Sketches

These were just some quick sketches of my adorable cousin Gracy. She is a lot of fun to sketch... I love all of her flowing hair! I think sketching is important. It helps me to visualize a possible painting and keep up my drawing skills. As a painter, I think understanding value and being able to translate it onto the canvas is key. Sketching always helps me to focus more on value. These sketches were quickly done, not really studies in value but they still are a good exercise even if you only have 5 minutes!

Charcoal Sketches

I recently did these for my friend, Stacy. (Check out her fun blog sometime!) She gave them to her sister who has three beautiful girls! Kids grow so fast and this is a nice way to preserve a special time in life!

Gracy (in progress)

Gracy (in progress)

16 x 20

oil on canvas

I really thought I could finish this one by the end of the weekend but, alas, I am stuck.  I was going for a very simple composition with a background that just makes her face pop off the canvas.  I wanted most of the color to come from her face and hair.  I also wanted the background to have a lot of depth, but not distract from her face.  I thought I could achieve this by layering colors and mixing some different whites, but Mike (my husband) and I both agree it's not working.  So I stared at it tonight while we ate leftover pizza contemplating different background colors.  Grey/blue? A luminous yellow/orange?  Mike suggested maybe changing the color of the blanket. I am stumped.  I guess I'll have to stare at it a little longer and get some input from others.  I would appreciate any comments or suggestions!

Painting Preview

Gracy (in progress)

oil on canvas

I haven't quite finished this painting, but I am getting close.  I thought I would give you a preview before it's completed.  Her face came together pretty easily, but I wanted the background to have a lot of depth so it has taken a while to complete.  I've been layering colors, and we all know what that means when it comes to oils.  I am so impatient sometimes so I tend to rush it.  I've learned to work really thinly with my paint so that it will dry quickly.  I could never spend months on one painting. The background is actually really simple, I am just experimenting with layering colors to create depth.  I like how a simple background really frames the face.  Anyway, I hope it will be done by the end of the weekend and I will be able to post the final product!

Camilla

Camilla
(detail)
Oil

This is one of my personal favorites. I love the simplicity of painting in black and white. She is a little Costa Rican girl that has the most adorable cheeks!

Hillary at the Lake

Hillary at the Lake
4' x 5'
Oil

Sold

This painting was a lot of fun! I love painting water with all of its unusual shapes and reflections. I am hoping to do more "water" paintings in the near future! Currently I am working on a boat painting... hope to be showing you soon!

Sweet Smile

Sweet Smile
18 x 24
oil

This painting will be in an auction at the Mosaic in downtown Omaha, this weekend Sept 19th and 20th. It benefits Mosaic Community Development which helps fight poverty in Omaha. The show is called "Neighborhood" and will directly benefit the revitalization of Park Avenue. I am looking forward to it and hope it is a success!