Category Archives: Figurative

Torpedo Factory Portrait/Figurative Conference

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For someone interested in learning more about figurative & portrait painting, there are few places better than the Art League of Alexandria, aka the Torpedo Factory Art Center.  My art buddy Helen Gallagher and I enjoyed hanging out at its first conference, celebrating a milestone anniversary.  Here are a few of the pieces we saw demonstrated at the event.

Danni Dawson demo
Sharon Sprung demo
Rob Liberace demo
Kurt Schwarz demo2
Lisa Semerad demo2
Lisa Semerad demo
Jackie Saunders demo
anon. fabric painting
Ted Reed demo
Kurt Schwarz demo2
Rob Liberace demo2
Dan Thompson demo

Pre-Teening at NIH – iPad Figurative

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I had the privilege of hanging around NIH with a dear cousin while he had a consult or two.  While waiting in the lobby one day, I saw this darling girl in her summer frock, talking on the phone with her mother nearby.  I couldn’t resist taking a covert photo and then painting her up with Art Rage on my iPad as soon as I got home.  So sweet.  Took me back to my own girlhood and crisp cotton dresses.  You don’t see scenes like this every day.

Girl on phone

Girl on phone

Mixed Media Experiment – Sam ‘n Max Biking

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Shortly after dear Alison Neustrom passed away, my sister Cecilia and I flew to Maine for a mixed media workshop, turning to art to help manage grief.  We wanted to try our hands at combining oil paint with patterned papers to produce unique images, with artist Katie Wilson.  Ceci’s first effort was a portrait of granddaughter Evie; I worked on a biking scene of grandson Max steering dad Sam.

Ceci's Evie

Ceci’s Evie

Max Steers Sam on a Sunday Ride

Max Steers Sam on a Sunday Ride

Biloxiana Sketches ~ in Line at the Waffle House

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at a Biloxi Waffle House

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.

Portrait Gallery Figurative – in the Window Seat, #1

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resting at the Portrait Gallery

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.

Palette Knife Painting of Cousins, Engrossed in an iPad

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Nathan & Ceci, engrossed in an iPad

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.

Another Upcoming Exhibit ~~ Ten Paintings at the DC Writers Center!

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The wonderful DC-area Writers Center regularly hosts art exhibits in its large space, featuring the works of local artists.  Ten of my paintings will be included in the next show, scheduled to open in late June.  This exhibit is organized around the works of those who have painted with Gonzalo Navarro, a fellow teacher at the Yellow Barn Studio in Glen Echo, MD.  I have enjoyed Gonzalo’s teaching expertise — it’s always good to practice skills under the tutelage of an expert in portraiture and figurative painting.  It’s great to have Gonzalo at the Yellow Barn, as well as Maud Taber-Thomas, supplementing the excellent portraiture teaching of Gavin Glakas.

Here is one of the paintings I’ll show in the upcoming exhibit.  More to follow.

ballerina in profile

Pensive Ballerina.  Oil on Arches Oil Paper.

 

Portrait Workshop with Bill Schneider

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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.

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) & MOW copy. oil on canvas.

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!)

IMG_0249

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!

 

Merry Christmas to You and Yours

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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.

IMG_1078 copy

Painting a Memory of Jeremiah’s Wedding

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Before Ingrid & Jeremiah’s wedding recedes into fond memories, I wanted to paint a tangible memento, based on a photo taken by my niece Tess (Jeremiah’s sister).  Actually, a number of photos of the beautiful flower girls captured my artist’s fancy.  Here’s the first one I tackled.  Maybe there will be more.

Wedding Flowers. Oil on Paper.

Wedding Flowers. Oil on Paper.