I'm Still Alive

So...how's everyone been? Yikes! I fell off the earth there, didn't I? Well, I'm back and the Astro Calendar for Llewellyn Worldwide is completed. I'm satisfied with most of the paintings; some...not so much. Several other happenings have occurred as well. Rather than go into any lengthy explanation I'll just document some of the highlights.

First, here are a few of the completed zodiac signs. The calendar will be available in 2016. It was a learning experience for sure.

ARIES

 GEMINI

PISCES

In November, fellow Utah artist Greg Newbold invited me to participate in the "Lost in Fantasy" art show at the Pioneer Theatre Loge Gallery. It was my first experience of the kind and was so honored to hang with the other wonderful artists, including James Christensen. We could display both prints and originals. Out of 7 pieces, 5 sold. Very surprised and pleased.

Pluck, Defender of Daffodils

One of the originals that sold.

I was both amazed and honored to be selected for inclusion in this year's Spectrum 22. The piece that got in is Aquarius from the calendar.

I've also sold a few originals.

BARCODED

THE GUARDIAN

This was a difficult piece to let go due to it's personal nature, but she went to a wonderful collector who has purchased other pieces for his wife.

EDO

Back in November, I was invited to participate in Every Day Originals, a brain child of Marc Scheff and Lauren Panepinto. Basically, it's an online gallery that daily posts small originals priced $500 or less. You have a specific day to post your original every month. I've sold 4 so far. It's also provided motivation to experiment on personal pieces. Here's the most recent painting to sell.

WALLFLOWER

In June I will be heading to IMC once more. It's been 4 years since I attended. They have added a group that explores taking one's illustrations into the gallery genre. Brad Kunkle will be the guest artist. Very excited/scared to attend.

I hope this hasn't sounded like one brag after another. I've suffered set backs as well, mainly due to my lack of confidence and skill. Makes me want to push through these short comings and work, work, work. It's always a struggle to balance family and art. I have such admiration for the young women who brave motherhood and work on their art careers. I wasn't able to but that was my journey. Energy only goes so far. I am so grateful to have the support from friends and family now. It's been an incredible adventure...the good and the bad. 

And now, I end this blog post with the best news. Grandchild # 19 was born last month.

Finnegan

9# 6 oz.

He is one of those "surprises", It's been 10 years since my 40 year old daughter's last baby. Lots of arms to hold him. Such a blessing to live close by and be able to witness and help during his birth and watch him grow.

Life is good.

Bye for now.

The Best Thanksgiving

 These last 6 weeks have been quite the journey.  Quite out of the blue, an opportunity came to our daughter and son-in-law to adopt a baby. Just when they had closed the door on adding to their family, the Universe opened it. It has been a series of  miracles, with undeniable direction from the Creator. My heart is full to bursting with gratitude. Born this weekend, our daughter was the first non-medical person to embrace and welcome him. Poor dad, is still out of state, waiting to meet his new son...the only unhappy aspect of this whole incredible experience. Hopefully, next week, papers will be in order for them to fly home to him. Blasted red tape stuff.

But for now, all is well. Jonah has come to our family.

His name means "peace"...such a sacred feeling.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

Harry Potter-Revision

After finishing the Super Hero panel, I've gone back to the Harry Potter one. I'm going to try to keep some consistencies in these portraits, namely the silhouette behind the figure, the more angular construction of the shapes, and the deeper tones of color. Unfortunately, these photos are not showing those colors as they look  in person even after fiddling with them in PS. But these will give you an idea of what I'm attempting.

I ended up putting the Sorting Hat down lower so I could show more of Harry's patronus. Also moved Hedwig on to the broom. Again, I began with a toned panel and I'm painting into glazes, trying to model the forms. This is after 2 layers of oil glazes. 

Super Hero Final

Secret Identity

Super Hero Progress

Well, I think I'm almost through with Super Hero. Trying very hard not to over-work this. I am pleased with the colors in this painting and I'm RARELY, IF EVER happy with my colors. A big part of that was beginning on a cad red panel. That, and working into the glaze. Below, is my second pass of oils.

