Saturday, November 29, 2008
New Kitty Oil Painting
I completed this painting last week. I'm posting this week because it took that long to dry lol. I was torn between making it realistic or going with a more expressionistic approach. I think I found a happy medium. I didn't see the purpose of recreating a photograph. My scanner does not do oil paintings justice I'm afraid so there are some areas that seem kind of whitened out and such and not as vibrant as the original. I am going to invest in a better camera than my camera phone one of these days since I intend to do more oil paintings. I haven't named this piece as of yet. It measures 5" x 7" on canvas board.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
I've been tagged!!!
I've been tagged by the wonderfully gifted artists Danielle Barlow and Diane! From what I understand, I have to now expose 7 unusal things about myself to the blogosphere. Then you tag 7 other bloggers at the end of your post and let them know on their blogs that they have been tagged! There's no pressure to join in (although it is a lot of fun!).
Okay here we go:
1.) I really like frogs. I find them to be fascinating creatures. I'm not fond of toads, just frogs. Green ones, blue ones, red ones, etc. etc. My father had this song he used to sing about frogs when I was a little girl about a lonely frog that didn't have a home and he had a frog toy hanging from his rearview mirror that squeaked when you squeezed it. I loved that thing.
2.) I entered an art contest when I was in fourth grade...it was about how to use the rules of safety in the neighborhood. I drew a girl on rollerblades in full safety helmet and pads. I bought it in and my art teacher at the time, Mr. Wiggins, refused to put it in the contest because he thought someone else drew it! I suppose I should have been flattered. At the time I was devastated (darn teachers!)
3.) For Pre-Calculus class in high school, I built a guitar and tuned it based on mathematical expressions.
4.) In Physics class in high school, I recreated the color spectrum based upon a scientific analysis of color waves and light refraction (that's how I passed the class).
5.) I work in accounting. Most of the people I went to school with have this deadpan "say what?" expression on their face when they hear what I'm doing (since I was an art major). Wow is it THAT much of a stretch?!?
6.) When I was younger those characters at places like Six Flags and Disney World and clowns used to really freak me out. The sight of one of those characters with their eerily happy dispositions and affinity for hugs would automatically activate my flight reflex and that's pretty much all she wrote. I can tolerate them much better now since I have children that love them. It all began with that character, Bugs Bunny. I went to Six Flags when I was 15 and shortly after entering through the gate, there he was. Just standing there unassuming and still. I began my trek across the courtyard. All of a sudden, the next thing I know he breaks into a full run towards me with his arms outstretched. Scared the living crap out of me. I turned and broke into a full run back towards the entrance. I refused to come back in until all of the characters were gone. I couldn't really relax and enjoy the festivities for fear that I would be accosted by an oversized cartoon character. Thankfully I am over this fear and can have a laugh at my own expense about it.
7.) Although this isn't really "unusual" I believe it's worth noting. Last Friday was the very first Black Friday I have ever attended. My mother, my SO (significant other) and I went to Walmart. We got there at 4:15 and the line was a mile long. The Walmart employees opened a side door about five minutes before five and a jostling of sorts occurred between the people who were already waiting in line and the folks coming in trying to get some leverage. When the ropes dropped, it was pandemonium. Shopping carts collided and a lot of pushing and shoving ensued. It was an interesting sight to watch. I didn't want anything in particular...and neither did my mother for that matter so it was much more leisurely for us. We got a few deals here and there however as a whole it wasn't really worth the loss of sleep and general aggravation of dealing with an overly emotional public (thanks to the holidays). Will I go again? Probably not.
Ok that's all folks!!
Here are the 7 people I would like to tag (because I love their blogs!).
Serena P. Lewis, http://artbyserena.blogspot.com/
Rachel Parker, http://rachelsstudio.blogspot.com/
Adebanji Alade, http://adebanjialade.blogspot.com/
Linda, http://artwolfs-briar-rose-gate.blogspot.com/
Shari, http://inkbrushcreations.blogspot.com/
Megan Coyle, http://meganacoyle.blogspot.com/
Ken Gillam, http://kengillam.blogspot.com/
These are great artists whose blogs I visit often!!! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Okay here we go:
1.) I really like frogs. I find them to be fascinating creatures. I'm not fond of toads, just frogs. Green ones, blue ones, red ones, etc. etc. My father had this song he used to sing about frogs when I was a little girl about a lonely frog that didn't have a home and he had a frog toy hanging from his rearview mirror that squeaked when you squeezed it. I loved that thing.
