get a piece to completion...

I love the graphic color blocking of this work, aren't the colors wonderful? I really want you to notice the colors and shapes first!

I was unable to finish this in one session. I had the background down, and the major color blocks and even the face and cap, but I had to go back in to finish painting the hands and the light that hits the top and skirt. Adding the light to the green and purple was fun and not too complex. Of all the items in the painting the hands were the hardest to paint, probably because they are so small. The size of the painting is 12 x16 inches, so the hands are teeny. The painting on the left is now finished.
As a prep for this painting, I painted a large hand (almost the size of the entire figure painting)just to understand how I would incorporate the nuances of the hands.

Next, I had a small almost finished dark painting that I needed to work on. This painting was very dark - lots of black against neutrals with loose brushwork. I love the large black hat and the profile of the face. There are so many layers of fabrics. The model was wearing a nearly see through black dress which I wanted to imply but not draw attention to. Also, there are so many striped patterns here, since I was painting quickly I did not want to spend too much time perfecting each stripe - just implying. When I went to finish the painting I added in the red pattern in the lower right corner and added some red/purple next to the red stripe pillow. I also deepened the red lip color so that there is more red color patterning throughout. The last step was highlights to the hair - the model has blonde highlighted hair but the black hat created shadows so the hair really looked greenish! I am very pleased with this little gem. This finished painting is a small 9 x 12 inches.

BEFORE

AFTER

Lastly, I had a painting that I considered finished until I went to Art Critique. Art Critique suggested that I add more to the left arm so that it felt less "cut off". And, asked that I convey more of the legs so that it is easier to read how the model is sitting. What is funny is I thought there would be more discussion about the model's hair. She has dark black hair that she "Hombre'd" to reddish from the ear point down - but that really wasn't the issue with this painting.  So, following critique advice, I redid the white dress adding more light hitting the knee, belly and bust and more shadows along the leg area (this I repainted with the photo in black and white) so that I could see the values. Hard to tell in this photograph, but I also updated the head piece to coordinate more with the flowers to the left of her head. I really love this little piece, the pose and style are interesting and sweet. While I will take it back to art critique, I won't do any more work on it, it is finished now.

When Is a Painting Finished?

Alla Prima, Loose Painting, Unfinished?

Listen to Your Heart 12x16

In painting, especially painting portraits, composition and skin color are often hard to achieve. And, artists don't always have good days. Some paintings just don't work, some features or compositions or even models may not work for the artist. One of my favorite models is above- I love her orange skin tone and expressive eyes - she is a muse model for me - I can usually get a good painting when I paint her. This painting is loose and looks unfinished and yet I decided it was complete. For me, this painting is finished as it is. I love the colors in the painting, the red pops with the blue and purples. I love the expressive big eyes of the model; I used blue and purple to set off the fiery brown eyes and achieved a likeness in the model and her strength of character.

Girl Chat 12x16

It is unusual for us to have two models in the studio, but I really loved the pose of these two friends. They looked at each other and chatted in their bright fun costumes. I especially love the girl on the left, perhaps it is her pose, perhaps the fun colors - it appealed to me. However, I did not want to be too meticulous with this painting. I wanted fresh and loose and not too tight or serious. I think I accomplished my goal and am happy with the results. In the future, I think I will paint a portrait of the girl on the left.

I know many artists and some are very meticulous and detailed, finishing their works beautifully. I respect and love their style. I am however, not that artist right now. I spent a long time trying to get my still lifes to look like photos and I was very frustrated and didn't love the results (my paintings looked overworked). I relish brushstrokes and find joy in painting in an expressive and loose style. Maybe someday I will have the discipline to get the details and really make a painting that looks "finished" but for now I work to enhance my composition and color.

The Art of Shows

Art Shows: Heartbreak and Joy

BBAC Art Show 2015

Something that I have learned is that most art shows allow artists to submit work as long as the artist pays an entry fee. Although paying an entry fee is no guarantee that your artwork will be accepted into the show.

Last year I payed entry fees to two local juried art shows (different judges, different venues). I was rejected from both shows (heartbreak). However, in talking to other artists who have different styles and mediums than I, many were rejected from the show (ah, a relief to know that I am not alone).

The Dowager, BBAC Student Show

Joy! I just learned that one of my works was juried into a student show (a victory as this is a difficult show to get into). In the past, I have tried and failed to get work into this student show. 

Additionally, my fellow artists also encouraged me to join a member show (guaranteed to have one artwork in the show). This means that for February 2015, I will be in two shows!  Art Shows are very exciting and are wonderful for an Art Resume.

The Dowager : Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center from Jan 24^th to Mar 27^th! 

Topaz Blue: Northville Art House from Feb 6^th  to Feb 27^th! 

Topaz Blue, Northville Art House

There is so much that goes into whether or not you should try to get into a show. A key takeaway is to ensure that you have a good understanding of what the show and or juror are looking for so that you don’t waste your entry fee money. Another important art show detail is organization. To get into a show an artist has  to get  applications in on time, drop off art work and eventually pick up artwork on the slated dates (drop offs and pick ups are usually restricted hours).

Hope to see you at the Art Shows!

A Stack of Unfinished Works

AKA The Busy December

Kate 18 x 24", Unfinished

December was a month of events and to-dos which led to a stack of unfinished artworks. I continued to attend art group and paint, but did not have time to work on paintings at home—so now I have a stack of paintings waiting to be finished and that is a little overwhelming. 

