Found Instruction on Portraiture

After agonizing for over a week, and searching the net for helpful hints on this portrait, I found a webpage featuring the most awesome of child portrait artists. Her name is Ariane Beigneux and I am putting a link here so you can see her interview and gorgeous paintings. Click Here to see her interview and paintings!> I found this site to be very inspiring.
Reading about Ariane actually got me back to the paints and brushes, so if you are wondering where I am...it's back to Ella's portrait with renewed desire and hope.
Stay tuned..

Artist Block / Working on Portrait

Ella's Sketch Refined



















Blocked...lack of confidence...scared to pick up a brush....why do I do this to myself? Well guys, it's all about the portrait of Ella. I did the sketch, which has now been refined. (version in this post.) I bought the linen panel. I bought more turpenoid and new brushes. I walk around the empty panel and the sketch and the photo.... and look at them over and over again. I go over it in my mind. I study masters portraiture. I have constant conversations with myself. Still I can't put the paint on the surface.
So, I painted Betsy's Sunflowers hoping this panic would go away. Then I painted the miniature of Bohicket Drive and thought to myself, as soon as I get this one done I'll get to Ella's portrait. Now for almost a week I am stuck. I can't make myself do it. What is the matter with me? Better question, what do I do about this? I am not sure of the colors, the depth of colors, I don't know if I have the right surface, I don't know if I'm shooting for smooth blending of skin tones, or if I am supposed to just throw the paint on there a la impressionist devil may care... I am going totally nuts trying to get this working.
So if any of my good artist friends out there care to chime in here and coach me out of this horrible block, I would most gratefully appreciate it. Any ideas on how to get me out of this and get me going?

Daily Painting Landscape, "Bohicket Drive Revisited"

"Bohicket Drive Revisited"
7X5
Oil on Gessoed Board
Available
Framed in a Gold Leaf Plein Air Frame
Click on either picture to enlarge it!










Someone reminded me recently about a painting I did of Bohicket Drive last year, which I did as a Christmas present for my mother-in-law. Ever since I did that painting I have thought I wanted to do it again....bigger or smaller...either way or both. This vision of Bohicket Drive is such a happy image in my mind. I put myself in a little red sports car and toodle off to Seabrook with nothing but leisurely moments ahead of me; walks on the beach, dinner at the club, looking for seashells, sitting on a screened porch and breathing the sea air, watching the sea birds, etc. etc. No worries, just hanging out and feeling no pressure from the grind back in real life.

My commission of Annie was held up this week as her owners are working on getting just the right pose for her portrait. So while waiting a bit for that, I remembered that the Gaston County Art Guild Miniature Show will be coming up in October. I love the Miniature Show. (maybe because I have worked in small formats for most of my careeer) It's always fascinating to see what subjects the artists choose to do in miniature. Bohicket Drive Revisited is going to be one of my entries, unless someone wants to buy it first. I have the frame and am showing it here also.

Daily Painting Floral, "Betsy's Sunflowers"

"Betsy's Sunflowers"
10X8
Oil on Canvas Board
Available
Click on Picture to enlarge it.

Happy faces of Sunflowers! At this moment they, and everything else in our little section of the planet, are gasping for water and some cooler temperatures. But they do look cheerful here since I took the picture of them a couple of weeks ago. You know, just about every artist of historical note has done Sunflowers. (does that mean I am now in that category? In my dreams! :) Of course, Van Gogh's come to mind first. It wasn't until my daughter planted them that I had ever seen red ones. I like the yellow ones, too, so maybe I'll try those next summer. If you love Sunflowers, this is a way to see them all year long!

You might not see a post for a little while from me....because I have a commission to work on. It's a big dog and a bigger painting so this could take some time. Her name is Annie and very loved by her owners. I might post some progress pictures if I think it's going O.K. If it looks awful, believe me, you won't see it until I have it right.

