The last set of painted ornaments on mini-canvases for the Christmas 2012 season. :) (These wee little paintings were completed and delivered after the sun had set - not the best conditions for the best photos.) Click on each image for a larger view.
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What started out as an exercise in mixing colors and pushing the brush around turned into a fun morning of painting! During my morning adult class, R. and I painted 3 'quick' acrylic paintings from a bouquet of sunflowers. Our eyes were not focused on the end result, but on the process of painting. So freeing! (This painting is actually a combination of paintings 2 & 3 - The first painting was still pretty tight.) If you depend on my blog posts to see the latest work, you might think I've been up to nothin'. BUT, it's actually been quite busy here in the studio! First, there was a house portrait done in pen & ink and watercolor. This was my client's childhood home. (We also had giclee prints made for his siblings.) It was like putting together a puzzle as I worked from 2 sets of photos - taken in the early 50's and the early 70's. It was pretty satisfying to see it all come together! Then I was on to an M48 tank done in acrylic on canvas. Mr. B. got this for Christmas from his children. He rode on this tank when stationed in Vietnam. In order to capture the details on the tank, the position of the figure and the surrounding landscape, I worked from a combination of several photos (Including some I took at Cantigny Park nearby.) Mixed in with those two commissions, I discovered mini 2"x2" canvases - which I turned into hand-painted ornaments. I painted about 50 during December! Under the Canopy, 5x7in., oil on board, $50. I find it comforting to be under the canopy of a tree as the sun breaks through... After 20+ years, I met up with my high school art teacher, Mr. Williams - Jim and I visited his studio/gallery in Door County, WI. Behind his inspiring studio, there is a gorgeous garden (planted and cultivated by his wife) and a forest stretching out back. This little painting was inspired by one of the photos I took on our walk in the woods. Visit Rob William's gallery online or in person! http://robwilliamsstudio.com/home When I entered Mr. William's art room my junior year of high school, I had my feet firmly planted in the math and science track. By graduation, I was heading off to college as an Art Major. Sweet n' Tart - Cherry, 8x10in., oil on canvas, $100. Thinking about Door County has got me thinkin' about cherries. Yum! Are you looking for a gift for a special garden lover? Do they have a favorite flower? Daisy? Rose? Tulip? Sunflower? Poppy? Cosmos? Iris? Black-eyed Susan? ... Browse the floral section and/or consider a commissioned painting including his or her favorite. The Lifter of My Head II, 30"x30", acrylic on wrapped canvas I keep noticing flowers with their heads turned down. I have wondered why - why is such beauty being hidden? On one of my 'treasure hunts' around the yard, I captured this little Springtime beauty (a Columbine). The warm lighting and the exquisite lines and shapes in the petals revealed a bit of glory right there in our side yard! But - why the downward pose? This verse from the Bible came to mind: "But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." (found in Psalm 3:3) "The lifter of my head" ... Ahhh ... I then saw the flower face down as a person - in grief, despair, or shame (symbolized by the rainy sky). But the scene is far from hopeless! From above, the bloom is cast in the warm light of God's presence and affection. At the same time, he is coming around underneath, gently touching and lifting the downcast 'chin'. The head is lifting and hope is being restored (symbolized by the highlighted circles and their upward movement).
Scruffy, 8"x10", acrylic on wrapped canvas. Consider a commissioned painting as a special gift for the animal lover on your list. This portrait of 'Scuffy' was a Christmas gift for 'Nana' and 'Papa' - in honor of a beloved family pet. The paintings shown here range in size: from a 5"x7" up to about 20"x30". I get excited about giving gifts! ESPECIALLY when I feel like it's 'just right' for the recipient! Last fall, Katie contacted me because she wanted to give her parents a special gift. She gathered her siblings and together, they went in on a pen & ink and watercolor portrait of her family home. I'm now working on a portrait of L.'s boyhood home. When it is finished, scanned, and color corrected, I will be getting quality giclee prints made for his siblings. Shhh... If this gives you any ideas - contact me! Click here to see more examples of the house portraits I've done in the past. This painting is about adoring and honoring the God of all creation -
and discovering the incredible truth that He adores and cherishes us! The kids and I talked about leaves falling, drifting, twirling and blowing with a gust of wind. They each choose a description and put their leaves in motion!
On black construction paper, step-by-step: After choosing and drawing a single leaf, each student created their own stencil by cutting the leaf out and tracing it to create an interesting composition. They were encouraged to overlap, turn the leaves in different directions, and let a leaf or two go off the page. Keeping the tip of the glue bottle on the paper, the compositions were outlined with glue (Crayola washable school glue dries nice and clear - leaving a black outline.). The glue was allowed to dry (overnight at least) before we went in with oil pastels, mixing and blending 'neighbors' on the color wheel. Our final step included looking for ways to include light and dark values. Enjoy! |
Dawn Eaton
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