Another Work in Progress

My almost four year old grandson, Joseph, very graciously posed for me the other day. I told him my idea, of an assortment of pitchers on a cloth, with him peeking over the tabletop. He got right into it, wanting to do it immediately. I set up the pottery, and he stepped behind the table. Well, he was really too tall to just peek over, but before I said a word, he crouched down just enough to create the scene I had imagined. What a guy!

I plan to finish this up over the weekend. Seeing it in this format helps me identify those areas that still need work, even though the colors are kind of weird in this scan. The yellow wall is showing all kinds of oddball hue variations, and the "seam" is definitely showing. I'm not the best technician! Hopefully I'll find a way to show it more accurately when it is complete.

6"x18", colored pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

I think it's done...

Since my last post, when this was a work in progress, I took a little trip to visit my sister in New Jersey. (I put a sign on my studio door that read, "Precarious Still Life Set Up. Please Do Not Disturb!) Unfortunately, I brought the flu... or some such nasty bug... home with me, and as a result, wasted several days lying around like a lump. I finally made myself get back to work on this yesterday, and I felt much better right away!

Espresso & Lace/ work in progress

I am going to be away from my studio for a few days, and I know I will feel the need to look at this once in a while, so I'm posting it here for myself! This is slightly cropped at top and bottom, almost fitting onto my scanner.

The pizzelle theme is continuing, despite the challenges these pieces present. (Tricky to render, difficult not to eat...) I have one or two more compositions "cooking" in my mind, and hope they will be an interesting subset in a body of work I'm currently putting together. More on that later!

9"x12", Prismacolor and Coloursoft pencils on Ampersand Pastelbord

Pitchers and Pizzelle

Every time I make pizzelle with my grandmother's old pizzelle iron, I think, "These are so beautiful, I should paint them!"

Then, we eat them all.

So, the last time I made them, I put some in a tin and put them aside so they could have their portraits done. It's hard to believe, but I did not eat them ( luckily, I forgot about them!) and yesterday I started working on some still life set-ups. They are quite fragile, so I've been locking my studio door when I'm not in there, to keep out the cat. Also, they smell heavenly, and could easily tempt a hungry passer-by!

Here, I have grouped them with two little pitchers, which also belonged to my grandmother.


6"x6", Prismacolor and Coloursoft pencils on Ampersand Pastelbord

Bride & Groom

Here is a commissioned portrait that I finished recently. The idea of adding the stained glass window to the background had me a bit concerned, at first. The strength and intensity of it could easily take over, and visually overpower the happy couple. I think that toning down the brightness of the glass colors and lightening the value of the leaded outlines between them kept the window "in its place".

This was a joy to create! I'm wishing many years of love and happiness to these newlyweds!

"Heather & Jeff", (crop), 11"x14", Prismacolor and Coloursoft pencils on Ampersand Pastelbord

Sophia in Summer

Feeling the need for some warmth, I looked through some photos I took last summer, and found the inspiration for this little portrait. The day was not warm... it was HOT. Over 100 degrees. In the shade. My niece, Sophia, my two sisters and I spent a wonderful, yet sweltering, day together at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania in mid-July. Just thinking about it makes me feel all happy and toasty!

5"x7", Prismacolor and Coloursoft pencils, on Ampersand Pastelbord

Sophia & Josh

After finishing a half dozen pieces with Prismacolor pencils on the Ampersand Pastelbord, I was still undecided about continuing to use the boards. The process of matting these pieces for framing makes me a bit nervous, because of their weight and thickness. I haven't been able to find any guidelines for the best way of doing this, so I've resorted to what I would have to call a "Mickey Mouse" method, which involves lots of framer's tape and odd bits of matboard for support... an untidy mess hidden on the back side of the artwork and mat. If anyone has a good system for securely matting these boards, I would love to learn about it!

Anyway, I wanted to do this portrait of my niece and nephew together, but did not have a Pastelbord large enough on hand. I used a toned sheet of Canson Mi-Teintes pastel paper instead, and, while I'm pleased with the result, I really missed the toothy surface and the sturdiness of the board.

Materials aside, with this wonderful pair as my subjects, I have no complaints!