Daily Painting Floral, "Betsy's Sunflowers" In Progress

"Betsy's Sunflowers" In Progress
10X8
Oil on Canvas Panel

My daughter, Betsy, loves sunflowers. If she had a signature flower, this would be her choice. Earlier in the summer, before the drought and the 100 degree temperatures hit, I visited her garden with my camera in hand. I was lucky enough to catch a bee having its afternoon snack on this red variety of sunflower. This one is for her...but obviously I am still working on it. This weather is like the opposite of deep cold January. But it makes you want to hunker down and not go outside just as much as winter. Alone in my studio with the paints and brushes...and just Bosley to keep me company. He, too, has had it with this weather and we are longing for some days when we can get out there and go walking again. As it is, he barely sticks his nose outside, takes care of necessities, and turns around to come back inside.

I've taken in some commissions on dog portraits again, too...so as soon as I finish this I am beginning work on one of those.

Detail of Bee on "Betsy's Sunflowers"

Daily Painting, "Lifeguard at Ft. Belvoir"

"Lifeguard at Ft. Belvoir"
8X10
Oil on Gessoed Board
Availble from the artist

Man, I do not know what is with this weather, but the paint kept getting sticky and it would come off half the time when I put my brush back down. Very frustrating. Pretty sketchy around the blue and white buoys at the top, but given the problems I was having I guess it will have to do. Must be the air conditioning, but believe me I am not complaining about air conditioning at this moment.

Anyway, dive in! Splash away!!! It's the only outdoor thing you can do that won't kill you this week. Think cool! Very very cool....and refreshing....and live through until Sept.

Daily Painting, "Life Guard" In Progress

"Life Guard" In Progress
8X10
Oil on Gessoed Board

Since it was 102 degrees today, I was trying to think of some kind of summer fun. Just looking at this pool was making me feel better. This is a bit of a departure for me, but it's fun to try it...it is from a photo I took at Fort Belvoir, VA last month. We were there to attend a wedding reception and as I looked around the building I saw this gorgeous pool with lots of people enjoying the facility. At the time I took the photo, the life guard had just blown the whistle for the 'all adult swim.' She was idly twirling a piece of her hair while watching this woman bob about in the water. Both of my children have been life guards when they were younger, so watching this scene took me back to the times when they were in charge of the pool at the Racquet Club here. I'll work on this some more tomorrow and hopefully get it finished.




The other picture is a surprise visit from Mister Owl last evening at our house! Whoo Hoo!!! Can you believe this fellow? He was looking for a midnight snack in the form of Mister Toad we think. Fortunately, Mister Toad was quite elusive and could not be found. Being night owls and midnight snackers ourselves, we could empathize with our friend Mister Owl.

Daily Painting Portrait Study, "Ella at Three Years"

"Ella at Three Years" Preliminary Pencil Study
8X6


Just the beginning. I really want to do this portrait for Ella to have for the rest of her life...and for her parents to enjoy for the rest of their lives, so the pressure is on. I don't have much experience of painting portraits of people. As you know I have been doing portraits of dogs .... and an occasional cat. The intimidation factor is huge. I have been looking at John Singer Sargent, William Merritt Chase, and Robert Henri. Well, there you are. Who can do that well? But I am going to give it a good college try and we'll see if I can live up. So today I got started with a sketch and I am hoping it helps me really see her and translate her features into paint with the skill of a master. I don't aim too high, do I??? Well, if I fail at the painting, at least they will have this sketch. It was very wonderful too spend time today just studying her....lost in the wonder of creation. It's definitely one of the benefits of my career to be able to lose myself in something for a time and forget the rest of everything.

Daily Painting Still Life, "Black Shoes & Pearls

"Black Shoes & Pearls"
8X10
Oil on Gessoed Board
Available from the artist
Click on Picture to Enlarge

I could have titled this so many different ways. From the last post, as you may have read, I could have called this, "Just Stepped Out."

And then I look at it as, "Basic Necessities." (every female has to have black shoes and pearls...it's a rule!) I actually do have the kind with high heels... you know, the "Hi, I'm hot!" kind. But these are the ones to get me through when the event requires standing for long periods of time. There is a phrase, 'casual elegance,' that I have always thought sounds like one just stepped out of a Ralph Lauren advertisement. In my dreams....
Well, anyway, here are my 'casually elegant' shoes. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoy wearing them.

