Painting portraits from life

Why do we paint portraits, knowing there is a zero chance to sell it ? The answer is simple - just exactly why we paint anything from life in ala prima ..It's the best creative practice and  a great exercise to train your eye, wrist, understanding of anatomy, structure,  values and colors ..If you are serious  about your art making, if this is your carrier or just a passion - you need to paint from life!

Also ...a very great way to have more ideas, a way to experiment and  have fun creating !

I've been doing it for decades , in fact I was portrait painting from life since I was 7/8 years old - I painted portraits of my family, friends and even my neighbors :) In those time I painted in watercolors and gouache. I still have some pieces, and frankly it was quite good :)

When a quantity became a quality , simple practice of portrait painting can (will) transform into magic. Suddenly just someone face became an ikon , an image of untenable, intangible emotion..We all should thrive to reach this level ..Here is my few last portraits, painted from life...

"Heidi " oil on canvas , 20x16

Shannon - oil on linen, 20x16

                                                       "White Mink" oil on linen

"Carmen" oil on linen , 20x16

Shifting my style to polychromes

 Those 31 day of painting gave me so many ideas and inspiration to change my style - tell you the truth, I was still dissatisfied with my artistic voice ( after 50 years of painting) lol,  and the painting challenge, and painting from life daily revealed that I got board with painting of what I see ..I needed some stimulation…and I finally got it …I decided to push all the colors I see to more extreme level …and voila- I have completely recharged my color taste …and discovered my lost thrills!  Here it is a few paintings from this series…and you can buy any from my www.artlanegallery.com Www.artlanegallery.com

   

                                                  “Dessert For Two”  oil on museum board , 6x6 

                                                   “ Tea and Cherry “ oil on aluminum, 10x10

“Glass half Full” oil on linen , 8x8

“ French Press” oil on museum board 12x16

I just finished 30 day Strada Easel Challenge !

 Alriiiight , I did it! I finished 30 days painting from life and posting daily Strada Easel Challenge! And I was among 1000 artists doing that :) Majority of them I know well , some know personally. And I can tell you there is an ocean of talents out there ! Is that was difficult? Not really - just because I painted every day anyway , the bigger challenge it's to create a nice, comprehensive set up  to paint from life every day ..

But I CANNOT to stress it more enough - Painting every day from life , is what will IMPROVE your art skills tremendously - You will train your eye and your hand - the dexterity of your wrist  will be magically change ! So here is my 30 daily painting ...Here is just a few of my paintings 

 

Look who is here :)))

 And so it goes : I'm back to blogging, after 3 years, after so many things happened in the World.

After so many things happened  in my life personally and creatively... 

The truth is I feel like there is such a distinct line between "before and after" ...May be, one day I will describe it all in details in my book ..Yes, in the autobiography of my "eventful life "

But  now, I just want to share important art tips about mistakes my students ( and I ) are making times after times while painting  :

1. The first tip is about the composition ...despite my teaching experience for 20 years and preaching this tip year after year, I myself  am constantly making this mistake - the horizon line is not that dramatic as I wish to placed  ....Somehow it's always slowly moving to the center ...Please pay attention to the most important placement of composition 

2. Another mistake we all committing is losing your darks in a process of painting - So please, reestablish your darks as soon as your values started to compress..

3. And another big compositional offender of my students work is overlooking the tangent 

4. One of the most important aspect of color in the painting, and the subject which is so unclear to majority of my students is warm/cold contrast in painting - Important :  make sure you keep a warm/cold contrast and keep it  at the right values! Does it sound as abracadabra ....then you need to sight for my color mixing class :)))))

Here is a few of my latest paintings I tried to applied all mentioned above concepts correctly and intently 

