May
31
2010
I've been doing a little gardening lately. This isn't my first garden but is my first in a long long time. It has been enjoyable to harvest the fruits of the land and just being outside listening to the birds chirping. Here are a few pics. . .
Any gardening experts out there? I have some little holes on my cabbage plants. I've seen a few rabbits but I think they're innocent! Until next time. . .
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Aug
7
2008
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2008
This is a painting of Erin from our live model session last Monday night. Erin is dressed in a 1920’s style with a long flowing halter dress on. My canvas wasn’t big enough to capture her lovely pose so I opted for a head and shoulder composition. She still needs work, of course, but I have about 4 hours of painting time on her.
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2008
Jana is my niece and I have always adored the picture that was taken by her father, Gerald. Her long, flowing honey colored hair and sweet little face is what I love about it. Jana is all grown up now with two little ones of her own and I can’t wait to paint them also. This is one of the first figurative pieces that I did and I had lots and lots of advice and help from my good friend Angela.
I’m working on a painting that I hope to post soon–a 24×36 ballerina–Heather, she was only three years old at the time but she’s an adult now.
4 comments
Aug
1
2008
Gil’s Sheep
12 x 12 oil
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2008
This painting was fun to do mainly because I think sheep are so adorable! They all look so curious, I guess they were checking out the artist snapping pictures of them. The late afternoon sunlight is so nice to paint. This is a 12″x12″ oil.
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Jul
26
2008
Since Fall of 2004, I have been attending live model sessions in Franklin, TN at Southgate Studio. These sessions do not have an instructor but we critique each other’s work, which is so valuable because sometimes others can see clearly what you are missing. The image at the left, Kenyata, is one of the first that I did (from 2004). I probably shouldn’t show it but it is a good indication of how someone improves and grows over time (hopefully). Now I’m going to put the painting I did last Monday night on the right to compare. I think I can see an improvement–hope you agree with me. Please view my slideshow with several of my studies from Monday night sessions. They are not in chronological order but you can see a difference in the quality of the paintings.
Left: Kenyata Fall 2004 Right: Sketch (yes, really his name) July 21, 2008
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Jul
18
2008
12×16 Oil Commissioned Piece
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2008
This young lady was in a wedding earlier in the day, she looks lovely with her hair up and the late afternoon sun shining on her as she looks at the river.
9×12 Oil Commissioned Piece
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2008
Enjoying a fun filled day at the water park–wish I was there!
Daisy’s and Apples 10×12 Oil
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2008
I collect white pitchers and love to use them in my still life paintings. I have several pieces of pottery that are all possible “subjects” in a painting.
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Jul
5
2008
Floral still life 9×12 oil
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2008
In 1999 I began taking oil painting lessons from Portrait Artist, Angela Kuprion. There were 3 of us in the class and we were so excited to be studying with Angela. We were like sponges, taking in all the valuable information that Angela could provide. I had no idea that painting was so complicated with so many things to take into consideration such as composition, design, value, edges . . . We would paint from life each week, painting florals, fruit and eventually plein air painting. One of the most important lessons that I learned was to “PAINT FROM LIFE”.
The painting featured above was one of the paintings from Angela’s class and one of my favorites. I love the composition and the softness of the lilacs and the reflection of the fruit on the bowl.
If you are receiving updates via email, please visit my blog for the new slideshow–Florals and Still Life.
Until next time. . .
Rhonda
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Jun
16
2008
My goal was to capture the sunlight dancing on my subject in the early Spring, the downtown square is in the background–12×16. Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2008
The Gallery at 916 is currently exhibiting the newest works of my friend, Faye Christian Phillips, and myself during the month of June. Please see my favorite links for more information on both Faye and the Gallery at 916.
Also, during the month of June, I have a display of paintings at the Health & Wellness Center at the Greenwood Mall in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
I hope you will be able to visit the exhibits!
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