Daily Painting Still Life, "Black Shoes & Pearls" In Progress

"Black Shoes & Pearls" In Progress
8X10
Oil on Gessoed Board

When I began this one, as usual, I had romantic visions in my head....a painting of my favorite black shoes with my pearls haphazardly placed, just as if I had come home from a lovely dinner party with friends and dropped everything on my way to bed. I really do think like that, you know. I notice vignettes around me that suggest someone just stepped out of the picture, but you know they were there because that is just how they left things.

Unfortunately, that is exactly what has happened. Our friend, Tom, died last evening and just stepped out of the picture. I have been trying to paint this last couple of weeks while keeping vigil with my friends as we have known he was going to leave us. Now I will be wearing these shoes and my pearls to a memorial service next Saturday. Not the romantic vision I had, but rather the still life of reality, losing a friend. Can't go back...just put one foot in front of the other and be thankful you had him in your life. Sorrow cloaks my spirit today.

On another note: The Charlotte Observer has interviewed me and their photographer spent a couple of hours in my studio yesterday. It will be interesting to see what they do with this. The focus was mostly on my dog portraits, Bosley, and my interest in celebrating the adoption of companion animals from the pound or local humane society. Bosley, of course, was the star and I hope people will enjoy seeing him in the paper. I'm not sure when this article will run, but when it does I will mention it here in both of my blogs..this one and "thepainteddog."

Back to the painting....detail the pearls..work the background...much yet to do. Stay tuned!

Daily Painting Still Life, "Black Shoes & Pearls

Prelim Sketch of "Black Shoes and Pearls"
8X10

I'm sure you are thrilled to see my shoes...the ones I like to think I'd have more time to wear instead of the summer flip-on types that I am in and out of while.... all day of running around I am composing paintings in my head and taking photos for potential paintings, and buying frames for future paintings, and looking for galleries who might be good for my work, studying John Singer Sargent's portraits of children (explain later), in between housekeeping and taking care of family and friends who are going through a crisis (explain later, and getting ready for a newspaper interview regarding my work....
Anyway, this is all I could show you at the moment. I have been doing prelims for a portrait of our adorable Ella, our grand-daughter. She was kind enough to put up with a modeling session for me last Friday. I have not done a lot of portrait work, so I am channeling John Singer Sargent as much as I can. These shoes are just a warm up to get going again. Meanwhile, we are on vigil for a dear friend who is dying in the hospital.

Wednesday is the interview. The photographer comes Thursday or Friday. So, while there is no such thing as a pristine studio....I will be trying to straighten up and get ready for this chance at some local publicity. It is for the Charlotte Observer. We'll see how this goes?!?! I'd wear these shoes, but they can't be moved now until I finish this painting.

Set Up for Still Life of "Black Shoes and Pearls"

Daily Painting, "Self-Portrait in Pencil"

"Self-Portrait in Pencil
11X8 1/2
Pencil on Brown Bag Art Paper

I guess it would be more than 27 years ago that I sat down to draw a portrait of Betsy, my daughter, with color pencil on the only thing I had at hand at the time, a piece of paper cut from a grocery bag. I worry that this grocery bag paper will eventually disintegrate and her little portrait will be lost with it. It's little, like she was at the time. And I was practicing drawing anything and everything in the house, the cat, the dog, the backyard, etc.

Anyway, I have been noticing lately that just about every famous artist, living and not, has done a self-portrait. So I decided that if I ever want to be famous I better get busy and do one. I never wanted to do one...am not that fond of staring at myself for hours...and can't imagine why anyone would want this. But I found this great paper at the art store that is actually called "Brown Bag Art Paper" that is acid and lignin free, works with all kinds of media, and, because it reminded me of that grocery bag drawing I did of Betsy so long ago, I had to give it a try. The thing I really love about it is the soft subdued color. It makes a drawing look like it just emerged from ancient history, some tea stained image that survived floods and wars in someone's attic. Which some days is just how I think of myself..stained and battered from time, but some image of my personhood survives it all. So there you are, my self-portrait for ages past and ages hence.

