A Fundamental Shift in Emphasis

A Fundamental Shift in Emphasis 18 x 14 oil on linen

Had a LOT of fun this Sunday - once the oil sketch was correct as to proportions and placement in space, this one was easy!

Pink Hat

Oil on canvas 16x12

I made the mistake of buying my daughter a flamboyant pink hat and scarf for Christmas. She reluctantly modeled them for me and I thought she looked adorable. Later she explained that adorable is not quite the preferred  look for a Senior Manager CPA at Price Waterhouse! Oooops!

Portraiture from Life

 

 

Life drawing once again. I find it so exhilarating! This is my first time drawing a portrait in ebony graphite from life. As usual, on the first session I felt nervous and so rusty - not even knowing how to begin. So I just use my painting philosophy when confronted with a blank canvas - jump right in and get going. To my mind, there is quite a difference between figure drawing and portrait drawing from life. When doing the figure the concentration is on capturing the gesture of the form, the weight distribution and tension of the pose. The face is a whole new ball game as the focus is not only on capturing a likenss but, perhaps, if one is very lucky and very skilled, of capturing something more - something about the mood or character of the model. No easy task! The way the light falls and contours and shapes the face is the same so I took some little comfort in that!!
This model was an older lady, quite beautiful, with a kind and gentle face, gorgeous cascading hair and an overall serene countenance. I loved drawing her and spent about 30 to 40 minutes on the top two drawings and 20 minutes on the last. The class instructor is Martha Voyevidka - a classically training artist whose own drawings are superb and quite an inspiration.

New Year's Eve at Lake Tahoe

Squaw Valley Resort - home of the 1960 Winter Olympics

No lines at the ski lift!

Hot chocolate by the roaring outdoor fireplace.

Icicles at least 3 feet long!

Large boats on Lake Tahoe shrink wrapped for the winter.

View from Mount Rose over Lake Tahoe looking south.

Sunset over the lake. It was not quite frozen but the water was stiff with the cold. It was 23 degrees F when I took this photo.

It was such a glorious day - cold and crisp and exhilarating! The final view (I could not get a photo) on the drive home from the summit (9000 feet) of Mount Rose was of the city of Reno carpeted in snow from end to end - breathtaking. The entire day was a feast for the eyes and a banquet for the soul - a lovely way to wrap up 2012.

I normally do not make resolutions for the new year but I do hope to be more rigorous in my approach to painting this year - more disciplined. I hope to begin the year with life drawing sessions and long days at the easel. I can't wait to see what surprises and delights 2013 holds! A happy, prosperous, healthy and creative New Year is wished for all!

You Are Invited!!!

I am just so very lucky to have my art stir the fancy of famed gallery owner and art connoisseur Jeanne Chisholm! Opening day for my new gallery is Thursday, January 3rd and everyone is invited! The gallery is located in sunny Florida and if anyone who reads my blog happens to be in that area, please do stop in and let me know your impressions! I am so honored and excited to be in the company of a truly stellar group of equestrian artists.The photo above is one of the gallery rooms and below is the invitation to the reception with the accompanying text. This reception is considered the preview and a big grand opening celebration is scheduled for January 15th. I hope, and I have a feeling, that this is going to be a wonderful, artful New Year! 

Wellington Equestrian Gallery and Mall Hosts Reception

Wellington, FL - December 29, 2012 - The Wellington Equestrian Gallery and Mall will kick off the New Year, and the opening of their new gallery, by hosting a reception on Thursday night, January 3, from 5:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. Guests are invited to stop by and stroll through the gallery while enjoying the collection of art displayed, some wine and cheese, and the live music provided by world-famous pianist, Copeland Davis. The store's unusual, equestrian focused offerings will be sure to please even the most discerning clientele.  Jack Van Dell, of Van Dell Jewelers, has created this unique mall that features an eclectic mix of various artists' work from around the world, and is home to the largest collection of fine equestrian art in the South. The artists and their artwork have been carefully selected by Van Dell, himself, and international art dealer and collector, Jeanne Chisholm.  "We are so pleased to be able to offer this exquisite, equestrian collection, and  be able to coincide our Gallery's opening with the beginning of the Winter Equestrian season here in Wellington," said Van Dell, "We hope to attract people who really appreciate quality art along with those who would like to own some new pieces."  The Wellington Equestrian Gallery  Mall features paintings, bronzes, estate  fine jewelry, antique furniture, garden adornments, objetd'art, providing something of interest for everyone. Current exhibiting artists include Angela Moore, Suzanne Werson, Van Dell Jewelers, Wellington  Company Antiques, A.M. Stockhill, The Chisholm Gallery Collections, Nancy Freid, Marilyn Fallon, Noble Haus, Inc., Idlewild Furnishings, The Stalk Market, Prima Antiques, Ricard Boehm, Jackie Mallick Designs, LLC, James  Jefferies Antiques, Churchill Galleries, William R. Eubanks and Cashmere Buffalo. The gallery already has a large assortment of artists' offerings to choose from and they expect even more items to arrive, daily.  The wine and cheese reception on Thursday night, with the beautiful music by Copeland Davis, is an opportunity to enjoy a relaxed evening with friends, and to preview the wide variety of high-quality, equestrian offerings from an array of high-quality artists from around the world.  Kick-off the New Year and the winter equestrian season in style, by joining The Wellington Equestrian Gallery and Mall for their wine and cheese reception on Thursday night from 5:00p.m. until 8:00p.m. The Wellington Equestrian Gallery and Mall is located in the Publix Courtyard Shopping Center on Wellington Trace and Greenview Shores Blvd. in Wellington. For information call the Gallery at (561)333-3100 or go to: www.wellingtonequestrainmall.com <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?

