Suzy Smith

Harmony and Gumballs.

2012-01-25T22:02:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I posted any new painting photos, because I have been so busy painting.
After making it through the holidays, trying to paint every chance I got, I have made significant progress on my 6' commission. I have finally reached the point of showing my clients a photo of the painting, and they are pleased with the results so far...now into the home stretch!

While letting paint dry, and trying to make some final decisions on the commission, I have painted a background (first layer of paint) on one of my Harmony paintings. (I must say, I could paint Harmony forever, and never get tired of her!) This painting is one of my favorites of her, and I have added one of Charles Bell's paintings; "Gumball Section A" to the background.

Charles Bell is another Photorealist, and his work is not only amazing, but captures an entire era with the subjects he paints. I have painted gumball machines myself, and even have a collection of them. ( This painting is not completely finished yet either, but is closer....)

Andrew Wyeth (reposted)

2012-01-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

"Chistina's World"

"Dream"
(I originally posted this in November 2009, but when the images diasappeared, I had to find, and repost them, and I was reminded what a great man Andrew Wyeth was! I felt the need to repost...)

Andrew Wyeth died almost a year ago (January 16, 2009) at the age of 91. I was never so much a fan of his work, as I was an admirer of his work, until I recently finished reading a biography on his life and art: Andrew Wyeth A Secret Life, by Richard Meryman. It is such a wonderful book, that I hated to finish it! Not only does the book give one a better understanding of Andrew himself, but also of his father, NC Wyeth, and his son Jamie Wyeth (both artists). The book delved into their interesting, and complicated relationships with one another. The story of NC's death was heartbreaking, but the perspective on death from Andrew (learned from his father) was fascinating! They seemed to view death as they did life....and that is possibly what makes Andrew's work so interesting to me. In a time when modern art was thriving, Andrew managed to stay true to himself and his work. He painted what he knew, and never questioned it. (He had watched his father "sell out", just to keep his family happy in the style to which they were accustomed.) I had always wondered how the Helga paintings came about, and I thought there may have been a hidden agenda, until I read about them. The story makes total sense, and I personally feel they are some of his best work, although maybe since I am currently painting nudes, they resonate with me. (We even get to see how the lives of his models sometimes turn tragic.) The era Andre Wyeth grew up in is certainly an age gone by, and I found it fascinating to share that time, while reading the book. His paintings definitely have a quiet solitude to them that I find immensely pleasing, that also records a time not so far in our past. Check out some of the Andrew Wyeth portraits on YouTube, and definitely read the book! If you like, or are curious about the Wyeth family, it will be well worth it.

Photos on blog seem to have disappeared???

2012-01-06T16:56:00.000-07:00

While I was reviewing my blog, I noticed that many of the painting images have disappeared, and have big exclamation marks on them.....is everyone seeing this? I have been trying to repost them, but there are so many....

Commission continues.....

2012-01-06T15:35:00.003-07:00

I just finished painting the shoes on my six foot figure! That means the whole body has it's first layer of paint, and, so far, the paint is drying fairly fast. (I decided not to use the quick dry paint, because I am not sure how I like it...it seems kind of "plastic" to me when it dries, and I am a fan of the way oil paint looks when it is dry....which I think is extremely important when painting a Thiebaud cake.)
My next decision is how to handle the shadows in the background.....after I paint the background, then I will repaint the entire figure, and see what I think.....

And since I always like to post a photo of a painting, here is "Cakes!", with Wayne Thiebaud's painting "Cakes" in the background.

One and 1/2 Cakes!

2012-01-02T14:29:00.000-07:00

I have been working on my painting commission that "incorporates" my client's Wayne Thiebaud painting; "One and 1/2 Cakes". The Thiebaud painting is amazing, and today I am starting to paint the cakes! The idea of the commission came from my client, and it is a "shift" from what I usually do, but in a very creative way. When presented with the idea, I was totally taken with it, and the pieces have fallen into place nicely. I don't think I will post any photos of the actual painting until it is further along, or possibly when it is finished, but here is a photo of the original Wayne Thiebaud painting.....oh I look forward to the day when I actually own a Wayne Thiebaud of my own...

Happy Holidays!!

2011-12-20T09:37:00.000-07:00

As the holidays are upon us, I thought I would write a quick note before I go to Phoenix to celebrate Christmas with my daughter and her husband, and my two grandsons. (The photo above is of me and my family, around 1960.)
Last week I did indeed get my 6' canvas, which is beautifully stretched, and started to draw in the painting. While I have painted this large before, it has been horizontal, or if a figure, I haven't ever painted down to the feet.
There are a few challenges, since the model is taller than me, (and I'm painting her...close to life size) such as......I can't paint her head...eye to eye. So I have stacked some boxes, and am standing on them to paint. So far, it is working pretty well. One day I will have an easel that lowers into the floor, as Mel Ramos does!

3d out of 2d...

2011-12-13T09:33:00.000-07:00

I should have started my commission by now, but the canvas stretchers put me off another week, due to warped stretcher bars....should be this Thursday...

So meanwhile I have started another Harmony painting. I just love when a painting begins, and how the 2 dimensional canvas starts to give way to a 3 dimensional image!

Day 3...

2011-12-07T16:20:00.001-07:00

So yesterday I decided to paint over the dry layer of paint with original Winsor Newton Titanium White, (mixed with the other colors) and the blending is much better...if you compare the closeup view to the previous close up view. I am totally loving this face! I don't know if it is the model, or the way I am painting, but it seems very "comic book" to me.
Now I will let this dry, and I hate to even think that when I paint in the background, the skin will be way too light.....and I will have to paint it again. I have to remind myself that this was an experiment to test the quick dry titanium white.
I have a few "famous paintings" in mind for the background, but I am open to suggestions if anyone has any brilliant ideas...something to go with her "melancholy" look.

Day Two...new white paint.

