Kate

Number two of my volunteer/victims.

Kate is one of my good friends here in Chicago, who happens to be a fabulous artist - plus has this awesome winter hat I have coveted for two winters now.  You can check out her blog and work HERE.

This portrait was much harder than my husband's.  Probably because I know all the planes of his face so well.  This is where I fall short working from photos and get frustrated.  I need more information!!

I might keep working on Kate's portrait, but I'm pausing here for now.... July is closing fast and a GORGEOUS blue striped silk ribbon is calling my name.  

Clay

In between my monthly series of 5x7 presents I've been busy convincing family and friends to allow me to take their photograph, so I could paint their portrait.  

My first volunteer/victim is this handsome devil who happens to be my husband. 

I use to paint commissioned portraits years ago, and have had an incredible urge to paint people again.
 
This return has been inspired by Euan Uglow, Alice Neel, a Cezanne portrait I saw in the National Gallery in DC, and Andy Pankhurst (a student of Uglow's whose paintings I saw during Art Chicago.) I have linked all the names to google images of their work ... check it out.

Hanna's Day

I recently have been experimenting with iridescent oil paints after being inspired by another artist's work in iridescent pastels. Oh, how fun these paints are! I decided to give them a try on this painting I started, but never finished, about a year ago. I mixed silvers and golds in her hair, stars, moon, and dots throughout the landscape. I just love the effect and can't believe I've never considered using these paints before. They added just the element of sparkle and delight I wanted for this painting.