2.) I entered an art contest when I was in fourth grade...it was about how to use the rules of safety in the neighborhood. I drew a girl on rollerblades in full safety helmet and pads. I bought it in and my art teacher at the time, Mr. Wiggins, refused to put it in the contest because he thought someone else drew it! I suppose I should have been flattered. At the time I was devastated (darn teachers!)
3.) For Pre-Calculus class in high school, I built a guitar and tuned it based on mathematical expressions.
4.) In Physics class in high school, I recreated the color spectrum based upon a scientific analysis of color waves and light refraction (that's how I passed the class).
5.) I work in accounting. Most of the people I went to school with have this deadpan "say what?" expression on their face when they hear what I'm doing (since I was an art major). Wow is it THAT much of a stretch?!?
6.) When I was younger those characters at places like Six Flags and Disney World and clowns used to really freak me out. The sight of one of those characters with their eerily happy dispositions and affinity for hugs would automatically activate my flight reflex and that's pretty much all she wrote. I can tolerate them much better now since I have children that love them. It all began with that character, Bugs Bunny. I went to Six Flags when I was 15 and shortly after entering through the gate, there he was. Just standing there unassuming and still. I began my trek across the courtyard. All of a sudden, the next thing I know he breaks into a full run towards me with his arms outstretched. Scared the living crap out of me. I turned and broke into a full run back towards the entrance. I refused to come back in until all of the characters were gone. I couldn't really relax and enjoy the festivities for fear that I would be accosted by an oversized cartoon character. Thankfully I am over this fear and can have a laugh at my own expense about it.
7.) Although this isn't really "unusual" I believe it's worth noting. Last Friday was the very first Black Friday I have ever attended. My mother, my SO (significant other) and I went to Walmart. We got there at 4:15 and the line was a mile long. The Walmart employees opened a side door about five minutes before five and a jostling of sorts occurred between the people who were already waiting in line and the folks coming in trying to get some leverage. When the ropes dropped, it was pandemonium. Shopping carts collided and a lot of pushing and shoving ensued. It was an interesting sight to watch. I didn't want anything in particular...and neither did my mother for that matter so it was much more leisurely for us. We got a few deals here and there however as a whole it wasn't really worth the loss of sleep and general aggravation of dealing with an overly emotional public (thanks to the holidays). Will I go again? Probably not.
Ok that's all folks!!
Here are the 7 people I would like to tag (because I love their blogs!).
Serena P. Lewis, http://artbyserena.blogspot.com/
Rachel Parker, http://rachelsstudio.blogspot.com/
Adebanji Alade, http://adebanjialade.blogspot.com/
Linda, http://artwolfs-briar-rose-gate.blogspot.com/
Shari, http://inkbrushcreations.blogspot.com/
Megan Coyle, http://meganacoyle.blogspot.com/
Ken Gillam, http://kengillam.blogspot.com/
These are great artists whose blogs I visit often!!! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
New Still Life Painting
I haven't painted with oils since painting class in college back in 2003. I was pretty decent at it. Shocked my professor at the time....I only worked strictly in charcoal and she thought I would have had a more difficult time with oil painting. I prefer oils over watercolors for a variety of reasons. It takes longer to dry. I can redraw with the oil paints. Watercolors are a bit unforgiving. I can paint and repaint over and over with oils. The best part of working with oils is that you can add the highlights LAST. With watercolors you have to be careful to retain them. I try to do that with oils also however all is not lost if I don't.
That being said I did a quick still life study in oils of a bowl and some fruit. Yes, I know, really original, right? Considering I haven't worked with oils in so long I didn't deem it wise to jump into a major project right away. I completed it on canvas board and it took me about 3 hours to complete it. Below is my painting, still on the easel, and the still life set up I used. I was standing at the easel looking down on it rather than at face level. I don't really have a studio space as of yet. I have a desk that is set up strictly for drawing and watercolors...my poor easel hasn't had much use due to my lack of space to set up. I am in my living room in front of one of the windows. I used only natural light to paint it also...one light source is more than enough to keep up with. I am working on another project...once I am able to hunt down some foamcore I'll have those posted ASAP!