2011-12-06T10:44:00.001-07:00

After painting yesterday, I am finding that the new titanium white (quick dry) is a little harder to blend, and it looks a little "plastic" to me...more like acrylic. While I have no problem with acrylic paintings, I am already missing my smooth, blendable titanium white. Having said that, the painting is totally dry, and I am loving that!
What I think I will do today is repaint the face and body, and maybe mix the two whites, or paint the top layer of paint in the old titanium white....still not sure. If I had a background planned (I am still deciding), this would be the perfect time to paint that in, and then repaint the whole painting with regular titanium white. What can I say....another work in progress.
Oh, you might have noticed that my previous post is actually another "Harmony" painting in progress, because I hadn't downloaded these photos yet.

Commission and New White Paint!

2011-12-05T10:42:00.001-07:00

I have recently "secured" a very large commission (30" x 72") that I am anxious to start painting! First I ordered my canvas, and when it was being delivered the wind caught it, and damaged the very edge. The young man who was carrying it felt terrible, but what can you do? I should get the new one this Thursday, and then can begin.

Anyway, one of my biggest concerns over this project is the dry time. If you read this blog, you will see that I paint the first layer of paint and then let it dry and add another, (sometimes the final layer), then I let that dry, and then varnish (retouch varnish at this point).

I know I live in one of the dryest parts of the country; New Mexico, but I have been waiting for one of my latest paintings to dry now for almost 2 months. I do use liquin, but am not in love with the shininess, or the paint consistency when it is added. I have also tried flake white, but don't like the consistency, and chalkiness of it. I have even tried setting a heater in my drying room, but since I turn it off at night, I am worried about the hot/cold change in temperature, and how that might affect the paint.

Well, the other day, while I was at the art store, I asked about some drying methods, and the guy showed me a line of Winsor Newton Paints (which is what I generally use anyway) that drys fast. It is called Winsor & Newton Griffin Alkyd (fast drying oil colour). The titanium white is where my biggest problem lies, so I bought a giant tube of it to check it out.

Last night I was painting skin color, taking my time, as usual....using large batches of color as I go, which I then blend. After about 2 hours I started to notice the paint was getting a little tacky, so I hurried to blend it, wondering if it was drying too fast......this morning, much to my shock and surprise...it is dry!

So now that I know I have to work a little faster, I am very excited about this new paint! My dry time is what slows me down, and is one of the reasons I have so many unfinished paintings laying around. I may even be able to actually finish one piece from start to finish, without starting a new painting. Hmmm, I wonder if I can adjust???

"Harmony"

2011-11-18T09:32:00.001-07:00

I have finally completed my painting of my model Harmony. As usual, I paint the first layer of paint, let it dry, and then when I get around to it, (because I have new paintings started) I paint the second layer of paint, and try to finish the painting. The leaves in the background seemed to take forever to paint....I am really in love with her face and hair, and like I said earlier, she reminds me of a J. W. Waterhouse model...maybe it is the long red hair, I don't know, but I already have two other paintings of her in progress.

Creativity!

2011-10-18T11:54:00.000-06:00

After my last post, I continue to create without the restraints, or constraints of painting for some one else, and I can say that I feel like a weight has been lifted. I even sold a painting out of the blue, with another possible sale pending. I now have an abundance of new ideas, many beautiful models to work with, and even new devices which are making my life easier!

I am now painting from my monitor, as I mentioned previously, and I also received an ipad2 as a gift from my husband. (I must say, once you get used to enlarging images with a tap of your fingers, a pc seems a little confining...lol) As the world gets "smaller", the access to art (and everything else) around the world is mind boggling! In a good way of course.

I thought I would post another painting in progression, because, once again, it is not yet finished...I feel that with this painting I have crossed some imaginary line, and my work is getting better. This is my newest model Harmony. She is not only a natural model, but she has an "Eastern European" look to me, that also reminds me of a model from the late 1800's or the early 1900's. Like a JW Waterhouse or Alphonse Mucha model....

Painting progression continues...

2011-09-02T14:46:00.000-06:00

After a week of working on my newest painting, I am ready to post it. I have only filled in the figure with the first layer of paint, so I will add the background, and then repaint the figure, taking into account how the background will totally change the color of the skin. As I have mentioned before, I sometimes think I should start differently, but it is my habit to paint this way, so I continue to do it. I like a few layers of paint over the entire surface anyway, so eventually it gets finished.

This drying time allows me to plan the background. Sometimes I begin a painting with the whole idea in my head, but this one I still haven't decided what to put in the background...besides the bed, and maybe a few pillows. I will continue to post my progress, but am currently working on another painting.

Day 5

2011-08-18T15:14:00.001-06:00

I haven't posted any photos since day two, and like usual, what started out great, has run into a few problems....I am changing a few things from the reference photo, and I really don't want to put pictures on my blog that I am not crazy about.
I think I have worked out the problems, but probably won't post any more photos until I am happy with my revisions....and who knows how long that will take....

Day 2

2011-08-15T19:07:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I continued to "block in" the hair, and started to paint the neck and shoulders. The hair always needs many layers, especially because the burnt umber is so "thin",and it dries fast. I never like the look at this point, but at least it is filled in, and gives an idea of what the hair will look like in the finished painting.

Day One: another painting in progress...

2011-08-14T14:31:00.001-06:00

Do I dare post another painting in progress? I am so excited by, not only my new model, but my new way of painting, that I thought I would take a chance and show my newest painting in progress.
I have been trying to figure out how to see more detail in my photographs, whether that meant getting a new lens, a new camera or I even considered working from an ipad....After checking out lenses, I realized that I could change some of my camera settings, and that would give me more detail. Then I checked out my neighbor's ipad, and decided it was too small for what I needed. I was talking about the problem to my son, Shane, and he suggested I get a tv monitor that I could hook up to my computer and paint directly from that. What a good idea!
So I went out and bought a new tv monitor that is 27",(because for now that seems quite big enough.) My husband hooked it all up for me, and so far it has been amazing! Now I don't have to have my photos printed to paint from, and I can control the color, etc. myself, directly from the computer! I can zoom in close to see the detail, and I think I have solved some of my problems....Yay!!
My other good news is that I have two new beautiful models! This painting is of Ayla, and I have so many good photographs of her, it was hard to decide which one to paint first.

This first post is of painting: Day One.

