A Self-Portrait in Oil Paint

"Wisteria"

10" x 20"

oil on wrapped canvas

NFS

Wisteria is a symbol for longevity, among other things. 

I chose a photo that my

brother took of me - a very, very long time ago - to work from.

I have embellished some to make it more 'narrative'.

For now, I am calling this done, but as in the past,

I have realized the longer I look at it,

the more I am liable to make a few tweaks.

A Thank-You Portrait of the "Master"...Karin Jurick

"Karin"

6" x 8"

oil on canvasboard

As an appreciation for all Karin Jurick does for other artists and particularly this season's 'portrait challenge' on her Different Strokes from Different Folks blog, a call went out to all artists who participated - to paint a portrait of Karin. 118 portraits were finished and compiled into a book which was sent to Karin who should have received it today.  This undertaking was orchestrated by Jill Polsby.  She initiated the idea, collected the portraits and made the book.  These portraits are located at Jill's Picasa site.  Take a look and see some awesome paintings of her. Thanks Jill and...

thanks Karin!!

Portrait Challenge on Different Strokes from Different Folks

I would like to be able to tell you who this is, but all I can say is, it was a pleasure painting them. As I stated earlier, it was a good photo, and the face being spotlighted in the natural light was a big help. You can check Karin's blog from time to time, I won't know, until this person posts their portrait of me. It's done in oil paint and measure 9" x 12".

Addendum: I now know that I painted artist Victoria Culbertson and she painted me!

Rough Night

"Rough Night" - 6" x 8" oil on canvasboard

Continuing to practice getting the skintones right, with oil paint. This is just a practice piece. You may recognize her, it's my stepdaughter that I did a pastel of here. This source was a cell phone photo. So why do I keep choosing these photos that aren't helping me much? Don't know. It must be the part of me that requires challenges a little beyond the norm when it comes to doing just about anything. I am just that way with (especially) art. If I had my way - and the materials - I would be doing 'wall sized' people - the size of what Denny Dent's Art Attack did here. Saw him at the Cherry Creek Arts Festival in Denver years ago, and it was one of those memorable, life changing events. He painted Bruce Springsteen or maybe it was Bob Dylan and John Lennon on canvas as big as billboards. He died at the age of 55, in 2004. You can see his performance art pieces here.
The way the painting above came out, it reminded me of him.

Oil Portrait and Where I Stand....

Because it's so relevant and it's where I will be tomorrow, I am including my "Where I Stand Sunday" - only the photo was taken today(Saturday) and it will look the same tomorrow. I stand in my kitchen - painting stuff brought in from the studio, and I am spread out on the kitchen table. Here I can stay all night if I want to. I think I am on a roll.

I copied a photograph of my daughter Jessica, and wanted it to be the first one I attempted when I returned from NYC. It was tricky, I am used to painting with larger brushes now, my hand isn't as steady as it used to be and I am just more "painterly" in my approach. So, I probably redid the eye about 5 times, before I was satisfied with it.

"Last Chance Hair" - 12" x 12" oil on canvas

Day 4 Artwork

"Model Portrait" oil on canvas board, 11" x 14"

This is the last day's labor of love, an oil portrait. Who is it, you ask? No one in particular, just a model's photograph that displayed some good shadow and contrast. I have always had success with pastel portraits and have been ready to get going on oil portraits. It's interesting to think about all those blood veins/vessels underneath the skin, and thinking about how that effects the colors in the facial plane. I would welcome your feedback on this one. Thanks!