Not bad for an almost 6 year hiatus. It measures 11" x 14". I don't really do small oil paintings. I prefer 24" x 30" on up however the lack of space causes me to economize.
This is at a slightly different angle than the one used to paint the still life however you get the idea.
More good news...Some of my work is being displayed in a local art gallery called "The Art Spot" in Lexington, South Carolina. The Cat and Fish drawing (now entitled "Fishing") and the watercolor Siamese (now entitled "Curious") are now hanging there. The gallery owner said she will list that I also do pet portraits. I am really thrilled about the exposure and I'm currently working on pieces to display in another local gallery.
That being said I did a quick still life study in oils of a bowl and some fruit. Yes, I know, really original, right? Considering I haven't worked with oils in so long I didn't deem it wise to jump into a major project right away. I completed it on canvas board and it took me about 3 hours to complete it. Below is my painting, still on the easel, and the still life set up I used. I was standing at the easel looking down on it rather than at face level. I don't really have a studio space as of yet. I have a desk that is set up strictly for drawing and watercolors...my poor easel hasn't had much use due to my lack of space to set up. I am in my living room in front of one of the windows. I used only natural light to paint it also...one light source is more than enough to keep up with. I am working on another project...once I am able to hunt down some foamcore I'll have those posted ASAP!
Not bad for an almost 6 year hiatus. It measures 11" x 14". I don't really do small oil paintings. I prefer 24" x 30" on up however the lack of space causes me to economize.
This is at a slightly different angle than the one used to paint the still life however you get the idea.
More good news...Some of my work is being displayed in a local art gallery called "The Art Spot" in Lexington, South Carolina. The Cat and Fish drawing (now entitled "Fishing") and the watercolor Siamese (now entitled "Curious") are now hanging there. The gallery owner said she will list that I also do pet portraits. I am really thrilled about the exposure and I'm currently working on pieces to display in another local gallery.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Mali Girl in Watercolor
This particular painting is taking me several days to complete. First I did the drawing outline. I made it really detailed. Then I added the masking fluid to places I wanted to keep white (for now). I wish I had documented the steps up to this point however I didn't expect it to turn out as well as it is presently. I used gold acrylics, watercolors, and the nexus ink pens up to this point. The next step is the headdress. You can still see the blue masking fluid still on her scarf...I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do it as I have embellished my reference photo a bit and am utilizing fabrics I have around the house with a little bit of imagination to complete it. The continent of Africa is behind her head and the rest is a textured gold with a gold underlay on the bottom. It will probably take a few more days to complete it. I will post the progress as it comes.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
New Watercolor Painting
I'm getting the hang of this watercolor thing. I spent two days working on this Kitty and fishbowl combination and I rather like the results. The watercolor worked beautifully (IMO) with the Koh-I-Noor Nexus studio pens I purchased on ebay. It was a practice type drawing however the results came out better than I expected, especially since I've never really drawn water reflections in that manner before. This drawing measures 5" x 7". My next project will be a human being.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
The Forgotten Kitten
I did this Kitten ACEO some time ago and for some reason never posted it. It is watercolor and prismacolor pencil on watercolor paper, standard ACEO (2.5"x3.5") size.
New Drawings
Tonight (or last night at this point)I worked on this pretty watercolor kitty. It measures 5 x 7 inches and is really me practicing with the watercolors and my nexus pens moreso than anything else. I rather like the results and tried to not be so tight and detail oriented to see what the watercolor could do for me. I may put it up for auction later on.
I completed this kitty on Monday night. It is an ACEO, graphite/colored pencil on watercolor paper. I will have it up on auction probably later this week.
I did this sketch over the weekend of a girl and her cat.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
New ACEO
I have completed this ballpoint ink and watercolor drawing just today. One of my coworkers was astounded I could get such fine lines with a common papermate. I will be putting this one up for auction next week sometime. I have set up a new workspace at home so I should be able to work more efficiently and in more mediums at one time. I hope.
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