» Blog

Deep in Thought–Head Study

Posted By admin on November 21, 2009

I've been a little lazy lately, well not really lazy just concentrating on cleaning and organizing my house, watching movies, cooking, enjoying this beautiful Fall weather--ok maybe lazy! This is my last Monday night head study and our model looked a little wistful, hope I captured that feeling in the painting.

On one of my previous posts, I said the view behind my house is ever evolving. I took this picture just a few minutes ago, such a beautiful day today--in the 60's with a little brisk wind.

This shot is of the cutest donkey that hangs out with the cows in the field behind our house. Correction, I think he's cute until he starts braying in the middle of the night--have you ever heard a donkey talk???

Category: portrait and still life | No Comments »
Tags:

Latest Head Study plus scenery

Posted By admin on November 8, 2009

I've learned my lesson, take a bigger canvas to my live model sessions!!! I ran out of room on this one so I just improvised and painted on the tape. This model had the greatest hair with red gold highlights (wish my hair looked that good).

Today was so beautiful with the sun shining and temperature was in the mid 70's--very unusual for this time of the year so we just had to take a motorcycle ride and as we passed these mules we had their undivided attention.

I have several pictures of these corn stalk stacks (???) and I love the way they look. I hope everyone has a great week!

Category: portrait and still life | No Comments »
Tags:

Fall is in the air

Posted By admin on October 28, 2009

It's finally Fall, one of my favorite times of the year! It was so pretty the other day that my Husband and I went walking around the farm and ran into my Father-in-Law George, his dog Presley and friends!

Sunday morning I was up early and decided to drive through the campus and take a few pictures--I always carry my camera with me just in case you hadn't noticed.

This reminds me of my Father because he would decorate the graves of soldiers every Memorial Day with little US flags to honor them. I thought the light was beautiful.

Driving up College Street to Cherry Hall on Western's Campus. I love the shadows across the road, lots of wires & cables too.

My sweet dog Lucky is feeling frisky and checking out the yard. He likes to keep an eye on everything. I have a few small pumpkins for Fall!

I snapped this picture of a barn that pays tribute to the mighty Kentucky Wildcats--a lot of basketball fans in Kentucky!

I was walking around the farm and saw these big round bales of hay, they looked so interesting that I had to take several pictures at different angles (LOL). I love to paint them with the sun shining on them.

This is the view from our back yard, I love this pond because there is always something to look at. Sometimes there are cows swimming (do cows swim?), ducks or cranes on the pond, wild turkeys--you never know.

Category: photography | No Comments »
Tags:

Pre-Ballet Class

Posted By admin on October 28, 2009

20 x 16

I observed and took pictures of a pre-ballet class and even though this is a small portion of the dancers, they were all so adorable. I'm sure there will be more of these paintings since I love to paint dancers! I'm not used to painting in such a high key but it was challenging for me.

Category: figurative | 1 Comment »
Tags:

Emily–study from life

Posted By admin on October 20, 2009

This is a study from life of Emily, she dressed a little "retro" for us. She was an excellent model and needless to say she got lots of oooooohhhhhhs and ahhhhhhhhhhs. I spent about 3 - 3 1/2 hours on this study. I'm still concentrating on watching my edges.

Category: portrait and still life | No Comments »
Tags:

Rhonda the "Model"

Posted By admin on October 14, 2009

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!

Category: portrait and still life | No Comments »
Tags:

Monday night live model session

Posted By admin on October 6, 2009

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).

Category: portrait and still life | No Comments »
Tags:

Tribute to my Dad

Posted By admin on September 29, 2009

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

Category: Miscellaneous | No Comments »
Tags:

Ballerina from the Capitol Show

Posted By admin on September 12, 2009

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.

Category: figurative | No Comments »
Tags:

.: Recent Blog Posts :.

.: Categories :.

.: Contributors :.

.: A Sample of My Work :.

.: My Most Recent Blog Posts :.

.: Archives :.

Deep in Thought–Head Study

Latest Head Study plus scenery

Fall is in the air

Pre-Ballet Class

Emily–study from life

Rhonda the "Model"

Monday night live model session

Tribute to my Dad

Ballerina from the Capitol Show