mini landscape/treescape from direct observation

Here is one of the mini paintings I did outside an a park in San Antonio between other responsibilities (have a short term working gig). I had brought my acrylic inks for portable decorative/dreamscape stuff to do on the fly (can't bring oils&sovents to my job), but for mini work from life it turned out pretty well. Usually I save oils for this sort of thing, but I'm excited the portable inks worked well for direct observation. I have more I'm finishing up. 4"x4" acrylic ink and ink pencil on wood panel

portrait of Skye (in progress) April 22nd

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Here is my latest potrait session with Skye, my 9yr old niece. The light is dramatic but difficult. The light beam towards sunset changes rapidly over her body and the "sweet spot" of opportunity to capture her is too long (for her...the sun burns) and way too soon (for me -I'd like more time)-. I have one, maybee two more opportunities left before it is impossible to continue it any more (she and her mom are moving to a new apartment next week.)

fourth life painting session with Skye

Here is the fourth session with my niece Skye. The pressure is ON to get this thing resolved. I may be moving in June, but Skye and her mom are moving across town next week and I won't have her in this environment to paint after next week. I'm coming back tomorrow, and then again next Thursday, and I hope also next Friday. She's a good model for a nine year old, but the best nine year old is going to be a squirmy worm when she has to be still.* This may be a looser painting by necessity, but if the general areas are resolved that will be a good thing.
* When she started to make faces I threatened to paint a huge booger coming out of her nose, then told her years after I'm dead and oh so famous, she will be immortilised forever as the mysterious Mona Lisa of boogery faced children,. That kept her still for umm...3 minutes.

finishing dreamscape work in progress

                    Working chaos or just chaos? I'm finishing up some dreamscape work for the fair, as well knocking out some paintings from life before my move.

                     I was going to add watercolor to the ink but I think I like it as is. Each panel about 2"x6"

                               I'll get a proper photo with its mates and all the info soon

two mini treescapes in progress

two paintings from life (in progress) from the same sitting pov but opposite directions. left 6"x3" right 8"x8" oil on canvas

Experiment with portrait..Klimt inspired

Here is an experiment with an incomplete portrait session (due to circumstances beyond my control). I've been itching to resolve all unfinished work before my move to VA, and it was either toss the panel or go into another direction.  Going in a naturalistic direction without the on site sittings would have felt more fake to me than just riffing out into flat decorative artificiality. I think I can say with all confidence Klimt did it better. 20"x16" oil on reinforced wood panel.

Portrait of Skye in progress II-color blocking

3rd sitting with my niece, Skye. I think this one will be a bit looser by necessity. Skye is doing her best but she can't keep still as long as an adult. I'm really happy she is at an age that can tolerate modeling at all.

Portrait of Skye in progress

just the rough planning of the composition in vine charcoal, only to be wiped out in a oil wash to establish values.  I'll be visiting and blocking in the color on the next session tomorrow afternoon. Four by two feet.

multi session self portrait completed (stages documented)

                                                  16"x8" oil on canvas

It is going to its new home tomorrow. I have a lot going on right now between finishing stuff, trying to generate income from odd gigs and preparing for the move away from Austin TX to VA. The flight is purchased for me and Lolabeanne for June 13th. more photos and uploads this week.