Poets and Artists Magazine

2011-07-18T12:28:00.001-06:00

The new issue of Poets and Artists Magazine came out a few days ago, and my work is included in it. It is their Summer Extravaganza, and it doesn't disappoint! There are many great artists in the magazine, and I am proud to be included with them. Here is the link; http://issuu.com/didimenendez/docs/pa26?viewMode=magazine&mode=embed

Birthday!

2011-06-23T14:59:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is my birthday, again, and I thought I would post my painting "Cakes". This painting is at my gallery in San Francisco; Modernism. The background is once again a Wayne Thiebaud painting. I love his paintings and his paint quality, especially his cakes and pies as subjects! It is always a joy to attempt to replicate one of his beautiful paintings!
It has been 2 years since I started this blog, and while I find I don't post that often, it is often cathartic to write what I am thinking in my day to day as an artist.

Newest painting!

2011-06-05T15:33:00.000-06:00

Once again I always try to hold things offline right after I finish them, especially before a show, but since I don't have a show date yet, I thought I should post something new. The painting in the background is by another of my favorite artists; Robert Cottingham, called "Rising Star". I have named my painting "Rising Stars" because my model Laura is young and beautiful, and also a rising star. I love the way the star is placed behind her, and I love adding text to a painting.

NYC and PA

2011-06-04T15:35:00.000-06:00

I just got back from a trip to NYC and PA, and it was a wonderful trip! In NY I saw most of the tourist spots I wanted to see, and went to the MOMA and many galleries in Chelsea. I saw a lot of wonderful art! PA is a beautiful part of the country, very green and "woodsy". Very different from the west. We went to my brother's daughter's wedding in Williamsport, PA, and it couldn't have been more perfect!
I have decided that every family should have a wedding every five years or so, because there is nothing better than seeing little children, young adults, and older adults all dancing on the dance floor to the music of Rihanna, JLo, and Britney Spears, with a little Bruce Springsteen and Journey thrown in towards the end.

"Caley with Modigliani"

2011-05-11T11:53:00.000-06:00

Here is a painting that I started painting on November 9, 2010, and showed the daily progression here on my blog. Although a painting may go relatively quickly at the beginning, I have drying time between paint layers, or sometimes I just get "stuck"! Also I start another painting while the paint drys, and I usually end up with about 6 or 7 going at the same time, and then I take a few weeks and try to finish them.
As I have said here before; I love to start paintings, and finish paintings, but sometimes the work in between is daunting, to say the least.

I basically went back to my original background color, although it is more blue, to go with the Modigliani. I also repainted the red, and took out the corner edges. Someone recently commented that the pillow on the far right is still too big, so I am pondering that, and some of my edges.

New Painting

2011-05-10T20:42:00.000-06:00

Once again I have been making great progress on finishing paintings. Those final touches sometimes take months! I am still keeping most of my newest work off line, but it's been so long since I posted anything new, I have decided to post one of my newest finished pieces. I am calling it "Blue Laura" for now, but haven't decided on the final name yet.

Of course, until I sign a painting and it actually leaves my house/studio, I may still work on it. I will actually always rework a painting if I see that it needs it. I recently retrieved a commissioned painting I painted 8 years ago, and repainted it because I didn't like the way it looked. BTW, it looks much better now, after all... my work has improved in 8 years...

Older Paintings

2011-03-16T08:33:00.000-06:00

This week I have been cleaning my office, and came across many photographs of paintings that I painted over 10 years ago, that I did not have digital copies of...because they have sold. Anyway, my scanner is working extra good right now (I don't know what happened to it?), so I scanned them. It is nice to have a digital record of them, because they are much more easily accessed from my computer. Here are a few of them.
I am surprised at how much I like them, but remember that the tapestry was very time consuming to paint. I wanted to paint more "contemporary" paintings, but now think maybe I should return to painting a few "more traditional" still lifes. PS These are all watercolors.

Kaethe

2011-02-22T09:21:00.001-07:00

This is how far I got on Day three, but hesitate to post it because I am not sure if I want to keep all the hair on the model's right side. If I do keep it, I have much work to do to it to make it look....like hair. Also I thought maybe a white background would work with Kaethe's dark hair, but now think I will go with a red background. So....like all my progressions in progress, the paint is drying while I work on something else. (White paint takes the longest, and red to dry...even in New Mexico.)

Kaethe, Day Two.

2011-02-11T12:09:00.000-07:00

The painting is coming along nicely, and there is nothing I like better than to add color to the face, and "mold" it with greens, blues, purples, and highlights. I can spend a day just adjusting and readjusting, blending, and reblending the skin colors. I am really happy with the painting at this point, knowing I still have detail to add (eyelashes), and some finetuning.

New Model...New Painting Progression. Day One.

2011-02-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

I recently had a new model come over, named Kaethe, and I got some incredible shots of her, so I thought I would paint a "quick" portrait. Here is the progression.....although I am still working on it. If you have followed my previous paintings in progression, I always start out quick, and then hit some wall....this time the wall is the hair. (lol, again!)

Tamara de Lempicka

2011-01-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite artists that I only discovered a few years ago, is Tamara de Lempicka. She was born in 1898 in Warsaw, Poland, and led an interesting and exciting life, that would be hard to match by anyone, least of all a female artist of her time. I have read everything I can find about her, and am excited that I am finally going to incorporate one of her paintings into one of mine, as a background painting. Here are a few of her paintings. Enjoy!

Blossom Art Show

2011-01-18T15:20:00.001-07:00

I have written about this show a few times now, but after viewing the slide show of all the paintings that were accepted, www.blossomartcompetition.com/ I am feeling humbled to have been accepted. The work is amazing, and it will be interesting to see who wins the $25,000.00 grand prize. I have narrowed my favorites down to about 6, (including my own.....positive thinking), but it is hard to say whose painting was painted by whom, since the names are not under the paintings. I did recognize a few painter's work, like Daniel Greene, and Jane Jones. I really liked one painting of Iris', and there was a close up of a blossom with waterdrops all over it, that I really liked. I guess we will all find out when they annonce the winner Feb. 9, 2011....

