Lavender in bloom

In East Marion, N.Y. we have an amazing Lavender Farm.  I took the reference photo of a worker gathering some lavenders to be sold.  Of course, I bought some... I took it home and dried some, hanging them upside down.  The smell is wonderful....pinching them brings out the fragrance even more!!!

Italian Courtyard

My daughter gave me a photo that her girlfriend gave her from when she went to Italy.  She thought it was so beautiful and asked me if I would paint it for her.  I don't do too many paintings in oil but I enjoyed painting this.  She loved it and its hanging in her living room wall.  I added that this is a pastel portrait by mistake and cannot figure out how to fix it..lol.... but its an 18 x 24 oil painting.

A Rae of Sunshine

The reference photo was of my Nieces granddaughter Rae.  I fell in love with the photo when I saw it on Facebook because she looked like an old fashioned little girl from the 30's.  I knew I had to paint her and I'm happy that "Grandma" loved the portrait.
This is 11 x 14 pastel

Sunset in North Carolina

My Nephew who lives in beautiful North Carolina took this reference shot and asked me if I can paint it.  I just loved all the beautiful colors in the sky that I took my oils out quickly.  Someday, I would love to do a sunset in pastels as well. .

ROUTE 66

I love traveling on this Route through Arizona.  You get to see plenty of Antique shops and General stores along the way that take you back to those happy memories.
And best of all... those barns that scream with stories..that we only wish we can hear.

Binta

My favorite day of the week is Friday when I go to my Long Island Portrait Group.  The lighting is always perfect as well as the chosen model.  I must admit this model was a favorite.  I think her name was Binta.... she stood proudly and was a natural beauty.  She needed a little color so I added her earrings and necklace....Hey! we can!!!  lol  I hope you like her.

Crowning Glory

I decided to paint a portrait in oils..I had a hard time with the flowers but it seemed to get easier as I started painting!  I enjoyed painting in oils and such a nice change from my pastels.  This is  Sierra.. my model since three!  Yesterday, my friends and I went to The Frick Museum in Manhattan.  To me, it was a smaller version of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.. full of incredible inspiration which we all took home with us...

JULIANA

I painted this portrait a few months back and realized that I never posted it.  This sweet little girl's name is Juliana and she's my friend's granddaughter.
Since my fall, I took time to rest and enjoy everyone's Art work! You guys are SO talented!!  Then I got the flu so more time to rest!  Sigh!!  But it's February and I feel wonderful!
I hope to post soon again.
Thank you so much for your lovely comments on my last post... you're all SO special to me.

Cat with Attitude

This is my friends cat Beau.  I painted him on velvet paper which is wonderful, however, if you make a mistake its almost impossible to erase.
I wanted to wish all my friends here a Merry Christmas and a Happy and healthy New Year!

Also, I won't be posting for awhile... I took a good fall after shopping last Friday which left me with a concussion.  I've had a headache everyday as well as an achy neck...so no painting for a few weeks.  After leaving the hospital the doctors told me to rest... no driving... so I'm glad I basically finished all my shopping.

It's been an incredible year and I look forward to seeing all of your work in the New Year.   Hugs to all....

Bethpage Horse

In October, I went to Old Bethpage Village Restoration with my family and took some photos of this beautiful horse which I decided to crop.   209 acres of land  recreating a living museum with so many historic structures. They have costumed actors that provide demonstrations of 19th Century life... SO interesting.  This is a pastel portrait...

JUBILATION

After taking many reference photos of my granddaughter, she was getting so silly and she started to laugh... I guess at me!! ha.ha. but I kept clicking away and I took this shot which was perfect.  Although I don't like painting teeth, I took my time and happy with the results.

Self Portrait

 I thought painting a self portrait would be easy but I realized it wasn't as easy as I thought..lol.  However, it was definitely a challenge which I really enjoyed doing and think everyone should try...

A day to remember

Yesterday....I mean 50 years ago, I married the love of my life....yes, it feels like yesterday.....he's an amazing man and so grateful for the life we have together !!   I painted this small 12 x 12 oil painting and decided to do it in sepia... Aug. 31, 1968 ..a very special year for us.

 

Deep in thought

Originally, I was painting a portrait of my granddaughter but as I was painting her I realized I made her a bit older than she is but I liked the way it was coming so I left it instead of correcting her.  So now, it's a portrait of a girl "Deep in thought".. lol

The Bald Eagle

I have always loved the Bald Eagle.  They stand so proud and they are the national bird of the United States.  I took this reference photo when I visited the zoo.  Unfortunately, he wasn't able to fly, so they're taking care of him.  They represent strength, freedom and they look so majestic.  I did an Eagle a while ago in pastels but I wanted to try it in oils...

Victoria

This is Victoria... another beautiful model from my Long Island Portrait group that meets every Friday.  The perfect pose that we always look for.  I hope you like her.....

