Portraits

I started painting portraits when I was invited by an artist friend to join a local group which meets once a week. After a fitful start (about 6 months' worth), my portraits finally moved beyond drawing to being more "painterly." Here are a few of my better efforts:
This portrait of Cosmos was done in October 2008. It was one where I felt the shadow and light sides worked well together, and was also my first attempt at glasses.

The hard edge of Ken's nose is jarring, and the rendering of the clothing is atrocious, but what I liked about this painting was the skin tones and the contour of his forehead. November 2008.

Dominique's portrait was done for a portrait swap challenge for the Different Strokes From Different Folks blog. It was a challenge to paint from a photograph instead of a live model, and I wasn't completely pleased, but there it is. January 2009.

Although this is not the greatest painting, I felt it really captured the essence of the model, Judy, so I'm including it. January 2009. Sold

This portrait doesn't do the model, Kathy, justice, but I'm finally learning to soften the edge of the nose and see the green in the receding planes, which makes me happy. January 2009.

This one of Irene is my best, to date. there are some issues with it, of course, but I was pleased with the overall effect. February 2009.

I really am going to get back to landscapes; in fact, I have one on my easel right now. In the meantime, though, I thought I'd post these as proof I haven't been completely idle!

Contact Artist

Jefferson Memorial

6x6

oil on canvas panel

This was done for the Different Strokes from Different Folks blog. Several others' interpretations included alien spaceships in the sky, which made me laugh; the dome and lights underneath do closely resemble a UFO.

Contact Artist

End of Harvest

6x8

oil on canvas panel

The terrain east of The Dalles, Oregon, is a fascinating mix of rolling hills, plains and high desert, all set against the backdrop of mountain ranges. It's lovely and hard to capture, but fun to try.

email artist

Klickitat River

8x16

oil on canvas panel

With a couple feet of snow on the ground and near-zero temperatures, it's nice to remember this beautiful October day near Lyle, Washington.

email artist

Boot

6x6

oil on board

Painted for Karin Jurick's Different Strokes From Different Folks blog. I was thinking what the toe of a boot coming down must look like to a bug.

Roadside Attraction

9x12

oil on canvas panel

The area in which I live is very beautiful. Majestic mountains, rolling hills, high desert, mighty rivers, we've got it all. Sometimes, though, it's the small things that inspire, like a little shoot of grass poking up through its colorful, dying predecessors.

email artist

Hydrangeas

6x12

oil on canvas panel

Another one for Karin Jurick's Diffferent Srokes From Different Folks blog. It's an enjoyable challenge to find inspiration from a photograph provided by someone else. Determining the composition is half the fun; what I like most about this one is the intersection of lines and curves.

email artist