A Matter of Degree

A Matter of Degree / oil on linen / 12 x 9

Her enthusiasm is showing although she may pay for it with a backache later tonight!

Ballerina #42

Ballerina #42 / oil on artboard / 20 x 16

Why paint large ballerinas you may ask. Several years ago a friend of mine confided to me that she often thought of herself as the ballerina she thought she wanted to be when she was a little girl. I found that to be a fascinating remark and set out to paint mature, accomplished women as they are but also living out a childhood dream. The ballerinas took on a life of their own and I discovered perhaps there is some humanity, elegance and truth in their large forms. I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I have enjoyed painting them.

Wednesday Life Painting

Santos Corral-Bandito with Sombrero / oil on canvas panel / 18x14

 At the Portrait Group session this morning we were so fortunate to have Santos pose for us wearing a very large and ornate sombrero.  I just loved painting him in this 3/4 profile, with the elaborate hat, his tangle of wild dark hair and that fabulous gray mustache and beard! The time just flew by. What a great morning, although the temperature outside had already reached 94 degrees by the time I left the studio around noon. Its a scorcher today!

Me and my Ballerina #33 after a few final tweaks

And here I am in my own studio by the side of my latest large ballerina after a final dab here and there.