Dana, Unfinished

I am unfinished and unhappy with the Dana portrait. I loved her hair and the green wreath setting on her hair, although the greenery needs a bit of a punch. Also, her face looks too long and her frown makes her look like a witch. I have some "maker her happier" work to do.

There are those who would say, well you don’t have to finish every painting. TRUE!  I absolutely agree that not every painting is a winner. When an Alla Prima (Wet) painting is not working for me, I will wipe it out with Turpenoid and a large paintbrush (leading to a nicely toned canvas).  Often I know when a painting isn’t working and I wipe it out within a few hours, this happens at least once a month. 

Meredith, unfinished

Meredith (scarf and long dark hair) is almost done. I like the scarf and her face but need to work on her shoulder, blouse, and the background. 

I really loved the whole 40's vibe with the cloche and furry collar on Becca. I have worked on the grey of the hat, the fur of the collar and the color of her face. I just want to add highlights to the flower and work on defining/shadows on her nose and neck. And maybe add some depth to her right (shadow) eye.

Becca, unfinished

This is some of my "to- finish" artwork list but I am unsure of how soon I will get all the work done as I start a new art class tomorrow! It may get done, it may get done, it may get done someday...

It's Santaaa!

You Gotta Smile if you Paint Santa

To know me is to know that I adore Christmas and all the warm wonderful associations of the season  - from songs to Christmas cookies. Santa is a big part of Christmas; who doesn't feel like a kid again around Santa?

It's Santa  12 x 16 Oil

My friend knows Santa and arranged to have him "pose" for our art group one day. Aren't we so lucky? When I pulled into the studio parking lot, I met Santa in his full get-up: white beard, rosy cheeks, glasses, red suit trimmed with white fur. Big black boots, big black belt around a belly like jelly! Such a warm and wonderful Santa.

I really loved the hat and the way the red ribbon ended in that big white furry ball. I also loved Santa's face. He had bushy brows and bright blue eyes with pink cheeks, just like all the story books. He also had that teeny cherry lip pushing out from the white beard.

 The hardest part to paint was all the white! White fur was everywhere from the hat to the collar to the jacket trim and Santa's beard. The only color break in the white that I saw was the shadow between the beard (right side) and the collar. Also there was a bit of shadow from the mustache curls over the beard.

Santa painting was so much fun, a must for any artist this time of year. My art group is planning a December Art Exhibit next year, so look for a whole display of Santa's -what a wonderful idea!

I have to say that I especially loved this Santa's kind disposition. When given his "modeling money" from our group he asked to which charity we would like him to donate.We let him choose and his money is going to the Salvation Army. I love that Santa is a good person, paying it forward this season.

SANTA, I BELIEVE!

Happy Holidays!

Art Field Trip

Inspiration at the Art Museum

Diego Rivera Mural at the DIA

Looking to recharge and get more art inspiration? Grab your purse and head out the door, absolutely nothing will compare to to a trip to the nearest art museum for some visual stimulation.

My art group had a week off from the studio which meant extra time at home (Meh!). I am so glad that we planned an Art Field Trip to the museum downtown (Yeah!). What a great idea! Never before have I had the experience of walking through an art exhibit with other artists - it was so much fun. We stopped and looked and shared insights with each other, what an experience!

We had the great fortune to visit our art museum for a special exhibit - works of Master Painters on paper (drawings, etchings, lithographs).Wow! The work was amazing and the Artists all absolute Masters including: Degas, Renoir, Bonnard, Lautrec and more! My favorite drawings were those by Renoir, lovely little portrait drawings that looked like charcoal sketches, they were whimsical and sweet. What inspiration! Sadly we could not take photographs of the special exhibit - otherwise you would see some here.

Monet. Painterly and colorful.

After viewing the exhibit we found further inspiration in the Impressionist & Post Impressionist section. Just a few of the works that spoke to me are pictured left and below (permanent collection meant we could take photos). Now I am  art-inspired, it's time to sketch and paint!

Gauguin. Bright color, fun graphic shapes.

 

Renoir. Painterly with a lovely face.

Nothing Precious

Kindred Spirits

Nothing quite beats a good book except maybe reading a good book while wearing a cashmere sweater drinking a glass of wine and sitting by the fire on a cold day (ah atmosphere).

Kindred Spirits, 12 x 16

This was a cold and dreary day, but our model dressed in bright white was surrounded by nice shapes and colors even though the light was blue and overcast.

My first attempt at painting this model was a failure, a real struggle (not pictured). Initially I tried to paint a Portrait, getting the eyes, hair and shoulders. I did not like the look that I created. I ended up wiping that painting out hence the "nothing precious." I had painted for 5 hours, but it was not happening for me; I used Gamsol and a big brush to wipe out what I had which left me with a nicely toned light orange-ish canvas.

The next day I took another look at my reference photographs. I liked the shapes and colors around the figure. This time, I would not take the painting too seriously and perhaps I would paint more than the face. I decided to include the whole figure and the shapes around it. My goal was to be loose and fresh and not too detailed. I approached this painting as a still life and think it is successful in composition. The sunflowers to the left above the model's head appeal to me. And I love the little orange on the table next to the model. Her eyes are downcast to the book in her lap, but note that the light blue book almost matches the folds and shadows of her dress. I left dark outlines the way Cezanne does oranges in his still life paintings. I am surprised that I like the shadow outlines and I will leave those in.