The Boxer

"The Boxer"

Another example of my letting go and allowing some truth to come through.

I had a master plan on this painting.  This was the quick beginning that I was planning to add to.

I had an image of someone already in my head ....kind of a "Bring it" moment... courage, in the moment....no fear.  An idea that kept presenting itself, and I wanted to capture it, in a painting.

So a friend of mine graciously said yes to model for the painting. 

(even though it was totally out of his comfort zone)

This quick beginning, the part I thought was just a rough draft to what was to come....well, this was the "jewel".  This was the gift I was given that day, but I threw it away!!!   I painted over top of this....and let's just say, it was an epic fail.   After this start...I tried to paint a look that wasn't there.  I tried to paint a person that wasn't there....ignored the kindness, playful nature, more vulnerable look coming back at me.

I'm so glad I took a photo of the painting... before I began my painful effort of "Trying" to paint something that wasn't there.  

This is a painting of the person that was in front of me.

I was so lost in my "idea", that I didn't see.... 

I got what I'm usually after, I tapped into a tiny piece of the guy in front of me.

A good lesson for me, 

stay open...let go...things may not go as planned, and that's a good thing!!!

Thank you for looking!

and reading ...

Drawing people

Drawing someone in front of me....I find it difficult, but of course......  the challenge is still fun.  

Most of the time, I'm trying to capture a tiny essence of who I saw.  My quick, rough gesture drawings capture so much more than a can get when I have time to think and "try" to draw correctly.  I like the drawings I've created in less than 20 minutes.....the most success I've had, in my opinion, are the 1- 5 minute sketches.  They might be only a few lines, but they can say more than a drawing that I've worked the technical aspects. What I win in technical points, I usually lose in emotion, capturing movement or their personality.

The more I go on pure instinct, leave my inner critic back at home, the more "life" there is in the drawing.  That inner critic...she's such a pain!  

She's always hanging out with me, but she doesn't get to vote as much as she used to :)

Thank you for looking!

Have a great weekend! 

Tuesday night drawing sessions

There is a Tuesday night drawing session in downtown Anchorage.

From 7:00 ~ 9:30, nude model, 18 yrs of age minimum....bring your own supplies....no instruction, 

just a group of us 

working on our drawing skills, 

all levels welcome! 

The session takes place at  ACAL, 225 E 5th ave, Anchorage.  Entrance is in the alley. 

Cost is $15 per session, or you can purchase 5 sessions for $50.

It's a wonderful opportunity to learn and grow!  

Come draw with us!

Drawing.....

This started out as a drawing....then I added watercolors....then went after it with an ink pen.

When I started it was a drawing of my mannequin in my studio, Fiona.  After I got done it didn't look like her as much as it did my mom when she was in her twenties.  I have a black and white photo of my mom and dad from the 50's.  Its sitting by my computer and I look at it everyday.  Its funny how images make an imprint on your mind, without even realizing it.  The body and clothing was Fiona, but when I drew the head and face....my mom's image came out of my hand.  I didn't notice it until I took the photo and looked at it on my computer.......I love these little surprises.   

Thanks for looking and reading!

Plugged In

"Plugged In"

oil, 16" x 20"

Okay...finished her last night.  I like how this painting turned out.  Although I do think the lighting in my studio is so blue that it affected the color I saw and how I painted her skin.  It works....but I may not want the same look in my next painting.  Its wonderfully bright in my studio, but I can see this light is always going to lend a cool light to my paintings....not the warm glow I may want in others.

If you walked up to my studio at night....the light coming from the windows is so blue...

it almost looks like someone is welding inside!  I was going for "day light" bulbs, but I think I took it too far.  Back to Ace Hardware store!  I kinda love going there anyways...it's in my neighborhood...they recognize me, we work well together :)

At times, I've thought of working there....I could see myself as a hardware store girl.

It's very comforting being around all the tools, parts and pieces to make anything you want. 

I'll stick with painting for now.  

Thank you for looking!

New painting

I'm still working on this one, and the photo could be better....

But, I'm liking it so far.  

Thank you for looking!

Poetry in motion

Athletic, tall and thin....my son reminds me of the saying, 

"poetry in motion".

His movements are graceful and athletic....he inspires the artist in me to learn more.

I wish I could capture that athletic grace...and his sulky, teenage stance....

the "James Dean" posture and movements.  When he moves, it's almost like time has slowed...

he is in his own time....  

This is my first attempt at capturing his movement...

more to come.

