work in progress
the finished painting
The Swimmer
6×6 oil portrait painting
Available here
Didn’t expect that – oil portrait painting progress shots
Getting down the first layer..it would have been easier if I had thinned the paint more because of the fat over lean rule. I’m used to painting with a knife, and thick paint, so this seemed thin to me at the time. Looking back, it wasn’t nearly thin enough. Next portrait, I’ll remember to thin it out.
Somehow this week totally got away from me, and even though I meant to blog, I didn’t get the chance. I’m hyperfocused on painting right now, and I find myself getting up in the morning, immediately going to the studio, and painting until late evening. The days are whooshing by, and wow, it’s Labor Day weekend already. School started three weeks ago here. Summer’s basically over.
first layer
The thing that’s got me entranced is portrait painting, once again. I had forgotten that I love it. I got so burned out on portraits that I started to hate the thought of ever having to paint another one, so I didn’t for almost 2 years. But then, USPS messed up, and lost my order. I had to do the right thing, and re-paint an oil portrait for my customer, and although I really dreaded doing it at first, I’ve been struck by the portrait painting bug ever since then. I simply can’t get enough. I’d go as far as saying I’m obsessed.
What I used to find stressful about a portrait painting..the hours and hours you can spend just to shade in a nose or the side of a cheek, I now find so relaxing and enjoyable. I spent about four days on this painting, and at times, it looked awful. Surprisingly, it all worked out in the end. If it hadn’t, that would be fine, also. I’m not putting any pressure on myself to succeed. If one or several of the portraits don’t work out, then they don’t work out. Who cares? It’s only paint. Wipe it off, and move on.
4th or 5th layer..I lost count, but it’s finished
I’ve had to wipe a couple of them, and start over again after spending a few hours trying to fix my mistakes. Notice I didn’t say “wasting time”. It wasn’t a waste at all. I took it all in stride, and considered it a learning process, and carried on.
Making mistakes is something I used to beat myself up over, but I’m in a much more relaxed state of mind these days. I’m more forgiving of myself, and my limited capabilities. I am only human after all.
Didn’t Expect That
6×6 inch hardboard
oil portrait painting
Available on Daily Paintworks
I named this one Didn’t Expect That. The slightly stunned expression on her face is how I feel about this new/old love of portrait painting once again resurfacing in my life. I didn’t expect to go back to painting portraits again – ever. Two years ago I was finished with portraits. DONE. Yet, look at me now.
Sunnies and glasses – new portrait series
Last week, I had major computer failure, so I wasn’t able to blog. Although I know the basics, I’m no genius when it comes to electronics. It took me a few days to figure out what the problem was, and fix it. I ended up reinstalling Windows 10, which, if you’ve ever done it, you’ll know what a chore it is. Believe me, it was my last resort. I tried everything to fix it, but there didn’t seem to be a straightforward answer.
I think I had a deeply rooted virus. One of those that is a time release bomb of sorts, and keeps coming back, no matter how many times you get rid of it. My virus protection never picked it up, which made things worse. I’m pretty sure it came from a word processing program I had downloaded a few months back called WPS Office. I’m not going to link to it because I don’t want anyone else downloading it by mistake.
I have learned my lesson. No more downloading anything without researching it first. The very first thing I found when I typed “WPS Office” into Google was info about the virus. If only I had done that before downloading it, it would have saved me weeks/months of trouble.
WIP – this one has changed a lot since I took this photo.
If you follow me on Instagram, you can see the finished painting.
Reinstalling windows wasn’t an easy decision to make because it erases all your programs/apps, and takes you back to factory settings. It will save your files, but you have to start over from scratch, and set everything up again. Not fun, but I had no other choice. My computer was either crashing/hanging/freezing solid, or giving me the blue screen of death every few minutes. It was unstable, and unusable.
I stared at my computer screen for days, trying to figure out what was wrong with it. In between, I looked at iMacs on my iphone, and drooled. I came thisclose to placing an order for one, but since my computer is still fairly new (2.5 years), I hated the thought of spending a couple thousand on another one right now. I will be getting a Mac, there is no doubt in my mind, but I figured I should run this hunk of junk Windoze into the ground first. Since it ran fine when I booted it in safe mode, I figured it could be fixed. I was right, but what a pain.
work table – playing with filters
The good that came out of it (there is always good in the bad, right?) was that somehow in the middle of trying to solve the mystery of Computer Gone Cray Cray, I had the sudden urge to paint in oils. It came to me out of the blue, as it does most of the time. I always listen to my muse when she speaks to me. Well, most of the time, anyway. She has some really wacky ideas sometimes that even I have to dismiss. ha!