This is my third pass which was basically reinforcing the opaques on top of the glazes.

I still need to fix the highlights of the shield and add a slight shadow to the eyes as well as a highlight.

I prefer this technique and of course....you know what that means..I have to start over on the Harry Potter one. Been doing some sketches (below). I also like the shadow shape behind the figure so I'm thinking I will do Harry's Patronus or perhaps a silhouette of Hogwarts? I have his third panel in semi sketch state which will show him as a Junior Ranger on top of his own mountain, Mt. Owen (in the Tetons).

But for now, it's back to the children's book I go.

Super Hero Continued

Once the sepia lines dried over night, I applied a glaze of Transparent Red Oxide and Trans. Brown oxide combined with a mixture of OMS, walnut oil, and Daniel Smith Painting medium. Then comes the fun part. I start adding the colors into the glaze. At first, it doesn't blend very well, but you wait for the glaze to become slightly tacky and you can manipulate the paint much easier. And I'm loving the cad. red surface. It's doing very interesting things. You can't tell very well in these photos but the orange shows through in place adding interesting texture and contrast to the painting. One more pass after this dries and it will be done. I just need to watch I don't over work it. Darn. Now I want to do Harry Potter all over again using this technique. 

Super Hero

I'm nearly finished with the Harry Potter inspired portrait of my grandson (pictures forthcoming). This is going to be a triptych of sort, highlighting the three aspects of his personality. This is the second one. He is a HUGE Super Hero fan, especially after seeing the Avengers movie. On this one, I'm trying a different technique. I painted over an old study  wooden panel with a Cad Red/white mix. I quite like the texture that is showing through the paint. After it dried, I free-handed the sketch and then darkened the lines with a sepia Prismacolor.  Next, I will paint in the lines with oil so I don't lose them under my oil application. 

And Finally...#15!

Our youngest daughter gave birth to her first baby today (the 27th)...a little girl.

All is well. So thankful. Life is good.

Elsa Jane. 6# 7oz

.

Daddy and daughter getting acquainted.

Auntie Audrey with her younger sister.

She took some beautiful photos I hope to post in the future.

I Am Number Four

UPDATE: She's home and has a name!

Macie June

Our son and his wife had their fourth child, a new daughter today. Born on the same day as their first, only 8 years later. She is 8# 4 oz. Grandchild #14.

Until they decide on a name, she is:

I am Number Four

Welcome to the world #4.

We are so grateful to have you here.

Almost Finished

Need to fix a few things here and there. Paint in hair strands. a few eyelets in fabric. I think the likeness is there for the most part.

Grisaille Approach

The other day on Facebook, artist David Gray showed several pictures of a painting in progress using the the grisaille method for a under painting using various shades of value mixed with raw umber and white. Yesterday, using a photo of another one of my granddaughters I tried this method. It's sort of like sketching with your brush and it took me awhile to get the hang of it. I will wait for this to dry and then start painting on top.

Sketch Painted

Miss Olivia Mae

In an earlier post I talked about Melissa Peck and how much I love her work. I asked her permission to play around with her style for portraits of my grandchildren. Here is the sketch from a few days ago painted in oil on panel. I still have a few things to go in and fix.

Sketch

Long Time No Post

We've been doing some family visiting this month so I haven't done much blogging. Prior to leaving, I was working hard, trying to finish the 32 thumbnails for the children's book which I accomplished. Whew!

This is our grandson, Owen. He is so into super heroes, as you can sort of see behind the candles. While visiting, he turned 4.

I have been an admirer of Melissa Peck since discovering her 2 years ago. She's been very generous with her time, allowing me to come and watch her work. I asked her if I could play around with her style in drawing my grandchildren. She said it was fine and here are photos of the sketch. I don't have any of my materials here and had to make do with what I could pick up here in town. I hope to do each one of them for private display in my home. The grandkids have enjoyed seeing themselves in character.

