Day #3 -- Pig Smack

This is my first official day of retirement--so I was able to spend the entire day in the studio, painting.  First I did my daily painting--that makes #3 in the 30/30 challenge.  This is an 8 x 10, acrylics, painted on the edges.  

Next, I did a study piece for a commission that involves 2 large paintings depicting the archangel Michael slaying the 7 headed dragon.  It's been awhile since I painted any type of dragon, and I've never tried to paint anything from the Bible--so it's quite a challenge. The client wants the dragon on one canvas and Michael on the other, which will be another challenge for me because I need the two pieces to work together. This study is very rough--no details on the dragon other than base color and shape, placement of eyes, etc.  The background I borrowed from Raphael's painting although I'll be adding my own little spin to it in the final piece.  If you're familiar with the story of Michael and the dragon, the dragon has 7 heads, 10 horns and 3 crowns--and is red.  Each head represents one of the seven deadly sins.  I decided not to make each head different--but the client may decide later  that's what she wants.

So, that's it for me! Check back tomorrow for the next daily piece and maybe an update on the commission. 

30 in 30 - Day #2 (for me, that is)

This is Day #2 for me in the 30/30 challenge.  This is a small painting, 4 x 5, in acrylics.  I've got another painting on the easel right now--I am hoping to catch up with the rest of the group, who are on Day #6.  But even if I don't catch up, I'll still try to complete 30 paintings in 30 days.  It's a great way to loosen up and zero in on the important details.  This one is available on my website, www.stephanieallison.com. 

30 Paintings in 30 Days--Oh My!

Well, that's the plan anyway. I signed up to participate in a new year's project started by Leslie Saeta.  The goal is to paint one painting a day for thirty days.  I've tried similar projects before and didn't get very far, but now that I'm no longer employed (my choice), I'm going to get back into the studio full time, and this seems like a good way to get started. 

Besides the daily painting, I have started work on a big commission:  2 large panels depicting Michael the archangel slaying the 7-headed dragon from the Book of Revelation.  This is quite a challenge for me--I'm excited about it, but also a little intimidated--it's been quite awhile since I painted LARGE and even longer since I created any dragons!  I'm working on a study of the dragon right now--will post photos when I get a little further along on it.

The other project is for a book, "Pawsome Patriots."  I will be painting images of service men/women and their pets.  I'll post more details later, so check back, especially if you or someone you know would like to be included in the book.

Here's another small painting I completed this week:  it's called "Lucretia's Snake." This little girl's family ran a small zoo near Puerto Vallarta, and I couldn't resist photographing her.  I've had the photograph in my desk for years, knowing I would paint it one day--and I finally did it!  So...that's all for now folks!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Moving Forward....

2012 is coming to an end and it has been a wonderful, productive year for me and I am very grateful. I've had the opportunity to paint some beautiful people and furbabies, and I sincerely appreciate getting to "know" the subjects of those paintings.  I made some folks cry, which I guess means I did a good job of capturing their loved ones on canvas.  And now, a new year is rapidly approaching and I am so excited!  I have decided to quit my part-time job and get back to painting and writing full time. I still have a nearly-finished novel simmering in a desk drawer, and all kinds of idea snippets tucked in various places.  I have one major art project in the works--I'll be posting more info about that as I develop it.  So here are the Christmas commissions I have been working on since before Thanksgiving, and I'm happy to say that I finished them all on time--although a couple of them were still wet when delivered! 
     The one at the top of the page is "Emma" -- a 4 x 5 mini painting.   Next left,  is a group of 4 dogs, I call "The Pack."  Then there's "Harley" on the right here, and "Puppy Mask" below left.  And finally, I did a large portrait I'm calling "Anna's Family." 

I loved painting all of these. Some are in acrylics, some in oil, and a couple are a combination of the two. I worked from several photographs which really helped, as did the little stories my clients provided.  I hope the folks receiving these paintings are not disappointed!

I'm hoping I can update this blog more often, now that I'll be home full time, and maybe share some "in process" photographs as well.  So....

Have a blessed and Happy New Year!

