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Another Rare Portrait

It has been a while since I've posted to my blog.  Interesting that I choose to get back in the groove by posting my new "Beyond the Diagnosis" portrait only to be preceded by the post on my first "Beyond the Diagnosis" portrait.  I was honored to have another sweet little girl presented to me for her portrait.  Below are images of the various stages in the creation process of Savanna. These portraits are to provide awareness for the Rare Disease United Foundation whose  goal is to make the world know these disorders are not really rare.  There are over 7000 different genetic disorders affecting 30 million Americans

A Rare Portrait

A few months back I was asked if I would like to participate in a special art exhibit.  I would paint, and donate, a portrait of a child with a rare genetic disease.  As you might suspect, I got more than I gave.  When I dropped off the painting, the coordinator of the exhibit, Patricia, acknowledge the challenge of painting accurate portraits.  I then found out she had two children with genetic disorders.  The comparison of a lifetime of challenges vs. a few hours creating a portrait are such opposite extremes.  This will be the second exhibit and the number of artist who volunteered have tripled, some asking to do additional portraits.  The foundation is called the Rare Disease United Foundation, but Patricia's goal is to make the world know these disorders are not really rare.  There are over 7000 different genetic disorders affecting 30 million Americans; so there are lots of opportunities for future portraits.

Please check out my beautiful model Brenna's website, who has Harlequin Ichthyosis
 http://www.blessedbybrenna.com/
And the website for the first wonderful exhibit.
http://rarediseaseunited.org/programs/beyond-diagnosis-art-exhibit

Marathon Framing Session

Is there a record for the most paintings framed in 2 hours?  I might be a contender with 12 paintings framed up last night.  Still a few more frames left and then packing the car, but almost ready for the first art festival of the season - Narraganset Art Festival 6/27, 6/28.  A bit of rain predicted for Sunday morning, so the beach crowd will be sleeping in and the art lovers get the good parking spots!  The rest of the weekend looks perfect, so come on down!

Going Small

Texas Bluebonnets

I've been having fun with a challenge called The 100 Day Project (#the100dayproject on Instagram) where I'm supposed to do something everyday for 100 days. I decided to do 100 5x7s; mostly painting but any art form is acceptable

Going Big

Who Jumps Next?

Having a very small studio space presents challenges when creating larger works.  I've sometimes found paint on my clothes from brushing by a work in progress.  Also, there aren't many exhibit opportunities for larger works.  Most juried exhibits set their largest size as 44 inches, including frame.

This painting, "Who Jumps Next,"  is my first 24 inch x 48 inch painting (and working on my second).  I thought the image needed a large format to give the viewer the sense of being there.  It has been 90% done since last fall since I thought I wouldn't have a place to hang it.

But the Art League of Rhode Island decided to have "The BIG Show," so I quickly re-engaged and finished the painting, just in the nick of time. The exhibit will be at the University of Rhode Island - Feinstein Providence campus and the show will run from April 1-30  (80 Washington Street, Providence RI  02903) 
The Artist's Reception will be on Thursday April 16 from 5-9pm

Now to get going on that second 24x48 painting.

Creating A Free and Easy Web Presence

Over the years, artist friends have asked me about creating a website of their own.  When potential collectors see a few of their creations, they are often asked if they have a website.  They would like to have a way of sharing their portfolio, but usually have two primary concerns: 1) they don't consider themselves as "technically savvy" and 2) they don't want to spend money.  I added a third criteria; the images are displayed in a format large enough to appreciate the artwork.

I found a few options that are both FREE and EASY and meet that criteria.  I will be doing a quick presentation on the four options below at South County Art Association on Saturday, 1/31/15, 9:00 - 10:30 am.  (http://southcountyart.org/class/683)

• Weebly: template-based website tool
• Blogger: text, images and video in a "post" format
• Flickr: image and video
• Fine Art America:  image and print website

In addition to the overview, I will also facilitate a hands-on workshop so participants can build one or more of these options.  This will be held at South County Art Association on 2/7/15 and 2/14/14. $70 SCAA members/$85 nonmember.(http://southcountyart.org/class/684)

Post Christmas Commission

I took on one more commission before the holidays, but alas, my optimism about finishing before Christmas was a bit off.  This is Bella at Brant Point on the island of Nantucket, MA. 

As a former owner of a terrier, I know those sweet brown eyes mask a mischievous mind.

Christmas Commissions

The commissions I've been asked to do for Christmas gifts both have a fun aspect.  The gift of the house portrait will be presented along with the history of the house.  An historian researched the home, the builder, original and subsequent occupants, along with the history of the neighborhood.  (This is a package offered by New England Farm and Artist in W. Greenwich RI)





The second commission, of two huskies, were to be set in a "castle."  The client is a fan of the King Arthur stories and wanted them to look "arthurian."  We played around with backgrounds from the internet and added their favorite toys.  More importantly, I decided that I would only use colors that might have been manufactured during that time period.  Yellow ochre, terra rosa and blue black.  Yes, only three colors, and white.  The limited palette and color selections help keep the painting looking as if from that era.  They were also a nice "kingly" size of 2 feet by 3 feet.