White Christmas Dreams Come True!

Our first white Christmas in 18 years! Merry Christmas everyone - may your day be filled with special delights!

Christmas Cover - The Chronicle of the Horse

 

I want to take a moment to wish everyone an especially wonderful Christmas this year - filled with family, friends, great food and stellar conversation. I hope for a New Year that is filled with peace, happiness, health, good will and prosperity. I also want to offer my thanks and gratitude to all those who have taken an interst in my art and the time to comment and send me your thoughts. Your support and encouragement means more to me than I can express. Thank you so much and Happy Holidays to all!

Link to The Chronicle of the Horse online version of the magazine. My cover will grace the December 24th - January 7th issue! I am so thrilled!

The Warthogs are Gathering

 Oil on canvas panel 12x12

 

 

Oil on canvas  panel12x16

 

Two more warthogs made their appearance today - fun to paint with no particular goal in mind other than to wield the brushes.

Return of the Warthog

This time he made a more formal appearance - on canvas instead of cardboard! And he turned out to be a very colorful fellow. He is 12x16 oil on canvas panel.

Steeplechase

22x28 oil on linen - so gigantic for me! I am emotionally exhausted after this one. The title is pending....

Competition at the Beach

 24x18 oil on linen panel

20x16 oil on canvas panel

 

 

Who knows what these chubby ballerinas are up to?!! I certainly do not!

 

 Up early this morning, I was treated to a new snowfall under a fiery sky.

After days of absolute frenzy, I have finally gotten all the paintings framed and shipped off to the Wellington Gallery in Florida - shipping costs alone broke the bank but they are better off in a gallery than fighting for storage space here at home. And it is excitiing week for another reason - I was contacted by the editor of The Chronicle of the Horse magazine - a really exquisite publication that had done an article on my work earlier this year. She wants to put my Christmas painting of Santa riding a zebra on the COVER of their December holiday issue! Wow! I am really happy about that!

Ballerina #26 Makes Her Debut

Ballerina # 26 seems to have a lot of confidence for her first time in the spotlight! Oil on linen 16x20. Although my ballerinas have their own unique style and sense of elegance, please be sure to visit the inviting and entertaining blog of Martine Alison "Ma dollhouse joue un grand air de peinture" - her delicate beauties are always engaged in magical and delightful activities and a visit to her blog will no doubt make you smile!

Suffering No Mathematical Inconsistencies

I finally had some time to paint today and decided to bring this one to completion. Oil on linen 18x24.

New Gallery for the New Year!

I have just spent the last few days in a frenzy trying to get paintings framed and shipped for my new gallery space at the Wellington Equestrian Gallery in West Palm Beach, Florida. I am still waiting for a few more frames to be delivered but will ship out this majority in the next few days. I am so excited! What a lovely way to sweep in to the end of the year! Sadly, with guests here over the Thanksgiving holiday and with the time spent framing, I have not done much painting. But now I am so eager to get back to the easel!

Steeplechase - Untitled

Untitled as of now, this is what I have been working on the past few days. It is not finished - still needs some fine tuning but I may put it aside for a while. It is 18x24 oil on linen.

Ballerina 25

I knew I wanted to do something a little different, a bit more abstract, and I let the paiint take me whereever it wanted to go with this portrait. Focusing more on value, I let the color just happen. It was an interesting experiment and I am not unhappy with the result although I don't think the photo truly captures the painting. This one is 14x18 - oil on linen.

A Delicate Beginning to Winter Weather

Snug in the studio with a few recent acquaintances as the snow gently fell outside.

Less than an inch - really just a dusting.

 

 

Ballerina 24

 

Ballerina 24 is just coming undone! She is falling to pieces and is in a state of complete disarray after dealing with Hurricane Sandy and the Election. I do think she needs a long vacation. Oil on linen panel 24x18

Winter is on the Way

Three elegant mule deer on our back mountainside this morning - much earlier in the season than last year. Does this mean we will have a snowier winter? I hope so as I love winter and love snow and am well prepared! I know, I know - most people think I am crazy but fall and winter are my favorite times of year! :)

Gravitational Considerations

Oil on linen panel - 22x28. I have been doing some traveling lately and had little time to paint. Back at the easel now. As always, many thanks for stopping by my blog!