Thursday, September 12, 2013

A Deviation in Surfaces: Daily Painting #10 - Homage to Alphonso Mucha

Bottle Front: Homage to Alfonso Mucha "Amethyste
Tonight's artwork features an unconventional format....the wine bottle.  This work is painted with acrylic on gessoed glass, and features the figure of a woman somewhat provocatively positioned in an evening gown tending to her hair.   This is based, rather loosely on an advertisement Mucha did in  1900 for Amethyste with a similar figure.  The photo right shows the back of the bottle, with the text "Homage to Alphonso Mucha".  While not really "fine art", I have created a number of unique individual pieces that could be considered painted sculpture.  The artwork isn't really finished until all sides have been painted (and I haven't done to bottom side yet) and the piece has been completely sealed.  I am planning to do a whole 'set' of images that relate to the work of Alphonso Mucha. 
Back side of bottle with both text and texture.

 Just for fun, I am showing my mantle at home will this newest work along with five other completely unique designs.   What do you think?  










Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Day 9 of Challenge: Study for Young Molly in Blue

4" x 4" study of Molly in Blue
This little 4 x 4 painting, like the one I posted yesterday, is of a young girl.  This time, rather than wearing yellow, she's in blue.  This is based on a photo taken of the child while she was outdoors.  The image from yesterday was taken indoors with natural light from an adjacent window.  Let me know what you think.  I'm not entirely happy with the bright color I put in the highlight of her bang and the curl over her left shoulder.  This painting a day thing (in my opinion) is indeed challenging, but for me to be really happy with a painting, I think I need a couple of days to contemplate my 'finished' piece and decide (after I've slept on it) what I could do to make it better.

Day 8 of Challenge: 4" x 4" Study of Molly in Yellow

4" x 4" Study of Molly in Yellow
Oil on Panel
Here's my posting for Monday September 9....a 4 " x 4" little study for a future painting Molly in Yellow.  I also painted another little portrait of Molly this evening.  I'm saving it to post tomorrow.  It's a much stronger painting than this.  The above photo fails to capture the warmth in the sun-lit part of her face in the original painting.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Day 7 Bekah

Day 7 Painting: Bekah With Her Hair Up
I did this work this evening...a bit of a surprise that it turned out as well as it did.  This is Bekah, and I completed it on 11 x 14 linen, based on a photo I took of her last year at the Conroe Art League event.  I think it's a pretty good likeness.  To the right is the photo I used as a reference.  Doesn't hurt that the model is absolutely gorgeous! Feedback welcome.

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Day 6 Challenge - Jennifer The Party Girl

Jennifer as Party Girl - (3.5" x 5") My Day 6 Painting
Tonight's post is of a photo I took several years ago of a friend at a party having a darned good time, and ignoring me as I stalked her to try to get a good photograph.  The painting itself, is quite small... 3 1/2 inches by 5 inches (that's at least on the small side for me).  Most of my other paintings have been 8 x 10.  General thoughts - warm light, cool shadows, with a sneaky wine glass that perhaps I should have been clever enough to eliminate.  But, hey, sure was fun to paint.  Don't those funky glasses (I'm referring to the optical enhancers) make a major retro statement?  In the future, those grandkids of ours will be looking back and saying...oh, she must have been a painter from the 1950's (Oh no! I wasn't born yet!).  And I've got to say, those hands are not my very best...but given that I did this in 2 hours, not so bad.  Hope all the other daily painters are having a ball out there.


Howard "Pee" Pugpants - Revised from the 1 day Painting

Note, I am also reposting Mr. Pugpants (left), because I believe I failed to serve him seriously in his search for mating opportunities. (Note, this is the enhanced Howard, where I spent a considerable amount of time trying to truly capture the beauty of his fur.) However, Mr. Pugpants, I think if you want to make it with the ladies, you may need to change your tie selection.... and I do have photos of you looking smarter.  So watch out viewers - if I have any - Howard will return to stun the audience.

Day 5 Challenge: Prayers From The Descending Angel

This 8 x 10 painting is a close up from the "Descending Angel" I painted and posted yesterday.  This painting was quite challenging, despite having completed the painting yesterday.  The image I am painting from is a photo of a sculpture...so the 'skin' tone is uniform with variations depending on the natural reflection from the light source on the sculpture. I felt that I was unable to create a likeness that also looked sculptural without eyes (the image I am referencing had nearly closed eyes looking downward. I clearly pushed the color using my knowledge / experience with portraiture.  This work will benefit with some further work!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Day 4 : Study for Descending Angel

This little 8 x 10 painting I completed this evening is called "Study for Descending Angel".  I am so much happier with my figurative work than my still life.  This is based on a photograph of an angel statue playing the lute.  There is something so satisfying about creating some version of a face that is close to what I intend and what I see.  Tomorrow I may do a close up of just the face.  Then again, maybe it'll be another burka person wearing a hat!