107 years Young

I'm reposting this portrait of my dear Aunt Esperanza that I did a few years back..... Last year she told everyone she would be celebrating her 107th birthday SO let the party begin.!!
Happy, Happy  Birthday to an amazing "Lady"!   Love you!!

Still Life - grapes

I truly enjoyed painting this still life.   I thought it would be nice painting the tablecloth blue to match the grapes.  I took the design in the vase from several pictures I had ... Using sanded paper was interesting as well because it gives you wonderful  texture on  the grapes and cloth.

Still Life-apple

I don't usually paint a still life but I wanted to do something different.  I realized how much I enjoyed this as I was painting.  Originally, this was a set up for a workshop which I didn't do well..lol.  however, I took a photo and changed everything around.  They didn't have an apple ...they had an orange as well as grapes.  I would like to do another still life with a design on the vase and grapes instead ...  and a different color table cloth.. I am having too much fun! 

Friday Model

I did this portrait at my Friday Long Island Portrait group.  This model was a joy to paint.  Her hair had such beautiful shades of red....a mixture of many browns, burnt sienna and touches of oranges.  I think I had more fun trying to get that perfect mixture of colors.  Her bow and shirt had many colors of purples which went well with her hair!  I hope to see her model for us again in the future...

The girl with the black hat

I love taking my granddaughter to the mall.. not sure how she feels about it because she knows that it always turns into a photo shoot...lol.   I love the Hat Department!  So many hats so many colors!!   She has always been such a good model so I think I'll keep her for awhile. 

Grand Canyon West

If you haven't visited the Grand Canyon it must be added to your bucket list..a place like no other!  Looking down the canyon at all those colors and seeing the Colorado River in the distance is absolutely breathtaking!!  We went on the Skywalk which is located on the West of the Canyon about 4-1/2 hrs. from the South Rim.  It is on the Huaalapai Indian Reservation.  The glass platform allows you to look down into the canyon about 2000ft.  The Panoramic view is amazing.  I used my Terry Ludwig portrait set for this piece since the colors were so perfect.  I did my best but I realize now that I could have used more purples!!

Tennessee

During one of our trips to Tenn. we  stopped by a small park and I took this reference photo...I loved the old wooden fence and thought it would make a nice painting...I decided to paint it with oils instead of pastels.... I'm doing a large painting of the Grand Canyon right now and it's giving me so many problems...I don't know what I'm doing....talk about challenging!! lol  Hopefully by next week I'll have it figured out... meanwhile, I hope you enjoy my little oil painting...

The American Eagle

When I saw this reference photo in the computer, I really wanted to paint it.  Every time I look at it I get the goose bumps.. I have painted the Eagle before but never with the American Flag as the background.  I used Unisom reds since its very vibrant as well as the white.  I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I enjoyed painting it.

LING

Ling in Chinese means "Spiritual Being"... I thought this would be a good name for this lovely Lady.    I took the reference picture of "Ling" when I was at Hick's Nursery...a Garden Center in Westbury, NY.  She had such a kind face and even smiled when she knew I was taking pictures... and yes, I really needed to paint her...lol

LEXI

When my youngest granddaughter visited me, I asked her if she would pose for me and of course she said yes.  She's very sweet and loves that I would want to paint her.  I've painted her before but everyday she changes so its always a bit different!   I used mostly soft  Rembrandt pastels for this portrait.

West Virginia

I took a  reference photo of this waterfall while hiking a few years back!!.  It was  so beautiful...  I can still hear the sounds of the water falling against the rocks..  I probably would never find this place again, but at least I'll have this pastel painting.  We decided that this was the perfect spot to have a picnic!!

Hats for sale

When I was in Manhattan in front of the Whitney Museum, I saw a street vendor with an incredible amount of hats for sale!  I thought it would be interesting to paint...As I got into it I realized it wasn't an easy piece ...however, I really enjoyed painting this.  Every hat seemed to have a different color and just the right amount of light hitting them.  Again, a little different?

Mr. Rooster

 

 I needed a change from painting portraits and this little guy was calling me.  I'm not sure but I believe the photo was taken in West Virginia.  He was standing near another rooster equally as beautiful...I might paint him another time. 

Alexa

When I went to my friends Anniversary party last summer, his granddaughter Alexa was there.  She was so pretty and I asked her if I can take her photo.  After I finished her portrait, her Mom saw it and wanted to purchase it.. it's always such a compliment when someone likes your work!  SO now the portrait has a new home...

Megan

Megan was our last weeks model in my Friday live model class.  She was so sweet and the perfect model.  She's the granddaughter to one of the Artist in our group.  I loved the shadows hitting her face and of course I painted this at home after taking some reference photos...but I did sketch in class which was a wonderful practice for me.  (I'll get there..lol)

Shadia

We all have our favorite models.. Shadia is a very sweet girl as well as beautiful and such a pleasure to paint.  On Fridays I go to a live model class to "practice"... however, I cheated and I took Shadia's photo and painted her at home!  I'm not ready to show anyone my paintings yet from class..lol.  but I will never give up since I enjoy the class so much.

Bianca

This is my granddaughter Bianca getting ready for her dance recital.  A sweet little dancer who is willing to pose for me anytime.... I took many photos of her but it was something about this pose that I fell in love with.

Every day I'm feeling a little better... I still go to Physical Therapy every day.  What a great feeling waking up with less pain!!  Life is so good!!!   Thank you all for your previous comments...you are ALL so special and always make my day.

Harvest Time

It's been a little over 5 weeks that I had my surgery and the therapy part of it is the toughest.!
Bringing my arm back to norm is SO difficult  but they tell me that I'm doing well so I push myself to the ultimate.  Everyday I try to paint a little more... this is what keeps me sane and relaxed..lol
This painting was so much fun because I used my palette knife only for the texture on the corn.
The reference photo was taken in Lancaster, PA at an Amish Farm.  They were harvesting  corn with horse drawn wagons.  They are such hard working people and I have so much respect for them.
Thank you all for your previous comments.  I appreciate them.

Jack

I took the reference picture of Jack when I was in my Tuesday pastel workshop.  I finished the portrait yesterday and Jack loved it.  He said if he knew I was going to paint him he would have changed his shirt...of course I told him I can always change the color or style!  We can do these things..lol
Next week, on January 13th  I'm having surgery to repair a torn muscle on my shoulder....yes...ouch!!!  I have no idea what I'm in for but the doctor told me that I won't be able to do too much after the surgery BUT I will be visiting all my friends here so if I don't comment please know that I'm enjoying your work.