Setting the Bar Higher

This coming weekend I will be part of an outdoor art exhibit in which I'm honored to participate.  It may look like an "art festival" if you drive by and see the tents, but it is much more.  It is a small group of juried artists whose work is of a high caliber and who paint in the traditional representational/realistic style.

One Pear

When I was first asked  to join this group, I felt it was a significant milestone in my art career.  My fellow talented artists are an inspiration, set the bar higher and make me push myself to reach that bar.  After three years, it also feels like a reunion of friends.  Our host, the proprietors of the Sunapee Landing Trading Company, make sure we have fresh coffee and homemade pastries in the morning and refreshing drinks throughout the day, all set up in the shade of an enormous apple tree.

The show is a reunion in other ways, too.  I get to see some of my NH cousins and the wonderful woman who purchased "One Pear" my first year is now a friend and has been a fabulous host each year.

The 3rd Annual Fine Artists Exhibition is held in Sunapee, NH down the road from the famed League of NH Craftsmen's Fair.  Click the link below for more info.
http://sunapee-landing.com/Fine_Artists_Exhibition.php
https://www.nhcrafts.org/craftsmens-fair-overview.php

Painting to a Frame

Sunny Farm

Homestead

Farm Road

Earlier in July, I was at Wickford Art Festival as a shopper, not as an artist.  As I visited my fellow artists' booths, I was cognizant of my first  impression when I entered each booth.  As a result, I've decided to start framing my work with similar and consistent style frames, as this was common in the most visually appealing booths.

But, I could not help myself when I came across some bargain frames at Michael's.  (Note to Self:  Stay away from those Clearance Bins!)

I found three cute little frames that look as if they were made from old red barn board.  So I decide to paint some little red barn paintings to go with them.  Since they were only 5x7 inches, I challenged myself to paint loose fast (need to do this more often).

These three paintings will exhibited, and for sale, at Main Street Coffee in East Greenwich, RI.

Narragansett Art Festival

I haven't enjoyed watching a weather forecast quite as much as I did this morning.  High 70's, mild breezes with 0% chance of rain for today and the weekend.  Having set up my booth in high winds and sitting sheltered during cold rain, my fellow artists and I REALLY appreciate this kind of weather.  I hope all the art lovers do, too.  The location is perfect for this weather as I'm across the street from the beach.  Come early to beat the sunbathers, swimmers and surfers.

"Breast Stroke"  18x24

I"m working on some smaller painting of surfers, just in case a waves are small and a few of the surfers come to check out the art festival.

Follow up:  This painting was my submission to the Wickford Art Association's Poetry and Art exhibit.  Below is the poem that was written inspired by my painting.  So honored!

First Swim
The shock of a bald scalp
under a swim cap, a soundless
shriek, mouth agape.
Anticipation. No, trepidation,

Stretching without discomfort
doing the breast stroke, thrusting
forward, pushing away
past months. Water laps

a lopsided swimsuit where
scraped tissue has been; a
weird sensation of asymmetry
bathes the incision like liquid

balm. Mimicking the curves
of the water’s bubbles
and ripples is the soft
geometry of the cap, the goggles.
In baptism, the swimmer renewed.
- Helen D'Ordine

Extra Special Portrait #1

I love doing portraits, despite the challenges, but some I enjoy more than others.  This is the first of two I've been working on with special meaning.

Mrs Douglas passed away last winter and left a gap in the lives of my cousin and his partner.  She loved to snuggle among the down pillows and comforter to watch the birds outside her window.  I only knew her for a short while, but she was an elegant little lady.

Mrs. Douglas

Her coloring was perfect for creating a charcoal sketch using a toned paper using black and white charcoal.  It is good practice in observing and translating values.

Special Portrait #2 will be completed soon (I hope).

Wet Paint

Fresh off the easel...  For now.  I say that because as I photographed this piece, I saw changes I needed to make.  So it will probably go back on the easel after a little bit more study.  This was a painting started last October and she has been staring at me wondering when she would be framed.  Sorry Dear, not quite yet.

Breast Stroke 18x24 Oil on canvas

I named this post "Wet Paint" because of a strange dream I had last night.  I was photographing this painting and kept bumping into furniture, brushing against the painting, etc.. I was getting paint all over the place and ruining the painting.  It may have been a premonition as just as I finished the painting, it tipped off the easel.  Luckily, there was just minimal damage.

I think the real reason for the dream is because I have four other paintings in progress.  Where I paint is only 8x8 so I've been careful about where I step.

In the Blink of an Eye

This post doesn’t have much to do with art, but perhaps speaks to the passion.

