SOLD - for $4500

This has been quite the adventure!!! The original commissioned painting commemorating the house's final auction went on the block Saturday - and brought in a new record for one of my paintings! $4500! I didn't get to see it sell (I got there too late!) but here are some shots from Friday night's preview party. What a night! There was a live orchestra playing music outside with all the huge gazebos and statuary for the gardens, as well as the race cars, bentey's, and Rolls Royces that were for sale...plus these amazing little cars called Henkel's. Inside there was a Jazz singer on one end of the auction house, then as you meandered passed the tables of chicken kabobs, raosted lamb, filet mignon, and pastry stuffed with Brie, there was a dance party going on at the other end! It was crazy! But SO much fun. Also, a bunch of the signed posters sold for $500 a piece! Three other paintings of mine are going on the block today...I will let you know how they do!

Figure Drawing Techniques...9

I got to draw from one of my favorite models this week...Mike posed for our drawing group Thursday night...here is a quick, 2-minute gesture and our long pose for the evening. The long pose is on a gessoed piece of watercolor paper (this is actually the 4th layer on this board - there have been many attempts to draw on this surface, and every time I paint over it in frustration! But that's ok! It just makes for a more interesting atmosphere for the figure!). I like surfaces that I gesso myself - the brush strokes give a great texture and it hold s the charcoal much better than the ultra-slick machine rolled gessoed surfaces that you can buy.

Commission Update - Auction Poster

Well my commissioned poster for the auction house is finished! I delivered the painting about two weeks ago, then went back to the auction house to sign the limited-edition run of 110 posters! I don't think I have signed my full name that many times since we bought our house!

I am so pleased with the result and I look forward to watching the original painting go on the auction block this coming Saturday. This painting commemorates the final auction for this particular auction house, and it promises to be a very exciting event! I will try to post pictures of the painting when it goes on the block.

Figure Drawing...the Pregnant Model

What a special treat! At our figure group last night Katie modeled for us...only 8 weeks away from her due date! (Can't wait to meet her little Jack!)

She was absolutly glowing...with the overhead light her beautiful belly was a wonderful shape to draw. The gestures were two-minute poses - I started with blocking in the large shapes using light pastel, then defined areas using charcoal pencil.

The top drawing is on a gessoed board, which is actually very slick, but I think it can out very soft and feminine. If I can "fix" the drawing with a good spray, I might tint or glaze it and see what happens.

The last drawing is done by a very talented artist - you can see his work here - http://www.shanemcdonaldstudios.com/ - he is the host of our Wednesday night drawing group. Beautiful drawing, Shane!

STORQUE ARTICLE

http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/spotlight/article/featured-buyers-etsypatrons-etsys-team-of-buyers/2563/

This is so exciting! My piece "It's not about you" is featured in a Storque Article! The Storque is the blog for Etsy and content is contributed by staff and artists and in this case - a team dedicated to Etsy Patrons! I am very flattered and greatful for the kind words about my work.

Thanks guys!

http://www.EtsyPatrons.blogspot.com

A Blog You Must Read

http://auctionforcarol.blogspot.com/

My fellow Etsians are incredibly generous people...they have donated amazing handmade items to this auction, for a mother who lost her legs, an arm, and her eyesight after complications arose from an emergency C-section.

I encourage you to read her story, thank the Lord for your healthy children and successful deliveries, then BID BID BID. If you'd like, there are also ways to donate directly to the family.

My thoughts and prayers are with this family.

Figure Drawing Techniques...8

WOO HOO! I finally got to draw from the live model Wednesday night after a LONG break over the hot summer months. We had the fabulous Miss Denise who is such a great model.

This first color explosion of a drawing - you can tell I had lots of pent-up drawing energy inside me!

This is drawn on a 16 x 20 piece of tan mat board. I started with large areas of color, blocking in the major shapes of the form. Then I layered charcoal line drawing over the pastel, defining the form.

Then I added more color and definition, trying to establish an interesting color pallette, while also maintaining the overall feel of the light source. I had fun!


I love when time allows me to draw the same pose from different vantage points. I spent about an hour (actual drawing time) on the first drawing, then moved my easel to another part of the room, where the pose was just as lovely.

This time I painted on one of my favorite surfaces - watercolor paper painted with gesso. I start with vine charcoal, and it glides overs the surface, blocking in large areas of light and shadow. I can smudge and erase with ease.

Then, after establishing the large shapes, I start in with a line drawing, defining areas and making sure proportion and placement are correct. I continue defining areas of light and shadow, and add in some environment for the figure. This would have been an awkward pose if there was no reference to what she was leaning on, so the chair had to be included in a small (but discreet way, so that it did not compete with the figure)

I can't wait until next Wednesday night!