Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Jason





18 x 24 Acrylic on Canvas

A lovely young lady commissioned this painting of her late brother as a Christmas gift for their mother - what an honor for me! I am really pleased with the way it turned out and so is she! You may find my method for "painting" the fishing lines interesting using a pizza cutter and white and black gesso. Since this was heavy tackle, the cutter lines were just right! Hey, it works for me! I would really enjoy hearing how some of you might have approached this "fine line" challenge?

November has been more than hectic with commissions to complete and deliver prior to our departure from North Carolina this past Sunday. I am waaaaay behind visiting blogs and am so eager to catch up and see what everyone's painting! We are back in Florida and I plan to relax and enjoy catching up this holiday weekend! Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Mural Challenge

Before 12" x 8
After


This fall our son and family moved into their dream home - a large house where grandsons have lots of room. Since the home was previously occupied by a family with girls, some changes were in order ASAP! Twelve year old Jed found himself in a bright comfortable room with one serious flaw - a wall mural featuring beautiful winged fairies! This gave me a chance to be a " nana-super-hero"...with a paintbrush! We are off to a fun start! Toy soldiers were used for our models and the transformation is underway! Jed helped paint the sandbags and requested the turtle be spared. We have not completed the mural but there are no visable fairies since remaining ones are temporarily hidden by furniture until we can continue the project in the spring.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Ann Vasilik's Watercolor Demo





Thanks to artist Vickie Beck for these photos from our Blue Ridge Watermedia Society's October meeting. Please visit Ann's ">website to see many more of her fabulous watercolor paintings and read about her recent trip to Russia! Ann is an accomplished Asheville, N.C. artist and her demos are very popular with our group! She loves light and shadow and starts by transferring a detailed drawing from tracing paper onto 140 lb Arches. Her paintings begin with juicy washes. She uses four vaues alternating warm, cool, warm, cool across the painting...saving the white of the paper. Finishing touches were added via calligraphy setting out details to make the piece sing! Ann, thank you for sharing many tips with us as you performed your magic!