Celebration

"Celebration" is my interpretation of what the 100 year anniversary of women's right to vote in Oregon means to me as a contemporary Oregonian.  Some things obviously change, like fashion, and more women holding public office.  For me, the young woman gymnast strutting and leaping with confidence symbolizes the feeling of freedom, backed by the history of those who fought for the right to vote. The Pittock Mansion is hosting an exhibit on this theme in July and I hope to have a painting included.

Hipbone

Spent an afternoon at Hipbone Studio drawing and painting a female model so delicate her ribs and bones were almost as visible as the skeleton hanging nearby.  Figure drawing is complex and enjoyable for me, something I've done since high school.  Each human being has more or less the same parts but each individual has their own beauty.  Poses ranged from 30 seconds to 30 minutes.

Yellow Flowers

Canola Fields with Barns has been sold from O'Connors!  (Canola is a form of mustard plant with similar flowers).  I replaced it with another sunny yellow painting of sunflowers in Sauvie Island.  The buyer agreed with me that a bright colorful painting can be just the thing to chase away the Oregon gray day blahs!

The Blacksmith

I was attracted to a photo of a blacksmith in a magazine, "Edible Portland", because of his relaxed posture with his tools, his weathered face and muscular arms. The brown tones made a nice contrast with the hydrangeas I painted previously. The acrylic painting is 9" x 12".

Hydrangeas

Friday, April 13 was my birthday so I celebrated by joining the figure painting session at Cathedral Park Place. There was a lovely model, Neisje, wearing a fur collared jacket, surrounded by still life arrangements in a light filled studio. I chose to paint her with a cobalt blue vase filled with realistic looking hydrangeas and some other flowers. It was fun to alter the arrangement of objects in the room. Later I made some adjustments to colors. To see the other paintings and artists, click on: http://www.facebook.com/l/tAQGSo_CE/allaprimaportland.blogspot.com/2012/04/fine-art-friday-at-kat-sowas-studio-30.html

Thanks to Celeste Bergin for the photos!

Abstract Flow

Continuing with the abstract series are these three, united by a similar limited palette, a feeling of water and sun, different points of view and emphasis. These are intended for the aqua walls of Porteco Lighting at 1401 SE Morrison, #112. There may be more, I'm really getting into the "flow" and enjoying experimenting with different textures, brushstrokes and color.