9"x12", Prismacolor pencil on Canson Mi-Teintes pastel paper

Vintage Portrait

Here is a recent commission, drawn in graphite from a wallet-sized photograph. I really enjoy doing this sort of thing occasionally. There is something about creating a new, fresh version of an old image that can just delight people so much. It's always fun to see or hear about their reactions, and it feels good to know that my little pencil drawing will be appreciated in a very personal way, bringing memories of moments and even the sound of a voice long gone that I know nothing of.

8"x10", graphite

Winter Solstice

The Turn

By a twist and a tilt
we go 'round the bend,
That some call beginning
and some call the end.
And some call the middle,
Whether going in or out.
By fact and by figure
there can be no doubt.

We have measured to the nth
and so we've found,
That now is the place
where the earth goes around.
A calendar face, a shadow on ground.

Marking an x
by this common connection,
Feel the rumble and turn,
Changing direction.
Worry one side might freeze
while the other might burn.
Yet we turn to perfection,
Though we mark it or not.
And bend 'round the bend
to a sunnier spot.

Len Faria

To mark the winter solstice, I am sharing this little collaboration; a poem, "The Turn", written by my brother, and a recent art card of mine, titled "Winter Solstice Sun".

Last but not least...

My third and final grandson portrait for gift giving this Christmas. This was one of those times when, half-way through, it seemed like I was completely off, and was thinking of starting over. Luckily, I forged ahead, remembering how many times I've felt that frustration, only to be pleased in the end at the outcome. (Come to think of it, that happens in all sorts of places besides making art, doesn't it?)

I'm pretty happy with these three little portraits. Of course, the fact that these guys mean so much to me probably colors my perception a bit! They are a joy!

6"x6", Prismacolor pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

Another Grandson... one more to go

This is my oldest grandson; big brother to the cutie in my previous post. They are quite a pair! As these will be hung together, I chose poses with similar lighting, and kept the backgrounds simple. The third and final grandson portrait, which will be posted tomorrow, has a very different look, as you will see.

The Ampersand Pastelbord is definitely feeling more comfortable to me now, and I'm off to buy some more today, and a new batch of Prismacolor pencils as well... I've worn them down to the size where they become little art supplies for the two and three year old boys I have been drawing!

6"x6", Prismacolor pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

My Youngest Grandson... and another tag!

Here is a little colored pencil portrait of my youngest grandson. This is part of a Christmas gift for my son and his wife... the other part being a portrait of this adorable guy's big brother! I'll post it in a couple of days.

Now, it seems I've been tagged once again; this time by Alvin Richard, an amazing painter whose acrylic works often give me goosebumps! Previously, I was tagged by Robyn, and although I did tell some things about myself, I never got around to tagging other people. So, now I'll make up for it, and do it right.

1. I was fired from my first job, at the age of 16. It was at a "Friendly's" restaurant. The manager told me, "We were looking for a friendlier waitress."

2. I lived in the same house from birth to marriage.

3. When I turned 50, I celebrated by taking a hot air balloon ride. It took off in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, a short distance from the famous Portland Head Lighthouse, and traveled northwest toward Sebago Lake. There was a small plane flying around us at the beginning of the flight, and its passenger was a photographer for Conde Nast Traveler Magazine... taking pictures of us!

4. My husband and I share our house with a 20 pound cat.

5. My sisters and I played a game of Squiggles (... make a scribble, give it to someone, they make a picture out of it...) by mail, for years!

OK, here's who I'm tagging:
Cooper Dragonette
Gillian Mowbray
Nicole Caulfield
J Matt Miller
William K Moore

Thanks, Alvin!


6"x6", Prismacolor pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

Hello Santa

I have been busily working on a commission piece which will be done in a couple of days, and a few ACEOs as well. Three pencil portraits will be started next week, with several more to follow... and all will be complete by Christmas. I also want to give some gifts of art this year, and I truly hope I can do it all!

So, I have tacked up this Santa over my drawing table, with the idea that if I get everything done, he'll put something good in my stocking!


8"x10", Prismacolor pencil and acrylic paint on watercolor paper

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is next week, so, of course, I've had pies on my mind. While I seriously doubt that I will have the time, patience, or frankly, the desire to meticulously carve out a pie crust like this, I really enjoyed illustrating the concept! It was good, too, to be reminded as I worked on this little piece, of some of the countless things I am thankful for. By the time the drawing and thinking were done, I was feeling exceedingly blessed!

Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

(This little art card (ACEO) is one of my current listings on ebay. 2.5"x3.5" Prismacolor pencil on Bristol)

Grapevine

This little drawing is for a wine bottle label. I had fun with these tendrils!

6"x6", Prismacolor pencils and ink on Bristol

Little Boy Found

I have been spending quite a bit of time clearing and reorganizing my studio space lately. It was literally closing in on me, as I had allowed all sorts of non-studio items to rest here "temporarily". Realizing that I was working in a space with pathways through lots of random stuff, I was reminded that "temporarily" does not mean "indefinitely", and that all of that clutter wasn't just getting in the way of my feet, but also of my creativity and productiveness.

Progress has been made, and I'm breathing easier already. I'm making headway on a commission piece that had been languishing on a drawing table. I'm finding things I forgot I had, or thought were lost. For example, hidden in a stack of paper was a photo CD containing my only copy of this portrait. Seeing it brings back the joy of meeting, photographing, and drawing this serious and charming boy!

I will keep clearing.

Tagged? Who, me?

It seems I've been tagged by my blogging friend, Robyn (of "Have Dogs Will Travel"), and I am supposed to share seven previously unrevealed things about myself. (This recent ACEO illustrates the situation pretty well. I am the cat, in my own little world, blissfully unaware of the imminent tag by the lovely smiling sun, which is Robyn!)

This should be easy, since I haven't revealed much so far anyway!

1. Come this Sunday, I will have been married for 34 years.

2. I have 3 sons, and 3 grandsons.

3. Never had my ears, or anything else, pierced.

4. Once made a turducken from scratch, assisted by my husband and sons.

5. Everything reminds me of a song, which plays in my head until it's replaced by the next one, etc., etc.

6. When I finish a bowl of ice cream, I always want more.

7. My mother gave me a long, cotton, Indian block-printed dress in 1972 for my 18th birthday, and I have worn it at least once every year since, around the time of my birthday.

Now, as far as tagging others goes... I'll have to do that later, and also find out how to do that tricky link thing! Thanks, Robyn, this was fun!


"Sun-Loving Cat" 2.5"x 3.5" Prismacolor pencil on Bristol

Tomatoes With Basil

Another still life from my garden and my pitcher collection. I always found this pitcher to be a little bit odd. Its shape is unusual, it's slightly lopsided, and the design looks like a weird face when viewed straight on. But, I've been looking at it my whole life, so it's sort of like an eccentric relative, whom I love in spite of any shortcomings.

It is fitting that I post a basil "portrait" today, as I just finished making a big batch of pesto with most of my garden's basil crop. So, in recognition and appreciation, I dedicate this piece to the departed basil. It gave its life that we may enhance our pasta!


6"x6" Prismacolor pencil on Ampersand Pastel Board

Zucchini & Peppers With Fennel

Straight from my garden comes this still life, with a little help from my pitcher collection.

I love the feathery fronds of the bronze fennel. The actual plant looks like a drawing itself outdoors, all sketchy and crosshatched, so I decided to draw it just that way. Its companion vegetables and the vintage pottery got a more solid approach. This was my second attempt at Prismacolor pencils on Ampersand pastel board, and I'm not really sure how I feel about it yet. All the little white spots that don't get covered on the textured surface are bugging me a bit, but over all, it's a nice soft look, I think.


6"x 6", Prismacolor pencil on Ampersand Pastel Board

"Cloud Cover Sun"

Here's another ACEO with a story. I sketched this idea out in my sketchbook, and liked how it looked. When I did the actual card, however, the face in the clouds looked just like William Shatner, circa early Star Trek. Not really what I was going for. I modified him a bit, but once it was in my head, that likeness shone through no matter what I did. Even the elfin ears didn't do the trick... he just looked like James T. Kirk making fun of Mr. Spock. Then the sun's face, looking at him with those dramatic eyes, had me hearing voices... "She's an android, Jim!"

I listed the card. (No mention of Shatner) It was the first of this extensive series that did not get a single bid. I was going to tuck him away for future amusement, but I decided to relist instead, and he became my first European sale! So, Jim Kirk and his android girlfriend (or maybe it's Yeoman Rand?) are living in Brussels, Belgium now.

The End.