Sandra

I took my reference photo from my Friday LI Portrait group.  Sandra is a wonderful model... I cheat and paint at home since I love getting all the details especially her jeweled headband which I enjoyed painting.  When I'm there, I sketch since I need my practice.  I hope you like this portrait.

Going Home

A few weeks ago, I was returning from the Museum of Natural History with my family.  We took the subway to the Long Island Railroad.  This girl was SO tired and fell asleep leaning against the wall (not recommended sleeping on the subway!)   I had to take the photo and decided to paint her with oils.  I had a bit of a problem painting the reflection.. I used grey/silver to create the shine and painted her entire face.  If you know a better way, "please share".. 

Reflecting

I love painting my grandkids... Having so many reference photos around,  makes it  easy to find one to paint.  I painted this a few years back and forgot to post it.
I painted Sierra with my Rembrandt and my Terry Ludwig pastels.  I hope you like her.

Fury of the Falls

As you all know, I normally paint with pastels but I decided to paint a small landscape using oils.  As I was painting, I didn't like it so I started to rub it out.    I started to see the start of a waterfall....Is this what a happy accident looks like?   So I decided to paint my landscape another time. lol

Tatiana

Tatiana was our model at my Friday Long Island Portrait group.  She was the perfect model and I loved painting all those beautiful colors on her outfit and had so much fun painting her hair ornaments.  I used my vibrant Unisom pastels for her outfit.  I hope she comes back to model again!!

Lanice

This is Lanice.  The reference photo is of my granddaughter's girlfriend... Lanice is what I always look for in a model.  Although I'm not into piercing, I left the nose ring in because this is who she is...  I used Rembrandt and Terry Ludwig pastels for this portrait...

Antique Colander

Let me start off by wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year.  It's been a heck of a year..two shoulder surgeries and my daughter having a stroke!  So let's just say that 2018 will be wonderful!.  I decided to start the New Year with a still life.  The colander is an antique that belonged to my mother-in-law.  I always loved it.  It looked so nice when I put the peaches inside it.  I used  colorfix paper which is perfect when you want texture in the fruit.

Happy Holidays from Cali

This will be my last post until the first week in January.. so I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!!
Love you all..
Hilda

Cousin Al

This is my cousin Al.  The reference photo was taken in Orlando, Florida where he lives.  I used mostly Rembrandt pastels and Carbothello pencils on this portrait.  I thought he had a great face to paint....it "called" me. lol

Richard

Richard was our Friday model. He modeled for two weeks at my Long Island Portrait group. I loved his hat and poncho...When I paint a portrait I focus on the face but a few of the artists paint the entire body and the poncho was really nice. I used my Rembrandts and unison pastels for this portrait.. 

FINK'S FARM

I love this farm which is located in Wading River, LI.  Guaranteed to have the best in their vegetables fruits and beautiful flowers.  They decorate for all the seasons which is wonderful if you like those reference photos!!  My favorite season in Fink's Farm is the 4th of July with my favorite colors...red, white and blue!!!!

Gerry

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I painted Gerry on Friday at my Long Island Portrait group ....A wonderful model with strong features.  He told us that if someone had told him that he was going to model...he wouldn't have believed them....lol.   I used mostly Rembrandt pastels for this portrait....

Esperanza - 1909-2017

I

I wanted to dedicate this to my sweet Aunt who passed away today peacefully in her sleep at the age of 107.  She was so caring, compassionate, friendly, wise and an inspiration to all who knew her.
She was a proud lady and her family was her greatest accomplishment.  In her younger days she worked in a Bridal shop as a seamstress specializing in wedding dresses.  I will miss her so much but now we  have been blessed with so many beautiful memories.
I love you, my sweet Aunt

Penny for your thoughts

I haven't had a chance to take more reference photos for my portraits so I used an older photo.  I said I would paint some landscapes and here I am painting another portrait.. lol  It was such a nice photo and it was calling me AGAIN.

Twilight

My Granddaughter's friend asked me if I can paint him this from a photo he had for years!  I immediately loved the colors in the sky as well as the beautiful reflections in the water....so of course, I said I would.  He loved it!  Something a little different from my norm!!

Jeff

This is Jeff, my friend's husband who had the perfect face to paint.  I used mostly my Rembrandt pastels as well as my Terry Ludwig pastels.  I enjoyed painting him and  hope you like him.

Tangerine still life

I don't do too many still life paintings but I needed a change, so I decided to try one again.  I actually enjoyed painting this but would have loved to have painted it looser.  The only problem is that I have no idea how to paint looser..lol  I painted this with sanded paper which I'm enjoying more and more because it's the perfect paper for texture.  Now that my daughter is recuperating so beautifully, I can concentrate so much better on my Art.