Day 11...

2011-01-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I added a frame around the Modigliani, but because I wanted the frame to be small...it's already pretty close to the bed...I made a small black frame instead of the gold larger frame I had planned. I'm still not sure if I will keep it. Then I darkened the background, and repainted the red sheet, maybe a bit darker.

I also paint the edges of my paintings, even if I don't use a floater frame, because it makes the painting, as a product, more finished, and I like that extra bit of ...quality.
So it is off to dry once again, and then I will decide what else to do with it. I can say right now, that I don't feel the painting is finished. I think I will work on the body some more, and the right hand needs some help. It will take at least a week to dry, so although I only have 11 actual days of painting, it sure seems like longer. :)

Welcome 2011!!

2011-01-04T12:36:00.001-07:00

I haven't posted anything for awhile, and while I have quite a few paintings in progress, I really hate to post them before they are finished. I haven't continued to paint on my painting progression of "Caley with Modigliani", because I have been working on some other paintings, but will continue it soon.

Last night I saw on fb that the "Blossom II- Art of the Flower" has their catalog online. Because one of my paintings was accepted to the show I clicked on http://blossomartcompetition.com/ and was excited to see my painting, but noticed it was a different one than I was told was accepted??? I still don't know which one is in the show..."White Cattleya Orchids", which is in the catalog, or "Pink Cattleya Orchids", which I was told was accepted. The Blossom show people are now trying to figure it out.....

I finally got an email telling me "Pink Cattleya Orchids" was the painting to send to the show, but then a few hours later, the Blossom people called and said it was the "White Cattleya Orchids" that was accepted to the show....better get it to the framer.

Painting progression continues...

2010-11-24T14:45:00.000-07:00

After letting my first layer of paint dry, I started in on the background. I added a Modigliani painting; "Nude on a Cushion" (1917), and then darkened the background wall color twice. After the initial light background color, I knew I had to go much darker, but I am still not sure that this will be the final background color. I have been wanting to try a nude painting behind one of my nude models, but it is kind of tricky, due to the (famous) painting's actual dimensions, as well as just the choice of paintings that I feel will work with my composition. I am planning on darkening the painting, especially behind my model's foot, as it is rather confusing with the similar skin colors.

Happy Thanksgiving! (I had to edit this post, because the photos somehow disappeared??? So I'm not sure if these are the same photos I originally posted.)

A week for paint to dry.

2010-11-16T08:31:00.000-07:00

Because I started to get in the habit of posting something everyday, I thought I would post what I am doing this week. Because I have 7 paintings now that are in some state of progress...most have no backgrounds, I am painting backgrounds this week, waiting for the first layer of paint to dry on my demonstration piece so I can continue to work on it, and post my progress.

Last Friday I was notified, however, that my painting "Pink Cattleya Orchids" was accepted into the "Blossom- Art of the Flower Competition" that will be held next February in Naples, Florida. The reason I entered the competition, is because the grand prize is $25,000.00!! That is an unheard of prize for a floral show.....but since I have been "re-visiting" my love of painting flowers recently, I figured why not? I am keeping my fingers crossed! The whole show will be able to be viewed online after it opens, so I will post a link to it. For now, here is my painting.

Day Five....

2010-11-13T08:40:00.000-07:00

OK...now it is plain to see that I have to repaint the whole painting! When I reach this point in a painting, I think: "I should really tone the canvas next time.." ha ha! Anyway, if I had kept the sheets white, the skin wouldn't look quite as pale, but against the red, the skin looks white. Also I way misjudged the back wall color, and made it too light, but instead of going back into it when it is wet, I know from experience that it will be easier to paint darker after this layer of paint has dried. You might also notice that I have left a space open, where I will paint a painting.

This may appear like a lot of work, but it seems this is the way I always paint a painting. (Hence the tentativeness of posting a work as it progresses.) I can visualize the end painting, and think it will work, but this is the disheartening point. I now have to leave the painting to dry for a week....hopefully not longer, and then begin the process of finishing it.

Thanks if you have been following this blog.....and check in in a week or so, and I will continue.....

Day Four...

2010-11-12T12:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday it seems like I didn't accomplish much. I decided to start putting in the black and white striped material, but because the stripes are so small, I decided to paint the black stripes first, and then I will add the white stripes after the black dries. This will save me much grief with dealing with the paint accidentally mixing. The b&w material right now has no depth because I haven't yet added the darks and lights in the white stripes. Today I plan to fill in the rest of the background....

Day three.

2010-11-11T08:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I finished my first layer of paint on the figure. I think the reason I like to paint the whole figure first, before incorporating it with the background is....I like the way it looks just with a white background. (Again, probably from all my years painting in watercolor.) At this point it has a Vargas feel, which I really like! Because I had a little time left in the day to paint, I started to paint in the pillows. Today I should be able to get a good start on the background. Keeping in mind, after the whole painting drys, I will repaint it in more detail, and the colors will be more true to life...hopefully.

Day Two..

2010-11-10T10:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I continued working on my model's face; blending and then adding more colors here and there, along with highlights. You have to bear with me at this point, because there are many adjustments to be made before the painting is "finished". Like I said, I already know that when I add the red sheets, the skin colors will totally change. But I still continue to paint the body separately from the background....I just like to....

I started to add paint to the body, and then out of the blue, around 5:00, I got a migraine!!?? Because they start with an aura, I couldn't paint. Took my miraculous Imitrex and by 8:00 I went back to clean up my brushes, and managed to paint for another hour. So I didn't get as far as I had planned, and the body looks like white paint....I will work on that today, and probably start to fill in the background.

Painting Progression.

