Not an Odalisque

"Not an Odalisque," Oil on Board, 24x36"

I've been spending longer and longer on each painting. I don't know if this is due to the new medium (oil) or the fact that I'm taking more time to represent the figures. On this one, I also spend a quite a bit of time playing with the patterns. And reworking the background 2-3 times...

I like that the pose is a (literal) twist on the classic odalisque theme. I was also playing with the idea of figure as landscape - which is why I chose to put a sky in the background. I like the contrast of interior and implied exterior space.

Neverland

"Neverland," Oil on Board, 18x24"

This is the first painting from a series of reference photos I shot w/Rebecca Wood.  I've drawn her before, but this is the the first time I've painted her.  I love her face - great bone structure.  I may go back and refine this one a bit (the danger of working in oils...) but it's pretty close to done. I had her pose with a big pile of daughters stuffed animals.  I love the variety of patterns.

Loft

"Loft," Oil on Board, 48x36"

Here's my latest take on the Alaskan landscape -- so hard to capture the feeling of height, but this one comes closer. I'm loving working in oils, though it has completely changed my technique. This one was a lot closer to finger painting.

Tenakee Springs

"Tenakee Springs," Oil on Board, 18x24"

This is my second landscape in oil.  I think it turned out better than the first (Echoes).  I saw many beautiful trees in Alaska, but this hard thing to convey is the cathedral-like feel of the trees together.  This one comes pretty close.

Indigo

"Indigo," Oil on Board, 24x30"

I know that I almost always like the painting I just finished, but I think this one is something special.  I love the angle looking down on the figure and the visual richness of the pattern, drapery, etc.  I'm inspired to more in a similar vein.

Books

"Books," Oil on Board, 36x24"

I'm quite happy with how this one turned out.  I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of oils.  I may noodle around with this a bit more, but it's pretty much done.

I love the pose and expression. Thank you Kelli Bland!

Northern Forest

"Northern Forest," Acrylic on Board, 24x18"

Second painting from the Alaska trip.  It's so hard to capture the sense of the soaring trees in two dimensions, but I'm ok w/how this one turned out.  Somehow the wild colors work with the subject matter - make it look oddly more realistic.