Hipbone

Quick figure drawing at Hipbone Studio is excellent practice in observation. Studies are like playing scales on a musical instrument.  My instruments were pencil for one minute - 15 minute sketches, then oil paint for 30 minute poses.  Most were nude, featuring Jennifer's red hair and pale skin, but I especially enjoyed the costumed pose with colorful blouse, ruffled skirt and black boots.  These are two of the three 30 minute poses, both on canvas.

cat nap

I was covering up an old acrylic painting, just to cover it up, with no subject in mind for a new painting when I saw my cat, Scooter, blissfully sleeping on top of the file cabinet.  Cats are geniuses for finding comfort in the oddest places, but they are terrible models because they move just when you want them to be still!  So I quickly started an alla prima painting and grabbed my camera just in time to capture his curled up position, and used the photo to complete.
Cat Nap is 10" x 10", in acrylic.

Studio 30

Another fantasy model at Studio 30 with dramatic face paint, Mimi was based on "The Black Swan", but I painted her more like "The Kiss of the Spider Woman"!  The lower photo was taken in the studio (was it really that red?), then I worked to soften her expression to be less scary.  The background reminds me of the winter sunset from my walk a few afternoons ago.  "Mimi" is painted in oil, 12" x 16".

Studio 30

Studio 30 was a warm, colorful place to paint last Friday.  Our model, Cicely, was dressed as a ballerina with face painted and glittery, while music from the Cirque du Soleil played in the background, creating a mood of fantasy.  I painted the portrait first on 11" x 14", then the dancer on 16" x 12".  Maybe I'll add more swirls?

Koi 2

I enjoyed painting the koi from the Japanese Garden on a 16" x 20" format, so did another on a 12" x 12" canvas.  Koi is the Japanese word for carp, which does not sound as inspirational or serene!  These three fish look to me like they're in a happy place.

Koi

Last summer I spent a lovely afternoon at the Japanese Garden in Washington Park, visiting the Noguchi sculpture exhibit in the tea house, contemplating the Zen sand gardens, walking the paths along perfectly placed stones, and enjoying the koi fish among water lilies.  I combined some of my favorite elements in this 16" x 20" painting of Koi, in oil.

Sunflowers

What can be more bright & cheerful than sunflowers?

I re-worked these two small acrylic paintings, the landscape from Sauvie Island and a still life long gone, remembering their brightness.  Today I'm feeling thankful, not just for the turkey with all the goodies still waiting in the refrigerator, like other American families, but for the beauty where I live and my time to try to capture it and share it with you.