2010-10-31T17:13:00.000-06:00

Last week I attended an oil painting portrait demonstration. I won't say who the artist was, but he is an exceptional artist and teacher whose work I admire. Here is what I discovered, after watching him paint for 3 hours.....first of all, I paint pretty much the exact opposite of him, and second, I didn't care for the finished (and I'll use that term lightly) painting. (I don't think a painting can really be finished in 3 hours..) It seemed way too dark for me.
There is an interesting "rivalry" developing between painters who paint from life, and painters who paint from photographs. I watch the discussions on facebook, and find it interesting that artists are judging other artist's, not on the work, but on the process.
I generally like work that is done from life, especially from the experts like Daniel Green or Jeremy Lipking, but I also love the work of Alysa Monks and Pamela Wilson, along with many of the photo realist and hyper realist artists like Charles Bell and Pedro Campos....just to name a few. Of course my works run more towards the photo realism genre, but I am amazed to watch people paint from life, because it is a talent that I don't pursue. I did start out painting and drawing from life, but I eventually, not that many years ago, started to paint exclusively from photographs, mostly because of time constraints.
I feel like having a photo shoot is where I can really come up with many different ideas, and then weed out the photos that wouldn't work as a painting. When a model comes over, I am paying her by the hour, so I try to use that time to the best advantage, and get many different images I can use.
Because I am a self taught artist, I learned by, as they say: "putting miles on the brush". I painted in watercolor only for so many years, that it was not in my nature to paint dark to light, so I start my oil paintings the same way as a watercolor painting; light to dark.
I don't think there is a wrong or right way to paint, and I think labelling a painting process as right or wrong can have a detrimental effect on an artist that is just starting out.

Having said all of that, I thought I would post some pictures of one of my paintings in progression. The painting is named "Bananas", and behind the model is one of my favorite paintings by Janet Fish named "Yellow Bananas".

"Pink Cattleya Orchid"

2010-09-27T10:40:00.000-06:00

I just finished painting this pink cattleya orchid......and I am still deciding if it is finished. The pink is so pink, that I think I prefer painting white flowers. I have been taking a break from painting my figures, but am anxious to get back to them. A change of subjects is always great to renew the spirit.

"Dessert"

2010-08-17T12:14:00.002-06:00

I have been keeping most of my new work offline, until my show at Modernism, but thought I would post one of my newly finished paintings: "Dessert".

This is one of my favorite models, Laura, with one of my favorite paintings by Wayne Thiebaud; "Salad, Sandwiches, and Dessert". This painting is from 1962, which is also a favorite time period for me.

7 New Paintings to San Francisco

2010-06-23T11:32:00.002-06:00

Last week I sent 7 new finished paintings to my framer in San Francisco, and then he delivers them to Modernism. I have 2 others waiting to dry to be sent, and am currently working on a new piece. Love to start a new painting! So I know my show is getting closer...waiting to get a date, after Martin receives the new work.

Today I thought I would post a painting that I haven't posted on my blog before, but it is on my website. The painting is called: "Kaitlin with Two Lilies on Pink". I finished it a while ago, and it is one of the paintings that will be in the show. I am still trying to hold back my newest work until the show. (The painting in the background is another Georgia O'Keeffe.)

Quentin John Davis!

2010-06-18T09:41:00.007-06:00

My new grandson, Quentin John Davis was born May 29th, so I went to Phoenix for 10 days to help out. It was a wonderful time, and a beautiful baby! Quentin and his mother, Leah, are doing well, and I treasure the precious time I got to spend with my other grandson, Jackson, who is almost 3. His wonder of the world, innocence, and inquisitiveness is something people should strive to never lose! What a delight!

Caley

2010-04-23T13:06:00.005-06:00

Here is a painting of my model Caley, that I just finished. Of course nothing is ever really finished until it leaves the studio, and then I even sometimes rework a painting. I'm still not completely satisfied with the hair, and since the painting really is all about the hair, I may work on it a little more. Also I need to come up with a title.

"Michelle"

2010-04-13T17:14:00.007-06:00

I have been painting hair for the last week...uuggghhh! I think I am close to finishing my painting of Caley, but today I decided to paint the pubic hair of a painting I just recently repainted: "Michelle". My intent was to repaint the ribs, but I knew that would probably entail painting the whole figure...and indeed it did. I am not one to match paint from a few years ago. Anyway, the pubic hair is darker than the original, so I thought I would post the painting so I could see it large. I still might make some changes to it.

Finalist in International Artist Magazine!

2010-03-24T08:23:00.008-06:00

I know I have posted these images before, (right after I finished them) but "White Cattleya Orchids" has "won" an award as a finalist in International Artist magazine's floral and garden competition. I haven't entered a competition for many years, but after I painted 2 new florals, I figured why not? Especially since there was a monetary prize. Of course I was hoping to win one of those, but at least my work gets published in the magazine, and I get a year's subscription to the magazine.
When I entered this competition I felt like the "Wyoming Peonies" would win something, but thought I might as well enter both images. I was surprised when I was notified that the orchid painting was the one they preferred. (Especially after seeing the magazine (yesterday) and realizing that the grand prize winning painting was one of peonies. It is a beautiful painting, but quite different from mine.)

You can see all the winners and finalists in the April/May issue of International Artist magazine.

San Francisco: Ramos and Nagel!

2010-03-11T12:39:00.021-07:00

I am just back from the bay area again, and was lucky enough to attend two openings. The first was a Mel Ramos show at Modernism, and it was very exciting! I am a fan of Mel's work, and was delighted to see so many of his paintings up close. He has also added sculptures to his repertoire, and although I liked them, I preferred the smaller ones to the large ones. They are made of resin, and are "fashioned after" certain paintings of his. The thing about Mel Ramos, to me, is that he has a place in history as an acclaimed painter, and you can definitely spot a work by him. (My favorite work of his is from the 1960s.)

A few years ago at a Gottfried Helnwein show at Modernism, I was seated next to Mel at the dinner following the show, and I got to delve into his mind a little, about his painting career. He said that in the 60's and 70's women picketed his shows and demanded that he stop "objectifying women". He thought it would be much easier for me, being female, to paint nude women. I also asked him about some of the lawsuits he was involved in, and he said that he won all of them. I think it was 7UP that said he could use their image, but they got some prints of the painting as compensation. (There definitely needs to be a new book on Mel, with more recent paintings, and details of his experiences in the art world.)

