Looking Back

Wow -- it's 2015 already. I have been a little lazy with my postings. I completed a portrait commission and began a couple others so I am posting this painting which I finished a month or so ago. It was so fun to paint the different colors in her face, especially in the shadow of her bangs. The detail in the blouse was tough, but I think it will get overworked if I keep messing with it. I entered this one, along with "Vintage", into the OPA's National Show. I'll find out in a couple of weeks if it was accepted.

Morning Tea

Here's a small portrait I just finished from our photo shoot at the Banks House. It's another smallish portrait at 11x14. I like working small -- each stroke counts more!

Vintage

This was the first time I ever tried to paint wallpaper! It's fun to tackle new challenges that I used to think would be too hard. This is actually the original wallpaper from the historic 100-year-old Banks House in Hernando, MS where I occasionally teach oil painting classes.

Shaded

Here's a small 9"x12" I painted -- another in the "hat-shading-the-eyes" series. I'm sure I'll get this out of my system eventually! It was fun to paint a small portrait this time. Thanks for viewing!

Taylor

I just finished this portrait of my niece, Taylor, from a photo I took of her during our family reunion this past June. I painted her older sister last year in almost the same pose--wearing a hat which shaded her face from the direct sunlight. Such beautiful girls and fun to paint!

Creek Bend

This is another landscape I painted last month in Roger Dale Brown's studio workshop. I learned so much from Roger! I need to get outside paint more so I can practice what I learned.

White House

I took a studio landscape 3-day workshop with Roger Dale Brown last month and started this painting in class. After I got home, I messed around with it a little bit trying to get a good sense of light hitting the area surrounding the house. (The color in this photo is a little more saturated than the actual painting.) I learned so much from Roger! He's a really great artist and teacher (and a really nice guy too!). This was my 2nd workshop with him, the 1st being approx. 6 years ago. I really love painting landscapes, but usually end up gravitating back to painting people!