naked feet

Feet are interesting and difficult to paint. THese were also at an unusual angle as the bottom foot was against the edge of the tub. Still, I had fun doing them and they came out well. It is interesting in black and white to see the toenails done with shiny, "black" polish. Fun. It is interesting that some people's second toe is longer than the big toe, and others aren't. Wonder what they means? Do you know?

Anyway, this painting is done. I wanted the steam coming from the water to be more substantial then it is in real life, but had a hard time getting it right. I ended up making it soft so that the subjects of the painting would stand out.

heavy metal, well, metal anyway!

Painting metal is very interesting - I look at all the reflections and keep the different colors crisp. These came out well, for my bath scene. I like the little ducktail on the spout!

Tomorrow I will work on the legs more and add in the bath water. Then I will consider if I want to add in some steam swirls coming up from the water. It would add to the surrealism if it didn't look hokey. So - see for yourself tomorrow!

Naked legs!

I have begun a painting in greys about bathtime dreams. I inluded some naked legs and realized that we don't paint legs and feet that often. It is fun to look at toes and ankles.

In the 1940's men were "ankle men" like they now are "bust men" or "leg men". My father always said that you knew what the rest of the leg looked like by seeing a woman's ankles. Who looks at ankles anymore?

This is a black an white painting as Gamblin paint makes a grey each year out of all their leftover paint and has a contest using it. This will be this year's entry. The grey has a light brownish tint to it so will be nice for my legs.

wood sprites rule!

My dogwood painting is complete! There are little wood sprites here and there, peeking out from the blossoms and hanging around the bird feeder. They add a little whimsy to a graceful, sophisticated flower.

THese wood sprites are a bit humanoid in shape, and I am not sure I necessarity wanted that. But they are just suggestions in the painting - so the viewer may add in their own details in their mind. What would your wood sprite look like?

How are you acknowledged?

What gives you reward and acknowledgment?

For me, it is someone buying one of my paintings. Sure, I like people to say that they like them or that they are beautiful; but more, I love them to say that the painting touched them. If they are willing to spend the money to buy a painting, I know that they really love it too.

When you put a lot of yourself into something, it is wonderful and fulfilling for someone else to love it too. What do you do that you put your heart into?

Searching for wood sprites!

Such elegant flowers! Dogwoods have little tucks and folds around the edges of their petals. They have soft shades of color ranging from warm root beer to ivory white, with sunshine touched beiges in the middle. Ah, to be so graceful.

I am taking my time with these as I want this to be an elegant painting with details and layers of leaves and flowers. Meanwhile, I am still working on my wood sprites, which will add a touch of magic.

Do you have any drawings of woodsprites to share?

flower fantasy

Dogwood flowers are mysterious and beautiful. They bloom early in the spring deep in the forest, hiding among the ferns. Or the dogwood trees rise proudly against the evergreens with their crisp, white flowers glowing in the sunshine.

Who would live within these flowers? Forest elves or stick people? What would they look like? These are questions I am asking myself as I begin to paint these fabulous dogwoods.