2008 Still Lifes

In her younger days, my mother loved to do needlework and created many beautiful objects that were lovingly given to her children and grandchildren. We all treasure these items above all of her other gifts. The painting below includes a pillow top that Mom was working on a few years ago. It was about that time that she was diagnosed with dementia. As her condition progressed, she simply was not able to complete the project. She asked me if I would take it and complete it for her, and of course I agreed. But I decided that before I worked on it, I wanted to use it in a painting. It is sort of my way of memorializing my mom. In this painting I have also included a very old thimble that belonged to my grandma, and an interesting copper pot that I found one lovely day while browsing through antique shops with my oldest daughter in Pennsylvania.

"Mom's Unfinished Needlework"
12x14 oil on linen
2008

Oil painting is my first love, but I also wanted to give pastels a try. The following pastel painting is my first endeavor. It was lots of fun and I will definitely try it again one of these days.

"Vases and Oranges"
16x10 pastel on sanded paper
2008

With my third painting of 2008, I wanted to go with a lighter background. I absolutely love red, so added the apple to add some punch to the composition.

"Apple, Books and Dutch Boy"
20x15 oil on linen
2008

2007 - Voltaire

"Voltaire"
17x14 oil on linen
2007

Prior to painting in color, all students at The Atelier must complete some black and white paintings of plaster casts. I chose to paint this cast of Voltaire, as I admired his writings and was drawn to his mischievous smile.

2008 Life studies

Each morning at The Atelier all students are required to draw or paint from live models. Some days we work on charcoal drawings which then lead to oil paintings, and some days we work on quicker pencil studies. The drawings below are some of the pencil studies that I completed in 2008.

Below is a series of photos showing the process that I used in order to complete my first black and white oil painting of a human figure. A pencil drawing was completed in 3 morning sessions. Then I completed 2 anatomy studies in order to gain a better understanding of all the bumps and bulges that make up the human body. Once the anatomy studies were completed, I drew the figure once more in charcoal. This drawing was then transferred to canvas. During each step of the process, any necessary corrections are being made. The oil painting is the final (and most fun) step in the process.

My first commissioned portrait!

A friend of mine wanted to give his wife a unique gift, so he asked me to complete a charcoal portrait of her. Her picture had been used on the cover of a local magazine, so in this instance I completed the entire portrait using a photo-reference. Normally, I would prefer to work with a 'live' model, but since this was to be a surprise, that was not possible. I'm told that she was truly surprised by this gift, and that the family loves it.....aren't friends wonderful!?

"Portrait of Jean"
24x20 Charcoal on Paper
2007

1st year studies at The Atelier

After completing several charcoal drawings of plaster cast eyes, noses or ears, students progress to more complex plaster cast drawings in charcoal. This is a great time for learning about shapes, values and edges. No paintings are completed during our first year of study at The Atelier.

Charcoal drawing of a plaster cast hand and coin that I completed in 2007.

Here is a photo of a typical set up. My charcoal drawing is set up immediately next to the statue in order to see shadows and shapes accurately, using the 'sight-size' method. (2007).

My grandsons

My grandsons are my pride and joy, and it is their presence in my life that motivated me to pick up a pencil and begin to draw once again. The process of trying to capture what I see when I look at them, is extremely exciting and fun for me. I have not yet completed a portrait of my third grandson, but hope to begin work on it soon.

This is my oldest grandson, Aidan. I tried to capture the serious, intense, yet thoughtful side of him in this drawing. I think it works. (Graphite 2007)

Colin is Aidan's younger brother ..... full of fun, energy, and just a bit of mischief! (Graphite 2007)