Voyager

"Voyager," Oil on Panel, 9x12"

For the last painting I'll probably fit in this month, I played around with putting a landscape into the background.  I usually depict such shallow space that it was fun to include a vista (though I did put it in a window).  I love the expression on Meghan's face in this one.

Into the Woods

"Into the Woods," Oil on Panel, 20x16"

I was trying to get my daughter to pose for me as Red Riding Hood, but she wouldn't cooperate.  She kept trying to hide her face.  I caught this one despite her best efforts and like it even better than my original concept. Score 1 for mom.

Atlas Considers

"Atlas Considers," oil on board, 30x24"

Here's the last painting for the month - I can't believe that it's almost the end of January...

This is the last of the three that I wanted to do in oils reprising the boxed series.  This one is quite a departure from my typical style for a number reasons,

1. I did the whole painting in grey tones before adding color.
2. I added gold-leaf for accents.  I may have been spending too much time looking at Brad Kunkle's work. ;)
3. I added some narrative elements to the composition: the apples and apple blossoms.

The title refers this Greek myth:

"One of the Twelve Labors of the hero Heracles was to fetch some of the golden apples which grow in Hera's garden, tended by Atlas' daughters, the Hesperides, and guarded by the dragon Ladon. Heracles went to Atlas and offered to hold up the heavens while Atlas got the apples from his daughters.

Upon his return with the apples, however, Atlas attempted to trick Heracles into carrying the sky permanently by offering to deliver the apples himself, as anyone who purposely took the burden must carry it forever, or until someone else took it away. Heracles, suspecting Atlas did not intend to return, pretended to agree to Atlas' offer, asking only that Atlas take the sky again for a few minutes so Heracles could rearrange his cloak as padding on his shoulders. When Atlas set down the apples and took the heavens upon his shoulders again, Heracles took the apples and ran away." - Wikipedia

My Atlas considers whether or not take the weight of the sky back from Hercules.

Sunshine

"Sunshine," Oil on Board, 30x24"

Here's entry two in my month of revisiting the 'boxed' series in oil.  I just love her expression in this picture.  Why do I find it so amusing that this pretty girl in a beautiful setting looks so miserable?

Doe Eyes

"Doe Eyes," Oil on Board, 24x30"

I've set myself the task of doing a set of my 'boxed' figures in oils. This is the first in the series. I like the subtlety of the colors and feel like my handling of the figure is getting better.

Rebecca

"Rebecca," Oil on Panel, 12x9"

I managed to do one more portrait before the end of the year.  It's amazing how motivating it is to have the kids at home...can't wait to sneak out to the studio!  This is my wonderful sister-in-law.

Helena at Fourteen

"Helena at Fourteen," oil on panel, 14x11"

This may be the last portrait I'm able to complete before the holidays. It has been a fun month of doing portrait. Getting a likeness is a challenge -- plus the eternal challenge of making it look interesting from an artistic perspective. This is my gorgeous niece. I loved painting her golden skin tones - so different from my own kids' fish belly paleness!