Day 11...

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!!

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...

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.

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....

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...

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.

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..

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.

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"

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"

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

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!

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

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"

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!

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!

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"

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"

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"

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!!

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"

Here is a painting I finished a few months ago.

"Lost" Marble Paintings!

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"

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"

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!

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

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"

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.