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The above image is one example of many to choose from.
I thought it would be fun to reward my loyal blog followers with a chance to win one of my Limited Edition Reproduction Prints once every 3 months! Today is the first opportunity to enter! The winner chosen by random drawing will be able to select the print of their choice. To enter my Limited Edition print drawing you must:- Be a follower of my blog to enter the contest
- Reply with a comment to this specific blog post to be eligible for the drawing
- You have 7 days to leave your comment which could be about which print you like and why or any comment you like. ( Hopefully a positive one!)
I will select the winner from the entries received on that post only! So if you haven't already become a"follower" please get to follow'n. I've got things to say!All of my limited edition reproduction prints can be viewed on my website by selecting the "Portfolio" tab and choosing Limited Edition Reproductions.Good Luck!
I've been wanting to do a Sea Turtle for a long time. One of my most memorable moments in Hawaii was seeing a sea turtle in the lagoon of the hotel I stayed at and being so excited I jumped in (with clothes on) to see it up close. I held it in the water for about 5 seconds ( I've since learned you shouldn't touch them) and then it swam off. Magical! This painting will be finished and make its debut to the public at the Ann Arbor Art Fair and I think this is the only show it will see.
Sea Turtles are very popular among nature lovers and maybe that's because of its gentle nature and mystique. This one already has so much character and the paint has barely touched the canvas.
Check back to see her progress.
Here is a tip that most of us learned back in the early days of school. It's usually easy to remember to put a piece of paper under our hand to resist smudging while drawing with graphite. For some reason it seems to slip our minds with other drawing mediums. Colored pencil can also smudge and your hand can dull your finished drawing or painting as some like to call them. You can use any paper however, unlike the above photo, I like to use tracing paper because it allows me to see through to the rest of my work.Remember, Keep it Clean!
I first posted an "in progress" photo of this painting on April 1st showing only the Giraffe. I explained that the Acacia Tree supplied food for one and shelter for the other. While that is true I began to realize that the tree supplied food and shelter for both creatures. In this painting the "Odd couple" as I referred to them earlier seem to be greeting each other as they might do every day from their favorite eatery. They look so pleased with their choice of food that they look as if they might willingly offer each other a sample. "Tree Top Cafe`" seemed to be a fitting title.
Sculpture artist Steve Worthington gives away Bronze Mouse. Just name three of his Turtle sculptures and win! His work is full of character. See the details on his blog at http://steveworthingtonart.blogspot.com
The Kneaded Eraser is a wonderful tool however if not stored properly can become your #1 enemy. If you drop it or throw it into your pencil box it can pick up and hold all kinds of debris which can scratch or tear your paper. The best way to avoid this is to place your eraser into a clean resealable plastic bag or small container. It will always be clean and ready to assist you in creating your masterpiece!
I'll be posting a new "Tip" each week so be sure to check back.
I currently have a painting in the U of M Open Competition Exhibit at the Alfred Berkowitz Gallery. Though I did not win I am very pleased to be part of this competition due to the diversity and expertise of the work. I was very impressed. It's a very nice gallery space as well. I encourage you to go and enjoy this visual feast. The exhibition runs through July 15. The above image is a detail of the painting on exhibit titled "High Society".
Gallery is located on the third floor of the Mardigian Library at The University of Michigan-Dearborn, 4901 Evergreen Road.
Heritage Newspapers which covers Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Saline, The Downriver area, Dearborn/Dearborn Heights, Milan, Ypsilanti, Monroe, Belleville and Van Buren Township has done a feature story on me and my upcoming participation in the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair as their featured artist. Below is a link to the video interview that was taken at my studio in Van Buren Township. Look for the full story in your Heritage hometown newspapers that is expected to be published on June 10 (Thursday) or June 17th.
Read online interview here.
Watch video interview here
(Click to enlarge)Do you remember being with someone whose every word seemed to be just the right one? Their laugh was infectious and their eyes had an extra twinkle that you don't seem to remember on anyone else? When the chemistry is right, it's right! In this painting these male (green) & female (red) Eclectus Parrots couldn't be more enamored with each other on their "First Date".
In a post from 3-29-10 I showed just a peek of my painting in progress titled, "God of the Upper World". Well here is the completed painting. I know what most of you are thinking. What's up with the title? The Aztec and Maya people revered the Jaguar for its energy and agile abilities. So much so that they were looked upon as physical forms of great gods. The black or dark furred Jaguar, better known as a Panther, was called the god of the under world. The normal and lighter colored fur, as the one I have painted, was called the god of the upper world. The Jaguar became a symbol of royalty and bravery and Maya kings wore its pelt.
The idea and imagery for this painting developed from the following thought.
While the ancient Maya civilization was drawn to the spiritually charged relationship with the natural world they saw gods all around them in the earth, clouds, wind, crops and animals. They still cleared and took from the land and the gods as human kind always has. In this painting the majestic Jaguar lay on his high throne overlooking the ruins and land of the once great civilization that has been re-claimed by nature and the
"God of the upper World".
(click on image to enlarge)
In our fourth and final class our attention was guided towards the techniques and textures of the coral reef and its inhabitants. This subject allows for an abundance of variety in animal, plant, color, shape and texture.
Too little time for so much variety. I can only hope that my students enjoyed themselves at least half as much as I did. Thank you to all who participated and I am looking forward to my next workshop this coming August. Have a great summer!
(Click on image to enlarge)At times filling in the background color is really helpful for allowing parts of the flower to emerge such as the white petals of this Trillium or the pincushion-like area of the Coneflower. The blue violet color at the bottom of the Aster/Daisey flower was filled in last to simulate underneath petals.
(click on image to enlarge)In our second week of class we focused on mammals and fur. Just as with birds, it is important to give your sketch guidelines for the direction and length of the fur. This step really pays off in the end. This example demonstrates the first layers of color usually put down with the touch and pull line technique. Adding more layers will give the fur depth and a more realistic appearance. Remember to work light to dark!
(click on image to enlarge)I thought I would show my example of our first lesson of my 4 week Nature Calls Colored Pencil Class at (VAAL) Visual Arts Association of Livonia which took place on May 3. It is very rewarding to be able to share my abilities with this enthusiastic group of talented people. My first lesson focused on birds and feather techniques. The preliminary sketch on the left helps define the overlapping wing and tail feathers which usually prove to be the most difficult. Understanding the anatomy of the wing is extremely helpful to achieving a believable end result.
Parrot Portrait series #3Well the event has once again come to a close. Rainbow Feathers put on a nice fair as usual. I enjoyed seeing past acquaintances and rubbing elbows/flight feathers with my feathered friends. I met many new friends as well and I appreciate your kind words and purchases. Thanks to those of you who came out to see me and I look forward to seeing you at the Ann Arbor Art Fair.
