Monroe Finished

James Monroe is now finished. More snow today. I am working on James Madison today.

Yesterday's Post & Snow Storm

We had a tremendous snow storm here yesterday and at the height of the storm, just as I was about to post my blog, out went the lights. We lost electricity and it only came back on an hour ago. For you city folks who have never experienced country at it's best, this means without the electricity, you have no water to drink, can't shower or flush toilets, no heat, no lights, no entertainment and no computer.

Our home is well prepared for this sort of thing. We had drawn water in all tubs for flushing toilets, water to drink in coolers and bottled water, the gas log fireplace kept the house at 62 degrees (fortunately we have a very tight brick home that does not loose heat quickly), candles to read by, and a battery powered radio and flashlight. Tea kettles for hot coffee and a gas stove that lights with a match. Other than boredom and a bit of a chill, we made it just fine. We even relearned some card games and I now owe my husband $7,500 in poker losses.

Time Flies

Wow, its been a week since my last post. I have been fighting Bronchitis on top of the loss of my dog, Molly. I finally got back into the studio today and worked on the miniature of James Monroe, which I will photograph and post tomorrow. As I type this

Beloved Molly

It is with great saddness that I report the death of my beloved Molly. She was fondly known as the "Cat Nanny" and loved by all.

John Adams Finished

This is as far as I am taking this miniature. I tried to put in the tiny little white highlight you see so often in the eyes, but it looked wrong. Overpowered the rest of the portrait, even though it was not pure white like his shirt collar.

Gilbert Stuart did not use the highlight in his George Washington painting I have copied and it looked right, not overpowering .

Alert! Internet Art Scam

I just received what looks at first glance, to be a person interested in purchasing art from me. Although I do sell my art from my site, I am very careful. Here are a few of the things in this e-mail that tip me off that it is a scam.

1. Poor or Broken English
2. Not interested in a specific artwork, just wanted to know if I have a piece available for between $1,000 and $2000.
3. No return personal information provided, such as who they are, where they are, phone and so on. Very vague!
4. No request for my terms of payment.......I assure you in the next e-mail they will want to send me a huge check to deposit and then I can send them a large amount in change with the artworks.

James Madison, Session 3

After my third session, I now have the background deepened in color and value. I have also given his clothing a second application of color. His features have been placed a bit more accurately and in the next session, I hope to work exclusively on his face.

James Monroe

This is at the end of the third day of painting. I made some progress on Monroe, but not as much as John Adams.

Happy New Year - 2011

It is said that what you do on New Years Day is what you will be doing all year long. So, I have set aside this entire day to do something artistic, then spend quality & romantic time with my soulmate, then cook something new and extraordinary, and then end the day with a pampering facial and pedicure. I almost never schedule time for myself and this day is long overdue.

Also, here is a picture of John Adams at the end of the third painting session. I am now ready to refine the likeness and deepen the shadows. After that, it is time for the details.