Even at this show, he had placed the heads of Scarlet Johansen, Nicole Kidman, Jenifer Aniston, and Drew Barrymore, on nude figures. I'm not sure how he "gets away" with it, but he does. (Pamela Anderson commissioned Mel to paint a nude of her.) All in all it was a very nice evening!

The next show we went to was Aaron Nagel's. His show was at The Shooting Gallery, which is a newer gallery that shows the work of younger, very talented artists. Aaron also paints nudes, but he adds some text behind them, and in this show, he also incorporates arrows. One of the things I find truly amazing, and interesting, is his use of paint on the model's hands, and even on one face. I also enjoyed the brushstrokes and texture of the paintings. The paintings were amazing, and Aaron was very nice and pleasant!

"Laura with Narcissa's Last Orchid"

2010-03-04T07:58:00.002-07:00

I have just realized that I have around 10 paintings that I have not posted on my website, so thought I'd post one of them here on my blog! Hope you like it!

"Caroline"

2010-02-16T10:53:00.007-07:00

Here is yet another version of my Caroline painting. I made the background green, and am still deciding if I like it. It might be too much color??

I am reposting this image of Caroline. After viewing the image large, I decided that I wasn't happy with the lips, so I repainted them. Many times I can see things in a large photograph that I don't see in the actual painting. I don't know why this works for me, but it does, and always has. I hope this looks better. (Excuse me for using my blog as a work tool....) Also I am not happy with the color in the photograph...the painting seems much warmer to me in person, but when I try to darken the photograph the background becomes too dark.

"Caroline"

2010-02-16T09:16:00.001-07:00

This is a new painting commission of one of my friend's beautiful daughter, Caroline Federicci. She is only 14, and a beautiful dancer. When I went to the dance studio to photograph her, I was lucky enough to get to watch her practice a routine, and I was very impressed! As far as the painting goes, I have many more photographs that I plan to paint, but I think this one is finished. I will show it to the family, and see what they think. Sometimes a parent can see something subtle, that I may not see, that can be easily changed, and makes the person in the painting look more like themselves.

Happy Mardi Gras!!

2010-02-14T13:19:00.003-07:00

This is a painting I have previously posted, (as "Nude with Mask", but it's real name is "Bullseye") but I think it totally has a Mardi Gras "feel", so I thought I would post it again. I am currently working on three (almost) finished paintings, while almost ready to start a new very large piece.

Sent six paintings to Modernism, so things are starting to fall into place. Can't wait to post my newest work!!

"Laura Reading O'Keeffe"

2010-01-17T13:02:00.003-07:00

Here is a painting I finished a few months ago.

"Lost" Marble Paintings!

2009-12-31T16:58:00.011-07:00

Recently I met an artist online on facebook named Jason De Graaf, (http://jasondegraaf.blogspot.com)that paints incredible paintings! He uses marbles in some of his paintings, which caused me to search through my closet to find some paintings I painted of marbles in the 90's. My work is done in watercolor, and at the time I painted the paintings, my gallery in Napa refused to hang them, I think because they were too "contemporary" for them, so I put them away and continued down another path. (Not before the city of Fairfrield, CA (where I lived at the time)bought one though.)

Anyway, after seeing people painting marbles, I photographed these paintings and posted them on my website. I think they hold up pretty well, but some of the shadows need to be repainted. I may try painting one of them in oil in the future!

"Flaming Red Canna"

2009-12-03T13:33:00.002-07:00

Here is a new portrait I have been working on. I can't quite decide if it is finished or not. Seems like the hair is too "neat"....Don't know if it will be in my Modernism show, since I am holding back (some of)the paintings for the show (from my online sites). The painting in the background is another Georgia O'Keeffe, "Red Canna", but it reminds me of flames, hence the title.

"When September Ends"

2009-10-26T14:57:00.006-06:00

I just realized that I posted the wrong painting of "When September Ends". The painting I posted is called "Leah on Burgundy Couch", at least until I come up with a better title.
This is "When September Ends"; which was painted of my daughter a few years after she graduated from college, and I felt the melancholy of growing up and "becoming who we are" in her eyes. Like the words of the Green Day song: "summer has come and past, the innocent can never last....like my fathers come to pass, 20 years has gone so fast...wake me up when September ends"

San Francisco!

2009-10-22T08:23:00.014-06:00

Last weekend my husband and I went to San Francisco to visit our son, Shane, who lives in Oakland, and also for me to meet with Martin Muller, the gallery owner of Modernism, and discuss my work, and upcoming show.
We had a wonderful time, and saw some incredible art: Gottfried Helnwein, Mel Ramos, Robert Rauschenberg, Wayne Thiebaud, Eric Zener, Gilles Marrey, and Sylvia Ji, (thanks Shaudi for opening your beautiful home, and giving us a "tour" of your Sylvia Ji collection) just to name a few. And those were all in galleries, (and one home)...we chose not to go to the SFMOMA, because of time issues, as well as we have been there many times. (We did check out the SFMOMA store though, because they have such wonderful books, and assorted art gifts!)
My meeting went well with Martin, and we are "refining" the group of paintings that will be in my show. We are close to setting a date, and I will post that as soon as it is decided. It was a very productive meeting! (I have decide to delete a few of the paintings that will be in the show from my blog and website, (that I previously posted) so the work will "be new" for the show.)
On Saturday we went on Bart to the Eastbay, where we saw my son (Shane)and his girlfriend's (Mel) apartment. It is very cool, with wonderful art, and a cute pet cat; Hiboux! Mel even made us some delicious vegan cupcakes! (Her vegan blog is vegilicious)
That evening our son took us to the Berkeley Rep Theater where we saw the musical "American Idiot". It was a fantastic show, and of course the music was incredible! As I re-listened to the American Idiot cd, (when I got home)I realized it was totally suited, if not written to be a "rock opera". I must say that was one of the highlights of our trip! The Bay area is so beautiful, and I always miss it when I return! (We lived out there for 7 years, in the 90's)
Today I am posting a painting I painted of my daughter, Leah, that I painted after listening to the Green Day song; "When September Ends", along with a photo of Shane, Shane, and me in Oakland, with the Bay Bridge behind us.