" Quiet Moment" oil on linen , 20x16 

" Silver Over Gold" oil on linen 24x18

"Magic Calm" oil on linen , 9x12

New Paintings and More

 As I'm looking at my last post from 2018 - I can't help but got quiet and little sad reflecting on those 2 years of my personal life, dramatic changes of this country and World ....Little that we all knew, we will be living in a completely  different World in 2021 ....We lost almost half million human lives due to Covid . My own Dad is in intensive care with Covid right now and most likely won't survive this ...The very thought of loosing my parents is sending me into a very dark place and depression. But despite that darkness around , I see the light , I'm full of light and Hope ..I Love and Loved ..I'm happy to create without limitation and pressure of loosing my livelihood and I'm deeply deeply grateful for it...My art business and sales are  growing exponentially..I'm so thankful for my health and mental state. And, yes we live  in a different country today , and there is so much Hope we came out stronger, more kind, more resilient and smarter ...Let's see .....

"One of Seventh" 20x20 oil in linen 

"From the Garden of Eden "- SOLD

"Winter Lilac" 14x14 oil on aluminum 

DAY 11 "A BEND IN THE RIVER"

Paining number eleven of my "Small paintings - Big sale". I'm so curious about how long I can keep this up  because I've never really counted my own paintings, especially the small ones. Yes I paint every day, plus on location and when on the paint outs  I usually paint 2 pieces. Well, I believe, I will figure it out  when I run out of paintings to post .. Such is life...

There is a book called A Bend in the River by Nobel  Laureate V. S. Naipul

His  asserts in the opening line of this book was "The world is what it is" ..And  I agreed , Folks :) 

"A Bend in the River" oil on board, 9x12
$ 100.00

                                                                   "SOLD"

DAY 10...HEALING RAIN

Today is June 17, my beloved, late husband Chris birthday...8 years ago he passed away suddenly from a heart attack. That tragedy changed the course of my life..After the initial shock, after the emotional fog of many months had lifted , I knew that I had to come back to my roots, and start to paint and teach again..It's painting that healed me and opened up a very unexpected and very supportive channel.

"Healing Rain" oil on canvas, 12x12 

DAY 9 - STRIVING FOR BALANCE

Painting is, hands down, my absolutely favorite activity, and may be even an obsession. But it's so important to recognize when this activity takes over your life in all directions and frankly, unbalance you.
I feel this kind of shift recently. I analyzed why and from where I got those sensations, and decided that I need to say "no" to some of my countless responsibilities in order to get back to my golden ratio of Art/health/family. So I did this change, and will see how it will affect my emotional state.

But for now is a painting for sale ! It's a painting number # 9, called "Columbia" oil on linen 6x12

"Columbia" oil on linen , 6x12

It’s a MATCH!

It's a MATCH!  … a match of wine, coffee and art!!!

I'm very excited to announce my new art show at the Match Restaurant in Duvall , WA

Whether you’re a Local or a Visitor, come to enjoy great coffee in the morning , a tasty and healthy lunch in the afternoon , or a fun filled dinner including Friday performances by talented local musicians.

And of course, see my Art on display at any time of the day!

My showing begins June 13, 2018 and continues throughout the month of August.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. 

Address of the venue is  ......

http://www.matchcoffeeandwine.com

DAY 8 - Lot's of Fun

I had so much fun going through all my small size paintings, reviewing them and deciding which one to offer next ..
It's ironic how viewing small paintings gives me so many ideas about directions and concepts I could go with my art. I'm getting really excited about my next chapter !
         Speaking off excitement,  panting number 8 called "Orange Mood" - a very happy color for me.

"Orange Mood" oil on linen, 9x12

DAY 7 of my SALE

Here we go, day 7th of my "Small paintings- Big sale", well, sale :) Today I present a small, 10x10 painting, called "Last Ray of Sun" , this painting was done from the photo, my good friend and a painting buddy Ned Mueller gave me. It's been taken in Montana, his Native Land

"Last Ray of Sun" oil on linen, 10x10


SOLD!

DAY 6 - HURRY UP!