Thank you for looking!

workshop painting

I painted this one at a workshop in Scottsdale, AZ ...last year?  The year before?

I can't remember...but The Scottsdale Artists' School is a great place to go to learn from some pretty amazing artists.  There are a lot of artists... with different styles and mediums to choose from.

Something for everyone!

Thank you for looking!

Fiona in Goggles

"Fiona in Goggles"

18" x 24"  oil

I'm posting older paintings, because .......

I need to get out and paint!!

I'm waiting for things to slow down a little bit and I'll jump in

and start painting again.  Like jump rope ....when it's going too

fast, it's seems harder to play along, but if it slows down just a bit...I can hop in. 

Protected

"Protected"

24" x 36"  oil

Peter......

I've got Peter looking pretty serious....but he's really a sweetheart.

I wish I could do his face justice.  He has a face that reminds me of old world drawings.

I think of Michelangelo and DaVinci whenever he models for us.

Got your back

Saturday drawing session at UAA.  

Figure drawing is such a challenge for me. 

I love when others do it well, so I keep practicing.     

I've said it before, but UAA has a wonderful figure drawing session on Saturdays.

Great models, great lighting...great opportunity!

Open to the community as well as UAA students. 

more drawings....

Just some quick one minute studies. 

 I love the quick poses, they always have so

 much more expression to me.

So even though there is not a lot of detail, I feel like 

I can capture more mood with less rendering.

More drawings.......

I think I'm doing more drawing than painting lately.  These Saturday sessions at UAA have been a great opportunity to work on my drawing skills.  I find the week slips by and I'm at the drawing session again.  

When it comes to painting, I seem to just fit it in whenever I can.

I think I should make a few times during the week that I have a painting sessions in my studio.

No excuses!  Just do it!  Be there or be square.....uh oh.... that was corny.

Waiting for Spring

I'm waiting for spring.

I cropped this picture when I photographed it, I'm not sure why.  There are flowering branches above my head in the painting.  This is the time of year that I absolutely crave some color.  Alaska is all snow right now, and has been for the past 5 months.

I can't wait for green.  I have been daydreaming of plein air painting for a couple months now.

I'm planning a few trips out of Alaska this spring to do some landscape painting. 

Planning can be half the fun.

Things are starting to look promising here too.  Today was sunny and in the 30's....snow is melting.

 I like it!

Being outside feels so good....so painting and being outside sounds like heaven right now.

I'll have to give it a try.  I've never tried painting outside when it's winter :)

Saturday life drawing sessions

At UAA here in Anchorage, art students meet for a life drawing session

Saturdays from 12noon to 3pm.  It's open to the community also.

The lighting is wonderful, models....wonderful....it's a great opportunity to draw the figure.

Cost is $5 for a session or $15 for the semester....held at the Fine Arts building, room 101.

Okay....just thought I'd let you know.  The Tuesday night sessions have come to a close, so this would be a great option!

Thanks for looking! 

Tuesday night life drawing sessions....

This is a drawing from last night's session.  Fun evening with a nice group of artists!

Tuesday nights there is a open life drawing session downtown Anchorage, AK.

We meet at 6:30pm and draw until 8:30pm. Come and draw with us! 

AT.... International Gallery, 427 D St.  

Tuesday nights 6:30 - 8:30pm

We would love to see you there, no expertise required, all levels welcome, bring $15 and your own materials. (If more than 5 people attend, the fee goes down to $10!) (UAA students only have to pay $5!) Please try to arrive before we start. See you there!

Drawings....

 

 

 

 

 

There is a life drawing session each Tuesday night here in Anchorage. 

These are a few of my drawings from these sessions.

 

If you are interested in drawing the figure, it's open to anyone....

there's a  $15 drop in fee for the 2 hour session.  Go to the Upstairs Studio at

406 G Street (the door next to Phil's Deli-above Side Street Espresso).

We draw from 6:30pm until 8:30.

 

 



Waiting.....

"Sara's Waiting"

oil



Just finished

"Protected"

24" x 36"  oil

I just finished this one.  I like how it turned out.  I have a thing for goggles, gas masks and really anything with metal or chrome against your face!

I love the contrast of soft colorful flesh against something machined and masculine.

I've always loved contrast......high contrast black and white photography was where it started in my tender, teen years.  Then contrast with color....now I love contrast of color and subject matter next to each other.

Besides.....you just have to admit it....gas masks are so cool!  They're very symbolic to me.

Thank you for looking!