Georgia O'Keeffe

2009-10-01T14:23:00.006-06:00

Last week I watched the Lifetime movie about Georgia O'Keeffe. After the first two hours were almost over, and Alfred Stieglitz died, I got excited, and was looking forward to another hour about Georgia O'Keeffe living and painting in New Mexico. I was soon to be disappointed, when the movie abrubtly ended. I guess in hindsight I shouldn't have been surprised, because it was, after all, a Lifetime movie. They chose to view Georgia O'Keefe's life through her connection, romantically and professionally to Alfred Stiglitz. Of course he was a driving force in her life, and I am reminded of my son saying to me once that Georgia O'Keeffe was only famous because of Stieglitz, and I argued that while he promoted her, and gave her many of the opportunities she possibly wouldn't have had without him, she was still the first person in art history, that I know of, to paint the subject matter she chose in her own personal style.
To me, after reading much about Georgia O'Keeffe, I think of her as a strong and independant woman who would suffer almost anything to continue painting. I found the movie to be true to everything I have read about her, but from letters she wrote before she met Alfred, she still seemed to be a strong willed woman, and not quite the love sick nymph she was portrayed as in the movie.
Another one of the things I question about the movie are the size of her paintings. I have been adding Georgia O'Keeffe paintings behind my figures, and I have been trying to keep the sizes true to life. So when I saw her painting her "Oriental Poppies" probably at least 5' x 8' I was surprised that I could have been off by so much. So I looked up the size of the actual painting, and it is 30" x 40". It sure added to the drama of the painting, (in the movie) to see her painting such a giant, beautiful image! Then I remembered the first time I went to the Georgia O'Keeffe museum in Santa Fe, and was rather shocked by all the small paintings. (I think we have seen her work in print or posters for so long, that we think they are huge. A few actually are huge though.) I was blown away by the art in the movie! I think it was, and should have been, the best part of the show.

Anyway, after such a long post, I have added some Georgia O'Keeffe videos from youtube to my blog. The first one is actually Georgia O'Keeffe in New Mexico, and I think it gives you more of who Geogia O'Keeffe was in almost 10 minutes, than was shown in the entire Lifetime movie.

"Wyoming Peonies"

2009-09-12T12:56:00.011-06:00

Here is the "finished" peonie painting cropped, and a little larger. (I couldn't quite figure out how to delete the first photograph of the painting on the easel.) So for now I'm leaving them both.

A few weeks ago I wrote about starting a new floral painting, and it is almost finished. I still have to work a little on the background leaves, and maybe lighten up some shadows on the left hand peonie petals, but as a whole I am pleased with the painting. Most of my previous flowers have been painted in watercolor, but I am enjoying painting them in oil for a change. Also I have never painted just blossoms and leaves, but have always painted a vase of flowers, because I am so interested in reflections and refractions in the vases, (especially using black and white stripes). So this painting has a different feel to me than my previous floral paintings, not to mention the size is 27" x 36". It was a nice break from my figurative work, but already I'm anxious to start a new portrait!

Nude with Mask!

2009-09-08T09:07:00.002-06:00

I am just starting to navigate the internet world of blogs and websites, and have been reading a lot of daily painter blogs. The criteria is that the artist produces nearly a painting a day. The sites are really nice, but, although I do paint nearly everyday, except Saturday, it takes me about a month, (with drying time between the first layer of oil paint and the last) to produce a final painting...if not longer.
I am thinking of starting another blog that would be about...monthly painters...lol. All in due time. I have only had my blog since June, but am amazed at all the wonderful blogs out there that have been around for years! It also takes a lot of (painting) time just to search out all the art related blogs and websites. I have to limit my time, or it can get away from me!
This painting today is one of my model Kaitlin wearing a mask in front of a large target. The target is a nod to the art of the 50's and 60's, more specific, Jasper Johns, and the mask makes me think of a carnival theme. I plan to paint some more paintings in a similar vein.

Starting New Floral Painting.

2009-08-21T08:47:00.005-06:00

Today I am excited to start a new floral painting! It is always exciting to start a new painting, but it has been a few years since I have painted still life, much less a floral. Also I have never painted such a large oil flower painting. ( I usually paint flowers in watercolor.)

It will be a break from my figures, and it was actually hard to mentally make the change, because I have been focused for so long. I still love painting figures, but this is totally for me!

I'm posting a watercolor of peonies that I painted a few years ago, and sold. Peonies are one of my all time favorite flowers!

Painting Progression.

2009-08-11T16:05:00.003-06:00

This is one of my favorite paintings of one of my favorite models, Kaitlin. The reason I like this painting is because of the look on her face. As I looked at the painting progression, I now wonder if the green background wasn't a better choice than the white, or gray....? (It is already at Modernism.) This was a painting that "painted itself", because I had all the information in the photograph.....no fixing, no changing, and no additions. A simple background! If I would paint it again, I would possibly take off the nylons, because they are pulled up so high.

Looking for a Title.

2009-08-05T15:23:00.009-06:00

This is a new painting, I have been working on for awhile, trying to bring it to completion. I think I still have a little work to do on the hair, (again), but am fairly satisfied with the painting.
My friend Monica, who teaches Greek at UNM (as well as some other classes), suggested "Mimesis" for a title. It means reflection in Greek, and Caley, my model is a student of the Classics, so I think it works. Also the ocean in the window reflection could be in Greece.

Art Santa Fe and Rauschenberg Show

2009-07-28T10:12:00.004-06:00

This weekend my husband and I went to Santa Fe to see the art at Art Santa Fe, and a Robert Rauschenberg exhibit at the William Shearburn Gallery. I must say that while the Rauschenberg exhibit was quite wonderful, we found Art Santa Fe to be a little lacking. There seemed to be fewer galleries representing, as one could imagine with the economy, than there were two years ago. There were some great paintings, and there was even an Andy Warhol, and a Roy Lichtenstein for sale, to mention a few. A lot of abstract work, and not much realism. Landfill Press was showing how a lithograph is made, and that was very interesting!
As far as the Rauschenberg exhibit goes, I was surprised, and delighted, to see some of his large works made on stainless steel. They lose some of the reflective quality when seen reproduced in books. It was exciting to see Rauschenberg's work....and I always try to touch someones work that I revere...just to feel that much closer to them...and mission accomplished! (When you go to museums you're usually not so lucky.)