I took painting breaks, which kept me positive, and moving forward. Always have to be moving forward, no matter what obstacles might be in the way. It’s something I learned many years ago about this business. I HAVE to keep moving forward, no matter what, so I started a new portrait series. It originally was going to be girls wearing sunglasses because I was thinking of summer coming to a close, finally..well, hopefully, although you wouldn’t know it by the hot stinking humid nasty weather here. Can you tell I’m ready for it to end? It would be nice to go outside again. Anyway, the series eventually changed into girls wearing glasses of any sort, not just sunnies.
The series will continue to change and evolve, no doubt. I’ve always liked painting glasses for some reason..the reflection is most difficult, and something I have to work on. I love a good challenge.
It all started with this one, and grew from there
And, just like that, after this long drawn out post, you’re up to speed on where things stand in my studio. I’m saving a few portraits for later this week, but you get the idea by now, I’m sure. 😉
I’m going to leave you with a couple finds from the past couple weeks..
I have an earworm that won’t go away no matter what I do. That song is addicting. Ugh.
They’re back!! When I saw new Bon Iver videos pop up in my youtube subscriptions a couple weeks ago, I shrieked..so exciting!! YAS!!!
And, now for some political humor that literally made me lol..Barack Obama accuses Donald trump of founding The Village People 😀 😀 D: It actually sounds like something Obama would say.
Filming painting videos
Revised!
Quest for Perfection
Now that I’m getting back into painting portraits again (or at least revising the old ones), I’ve been thinking about filming painting videos again. I don’t know why painting portraits triggers me to want to make videos, but it does. The two are inseparable to me, I guess.
New! intro for my Etsy shop
I ordered a mini tripod for my phone, which should be arriving soon. I’m excited to start using my YT account again. It’s been a while. I gave it a test drive today by making a new intro video for my Etsy shop. Since I’ve been updating my paintings, the video needed updating also. Hope you like it.
Have you notice that I made a lot of my old videos public once again? Some of them haven’t seen the light of day for many years, so you might want to check it out. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe. I don’t always post my videos here on my blog.
Happy to be back on Instagram
work in progress
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m back on Instagram again. I stopped updating for a while because of my crappy Samsung Galaxy S5 phone. It was less than 2 years old, but it took lousy photos right out of the box. Not just lousy, but embarrassingly lousy. Grainy, dark, and pixelated photos weren’t making the cut. I went through my account, and deleted the really bad ones, and decided Instagram wasn’t worth my time.
I dream my painting, and then I paint my dreams. – Vincent Van Gogh
Taking photos with my Nikon, uploading to my phone, and then to Instagram was not only a drag, but a hassle. It took the “insta” out of instagram, for sure.
Not only did the Galaxy suck, but T Mobile never worked for me, not even in the city. I was paying over $70 a month to use the phone on my wifi – which as you probably know, you can do for free. I was stupidly locked into a monthly payment plan. :/ “Unlimited text and talk” is great, but what good was that if I couldn’t use it?
I must have bought a lemon because the phone didn’t work on wifi most the time, either. I was constantly getting error messages when I tried to text..saying it would send as soon as I had service. HA!! What a joke. If I only had service.. it would have solved some of the problems, but not all.
The Galaxy also had a battery problem, and it would drop down to 80% as soon as I took it off the charger each morning. By 3pm, it was dead. I figured I could solve the problem with a brand new battery. WRONG! A new battery made no difference at all. The phone was garbage, and a complete waste of money every month.
My birthday was a couple weeks ago, and my husband not only bought me the phone of my dreams..a brand new iPhone (!!!), but he switched me over to his plan on Verizon. I either have a really sweet husband or he got sick and tired of listening to me complain 1000 times a day about my horrible old phone. I’m going to guess BOTH, but either way..YAY!!! I have nothing but praise to say now. OMGosh, I LOVE Apple products.
I’m breathing a sigh of relief that it’s been taken off my hands now, but I feel terrible for the next chump who buys it. Never again, Android! I’m a true Apple fangirl now. Nothing else compares. I mean..do you see those photos above? The phone is taking better photos that my dsl.
Follow me on Instagram because I plan on posting a lot, and by “a lot” I mean once or twice a day. I’m not going to be one of those people who get a new phone, and post 20x a day, don’t worry.. except maybe at first. 😉 Those little hearts are addicting, what can I say? You don’t want to miss out on cute kitty pics, do you?
Overworking paintings
Revised!
Never Hurts to Laugh
Available here
Small to large prints available here
Some artsy finds..
