So much fun! This portrait is based on a photo from Unsplash, but adapted according to my memories of our 4 month stay in India in 2014. One overwhelming impression there was the riot of color—in clothing, outside temples, in decorations. It was a beautiful feast of color!
Here’s a gallery of some steps in the process:
‘Rare Encounter’, Oil on Linen Panel, 18 x 24 in
I had a painting like this in mind for several months, ever since I took the photo last fall of my granddaughter staring at parachute jumpers exiting an airplane. I liked the lighting on her, her position, and her look of interested wonder.
It seemed a fitting start for a painting for a group Show connected with our local library’s Fall Big Read–World Of Wonders, by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. The book is intended to increase people’s interest and wonder in the natural world. I read the book over the summer and appreciated many of the author’s thoughts and insights.
In my painting I made the object of her vision and wonder a Monarch butterfly, the subject of a chapter in the book. I enjoyed researching the butterfly and adding it to my painting.
The art display is up in the Terre Haute library for the month of August 2022.
Oil on canvas panel, 18 x 24
I painted this picture of my youngest granddaughter from a photo taken and sent by my daughter-in-law. Besides loving the subject, I loved the light on her face. The photo was actually taken in their bathroom without the toys. I adjusted the background and requested a photo of the toys to add to the foreground.
This painting is currently on display at the Link Art Gallery in Paris, IL. I was delighted to find that my painting was chosen as the one used for the promotional cards for the Show. It will be up until July 15, 2022, along with other works by members of the River City Art Association, including two more of mine.
Lovely surprise last Friday evening–1st place in oil painting in the Wabash Valley Art Guild Spring Show!
‘Abigail Unmasked’, oil, 16 x 20
A copy of part of a portrait painting by Philip de Laszlo of the Princess Elizabeth, oil, 12 x 12 ins.
I painted this Master copy earlier this year, in a lesson with my teacher, Kari Rajkumar. I chose the portrait out of several she showed me because of my Britishness and my interest in painting children.
There are so many lovely colors in her skin! I really enjoyed trying to match them. I have focused since on understanding the warm and cool colors in skin, and I think I’ve gained some ground.
One of my grandaughters asked me to sew a pink fleece bunting for her doll, after I had made a purple one for her sister’s doll. I made it and sent it to her and this painting is based on the photo that her mother took for me.
I like the look of quiet concentration as she inspects it. I enjoyed working with the soft and muted colors and using a palette knife for her hair.
My painting of my grandson, titled ‘Happy’, was awarded 2nd place in Painting at the River City Art Association Annual Juried Show! This is the third year I have entered paintings, but the first time I’ve been able to attend the Opening and Awards ceremony. It was exciting and I was delighted!
The Show is up for the month of August at the First Financial Bank, 6th Street, Terre Haute, IN. The award winners will be moved to the Springhill Branch for the month of September.
This is the third time I have painted this portrait. I tried one in Acrylic layers, one in oil and now this second try in oil. I’m glad I persisted as I like this one best! I have been working on more accurate color checking and subtleties of changes in value and temperature.
I wanted to portray the amusing idea that children have of not being visible if nothing is visible to them!
This painting was based on a photo of my granddaughter in one of her special dresses, although in the photo she was wearing large green glasses frames. I bought this children’s ‘llama’ sleep mask especially for this project and modeled it on myself, taking selfies in a similar light to the photo. It was fun.
Once I’d finished the painting I gave her the sleep mask.
Painted in glazes.
8 x 8 in, oil on linen panel. Always a delight to paint.
marymayhewart 