Portraits

2009-07-21T08:40:00.007-06:00

While I love to paint figures and still life, I especially enjoy painting portraits. After seeing Malcolm Liepke's show (online) at the Arcadia Gallery in New York City, I have decided I need to paint a few more portraits.

I started painting my daughter, Leah, and my neighbor's little girl Anna Beth Lane, and like Liepke says about what attracted people to his work:

"It was the emotionality of the work, the connection to the people who were
painted and the faces. So, I decided to simplify the background and just
get rid of all that other stuff behind it. My work is about the connection
with the people I paint."

Unlike Liepke, I started with the portraits, and have recently taken on a more narrative quality in my figurative work.

Watercolor Paintings.

2009-07-15T21:06:00.000-06:00

Watercolor Paintings

2009-07-15T20:40:00.002-06:00

When I started painting, I started in watercolor, mostly because of two artists: Steve and Monatana Naegel. They were both watercolorists in Casper, WY, and I thought their work was incredible! I started taking classes at the local college, and even brought a stack of paintings over to Montana's house, uninvited, to show her my watercolors. She took them to her kitchen sink, and turned on the spray, and proceeded to take off most of the paint. Looking back on that now, it seems a little shocking, but she made her point that I had used too much pigment, and it freed me to start fresh.
Later when I taught a class in Berkeley, and the day was almost over, I noticed that many of the artists had done the same thing...used too much pigment. I remember telling them that just because they had one hour left, be careful not to "overpaint" the painting. I guess that is the tricky part of painting, in oil or watercolor...when to know, or decide you are finished.
I've just had my website linked to the National Watercolor Society's website, and thought I should post a few watercolors. I am looking forward to painting in wc again soon!

Casper, WY

2009-07-09T13:46:00.005-06:00

Just returned from Casper, WY, the town where I grew up. The winters there are really cold and windy, and seem to last forever, but it is a beautiful place in it's own way. ( We never missed a weekend of skiing in the winter, no matter what the weather.) A great place to grow up, and raise kids. I moved to Sandy, Utah when I was around 30, then to Fairfield, CA two years later, and finally after 7 years in CA, I moved to Albuquerque, NM.

The summers in Wyoming are really wonderful! This trip was to celebrate my dad's 80th birthday, and all my brothers and sister were there, with their children. (except David's kids) I was especially happy because my son and daughter were both there, along with my grandson.

On the way home from Casper we were lucky enough to stop in Loveland, CO to see the" Wayne Thiebaud /70 Years of Painting" show. It was an incredible show, although I would have liked a few more cake and pie paintings, and maybe some more figurative paintings.

I saw another of his shows in Sacramento, CA when I lived out there, and I love his work! His use of color and paint is amazing, not to mention his subject matter. Wayne Thiebaud seems like a very humble, hard working man, and I hope I will get a chance to meet him in my life. He is almost 89 years old, and still paints nearly every day. What an amazing painter!

NM and Ghost Ranch

2009-06-22T10:27:00.003-06:00

I wrote about Ghost Ranch a few weeks ago, but didn't know how to get the photos to "imbed" in the post....now I have learned how, but don't want to rewrite the whole story.....so if you want to read about my trip to Abiquiu, and Ghost Ranch, (where Georgia O'Keeffe lived and painted) check out the older posts.

Here are some of the photos of the beautiful landscape of New Mexico!

NM and Ghost Ranch

2009-06-09T08:55:00.004-06:00

Last Saturday my husband and I went up to see Ghost Ranch, NM, where Georgia O'Keeffe lived and painted. I have always read about the greatness, and the vast and unique beauty of NM, and how many famous artists and writters have settled here (DH Lawrence, Mabel Lodge, and more recently, "celebrities" such as Julia Roberts and Val Kilmer). So I was excited to see what the look and feel would be.

I have lived in NM for 13 years, but because I grew up in WY, I think the impact of coming to NM was less than if I had lived in the eastern United States. I have always lived in the west, and when I moved here from the bay area (Fairfield, CA) and my husband and I drove up to Santa Fe, we kept waiting for the "magic" to hit us. (It didn't.)

Then we drove up to Taos, and when we hit the summit, coming into the valley, and town of Taos, we were struck with the beauty everyone talks about. There really was a unique quality to the atmosphere and light. (But who could say that walking around Jackson Hole, WY, surrounded by the Tetons, or on top of the Rocky Mountains in Vail, CO, or swimming in the surf at Stinson Beach, or even anywhere in HI, is any less beautiful?) Each place is beautiful!!

So having said all that, I find it hard, if not impossible to choose one place in our country that is the most beautiful. NM has grown on me over the past 13 years though, and I really do love it here! Now I am struck with NM's beauty every day! Just looking out my window at the Sandia Mountains, and the deep blueness of the sky, it really is awesome!! (I even enjoy the trip up to Santa Fe.)
When we went to Ghost Ranch, (2 hrs from Albuquerque) the most amazing thing to me was to stand where Georgia O'Keeffe stood and painted, and seeing the exact landscape as in her painting. The guide (yes we went on the tour) would hold up a picture of a painting, and then we'd look up and there it was, exactly as she saw it. That to me was incredible!!
The only disappointing thing about the whole trip was not seeing Georgia's house. We could see it through the fence at the driveway, but other than that it is fenced off, and there are no tours through it. You can tour her house in Abiquiu, but we chose not to take that tour. (It is $40.00 each.)

Ghost Ranch itself is like an old hippie commune. They hold all kinds of classes that include many different arts and writing clinics. People wander around, and they can hike, paint, read, etc. They can even spend the night, and there is a dining hall to eat. I would think people from the "big cities" would love it. (They even filmed City Slickers there, and some of 3-10 to Yuma.)

2009-06-01T07:30:00.000-06:00

This is the first day of my new blog!! If anyone can find me, please let me know, or ask me a question.