Why do I do this? I paint the night before to enter in the show the next day. Can I be the only silly one to do this? San Antonio has a new pastel society. Texas Pastel Society. And there's an all-member show next weekend. Because I can't bring my paintings this weekend because of the portrait workshop I'm giving in Ingram, TX, the president, Mary Lopez, offered to pick mine up tomorrow. I, of course, waited until this evening to paint this one. The reference photo is of a woman who walked into the gallery wearing this great hat. I asked if I could take some photos. She struck this pose and three others
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I decided to close her mouth, and no, it wasn't just to avoid painting her teeth. Ok, maybe it was, but it also was to have the look I preferred. (Are you buying this?) I wanted to post this entry on my blog before midnight, but ended up reworking a pastel I painted in Judith Carducci's workshop in March, and also framing another painting.
I painted this one on gatorboard prepared with Art Spectrum's Colourfix fine pumice gel mixed with a little quinacradone gold. So the brush strokes of the Colourfix show through the layers of pastel. It prevents much detail, but adds some movement under the pastel.
Last minute 16 x 20 pastel
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12 comments:
Another great portrait, you are a busy bee. All these great things happening in your life how wonderful. (Maybe you thrive on a bit of stress?)
Oh my! Is it true that you work better under pressure? Could be. I like this one, you speed demon! Good luck in the show.
Keep on inspiring us.
Oh gosh, yes. A deadline is absolutely necessary for me. Even when commissions insist there's no hurry, I give myself a due date or nothing happens. This show isn't juried nor are there awards, I think, but I wanted to be included!
I love the background colors merging into the clothing and the skin tones being repeated as light in the hat. Good move. And I love that little light that sneaks in on the top of the hat, then bounces onto the edge of the brim then hits the shoulder. Cool. Good stuff, Susan.
Here's a thought--maybe we put pressure on ourselves because we under pressure we don't have time to "think" while painting and that allows the real goodies to happen.
I'm was too busy yesterday to check in on you, missed your "Dreams" discussion. I, too, am living my dream by being able to make my own schedule and paint every day. I think what's important is that we give our dreams a chance to come true, that we just do it.
Susan, I, too, missed your Dream discussion, but for me, I know I am destined to produce art and I, too, love every minute of it. Throughout my life, art has fed my soul. It connects me with so many interesting life events and great people. Almost every person I talk to, tells me about themselves or someone who they know who is an artist of some sort, and that's just it. Think of all the goings on out there that is considered an ART form. It so connects us with one another.
The pastel for the show is quite colorful and very 'vogue' looking. Good job! Good luck with your class! They will be wowed!
I really like the hand in this painting.
Dianne, thank you for your keen observation and praise. I can live for days off that! I'm so glad that you're living your dream, too.
Pattie, thank you for your thoughts about art connecting people- I'm going to think more about that- and I appreciate your confidence in me as I go teach the workshop this weekend.
Bill? Lisa? Thank you for your comment on the hand. I swear hands take me twice as long as faces and I'm always more anxious about them.
Susan - Another lovely portrait!!! I just scrolled down and saw the Riverwalk you have posted. I painted that the last time I was in San Antonio. Such a colorful place!!
Oh Susan, I would never have thought of using this shade of yellow in such a big way on a painting - but it works - the painting would have had an entirely different mood had you used say, lavender.
I tend to avoid yellow on the whole - maybe going for it like you have would break open a new vein of creativity!
Great job. I love the gold color. And her pose. Aren't you so lucky that you have subjects coming in to find you. You don't have to go looking. Good luck on the teen thing. You will be lucky if you find one willing to sit for even 10 minutes.
Angela,
You mentioned avoiding yellow. I know what you mean. But then I saw Franz Kupka's 'The Yellow Scale" at Houston's art museum and was rivetted and blown away. I came right home and painted yellow everything!
JeanneG, I know you're probably right about teenaged boys not being willing to sit still. I'm going to just ask the universe for one and see what happens. Wouldn't mind a craggy old fellow's face, either. They're always fun.
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