Pinocchio

Pinocchio 14 x 11 acrylic on gessoboard  NFS

This 14x11 acrylic was enormous fun to paint. I made it for our brand-new (well fairly new) 9-month-old grand-nephew's first Christmas.  I tried to paint a three-dimensional puppet rather than a cartoon, and used photos of figurines as well as the Disney illustrations. Here are some steps in the process.

Portrait of Walter

Walter 20 x 16 acrylic on stretched canvas SOLD

This 20x16 acrylic portrait on stretched canvas is a commissioned piece. As with all commissions, I've delayed posting until it was picked up by the client -- a dear friend who was very pleased with it, I'm happy to say!

The portrait of Walter was done using several photo references. Fortunately, I know the subject and could judge which elements of each photo accurately reflected both his personality and his likeness. In the best photos, however, the subject was wearing the type of eyeglasses that automatically darken in outdoor light. In order to more clearly see his eyes through the lenses, I had to create an overexposed black and white computer print.

Here are some progress shots ...

Initial sketch

Beginning fleshtones

Various source photos - note B&W print on left

Moving on to the shirt

Almost done

Subtle adjustments and transitions

Done and signed

Little Miss Sunshine

Little Miss Sunshine 10 x 8 acrylic on gessoboard  NFS

A warm and wonderful friend shared some photos of her lovely little great-grandaughter. One particular photo really caught my eye. I loved the light on her face, the expressive hand gesture, and her dazzling blue eyes. She was a treat to paint and it was such fun to send it as a surprise to my friend!

 Light on her face to be the focus, so cropped and simplified composition and moved hand a little closer.

Softened contrast from what appeared in photo, added more half-tones.

 Background darkened, and to keep focus on the face, clothing was painted loosely.

Hair and features are further refined, injecting color into the shadow areas.

Lightened the background a bit and added finishing details. 

Little Miss Sunshine - 10x8 acrylic on gessoboard.

Portrait of Tom

Tom 10 x 8 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas  NFS

This is a portrait of Tom, painted as a gift for his birthday this weekend. Please keep it to yourself -- it's a surprise.

Here are some progress shots -

Light sketch in dilute acrylic paint

Begin to place darks

Define shadow side of face

Delineate features

Add midtones/further refine features

Cover rest of canvas to judge balance of color

Add more midtones and begin lights

Balance and refine fleshtones

Final portrait 10x8 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas

Sunshine

Sunshine 18 x 14 oil on stretched canvas  NFS

This lovely young woman came to interview me for a local magazine. As we chatted, I was captivated by how the sunlight just kissed her cheek and forehead. I asked if I could snap a few photos and perhaps paint her.  She agreed and this was the result.

The Braid

The Braid 8 x 8 oil on gessoboard

This is a quick portrait sketch in oil done in a two-hour session -- good exercise! 

Golden Girl

Golden Girl 20 x 16 oil on stretched canvas NFS

Not done in a day, this painting was part of a gallery show. It's all about the sunlight, the golden glow of this golden girl. She was a delight to paint, but the glint of light on the cup and the highlights on the hands were special treats.

Self-Portrait

Self Portrait 18 x 14 oil on stretched canvas  NFS

This is a self-portrait I painted a few years back. I’m posting it today to commemorate that 20 years ago this month an organ donor saved my life. 

I had been diagnosed with terminal liver disease of unknown origin, and given only a year to live. My only hope of survival was to receive a transplant. Getting that transplant, however, was far from a sure thing. Then, just as today, patients frequently died waiting for transplants.

I was one of the lucky ones. Thanks to an anonymous donor family I received a gift beyond measure. I remember that family's selfless courage each and every day. Even as they suffered the devastating loss of someone they loved, they thought of others. I try to savor every day. Painting is one way I do that. Working to promote organ donation is another.

Mary McBride

Mary McBride 10 x 16 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

It's a great source of pride to me that I have eight historical portraits permanently installed in the town hall of Gravenhurst, the small Muskoka town where I now live.  Among them is this painting of Mary McBride (1880-1965). She looks a bit stern here, but was apparently much-beloved by her students. Born in Muskoka, Mary taught for 50 years, beginning in 1899 and continuing until her retirement in 1948.

Gravenhurst's first schoolhouse was built in 1864. It was a one-room log building and its seventeen students sat on rough wooden planks.  The young women who taught in such schools were pioneers indeed.

Thomas Greavette

Thomas Greavette 16 x 20 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

Before joining DPW I had spent a good deal of time on portrait work. This is one such example. Thomas Greavette was an internationally-renowned builder of classic boats. His portrait is one of a group of eight that I painted from small, grainy, black and white archival photos. The paintings depict individuals who shaped the early history of Gravenhurst, which is the Muskoka town my husband and I moved to several years ago. I'm very proud to have these portraits permanently installed in the town hall.

James McCabe

James McCabe 20 x 16 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

This is a historical portrait now residing in the Town Hall of of Gravenhurst, where I now live. It is one of eight portraits that I painted using only small old black and white photos as my reference. James McCabe is believed to be the very first settler in what is now the Town of Gravenhurst,Muskoka, Ontario. For a time, in fact, the town was named McCabe's Landing.

Ragtime Man

Ragtime Man 30 x 24 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

This wonderfully-accomplished man lives in nearby Bala, Ontario, but he's internationally renowned as a Ragtime piano player. He was a delight to paint in his signature striped shirt and bow tie. Oh, and yes, his eyebrows really are that extroverted!

Vern

Vern 16 x 12 soft pastel on Canson paper  SOLD

This is a pastel piece done at a session of our local portrait group. We meet weekly for a couple of hours and work from a live model. I don't attend as often as I should, but it's wonderful exercise whenever I do.

Amber Eyes

Amber Eyes  10 x 8 soft pastel on Canson paper  SOLD

We are finally having some summer-like weather, and it's playing havoc with my daily painting resolution. To disguise my procrastinator's embarassment I'm posting this vibrant little pastel. It sold in one of my gallery shows.

Sisters

Sisters  10 x 10 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

A commissioned portrait of sisters that shows real personality.

Different Girl, Different Earring

Different Girl, Different Earring  10 x 8 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

Done for a fund-raiser, this was a bit of fun after Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring."

Charles Mickle Sr.

Charles Mickle Sr.  20 x 16 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

A commissioned oil portrait done from an old black and white photo. This distinguished gentleman was an ancestor of the client's family. A great face to paint.

Quiet Thoughts

Quiet Thoughts 11 x 14 soft pastel on Canson paper  NFS

This young girl is a favorite model -- a lovely young woman in every way. Normally in perpetual motion, it's rare to find her still. I did, however, manage to capture a photo of her in one such quiet moment. This pastel is the result, and it's a treasured part of my own collection.

Oh, Baby

Oh, Baby  (detail of 14 x 11 painting) oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

This is a detail of a portrait I was commissioned to do as a surprise gift.  Happily, it was received with enormous delight and a was great success all round. 

Jen

Jen 18 x 14 oil on stretched canvas  NFS

This is a portrait study of my niece, done as demonstration. Jen is now a grown woman, but this was based on a rather sweet photo of her when she was a young girl.