"With Hat in Hand" 24 x 36 oil on canvas

Here's my latest from Sharon Sprung's class. A three week pose, but cut short by a few days of absence, both mine and the model's. All in all I was pleased. Sharon says I am moving to a new level, but need to focus on textures as well as giving more depth to the shadows, more contrast. I am really loving working on this larger size -- 24 x36.

"Stephanie - Nude with Pearls" 24x36 oil on canvas

Finally, something new to post! Although the photos aren't so great, I'm really pleased with this new painting. Done in two weeks in Sharon's class. It's big, for me. I really struggled with the skin tone and and natural light this time of year is a challenge. I plan to glaze it later to make it a little warmer, but all in all it was a good experience. The second photo is a detail shot.

"Clif" 12x12 oil on canvas

I have been working on another large painting in my class and am making good progress, however, got to class today and once again the model didn't show. Initially I was really bummed. I wanted to work on the one I had planned on working on. Boo!

Clif, one of our monitors, offered to sit for us. What a great time I had! A very fun, loose little daily painting. Surprises are always the best! As often happens when I photograph at the Academy, the picture doesn't do it justice. But I wanted to share it anyway.

"Rios in Bandanna" 16x20 oil on panel

I'm working on a large painting (24x36) in my class, but the model was out sick on Friday so there was an opportunity to do a "daily painting" from life/the other model in the room. Unfortunately this is a really bad photo, but it was fun to just paint quickly, loosely, on panel with no pressure or expectations. I think that's the magic of daily paintings. This one is a little bigger than usual, but 16x20 was the only panel I had in my locker. It was a fun day. Sorry the picture is so bad...

"Rios, Boxer" 30x30 oil on canvas

Here is the painting I did in Sharon's class in December. Unfortunately, holidays intervened and I was unable to post until today. I have sorely neglected my blog and totally understand if no one is checking in. I do plan to post as often as possible, and in fact will have some drawings from my drawing class in the next few days. I'm learning so much in my classes. Really enjoying working larger. This one is 30x30, and I'm currently working on one that is 24x36. The work in the classes is very different than the daily painting I was doing when I created the blog, and doesn't lend itself to frequent postings. So, please bear with me. Daily painting will return in the summer, I hope. For now, I will post when these larger paintings are completed, and look forward to comments and input.

"Catherine, Turquoise Teddy" 24x36 oil on canvas

Working larger than I've ever attempted and having a lot of fun with it. I have two more sessions to finish, and a few things that need to be changed. Unfortunately, I used a lousy canvas so the texture isn't good. Live and learn. But I feel like I'm making progress again after my hiatus, and I'm really enjoying my classes.

My second class is a drawing class, which is really fantastic. Great teacher, Gabriella Dellosso. But not a lot to show from the class. Lots of exercises, lots of learning. Just what I wanted.

Connie & Pigeon (18 x 24 oil on canvas)

I know, weeks go by and I post nothing, then two in one day. Inconsistent. But it's the end of two weeks of class, so here's what I've been working on. Unfortunately, bad photo. Color is off, as well as some glare. But I was so happy to get back to painting. And in spite of some drawing accuracy issues, I was pleased with my progress on this as a re-entry painting. I'm ready to work hard and make progress, and I'll post occasionally as paintings and drawings warrant.

Back to Classes

Cecily (10x20 oil on canvas). After 3 weeks off, I'm finally back to painting. Actually, I've been back for 2 weeks but did several days of sketches and color studies that I've chosen not to post. Unfortunately there isn't anywhere at the school where I seem to be able to get a good photo. Either too much glare or too dark. Oh, well. Here is the small painting from my afternoon class. Last week for this class. Next week I change to a morning painting class and an afternoon drawing class. I've decided that my weakness, and the source of much of my frustration is in the fundamentals of drawing. So I'm going to work on it. Not sure what I will feel like posting, but I will be back periodically with postings that I feel good about.

Hiatus Continued. . .

Fabulous Fall Foliage here in VT. A lovely mountain stream I shot while hiking near Camel's Hump Mountain, and a shot of our driveway with the changing leaves on the young maple trees. It is so beautiful here this time of year. Everywhere you look is a picture.

My hiatus from painting continues another week at least. I am having a long-buried wisdom tooth removed tomorrow, so will recover in this beautiful place for the rest of the week. Assuming all goes well, I will be back to NY and art classes next week. For now, enjoy my photography. . .

Keep painting friends.

A Brief Hiatus

Sometimes life intervenes. I will be going to VT for the rest of this week so John Henry and Marie will go unfinished. No great loss. I am not happy with my work in either of the classes. Having a bit of a crisis of confidence in my figure painting abilities. I knew I would struggle after the summer off, after spending time painting from photos not life. Suffice it to say, I am struggling. I have taken the unsuccessful attempts down from the blog. I'm also re-thinking how I deal with the blog. Not sure I can handle posting all the work in process. TBD. . .

Hopefully a little time off to attend to a few things will put me in a better frame of mind. For now, I am going to post two of my best from last year to encourage myself to keep going. I'll be back as soon as possible!

Keep painting, friends. I'll be watching you for inspiration and encouragement. Don't hesitate to get in touch by email or by Facebook. "Friend" me if you FB! Take care. . .