Before I post my sixth painting for sale, I have great news to share for all of us who thoroughly enjoyed  the "value viewer" app . All my students were so happy with that app and were using it in obsessive kind of way . Well  right up to the moment, when the developer Mark Putnam decided
To no longer support his own creation. So the good news is we found a new app, called "Notaniser"  Try it, you will LOVE it,
Here is my painting number 6, called "Willamette Valley" btw, this is an award winning piece !

"Willamette Valley" oil on board
$ 100.00
SOLD!!!

 

A Sweet Taste of Victory

Ohh I feel very happy, excited and humbled simultaneously, to receive a second place cash prize award at Edmonds Art Juried Show. It's been a  second year in a row. The piece I submitted and won with, called "Desdemona"s Robe" . Many of my students who witnessed me painting and titling this work, would ask, why such name ? I do love indirect, complex titles for my paintings. Titles that  open up a different dimension, another layer of the seemingly simple story behind every my painting.
Othello, wearing women's, lavish night robe, gives us a striking clue, that Desdemona, his wife is already dead.But this is my interpretation.But what is yours?
  Here is the painting "Desdemona"s Robe" . To see it in person, please go to Edmonds Art festival this coming weekend.

"Desdemona"s Robe" 

And now, is Day 5 of my Small Paintings- Big Sale" promotional clearance.

" Sultry Noon" A plain air piece I painted near  Beacon Rock State park.

Price is $ 100.00 

SOLD 

DAY FOUR of my small work sale

Excuse me for absence in two days, as I was on the art retreat with my dear painting buddies and members of critique group I belong to ...I will post a photos and paintings I did at the retreat, but here is a day three of my Small Work - Big Sale promo..."Green Lake Sun" oil on linen, 8x10

     
                                                                

DAY 3 OF MY PROMO SALE

Continue with a "Small Paintings - Big sale" promo and here is the painting number 3.
The title is "Cle Elum Rapids" That is where I'm going for 3 days with my dear friends. I'm so looking forward to that, since my life in the last year became a speedway, and I'm welcomed that change ...but I'm ready for a nice break :)

SOLD

LITTLE PAINTINGS - BIG SALE DAY 2

And here we go, day 2 of my "Little Paintings- Big Sale " promotion. Today I'm posting 10x10 piece of beautiful, and so recognizable California coast, it's oil on linen panel, and called "Splash"

                                   
                                                                      SOLD

LITTLE PAINTINGS - BIG SALE- DAY 1

I have a fantastic news and a great announcement to share about my small paintings sale and clearance. 

Everything must go, as I'm making room for all new and exciting collection. Starting today, I will post one painting a day, at a very low price. Keep an eye on it and shoot me an email if you see something you can't live without :))))

So, it's a  day one, and a small painting 8x10 , called "Trinity"  oil on linen

Why would I called it "Trinity"? Because the combination of garlic, lemon and olive oil is simply DIVINE :)

Price : 100$

Recent awards, wins and paintings

I'm getting back to my blogging and posting regularly, as there is so much happening in my creative and personal life. So many great news, I don't know where to start?
First and foremost,  my classes are growing and my students progress make me so happy and proud .
Unfortunately, a waiting list is getting longer too and I would like to apologize for those of you who still can't get the spot in my classes. As for now I teach 4 classes, and still have an opening on Monday afternoon and Wednesday evening class. Call 206 419 0424 to sign

I'm getting increasingly busy with volunteering for several art organization in the area, such as Women Painters of Washington, Plein Air Painters of Washington and Magnuson Park Building 30.

I'm very happy to receive a Honorable Mention Cash prize award at the third, annual, juried  "Small Gems" show at Scott Milo Gallery ..Here is the winning piece, called "Wet Stroll "

I also have been accepted this year into  Oil Painters of America Salon. This is a big deal for me, and hopefully it's just a beginning. Here is the piece, which was juried in. "Flower Rain"

I have two pieces juried into Edmonds Art Festival. The exhibit will take place on June 15-17, 2018. Please don't miss this vibrant and popular art event.

Lot's of new work posted on Artfinder

Notes on color ...

Really great article on color. Please read 
here