Full Speed Ahead--Commissions & the Holidays

Wow, the month of October literally FLEW past for me--I've been busy, busy, busy with commissions and jewelry and trying to squeeze in a few moments for "playing" in the studio.  But I'm nearing crunch time, so I think the playing is going to have to take a back seat for awhile. I have several commissioned portraits in the works and only a week left till Trims & Whims to finish up the jewelry I've been working on.  Yikes!  But I've discovered over the years that I seem to do my best work under pressure--and a deadline!  Reminds me of my college days, when I'd wait until the night before a major paper was due to start writing it.  Guess I enjoy living dangerously!

Back in October, I posted a work-in-progress of 2 beautiful dogs: Prescott and Fallon.  I thought it might be cool to show the progress of this painting.  Here is the initial stage (left) where I just blocked in the shapes and colors on the canvas.
And on the right is the current stage.  I've added in some eye detail, worked on refining the coat on the retriever, and worked in some color on the background.  When I paint, I like to move all over the canvas. It helps tie everything together, plus keeps me from focusing too much on one spot, which can create problems. In the next stage, I will finish up the eyes on both dogs, continue to refine their coats, and finally finish off the background.  I'll post the completed painting next time! 

A couple of weeks ago, I finished the portrait of Kirby(left) for Kitty Key.   This was a birthday gift for her sister. I hope she liked it!

Well, that's it for now. I'll post photos of my new jewelry creations as soon as I can--and of course, the works in progress. I have 2 "people" portraits I'm working on and several more pet portraits coming up.  I love it!!

Gearing Up for the Holidays!

I can't believe it's October already!  Where did the summer go?  The cooler temps here have driven home the fact that summer is gone and the holidays are fast approaching.  With that in mind, things have shifted into high gear at Wit's End Studio.  I am working on several commissions simultaneously.  The one on the left is a work in progress, as is the one on the right.  On the right are Prescott and Fallon (love the names!!) and to the left is Kirby.  Still lots of work to do on both of these portraits, but I think it's interesting for other artists and non-artists as well to see how the process goes.  Both of these are just the first pass on the canvas, to block in the shapes and get a little color going and they are both in oils.  I know some artists draw first in charcoal or pencil and get everything laid out before they ever touch the canvas with paint.  I like to be more spontaneous--I just dive right in and adjust as I go along.  I think it gives the work a fresh feel.

 

The piece on the left here is one I started for fun--it began as a pallet knife painting, but I didn't like it so I switched back to brushes, and then I got busy with other things, so it's been sitting for awhile.  I look at it every now and then and each time I see adjustments that need to be made.  The horses need shaping--a couple of them look a little weird, but then they are wild horses!  Once I get the commissions finished, I'll get back to this one....

AND, it's nearly time for Shelbyville's Trims and Whims 2-day event, so I'll be working on some new jewelry pieces in the coming weeks as well, so keep a look-out for those!

 

Finally, my little "I'm Adopted" poster will be available online or at the Shelby Artists on Main Gallery, starting Monday October 8.  Stop by the gallery  or email me if you'd like to purchase one of these. They are signed and numbered and, because October is Adopt a Shelter Dog month, 25% of the purchase price will be donated to one of the 6 Shelbyville animal shelters/rescues of your choice.  Makes a nice Christmas gift and helps our local shelters as well!

 

Sometimes, You Just Need a Break

Well, it's been quite a while since I posted on here last. I guess I needed a break. After our beautiful Great Dane, Max, died back in August I had some difficulty getting back to painting--especially animals. But I got to thinking about it, and realized the best way to honor him would be to get involved again in animal rescue--and paint.  So that's what I'm doing, and I have several new projects in the works.  The painting on the left is one I started (I hate to say this) a couple of years ago. I don't know why I couldn't finish it, but I have--finally. I also have several new commissions in various stages of completion--pet portraits-- and one very interesting project which will definitely test my imagination as well as my painting skills!  Curious?  Well, you'll have to wait. I need to finish the pet portraits first, and then I'll start "the big one" and post progress reports!  I'm excited about it--and here's a hint:  it involves a dragon!  Stay tuned!