Thursday, June 30, 2016

Loverboy

Loverboy
12x6, pastel

Several years ago I gave one of my sister-in-laws a painting of her chihuahua. Well........you can imagine what happened next! This is the final pet commission for in-laws, that is, until Sandy decides to get a pet!!! Guess it is good I am an only child!!

Really enjoyed painting this though. Sometimes a painting just kind of paints itself and this one did except.......for that darn background! The love/hate relationship with backgrounds continues, but I will conquer!

Progress shots:



Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Fire in the Sky

Fire in the Sky
10"x 20", pastel

The previous versions of this painting were done as studies to see if I could pull this painting off. Decided not to add water to the equation on this painting and I like it. Again the foreground was improvised as the original photo was simply a black foreground. That is really testing my comfort level as I am a 'paint what you see kind of artist'.

This painting is available through Pitzer's Fine Arts in Wimberley, Texas. Drop by to see it and other fabulous art both 2D and 3D.

Sad news, my dear friend and mentor, Angie Banta Brown, lost her hard fought battle against cancer yesterday. She has been an inspiration to so many in the art world, she will be missed. But her voice will live on through the hundreds of artists she has taught throughout her career. I constantly hear her in my head as I am painting, her words of wisdom guide me to be a better artist. She was always telling me that I see too much.....translation...."Don't paint every hair on that dog!" We shared some special times and for that I am grateful.