Little Baby Reese= A Baker's Dozen

On August 7th, we were blessed with a new little granddaughter, lucky # 13, Reese. She's 6 weeks premature, only 3#12 oz at birth.

Here's her mommy looking down at her. Reese was delivered by C-section. After the infection and other stuff Audrey went through, I think she looks amazingly well.

Here she is under the special lights with her cool sunglasses.

Look at that hair! And she has the Kincaid cowlick...something I've passed on to all my grandchildren to some degree or another. It must be one dominant gene. That's a normal sized pacifier to give you some idea of just how tiny she is. She's dropped down to 3#5 oz. but that's typical. I am so grateful to have both her and her mother safe and sound.

Fugitive Moments

Just one of the benefits of having 10 grandchildren living close by is the availability of adorable subject models. Although most of my time recently has been divided between teaching an after school fantasy art class, and the first phase of illustrations for a children's book, I have my little side projects. These consist mainly of fan art inspirations and personal images (I also have been working on my own assignments from a class I'm taking).

This is one of those personal projects. The model is Mia (she did so awesome) and her aunt Audrey took the pictures. (My thanks to both and to mother Bevany for getting her all ready).

This has been one of those images I can't shake from my head. It's about the brief time our children are within our influence and the importance of what we do with that time. I believe when children come to us, they are instilled with an innate desire to ascend. How fragile is their hold on that power to soar. They protect the thin barrier that houses that inertia but it is easily penetrated and punctured. How I wish I could take back the deflating comments I spoke in careless haste to my children. Once spoken, the damage is done. Some of that "vertical soul" is lost. I want to convey in this work, the need for building and uplifting words to help them rise to their potential. Like the popsicle, our time with them melts away and our children leave us with either the hard words we speak or the sweet taste of acceptance and encouragement. In truth, it's usually both.
Using the computer to help me decide the color scheme. I will also try out 2 other pictures to see which works best.

Intensified the colors in the balloons here.

Intensified the popsicle and laid down some white over the gray in the dress.

Merry Christmas to All

So this concludes all 12 days of grandchildren. I am truly blessed to have most of them close by. They make my life worth living. Of course, I'm not alone. At my side, I have a most wonderful, selfless man, my husband of almost 37 years. He continues to support me in all my endeavors, both artistic and personal. For all these people who grace my life, including my dear friends, I wish you a very, merry Christmas and a wondrous new year.

The Twelve Days of Grandchildren - Moran

The 12th time grand mothering, second daughter gifted me with...

MORAN

Though I held her so briefly, this is what I know of her.

She is angelic. So much so that she didn't need this earthly experience.

She taught me much about love and loss, joy and pain.

Her absence, though temporary,

makes me more cognizant of the each of my other grandchildren

and how much they enrich my life.

A portion of my heart

departed with her.

The Twelve Days of Grandchildren - Mr. Beckham

The 11th time a grandma, my first son gave to me...

BECKHAM

He seems like he's this quiet, soft-spoken little guy and then, SURPRISE! He's squealing and chasing and then pulling all sorts of things out of kitchen drawers. He likes to hug Grandma's big fuzzy bear. He has just learned to come down the stairs all by himself. He makes good faces and noises. There are times he looks just like his dad did at that age. He loves his sisters and his mom. Loves to wrestle his dad. He's insured the family name will continue another generation. Go Beck!

The Twelve Days of Grandchildren - Mr. Owen

The 10th time grand mothering, daughter 2, she gave to me...

OWEN

He is one non-stop curious, inquisitive, all action little boy. Vivid imagination. Loves working with Grandpa, running all the machinery from backhoes to track hoes; backpack blowers to lawn mowers. Loves the outdoors and must be bribed to wear a coat. Currently, he's into Transformers and super heroes. Gets very possessive where popcorn is concerned. He is missed by cousins, uncles and aunts and me.