Blue Moon at the Half Shell. original iPad painting.
This iPad sketch is based on a neon sign and its reflections, spotted while dining on the wonderful grilled oysters at The Half Shell, in Biloxi. A feast for the eyes to match the feast for the taste buds.
At a Biloxi Waffle House. original iPad painting.
On our last visit to Biloxi, we grabbed a bit of breakfast goodies at one of the many local Waffle House restaurants. We didn’t really believe they’d have us seated within five minutes — given the long lines of seated and standing wanna eat patrons. But the efficient staff delivered in fine style. Here’s my iPad take on the scene.
Misty island morning, with pines. original iPad painting.
I’ve begun a new series of iPad paintings to reflect scenes of my native Biloxi, Mississippi and surrounds. This one is based on a photo made by my niece Ceci one misty morning on Horn Island. More to come.
Resting at the Portrait Gallery. Oil on Linen.
During a recent visit to the National Portrait Gallery, I saw two marvelous women, each sitting in one of the deep window seats that back up to the courtyard. I decided to be bold and ask if I could take their pictures for painting purposes. To my delight, each agreed. Here’s the first – a petite little lady perched on the long cushion, resting her feet. Another palette knife attempt.
Cousins, engrossed in an iPad. Oil on Linen.
I fell in love with a darling photo of two cousins (my grand-niece & -nephew, if I’ve calculated that right), huddled around an iPad. I knew I had to make a painting out of it. Have been trying to learn how to paint with a palette knife. This is one of my first attempts.
I’m honored to have been selected again for inclusion in the second annual Hill Center Regional Juried Exhibition. The judge this year is Philip Kennicott, Art and Architecture Critic for The Washington Post. Here’s my painting, one of 65 works selected from over 450 works submitted by almost 100 artists. I must admit – I was surprised!
Blazing Canal. Gouache on Paper.
I recently studied portrait painting with Bill Schneider. After he did a wonderful demo, Bill had us emulate Nicholai Fechin’s gorgeous ‘broken color’ style, by copying (on a larger scale, so we could practice our facial measuring skills) some Fechin portraits.
Fechin’s portrait (L) and my copy. oil on canvas.
First I copied one of Fechin’s beautiful women. And then this precious child.
Fechin’s portrait (L) & my copy. oil on canvas.
The next day we painted from a live model, attempting to apply the broken color method on our own. Quite a difference in beauty, eh? (Just keeping it real!)
Working toward Fechin’s ‘broken color’ in painting from life. oil on Arches oil paper.
I ended the weekend workshop with lots to practice and mull. Thanks, Bill!
Hot white walls shimmering in the heat. Gleaming gold dome. Massive foreshortening complementing the bulbous domes. I know the perspective is distorted in my snapshot from our Cuba trip last year. But I like it that way. Had to paint it that way. More fun!
Skewed in Cuba. iPad.
I hauled out my iPad quite a bit over the last month. Thought I’d share a few, bit by bit. As our days grew shorter and chillier, I started conjuring a scene from our C&O Canal walks last Summer. This was a real challenge, with all the different elements and reflections.
C & O Canal in Summer. iPad.
What was under the water’s calm surface was just as interesting as the shadows falling across the surface and the contrasting views posed by the two banks. It’s time to clean this baby up again!
We have had a peaceful and joyous day. And it isn’t over yet. But while there’s a quiet moment, I want to reach out beyond our home and send love and hugs to you and yours. Here is an iPad image I painted, based on a stone carving on a Capitol Hill church. I had it made into Christmas cards, but since they haven’t gone out yet, I’ll post it here, with my very best wishes for the season and 2014.
