ordinary people

I enjoy drawing "ordinary" people (as opposed to models who tend to be young and beautiful, sometimes nude which is nice, too) in their every day clothes, being who they are. People who have been on this planet for more than a few decades show their lives on their faces: the effects of gravity, time, relationships, emotions, all we have suffered, enjoyed, experienced with grace and humor.

Hip to be Square

Are you hip, or is it unhip to ask? Hip to be Square is the Spring Show at Sequoia Gallery in Hillsboro, featuring 12" x 12" canvases, any media. My acrylic painting is based on a yoga pose with the weight held strongly to the earth by the arms, the rest of the body and legs defying gravity, almost floating. I have been doing yoga all my adult life, and would not attempt this! Don't ask! But I can dream of it, and paint it, imagining the floating feeling, air alive almost like water.

Hip to be Square opens with a reception on Tuesday, April 5 at 6 pm, and runs through April. The gallery is located at 136 SE 3rd Avenue, Hillsboro.

Madonna

The model on Monday night is expecting a baby boy in two months! She seemed so peaceful and relaxed (or just sleepy?), full of hope and love.

Spring grays

Happy first day of Spring! There are a few signs meekly coming out, but mainly there has been a lot of gray. Studying gray tones is a great exercise and is the foundation for painting in color with correct values. I watched a video on drawing in values with black pastel with my friend Marcia Vander Schaaf, then went into her back yard to draw. I saw grayish dead leaves, rocks with bits of green moss, a stone bunny sculpture suggesting life, bits of greenery poking out along with a few purple crocuses. In my pencil drawing, it's easy to leave out the color.

For my painting, I wanted to add something more alive, a bird or squirrel? Then I saw the wonderful collection of cat paintings on Art on Broadway in Beaverton, and of course, I am a cat lover, so that was it. I mixed grays with red, green, blue, yellow, no black, for richer tones and let a bit more green come through in places. Sketches can be done quickly in cold weather and I like the feeling of freedom to interpret and change that I get instead of relying on too literal photos.

Next time, more color!

BROWN PLAID SHIRT

The PPASP February challenge included this photo of a girl dressed all in brown plaid. I liked her hat and attitude. She reminds me of Indiana Jones, is she a tomboy or isn't she?

The South East Area Art Walk was challenging and I enjoyed meeting so many people, now it's on to the next challenges: drawing, painting, getting together with other artists for support and stimulation, and how to fit everything into my schedule and little studio!

SOUTH EAST AREA ART WALK

Day One of the South East Area Art Walk where I'm exhibiting at St. David of Wales Church. It's a beautiful space full of good energy. The publicity was late so there was not a huge turnout, but the weather was good and I met many interesting people. Since I showed landscapes, there was much talk of the natural beauty of Oregon. Next to me was glass art designed for gardens sparkling in the light, there are paintings, jewelry, cards, sculpture. Celeste bought a small painting of Lynx kittens and Marcia has a booth of pastel and oil paintings. Another full day tomorrow!