Tidepool

 

In art class today I worked on "Hogan on Guitar", "Suzanne at the beach" and started "Tide pool"
This is my first painting on linen, so far I have not noticed any differences. I scrubbed a neutral ground of burnt sienna and then used a paper towel to remove some of the color from the highlight area. I also started laying in some shadows.

I contacted the Pastor of my church to see if he would like me to do a painting of Pope Francis for the church. He looked at the blog and said that he liked my work and would be interested! I am excited by the prospect that my art will be hung up at church for thousands to see. And by donating it I can use some of my talents for God. Tithe can be Money, Time and Talents.
I have a meeting on Friday to discuss size and any other desires he has for the painting.
I already received permission from a photographer to use his images of the pope.

Honorable Mention

Over the last week I have made some progress on several paintings. A new series of painting classes started at Reston Community center and I worked on three different paintings. I feel like I am working very slowly and would like to finish one of the paintings I have been working on for months.

 The painting Suzanne on the Beach is becoming much more difficult than I thought it would be. The shadows have such blue highlights that I just am having a very hard time duplicating. I also need to soften many of the smile lines.
 I am hoping that my mother in law likes this painting more than "Shades" the first painting I did of her. She is a very authoritative person which showed in "Shades" but she is also very kind and loving which I am trying to capture in this painting. Unfortunately I have not yet come close to capturing her beauty. 
"Shades" did win an honorable mention in an exhibit at the Vienna Arts Society, and my husband had to make sure he teased her about it. I wish that she did not hate it so much, because I really like the painting.

We had a full house last weekend for Baby's baptism. It was wonderful to have everyone here to celebrate with us.


Enjoying the Easter Bunny

Spring has come to our front yard, crocuses have come and gone, flowering quince is in bloom and so are the daffodils.
The kids and I have been enjoying walks in the woods, playground time, the backyard sandbox and hammock and front yard picnic dinners. LOVE spring.

Slow Progress

 Pumpkins and Mice was completed during a painting class at Reston Community Center. It was a good way to loosen up after my painting hiatus. I had not painted since my daughter was born in August. I loved teh vibrant color of the pumpkins and enjoyed working on something that required less rigorous representation than portraits.



I have been planning this painting of Mary for some time now. I took pictures of a friend modeling the pose last year and have been waiting till the time felt right to start the painting. I am including the series of photos to show how the painting has been developing. I have a lot still to do but am very excited with the progress that has been made. The painting is titled "Preparing the Todah Sacrifice".

I have also been continuing work on "Contemplating Bluegrass"

 A good deal of my creative energy during the last week was tied up in designing and making my sons 4th birthday cake. He requested angry birds and I did my best to deliver. The kids enjoyed helping to build and paint the pinata, and everyone enjoyed the cake. I did need to catch up on sleep after the party was all over.  Unfornunantly my youngest chose the next few days to get her first two teeth and some restless nights followed.