Computer Monitor to the Rescue Again

Once again, seeing my artwork on the computer monitor has revealed a flaw.  When viewed byside the reference photo, I now see that the hat on the head of the dandy is too small for his head.  I am about to begin the painting process here at the studio in Leesburg and wanted to double check my drawing before proceeding.  I always like a fresh eye, before beginning. 
Yesterday, I spent the entire day putting in a background (UGH! *&!+^%*#@)  I did not get the background finished, it's a BIG painting. 

A New Historical Piece

I have started another historical illustration.  Had the idea for it since last fall and started the drawing when I got sick this past weekend.  I find that drawing in the livingroom when I don't feel good enough to stand at the easel is very productive for me.  Having great reference materials was one of the most important things I learned at the last two Illustration Master Classes that I attended.  I think this is pretty good and am in love with the dandy.  I did not intend him to be so handsome, but what can I say, I am a female and a romantic. 

Lupus Holiday

I just spent the last two afternoons on the sofa with what I call a Lupus Holiday.  Actually, it is more like having the flu.   I got a mosquito bite on Saturday while at the Studio in Leesburg.  My immune system took that bite as a signal to go into overdrive and attack the invader.  By Sunday noon, I ached all over, broke out in a rash and just generally felt too tired to get off the sofa.  My neck hurt so bad at night, I could not get much sleep.  So, I watched movies, ate forbidden goodies, and propped my drawing board against a tv tray and began another historical illustration that I have had in my head since our trip to Fort Frederick and the rendevouz up there last fall.  Today, I am back to my usual manic self, got up at 5am, did a shift at work and now headed up to visit mom in the nursing home.  I will get back home in time to resume work on the faun painting and make a decent (HEALTHY) meal for tonight. 
I will post the progress on the historical piece shortly.

Poseidon Nears Completion

I am in Leesburg today and putting, what I think are the finishing touches on my portrait of Posiedon.  By the way, ever look at a word you spelled correctly and think it looks wrong?  Thats my explanation for the two spellings you see here of Poseidon..... Can you spell Alzheimers?   
So, I can honestly say this is the quickest portrait I have done so far.  It's like the little fruit basket painting I did a while back.....it just flowed from my brush and almost painted itself.  I think I may have hit my pinacle and the rest will be crap from here on out.  We will see.   Oh, and I am not  posting him on the blog.  You will just have to come to my show in April to see him and a few others that will not be shown til then.  The show is my second solo show at The Art League in the Torpedo Factory Arts Center in Old Towne Alexandria.   The show is scheduled for April 2013.  More info will follow.  If you aren't on my e-mail invite list, please sign up at sha45rps@starpower.net

Have A Perfect Art Day

I have been known to sign a letter with "Have A Perfect Art Day" or say goodbye to close friends with that same phrase.  The story behind it goes.....years ago, I was very unhappy in my career as a postal manager.  My dear husband asked me one day, what would be a perfect day for me, if I no longer had to work for the US Postal Service.  My reply was, to get up early and watch the sun come up, visit the National Gallery of Art, eat lunch in the National Gallery Cafe, and to spend the remainder of the day painting all the while listening to inspiring and rousing music.  And then to spend the rest of the evening with my husband, quietly reading or watching the sun go down.  To this he replied, "You are describing a perfect art day".   Since that conversation, we go our seperate ways each day by saying to each other, Have A Perfect Art Day instead of goodbye.  I honestly and sincerely wish you all "A Perfect Art Day". 

Captain Mal's Pistol

If you are a serious fan of sci fi and fantasy, then you know Capt. Mal and the movie and TV series Serenity.  Captain Mal is played by Nathan Fillion, who is on my short list of  "Who I want to be stranded on a desert island with".  Nathan also is lead actor on the TV series, Castle.   You see here, my husband Brett, (he has a list also) and he is holding the actual pistol created for Capt. Mal and the shows.  Notice the white gloves...a prerequisite for getting to hold the gun which was on display by the NRA at a gun show my husband was working at.  Brett has been an NRA Handgun Safety Instructor in the past and he was helping CS Arms, a historical militaria dealer in Upperville Virginia at the show.  

Hey Nathan,  Brett passed up the opportunity to hold Luke Skywalker's  light sabre, just to hold your gun!

Second Friday Gallery Walk, Leesburg VA

Today I am working from my studio at Art Square in Leesburg VA.  It is located on Cardinal Park Dr. and will be open tonight from 5:30 until 8:00.  If you are in the area, stop in and watch as I work on Posiedon.  This is two views of my studio....pretty nifty, don't you think?

Finished Demo Piece

I started this charcoal and pastel portrait of Monet and Rockwell on Saturday at the demonstration I did in Warrenton VA.  I pretty much had Monet (the all black long hair) finished when I ended the demo, brought them up to the studio on Monday and finished them up.  They are now framed and on display at the new studio.  I will teach a class on creating a pastel and charcoal pet portrait in September at the Studio Frame Shop in Warrenton VA.