from start to finish...
my first commission that was of this size...
3 feet x 5 feet...
gallery wrapped sides of 2 inches
these first 4 photos are...
of spray paint, over stencils,
and various natural pieces, like mimosa leaves.
one of many charcoal sketches on newsprint...
looking for sizing and leveling...
I started with the background after sketching in her bust and head.
I used modeling paste mixed with paint colors, stenciling in bumps and texture.
tore up tissue paper, color of raw sienna.
put down cut out words...long time searching for just the RIGHT PHOTOS and SPECIAL WORDS.
I used my fingers and paper and brushes to paint with...until I liked the look...
then on to the face...
this was a period when I HAD TO GET SOME MORE SHADOWS underneath going...
whoa baby, lookin' kinda scary...
a period when I introduced this girl to her new blue cap...
more depth, more work on all of her...
I couldn't figure out how to do her eyes, the way I do when painting smaller...
then one morning I woke up, EUREKA, I thought of using a large sponge brush to swipe different colors in those eyes...my normal little brushes just couldn't give me those FREE and LOOSE, yet so IMPORTANT colors they needed to come alive.
her bodice was the VERY MOST FUN to make...and it took a lot of steps, and stepping back, cha cha cha...and drying cheese cloth in between.
underneath her bodice are real and copied
clippings from this newspaper...
they are so cool to peruse...
just get a load of these prices...
OH MY!!!
HER true and finished colors are in between these last two colors...
and hues...
this was the closest I could get to reality...it's is so large for photographing properly
I HAVE to let us see the bodice up close and personal...
the clients and my most favorite part ;)
skip this double one...I didn't know how to take it out...
some of the words carefully placed...
this on her neck...
a MARY OLIVER quote that stands out for me
and after knowing the clients more, Joanie and Scott, this was
PERFECT!
another favorite quote, not sure from whom...but it's a dandy!
these words were especially for these folks as they travel much!
as good as it gets...
I am technically challenged, I don't know why this is here again.
maybe for our amusement...
This was such an experience and growth for moi.
Joanie asked for this girl in the blue hat after she saw a smaller
painting of mine. She looks nothing like the other, I cannot copy even my
own work and am terribly bored by that ;) I am so grateful for
this opportunity after painting 2 other smaller pieces for this family.
I have STRECCCCHED and LOVED it ALL!
ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND
AND YOUR little IN BETWEEN VACATION aNITA!
OXOX