Oct 14 2009

Rhonda the “Model”

I've always wanted to know what it feels like to be the "model" and now I know. We have a group of artists that get together from time to time and paint each other or our spouses, our children, etc. My friends said that I did a good job modeling and didn't move too much but they didn't ooooohhhhhhh and aaaaaaahhhhh over my beauty, guess I'm more of a character model. My friend Angela painted this and I think she captured a good likeness--maybe a little younger but that's good!




Oct 6 2009

Monday night live model session

As I was going to work this morning, I noticed the sunrise and had to pull over, get my camera out of the trunk and take pictures of the golden sky. What a glorious sight! It was the prettiest part of the day, especially since it rained all day.


We had a wonderful model last night, she had the best outfit on, black pants and lace up patent leather boots. What a perfect figurative painting! But I took a teeny tiny canvas to paint on, don't ask me why but I've learned a lesson here--always take a larger canvas than you think you will ever use!!! So I had to force myself to paint her lovely face, life is rough (lol).

Sep 29 2009

Tribute to my Dad

Marion G. Hartis
World War II Veteran
Korean War Veteran
20 year career in the US Navy
Retired United States Postmaster
My Father passed away on September 19th at the age of 83 after a long battle with Alzheimer's. He was a man that enjoyed life to the fullest, a family man, an outdoorsman that taught my sons to hunt and fish, a dreamer and a romantic, a poet, a songwriter and a singer. My family and I will miss him so much. The following is a poem that he wrote while in the Navy that shows a beautiful spiritual side. I will definitely be thinking of these words as I celebrate the Holidays this year.
"Let Christ be with you this Christmas"
As the bells ring out so clear, spreading joy and Christmas cheer,
Let us all recall the holy birth of Christ our Lord this year.
While the bells of Christmas rings and an Angel choir sings,
May we all praise Christ our Lord and loving Master in all things.


We'll bow our heads in silent prayer, on that Holy Holy hour,
And thank God for all our blessings and the joys we have to share.
May the Christmas spirit be close to every Christmas tree,
And with every gift we give, Oh Lord, Let us give thanks to thee.


May Christ be with you all the way, on this joyful Christmas day,
Let him share the joy you feel in everything you do or say.
Though you be poor or rich with fame, Christ has borne your sin and shame,
So let him join you on the day of days, that bears his Holy name.

written by Marion G. Hartis on December 12, 1954, Memphis, TN



Sep 12 2009

Ballerina from the Capitol Show

After the show at the Capitol last month, I pondered on what to do with my ballerina and flamingo dancer paintings. I wanted them to be shown in a setting where they would be enjoyed and maybe even inspiring to those that love dance! Kathy at Dance Images in Bowling Green was kind enough to let me hang my "Dancers" at her dance studio. I've also taken pictures of some of the classes there and I have some wonderful shots that hopefully will become paintings.

Here is another ballerina painting from the Capitol Show. I chose this pose because of the light and the gracefulness of the dancer.

7 x 5
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2009


Sep 5 2009

Sports Fan-Three Hour Study


This is my study from a couple of weeks ago from my Live Model Session on Monday night. This was challenging for me because doing the whole figure instead of just the head required a lot of drawing and measuring to get the proportions right. Because of the time constraint, I was not able to develope her head as much as I would normally. The very last touch was her toes!



Aug 28 2009

Sunday afternoon figure study

This is a quick study (about 30-40 minutes) of a model from life. I was pleased with it but I had wiped down the three previous attempts at other poses. I think it took me a little while to get warmed up.
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2009

Aug 18 2009

Misty Morning

A couple of years ago my husband and I went to South Dakota on a motorcycle trip and this is one of the beautiful rivers that we saw. I believe the atmosphere is what attracted me to this scene. I'm ready to go back to see Mount Rushmore, Iron Mountain, the Needles Highway. . .

I don't know why but I had to take a picture of every fly fisherman that I saw (and there were several).
10 x 10
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2009

Aug 11 2009

A Ballerina and her shoes

7 x 5
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2009
Anyone that follows my blog knows that I love to paint Ballerinas. So here is another one of my favorites. I think for me, it's all about the shoes in this painting.

Aug 6 2009

Flamingo Dancers

I've already posted one of these but decided to post the series of 4 dancers. I love red-I believe I interited this love from my Grandmother Mazie that loved red and purple. She would always use lots of color in the quilts that she made. She made me a brown & white quilt (at my request) and for years she said it was the ugliest quilt that she had made--ouch!

I was striving to lay the paint on thick and to show movement in the paintings.


7 x 5
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2009

7 x 5
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2009

7 x 5
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2009

7 x 5
Rhonda Hartis Smith © 2009


Aug 2 2009

Catching up–3 hour studies painting from life

I'm back from vacation all rested, sunburnt and rejuvinated from my trip to the beach! My husband and I took a motorcycle trip to South Carolina--Folly Beach--and I just disconnected for the week. I did manage to sneak in a trip to Savannah GA and Charleston, SC while relaxing. While in Charleston, I spent the day visiting several Galleries on "Gallery Row" admiring the beautiful pieces of art on display there. Such a treat and a reminder that I need to PAINT MORE! I'm still attending my Monday Night sessions in Franklin TN, although I did miss a few while working on the shows. Here are my four latest paintings of models from life.
The first painting below is from 2 weeks ago. I've just finished a 6 week drawing class with Dawn Whitelaw and Erin Jones and tried to incorporate what I learned in the class. I'm trying to spend more time in the designing stage instead of diving right in but when you only have 3 hours it's very hard to wait.

On the model below, I tried to capture the weight of her beautiful thick hair in this study.

This model had great hair and lovely lips!

I like to think of this model as my Greek Goddess. She has the perfect profile.

Once again, I value your opinion and your visit to my blog!