Neil Gaiman on why we read. If you’re like me, you’ll want to curl up with a book all afternoon after reading it.
This woman is busy painting happy clouds and trees from the Bob Ross show. She’s going through the entire series, and painting along with him. How cool is that?!
The yellow tiger illustrations by Amélie Fontaine remind me of my Harold.
This artist paints the faces of a broken justice system.
18 Smart Ways to Use Your Business Downtime
The truth about overworking your artwork.
What do you think? Can you overwork a painting?
I think you can, but Lisa doesn’t agree.
Here are more revised paintings I’ve been working on..
Troubled Mind
Available here
Small to large prints available here
I liked the mixed media collage, but it seemed a bit too much, so I toned it down. The dark background really makes the portrait pop, imo.
Revised – Floral No 85
Available here
There wasn’t anything wrong with this floral, except it was dark. I’m going for a lighter, brighter (pinker) look with my florals these days, so I changed it.
This one ended up looking nothing like the original, but I like it so much more now. I started out only changing the eyes, and it just escalated from there. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. Pretty much the only thing that stayed the same is the word “lesson” on her shirt. This painting is available for purchase here. Small to large prints are also available here.
Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like. -Lao Tzu
With all the revisions I’m making, soon I’m going to have a completely new portfolio. I can’t wait!! Not only will that mean I’ll be finished revising paintings, but I’m really happy with the changes I’ve been making.
Be willing to be a beginner every single morning. – Meister Eckhart
Carry on without me
Neener Neener
Acrylic portrait painting on panel
Available here
Small to large prints available here
The Olympics start tonight. Picture me downstairs in front of the big screen with an optional cat or three on my lap, watching the opening ceremony. That’s exactly where I’ll be when this post goes live. I’m trying to contain my excitement, but as the clock ticks forward, it’s getting harder. I can’t wait!
No Looking Back
Available here
Small to large prints available here
I’ve been looking forward to this all summer, and I’m taking time off to enjoy it. Not just tonight, but for the entire 2+ weeks. I’m going to be glued to the tv downstairs until it ends. I’ll be able to sneak in a post or two (during the men’s soccer game because it’s my least favorite sport haha), but I won’t be posting every night like I have this week. The internet will have to carry on without me.
Dana
Acrylic mini portrait
Available here
I think I’ve mentioned a time or two that I’m into sports. When it comes to the summer Olympics, I especially love watching swimming and gymnastics. I’m team Phelps all the way. I just know he’s going out with a huge bang this time around. I’ve seen some of his practice runs, and he was a mile ahead of his teammates.
Jinger
Acrylic figure painting on panel
Available here
Everyone makes fun of me, but I watch golf every single weekend, and I’m thrilled that it’s back at the Olympics after 112 years. The course they’ll be playing on sounds challenging. I’ll be keeping an eye out for the sloths. 🙂
I also can’t wait to watch archery, beach volleyball, diving, boxing, cycling, dressage, synchronized swimming, and basketball.
Zoe
Miniature portrait
Available here
Today, I figured I’d post some more revised paintings, so you can take a little peek at what I’ve been up to lately. I’ve been purposely holding back posting these, so I’d have something to post over the next couple weeks.
If anyone wants to write a guest post sometime in the next 2 weeks, let me know in the comments below or write me privately. Be sure to tell me what the subject matter will be. It can be anything related to art.
Are you watching the Olympics this summer? What are you most looking forward to?
Pink and blue revised floral painting
Revised!
Acrylic pink, blue, white impasto floral painting
14×18 inch canvas
Floral Painting No 124
Another revised painting is now complete. This is one of my earlier paintings, and it’s bothered me for a while now. The flowers were too close to the edge of the canvas, and it didn’t have enough definition. It just looked like a blob of flowers, and I wasn’t crazy about the colors. The background wasn’t doing much for me, so it had to go. The vase was too small. The blue was too dark. The pink was too red. The fallen flower looked lopsided. I could go on and on..so, yeah, I pretty much didn’t like anything about this painting, and picked it apart every time I saw it. I was eager to fix it, and had a vision in mind. It took only a couple hours to go from that to this..
This went from something I wouldn’t hang on my wall to one of my favorite paintings. I absolutely love this painting now.
Floral No 124
Available for purchase here
Small to large prints available here
If you’ve got paintings hanging around that you don’t love, there is an easy solution..do something about it. Life is too short to beat yourself up every time you see one of your unlikeable paintings. The time is NOW. Instead of cringing, make something you’re proud to hang on your wall. Simple as that.
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 147
- 148
- 149
- 150
- 151
- …
- 216
- Next Page »