I entered this 11 x 14 oil portrait, which I titled ‘Satisfied’, in the annual River City Art Association juried Show in August. I was delighted when it received an Honorable Mention! It was displayed for the rest of August in the lobby of the main branch of a bank in town, and then was moved to a different branch lobby for the month of September, as part of the ‘Winner’s Show’. I went to the Winner’s Reception and thoroughly enjoyed talking to the artists present.
Another delightful half-hour spent observing and recording nature, this time at a camping site in northern Ohio. I challenged myself to use only knives and blades again (like the last painting at Lake Erie). I rather the like the top version best, before I added the tree trunks!
We’re on a camping trip to the east coast. I brought my pochade box and spent a delightful hour sitting on the southern shore of Lake Erie at sunset, painting this little study. I had decided to challenge myself by bringing only knives and blades (no brushes), so the painting is a little rougher as a result, but the sensation of sweeping paint across the surface was lovely. We stayed to watch the sun finally sink below the horizon-glorious!
From a photograph I took of a granddaughter, last summer, swinging at my house. As soon as they arrive, they like to run out to the swing and then it’s so easy to capture happy faces! The opposing colors of the fence and grass were actually like that, but I exaggerated them as they picture her ‘all on’ or ‘all off’ personality. I like the way her hair blows back in the swinging breeze.
Acrylic, 9x 12
My older daughter, caught sleeping and unaware of it.
9 x 12, acrylic on board
This is a one hour study from a photo. I love sleeping pictures because they are so unposed and the person is very relaxed. This daughter, though, thinks that it’s unfair to catch her without her knowledge, and I can understand her feeling of vulnerability. However, I still like sleeping pictures.
It was fun to see it come together as I placed the colors and values. I concentrated on her face; if I’d allowed myself more time, I would have changed the shadow on her arm, and worked on the fabric of her dress a bit more.
Acrylic on canvas paper, 9 x 12
This is another boating picture, this time in a punt on the River Cherwell in Oxford, England, from the summer of 2018.
I toned the canvas with Cadmium Red and Cadmium Yellow Medium, using my blade to spread it. I like to leave areas of it showing through, as in parts of the boat.
It’s such a peaceful activity in a very beautiful city.
Oil, 9 x 12
Then I tried another version in oils, again with the same acrylic red and yellow underpainting. I like some of the effects, but the faces are indistinct, and the oils seemed to become too thick. I have more to try yet!
Acrylic, 9 x 12
Another kayaking adventure painting! This one was from a family trip to Chattanooga, TN. We camped at Harrison Bay State Park, and were fortunate enough to camp close enough to the water that we could easily walk to this launch site. We had some good trips out on Harrison Bay, part of the Tennessee River.
Acrylic, 9 x 12
I love painting trees and water with the Princeton Catalyst blades! Again, here I like the contrast of the bright colors of the kayaks and clothing with the peaceful setting of Racoon Lake, Indiana.
marymayhewart 