A HESITANT INTRODUCTION

A HESITANT INTRODUCTION
24" x 24" (61.0cm x 61.0cm)
oil on cradled hardboard
$750 plus $25.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Almost done, just wanna spruce up the hair...I think. The background has changed color 3 times, the face has been retouched endlessly so I think it's time to take a break—or call it—not sure which. This is my first serious date with cradled hardboard and it's been very interesting. I think we have a future but we'll see. Let's put it this way...there was no kiss at the front door afterward. Not really sure how much I miss the "tooth" of canvas yet.

It really lends itself to smoothing so himself isn't harping. It's an amazing surface, I'm impatient to get this relationship off the ground. Ha. Impatient. Me? Na.

The title pertains to two things. First, the model is a friend from the job himself and I used to share. Her name is Laura and she was kind enough to agree to try out this modeling thing. I was paging through the book published on Andrew Wyeth's Helga series a few weeks ago and read that he would paint one subject consistently for a long period of time. Of course that was obvious but I never really thought of it that way. I'd stand on my head and paint if he did, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Secondly, she's just stepping into view, peering out to the viewer, with only a portion of her face visible. This represents my own hesitant commitment to a series of paintings using the same subject and my first dance with cradled hardboard. We'll see.

Anyway, have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

THE "MY SEVEN LINKS PROJECT"

Blogbud and fellow artist Sandra Busby has tagged me! Oh my! Thanks so much Sandra!

Here's the deal...

The My 7 Links Project was generated by TripBase to "unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavour to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again." Bloggers list their Top 7 Links in the following categories...

• Your most beautiful post
• Your most popular post
• Your most controversial post
• Your most helpful post
• A post whose success surprised you
• A post you feel didn’t get the attention it deserved
• The post that you are most proud of

...and then Bloggers tag others and so it goes on.

Well this is nice, an unsolicited opportunity to re-post some past work and wax poetic about moi! Let's go...

My favorite post: (or My Most Beautiful Post)...sorry...not really comfy with that.

 

BABY BLU  16x20" oil on linen

Clearly I'm besotted with my pugs and Blu is a supermodel in a fur coat, however I chose this particular painting because I really like it and if you follow my blog, you'll know that sentiment is a rarity for me. The messy toned background, muted palette, the looseness of the strokes except for his face (thanks for pointing that out Don!), where the focus is his incredibly huge innocent eyes that I get lost in every day. Sorry, can't help it. I'm hooked. On the pug, not the painting.


My Most Popular Post:

THE CAMERA  16x20" oil on canvas
I believe this post received the most comments so far, however it was a challenge post so I must give my colleagues credit as well. It was one of those paintings that, after the dust settles, you're left wondering just how you did it and questioning your ability to do it again.


My Most Controversial Post:

I try to stay away from controversy or debate on my blog and so consequently my work is pretty straight forward representational realism. While I certainly don't shy away from whining about my own every day struggles with confidence and direction, I feel that the more important lofty discussions are best had in person and over wine.


My Most Helpful Post:

Metamorphosis  24x24" oil on linen

I would have to say this one because it was done to celebrate International Women's Day through AyrSpace in Canada. The exhibit and sale was designed to observe the centenary of International Women's Day, bring together international artistic response and contribute to the relief effort for Haitian women and their children through partial proceeds from the sale of the artworks and 100% of contributions from visitors to the exhibit.

It also marked a possible new direction for me in style and concept that I hope to explore sometime in the near future. And, I would like to thank wonderful artist and new friend Nicki Ault for suggesting that I participate.


My Most Surprisingly Successful Post:
























That Freakin Apple!  6x6" oil on board

This piece of fruit represents one of my first public bouts with that muse stealing virus, "The Dread Mahockiss." My long post of raw insecurity and doubt met with some really wonderful and kind comments! Clearly the apple isn't my best work but apparently it wasn't the drek I thought it was. Who knew?


The Post That I Feel Didn't Get the Attention I Thought it Deserved:


















Princess 6x8" oil on canvas

If you are anything like me, halfway through a painting that you know is going to turn out well, excitement about posting and wonder about reaction is definitely on your mind. I was so stoked about this one, done as a daily in March of '09, but when I logged on the morning after, interested to see what the reaction was...there was none. It's really strange, sometimes a painting you would rather burn just for fun is really successful and the one you think will do it for you...whatever that means...is hardly noticed. Of course now as I look at it, it does look a tad cheesy but I still like the actual application of the paint.


The Post I Am Most Proud of:

 


































The Exhibit (in progress)
24x36" oil on canvas

I'm most proud of this still unfinished painting because I was fortunate enough to snap this incredibly arresting vision at the Brooklyn Museum and get it on canvas in a way that feels right. The reference photo was a matter of pure luck. Can you imagine the visual fireworks that outfit would cause if there were paintings on the wall instead of artifacts? Anyway, I plan to do more figurative work in the near future.

And now the hard part. Who shall I tag? You're it guys!

