Studio Updates - Better Late Than Never?

I’m late in posting my studio updates for you. I can’t believe it’s mid-October and I have not been meeting my goal to post weekly. All that, and I’m heading South next week and that could put a hitch in my plans to post routinely.

I have been busy painting but spent a lot of time on the business end of art – website creations, inventory tracking, and all the learning curve that comes with the territory.

Commissions

I finished the two commission paintings I had been working on for close to a month.

The first one was a portrait of the daughter of the gentleman requesting the commission. As I was painting, I felt I knew the person and would talk to her throughout the process.

The second was more of a figurative piece as the subject was more than just a portrait. It included a landscape of a vineyard at sunset with wine barrels lining the path. This one took some time as I just couldn’t get the proportions correct.

After repainting the eyes a few times, the individual I was painting asked if I could put sunglasses on her. She provided a reference photo and sunglasses it is!

We met at Waterbrook Winery to hand over the completed paintings. They were pleased and I am pleased!

Dancing in the Streets

I have been working on this painting for the last few weeks. My husband is a big fan of abstract street scenes and has been encouraging me to paint one. I’ve done a couple in the past with varying degrees of success.

I decided to incorporate the theme of dancing and music into the painting. I shared this version with my Group Coaching class and they suggested I remove the figures behind the dancers and the building that was distracting from the main subject.

My husband also pointed out that the piano keys weren’t accurate – that they aren’t all evenly spaced. I made the changes and will be ready to start the layer of oil paints. What do you think so far?

What’s Next?

I’m trying to put together a smaller canvas I can take on the road when I travel next week. I have a week in Sedona, Arizona before heading home to Marana, Arizona. I put this initial background and sketch together so far – the second in my Dancing in the Streets series.