In 2009 I spent 6 months in Dallas, subletting an apt from a fabulous artist who introduced me to her friends and family.  My last week there, I had dinner with her brother, sister and some of their friends; one was a photographer Will Pattison.  By the end of dinner, I was in awe of his talent, experience traveling around the world, fearless sense of adventure, but mostly because he was someone who seemed to get 110% out of life.  After our dinner, I started following his blog to get regular doses of inspiration from his photography.  Three weeks later the blog entries just stopped.  I kept checking back and soon learned that he suffered a spinal cord injury in a dirt bike race.  His blog entries continued, with the help of his girlfriend, but the inspiration I received was not from his photography but from his drive and determination to beat his injury,

His posts documented his incremental improvements, much like tracking the movement of a glacier.   After one year, significant accomplishments included eating a sandwich and walking 700 feet while having a conversation-exhausted afterward.  Many posts talked of how his girlfriend was by his side. But, two and a half years after his accident, he wrote a “fairytale” about his princess, with whom he shared his home and life for many years prior to the accident.  She no longer had the strength to fight the “monsters” who took over his life.  She was exhausted and saddened by the loss of who she once was and had to go her own way.  And, I cried as if they were my friends. 

Last July, three years after his accident, he wrote of being able to balance on one foot, drive a car and button his jeans.  He was still in constant pain and his nervous system still was not processing information correctly, so a cool breeze could be unbearable.  But he hasn't posted since that anniversary date.  I like to think it is his way of saying "I'm done making you feel better; better about yourself, your life, your situation."  Time to do something with that inspiration.

F2point8 - Will Pattison

http://www.barpfoto.com/blog/

Christmas Commissions Part 2

 
I almost didn't take this commission because of the initial hurdles, but I sometimes enjoy the challenge.  The original photo was a very small 3x3 and the subject was even smaller.  When looking at the original, there was no way I could use it as a reference, but I took it home and scanned it at a high resolution.  I was surprised how much detail was revealed.  When doing portraits, you can get a good likeness without showing details.  It is all about capturing the shapes of shadows and highlights to reveal the features of the face.  So I jumped in feet first and will be dropping it off to the new owner today.

Christmas Commissions Part 1

Holiday shopping has been a bit delayed this year.  I've been busy fulfilling other's Christmas lists - clients who are giving the gift of art.  Here is the first to be fresh off the easel.  This is Radar and those beige eyes and big ears were a joy to paint.  He will be getting ready for his new home later this week.

Next up for finishing touches is another portrait, and then a still life.

Encaustic Paintings

Blue Paper and Paint 5x5

Gold and Red Geometric 5x5

I felt I had been away from updating my blog for a while, but was embarrassed to see that my last post was in July.  Work (the one that pays the bills) and class/homework has taken a bit of my time and energy, so when I get home, updating my blog isn't the highest priority. 

Copper and Apple 5x5

Japanese Maple 3x3 on Stone Tile

I have been making time to get back into Encaustic (hot wax) painting, though.  There are many aspects to the media that I love.  1) I can't fall back into my comfort zone of realistic painting 2) I have a reason rummage through my stash of gorgeous paper and 3) there is something so enticing about the depth and softeness created by the layers of wax.  My newest paintings are very simple and each has allowed me to play, but without having to commit lots of time (although it does take up a lot of space).

Speaking of space...  I downloaded Sketchup and decided to design my "dream" studio as an attachment to my house.  I started with a small footprint and added storage, shelves, easels, and some furniture so I could engage future clients.  By the time I was done, the original footprint grew to be the same size as my home.  I dream big!!

51st Wickford Art Festival

Art Festival Season is officially underway and just like postal workers, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night....   Well I hope I don't have to worry about snow.  It should be a bit cooler next weekend , but there could be some rain.  Just bring an umbrella and enjoy that it won't be as crowded

Artists from all over New England, and further, come every year to exhibit and sell their beautiful paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, etchings, and more.  Artists and visitors both enjoy the festival, set on the streets of historic Wickford Village.  Quaint shops and beautiful homes line the streets as visitors stroll through the village seeking out great artwork to buy.  Wickford is a "walking friendly" community that makes it easy for families, elderly, handicapped persons, and dog lovers to enjoy visiting the festival. 

My booth, #122a, is halfway down Brown Street in front of Wilson's of Wickford. 

Poetry and Art

Poetry has come into my world lately (not that I haven't enjoyed it for a while).

First, I'll be exhibiting at the New England Poetry and Art Gala at the Providence Public Library,  June 6th, 5-9 pm

A special evening of Poetry, Paintings & Music in the library’s newly renovated Grand Hall and Ship Room.  Meet and be inspired by the poetry of Fred Marchant, Stephen Dobyns, Rick Benjamin, Wendy Mnookin, Richard Hoffman, Alan Feldman, Alice B. Fogel, Jennifer Militello, Vivian Shipley, and others!  A buffet and refreshments will be served. Doors open at 5 PM for registration, appetizers and art exhibits.

At the event, poets will be reading art-inspired poems they wrote about paintings selected from New England Museums. They will be displaying images of the museum paintings on a screen while they read their poems.   Tickets for the Gala and buffet are $15 payable by check before June 2 to The Poetry Loft, PO Box 8235, Cranston, RI 02920. Include names and emails for registration.   Email questions to  info@thepoetryloft.org

Second, the Wickford Art Association will be hosting a Poetry and Art "challenge"  32 poets anonymously submitted poems and 32 artist anonymously selected one of those poems.  We have until June 30 to complete a painting inspired by the poem.  They will be photographed and compiled in a book.  In August there will be a reception where the artist meet the poets.