Nadja

This is "Nadja Missouri".  She was my daughters mini dachshund for 16 years...and such a beautiful dog.  I enjoyed painting this little girl. 
Also, my daughter Carin is slowly healing and the doctors told her today she can go back to work August 13th.  Everyday she feels better.  I'm smiling again!!!

New Beginning

This has nothing to do with art but I needed to share...Today, my daughter Carin had heart surgery.  Apparently she was born with a hole in her heart and only found out after having a stroke just recently.  A blood clot went through the hole in her  heart and landed in her eye which took away some of her vision.  The Doctors felt that surgery was imperative to close the hole to prevent having another stroke in the future.  The operation was a success!  My beautiful daughter now has a complete Heart and she's coming home tomorrow!!  Thank you Dr. Ong and thank you God.

Pensive

Once again I had my granddaughter pose for me.  She's always willing to make me happy.  lol
I used my Rembrandts and terry Ludwig pastels for this portrait.  They are always so creamy and blends so well for my skin tones.  Skye is always a pleasure to paint.

Mckaela

This is Mckaela....she is my son-in-laws niece and such a sweet little girl that was so happy to pose for me.  Painting children isn't too easy, so I used a few photos in order to get that perfect reference picture.  I used Rembrandt as well as terry Ludwig pastels which has wonderful colors for the skin.

Enjoying the day

We had such a nice time when we went to the Plattdeutsch beer garden in Franklin Square, NY.  The German band had everyone up and dancing.   The food was amazing as well as the entertainment!!    I took the reference picture of a man who was enjoying the day.   We sat with this stranger but he was fine with me taking his photo!   My husband is German ..
and I'm Spanish but I like German food and he doesn't....lol

Sunny side of the street

This is a painting I did for my friend.  I don't paint too many houses but it's always a challenge to do...its like building a house.. every detail counts..lol.  I have to admit, I enjoyed painting it.  Yesterday I finished my painting of  the peaches.  I didn't like the way it turned out so no more still life paintings for awhile.!!

Best in the Orchard

Taking rides out East is my favorite thing to do on a Sunday morning.  We stopped by a vegetable stand near Riverhead and they had all kinds of apples in these baskets and I knew I had to paint them someday.  I took photos in October of last year when the apples were at their best!
Peaches next ??

Shadia

Shadia was posing for us today at my Long Island Portrait Group.  She's a beautiful model who poses all over Long Island.  She wasn't feeling well today and yet she modeled perfectly for us.  I'm ashamed to say that I do a lot of my work through the camera.  however, I am trying my best to paint looking at the model instead of the camera...slowly but surely?  I  hope so!

Golden Mane

I painted this horse awhile ago and I thought I posted it...
I really love painting horses and I'm looking forward to visiting the Baiting Hollow Horse Rescue Farm on Long Island this year.  Seeing all the horses being treated SO well after some of them were abandoned is a definite treat.
By the way, it's also a wonderful Winery which donates part of the sales to the Rescue Farm.
This horse wasn't a rescue horse....I took the reference photo of him somewhere in Montana.

Lauren

This is my first painting since my surgery in March.  I have to admit it was very difficult holding pastels for a certain amount of time, so I paint no more than an hour at a time.  My doctor doesn't want me to hold anything heavier than a cup of coffee!!  That's almost impossible to do..lol...  Anyway, Lauren was definitely an adorable subject.  Thank you all for your comments .... I appreciate every single one!!

Vera

Vera is a lovely lady who goes to my art class on Tuesdays.  I painted this with Terry Ludwig pastels, because of the vibrancy in the colors..  Also, I wanted to tell you  that I'm  having surgery on my right shoulder tomorrow morning....last year it was my left shoulder!!   I won't be able to type or paint for a few months but I will be visiting your blogs and enjoying everyone's beautiful work.  Hopefully I will see you very soon!!!

American Pharoah

American Pharoah won the American Triple Crown and the Breeder's Cup Classic in 2015.  He won the four races becoming the first horse to win the Grand Slam of American Horse Racing.  I live about 1/2 hour away from Belmont Raceway and wish I could've seen him in person...but it was so exciting watching him on television!!  He is definitely a handsome boy!!

Pointe slippers

I went to see "The Nutcracker" November 2016.  It was so magical.   To see these Ballerinas dancing on their toes was amazing!!  I can only imagine the incredible strength that they have to withstand their own weight on their toes... OUCH!! 
The Nutcracker is a must see...  I wanted to practice "color" so I painted this in oils... 

Intermission

A few years back, at the Rockville Center Dance Recital, this little girl was resting during an intermission.  She had a sweet face and looked beautiful with her costume.  I decided to paint this in oils....which was a bit challenging since I have a difficult time mixing colors... Basically one of my first oil portraits and I will be practicing with more in the future.  Please feel free to critique!  I'm a big girl...lol

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!