Working in a series

When I do a painting that I enjoy, I tend to want to repeat the process. The Indian girl with the desert background was a lot of fun to paint. I enjoy trying to create skin tones from scratch because it really challenges everything you know about painting. Warm light or cool? Reflected light or not? What if the sun is setting? How much effect does the blue of the stratosphere have on the upturned planes of the face? It's like a puzzle, and I love trying to figure all the pieces out. I have to admit it's become a lot easier since I started painting outdoors. Natural light is so much better than artificial, when you're trying to judge hues.

This is a loose painting of a Sioux chief, inspired by another one of the thousands of pictures taken by Edward Curtis. I took 20 years off the man and lightened his expression a bit. The original was so sad, and I didn't want a sad painting. I mean, I still want the viewer to feel some empathy with the chief but I was mostly after a feeling of pride and slight defiance. I left the headdress very loose and impressionistic.

11" x 14" oil on canvas

$400

Repainted Jesus -- I think I am finally satisfied

This painting has gone through a couple revisions. I totally repainted his face and actually the whole painting. Hopefully it will sell or I'll end up gifting it to my pastor in September when we celebrate "Pastor Appreciation Month".

Gethsetame continued

He appeared to be in too much pain in the first version. I wanted him to appear thoughtful and prayerful with just a hint of trepidation. I am almost there (I think). Here I have shown the painting detail in black and white to check the values- they look good.

Woody in Watercolor

The original is being donated to a benefit sponsoring an event that will raise funds for cancer research in memory of a man who worked with my husband.