"Betsy at 2 and a half"
6X5
Pencil on Grocery Bag Paper

Framed and Dangerous

"Lori's Vase with Dahlias"
8X10
Oil on Gessoed Board
Available from the artist

Sorry to be so long about this...run,run,run,run.....you get the idea. I've been sourcing some frames, studying Van Gogh, taking pictures, thinking of doing a self-portrait, among the millions of other things. My life is beginning to look like an exaggerated joke version of the phrase, "multi-tasking." You don't want to know.....

So here is the framed painting from my last post. This is the dangerous part! I have put this one up on eBay to give you guys a different shot at buying an original painting. I don't know about you, but I have always loved auctions. It's the thrill of it all....the edge of your seat suspense of whether or not you actually can win the thing you are after. My experience is mostly involving antique auctions. I was a single mom for a time and had very limited funds, so I searched out furnishings I thought I could actually afford. I managed to buy an antique double bed for the guest room at one auction. You would have thought I won the Taj Mahal for the ebullient excitement I felt. Which brings me to the "things" we acquire in life. To some people they are just "things." To me they can be evidence of struggles, hard fought and won, spoils of your labor, evidence of survival, treasures to keep and cherish. Some of these "things" have more meaning than others, based on the stories behind them. (The vase in this painting, for instance, is from a young girl whose life has been anything but easy. It means so much to me that she wanted me to have it.)

Back to the run,run,run,run part. I hope you enjoy the thrill of the auction and give this one a shot! This painting could be one of your "hard fought and won" stories for your life.

Daily Painting Floral Still Life, "Lori's Vase with Dahlias

"Lori's Vase with Dahlias"
8X10
Oil on Board
Available

Dog days in July. Hot, humid, and the yard is chock full of mosquitoes. I can barely stand to be outside, but I dashed out to cut a few of my Dahlias to paint. Lori, one of my daughter's friends, gave me this beautiful vase one year for Mother's Day. I find it to be the most useful size and it is so pretty that I often grab it to hold my flowers. And, of course, I always think of her when I get it out.

Beside me sits an autographed copy of Doug Marlette's book, "The Bridge." He came here for a signing in 2001, the book having something to do with the history in my town. It's a good read and I have cherished it, mostly because of meeting him and having his note inside my copy. The book signing I attended was really enjoyable. He had several original cartoons for sale as well, though I didn't buy one, now to my regret. The highlight was conversing with him. My impression of him was that he was genuine, warm, very bright, and a very very gifted artist. Heartbreaking is the loss of someone so giving of himself. I can hardly believe it.

So that is my summer afternoon...painting flowers and thinking about the loss of another artist. Not exactly joyful today. Sorrow in the paint. I already can't wait for fall and fresh cool North Carolina air!!

Wild Hare Off and Running

"Wild Hare Logo"
copyright Cheryl A. Pass


This is my old friend Wild Hare. He is the official logo of my former stationery company and was feeling a bit left out since being stored in a drawer for quite a while. As you can see he likes adventure and loves to run as fast as he can. Well, I have decided to give him a new job so as to make him feel part of things again. I asked him if he would be my symbolic announcement when I have to run off and do other things for just a little while. Of course, since he was really bored in that drawer and wanted to make himself useful, plus having a lot of pent up energy, he agreed to my suggestion. So from now on, Wild Hare, my official announcer, will let you know I have had to run off, but will return "quick as a bunny!!" I do love him to this day and he made me very happy as my Wild Hare logo. I'm glad to see him again!

(Can you tell that I just watched the movie, "Miss Potter," and loved every minute of it? Such an inspiration was Beatrix Potter for me!)

Please, while I am gone for a few days, scroll down and make yourself at home looking at every page of my blog you wish. Especially scroll down just a few inches and find "Fisher" again, the now famous portrait painted for Molly Grantham and her husband Wes Hyland. He's been very popular and I wouldn't want you to miss him!

Stay tuned....thanks!