R Garriott
Gwen Bell
Diana Marshall
Mona Conner
Don Michael Jr.

Nicki Ault
Rick Nilson

MOLLY

16x20 oil on canvas
SOLD

Meet Molly! Another donation certificate completed! The reference photo was taken in the winter, that white stuff on her coat is snow. Himself mentioned that it didn't "read" as snow, but I think it works. Or she could be a blushing June bride with a few lily of the valley sprinkled liberally about her coat and snout.

Back to work! Thanks for stopping by!

MOSES BOTKIN CHALLENGE July

HELEN'S EYES
12" x 12" (30.5cm x 30.5cm)
oil on canvas
$125 plus $15.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.

Summer is more than half over already! Amazing. This month's challenge, given to us by Diana, was to paint human eyes. So many possibilities and great subject matter, I just couldn't decide what to do. Then I remembered I'd seen a documentary last week that showcased old photos of a woman that stuck with me because of her haunting, piercing, yet hypnotic eyes. 

Enjoy...

“Brothers”each 8x10”  oil on canvas
© Vicki Ross
http://www.vickiandrandyrossart.blogspot.com/

“Just Thinking About You”
4x4”  oil on canvas board
© Ruth Andre
http://apaintingday.blogspot.com

“Eye of the Storm”
5x3.5”  oil on hardboard
© 2011 Diana Moses Botkin
http://dianamosesbotkin.blogspot.com/

“Lashing Out”
5x5” oil on hardboatrd
©Sharman Owings
http://www.sharmanowingspaintings.blogspot.com

"My Daughter's Eyes"
5x7" oil on panel
http://robincheers.blogspot.com/

JERSEY

16x20" oil on canvas
private collection

Meet Jersey! A beautiful Greyhound that, unfortunately, is no longer with us. He's a donation certificate painting, I hope his family likes it.

CHEEK TO CHEEK

CHEEK TO CHEEK
20" x 16" (50.8cm x 40.7cm)
oil on canvas
SOLD

Pugs, bugs...what's up with the "ugs?" I could make a cheesy joke about painting while decked out in a pair Uggs, but I won't. Don't own any anyway.

Back to work and feelin' better. Must be part of the creative process. Whatever, good riddance! The studio is feeling less like the fifth ring of hell and I've gotten two paintings started, plus this one, but I'm going to work over the weekend to make up for the days lost wallowing.

I really am enjoying doing the studies of the boys because it gives me a chance to paint looser, although this is a tad tighter than I wanted it to be.

I've missed visiting my favorite blogs and plan to do just that tomorrow morning with tea. Have a lovely weekend and thanks for stopping by!

THANK YOU!!

I would like to thank everyone who left comments of support and wise advice for me during my very recent bout with the Dread Mahockiss.

I am so very fortunate to be a part of this incredible online artist community. I posted my feelings because I genuinely felt lost and useless. Each and every comment helped me pull myself out of the pity pot and put things back into perspective.

Although written with tongue planted firmly in cheek, I was feeling lost and I am so grateful for the light that came in the form of your very kind comments.

Thank you all so very much! Back to work!

THE DREAD MAHOCKISS

A Dry Hot Night   24x36" oil on canvas

in progress

Well, it seems I finally got it. I've been chatting with a few colleagues online and reading some blogs and finding that a good number of us are suffering from a general feeling of ca-ca and a decreased desire to paint. I've dubbed this "highly contagious virus" The Dread Mahockiss. It was a name a co-worker gave to a lingering feeling of malaise we used to complain about years ago. I loved the sound of it and have used it to define that free-floating feeling of ickyness, pertaining in this case to an increased feeling of dread as one approaches ones studio.

It started late last week when I felt my momentum begin to slow down. Then those uncomfortable glances into the studio began starting a butterfly migration in my stomach. Thankfully, I was just finishing up some certificate and commission work when it started so I'm in good shape deadline wise. I thought painting folds would be prevention perfect and stave off any lasting effects, but alas, it was too late.

I stopped in mid stroke, let go with a few choice expletives and put my brush down. I cleaned up, turned everything off, stomped out of the studio and took to my bed with the remote, a cup of tea, and a very convenient Burn Notice marathon on cable. That was Tuesday.

Nothing since. I've read that this illness is best treated with copious amounts of red wine and round thin potato disks deep fried in oil. Himself is being very kind as he's seen this before and knows it won't last too long. We'll see.

And...the boys got out again!! Thank God, I'm insanely vigilant and always look out of the living room window just in case—even though they're behind locked gates in the backyard. As I glanced out I unexpectedly spied a certain chubby little pug butt clear across the street in the neighbors flowers! Horrified I ran outside and again spirited Raz out of the street, put him safely in the house and headed out to chase Blu who went around the other side of the neighbors house. Happily he had strutted through their open gate to join the landscapers there hard at work and he was easily retrieved. That side gate now has a padlock on it. I'm stumped as to how it opened, we never use that side.

Anyway, despite my self-indulgent, bratty moodiness, I'd like to wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth!