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 ...

Fierce

"Fierce" 

11" x 14", oil on canvas

I love to see others owning their individuality....cultivating it, creating it, nurturing it and last but not least....Enjoying their uniqueness. 

This young lady is beautiful....and embracing who she is.  It's a big part of her charm.

 I loved painting this one....focusing for a moment... only on her.

Thank you for looking!

Make sure to let "You" shine today! 

Mike

"Mike"  16" x 20", oil on canvas

A Sunday painting of my husband. 

I'd love to do a series of paintings of him... maybe once a week.

I feel a bit rusty at painting people, but I'm happy with how it turned out  :) 

Thank you for looking!

Reworked.....

"Waiting for Spring"

24" x 36" oil

This one was painted a few years ago, but it hangs in my house and is meant to be for the family,

a self portrait.  

So... because it hangs in the living room...I have the chance to look at it every day.  She kept whispering to me what she wanted.  I tried to ignore her.....tried to concentrate on the movie we were watching, or the book I was reading....but my eyes would drift over to where she was.  I'm a good listener....it took me years to get to it, but last night in the studio.  I did as I was asked. 

 You wouldn't know these things, unless you live with the painting and listen to her talk everyday!  The sky became a little warmer...her skin softened and warmed a bit on the sunlit side....petals floated and began to lay on her head and shoulders...her smile softened.  Ahhhh..... she's happy......I'm happy...it all worked out.  She was right...she's better this way.

  

Don't you just love to create??!!  Me too!!

Thank you for stopping by...looking and reading!

I appreciate it.

Sketching for fun.....

I just got a new iPad a few days ago, what a fun toy!!  I bought it for manipulating photos and working out new ideas for paintings.... But I got sidetracked with a sketching app!  

There is something so easy about picking it up and starting a sketch! I don't know why a piece of paper or sketch book is different. I guess I feel such a sense of commitment to create something wonderful....I'm not always up for that. If I don't like it.....I need to get rid of the evidence, rip it out and put it in the trash.  When my family hears the rip....they all turn, and of course...want to see what I thought was bad. Its kinda like a car accident.....there is a sounds that everyone will stop what they're doing to look....ripping paper always gets my attention too!  But this iPad....so silent, no commitment, just delete and start over...sweet. You know, I seem to like everything I draw on it too...I'm much kinder to myself with this little toy!

Okay.... maybe more than you wanted to know about my insecurities, but there you have it.  If you have an iPad and sketching sounds fun to you, download the "Sketchbook Pro" app, it's a lot of fun!!  It's something like $5 .....and  I use a little stylus instead of my finger, an inexpensive one works just fine :)

Las Laguna Gallery

My painting "Pretty in Pink" was juried into Las Laguna Gallery's "Women in Art" show.  These pictures are from last week's opening.

The show runs from November 7th until November 28th in Laguna Beach, California.

It's a great show with so many amazing artists....I felt very privileged to be a part of the show!

Check out Las Laguna Gallery....

and thank you for looking!

Ready to Ride

"Ready to Ride"

18" x 24"  oil

I love the props......goggles, helmets, wigs, gas mask.

This is a self portrait of me waiting for my first motorcycle ride of the season.

I've told myself I want to learn to ride a motorcycle myself, but really I love going for 

a ride on the back....with someone I trust doing the driving.

I grew up with my dad taking me for weekend rides....we had fun! 

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.

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 :)