Another Portrait

Day 24 - I taught an art class at a local nursing home yesterday. It's a joyous time for me and for the residents who attend. There is no pressure, and we always do something easy and fun, so everyone can enjoy the process. So I did "work" on art yesterday, but have nothing to post. Today I invited a model to come and sit for me. This painting (obviously) is not done yet, but I got far enough along that I felt I could pass it off as today's work. I haven't been doing as many portraits lately. I always enjoy the practice!

Kaylee

12" x 16"

See more at

http://www.kathleeneatonart.com

Challenge - Day 7

I made it through the first week! Well, almost... this painting isn't quite finished, but as you can see, I did make a strong effort today. This is one of the models I've enjoyed the pleasure of painting in a number of my works. I treasure our time together ... it won't be long before she'll move on to a new life in marriage. I'm blessed to know her and her family! And so thankful for the practice of painting from life.

Forever Hopeful

This painting was done as a practice in "limited palette" work, meaning I limited the number of colors used to create it. I've painted several works from this same spot, and every one becomes my new favorite. I remain forever hopeful that all the hard work is worth it.

 

See details about this, and more of my work at http://www.kathleeneatonart.com.

Be Not Afraid

This is my most recent painting in a series of Angels. There is a story behind it if you care to read further. If you are interested in this original painting, or a print of this image, please contact me at kathleen@kathleeneatonart.com. Thank you for looking!

 

Be Not Afraid

36" x 24"

www.kathleeneatonart.com

I started out this year full of good, artistic intentions. Nothing was going to get in the way. I joined some online art marketing sites and purchased books to inspire my growth as an artist. But I wasn't “myself.” My asthma had gotten worse, and I was susceptible to viruses and infections. I didn't feel like working, and, if you are an artist, you know that it takes focused attention, and some physical labor, for your work to be successful.

I'm sharing this, not for sympathy, but to raise awareness and maybe help even one person who might be similarly afflicted. For the past two or so years I've struggled with a variety of ailments. It started with a tooth infection. After two root canals and multiple antibiotics, I asked my dentist to pull the tooth. It wasn't his fault my roots are so long that they almost reach to my brain. (That's a joke, but it did take two hours to remove the tooth.) Healing was slow, but I thought I would finally start to feel better.

I continued to have a variety of issues like sinus infections, sore joints, tiredness, and low-grade fevers. I was starting to wonder if I had cancer, lupus, fibromyalgia, or whatever. Well-meaning friends and family told me to stop working in oil paints. I wasn't as productive as I had been in the past, but I didn't believe that the paint was the issue. I have an industrial, barrel air cleaner going constantly in my studio, whether or not I'm painting, and it keeps the air very clean. I take vitamins and probiotics, exercise (probably not enough), and eat fairly healthy, avoiding fast food and limiting alcohol.

Recently I saw an allergy specialist because my asthma continued through the winter when, in the past, I've only had a seasonal form of it brought on by molds and some pollens. She told me I likely have an overgrowth of yeast ("candidiasis") in my system due to the antibiotics I had taken, which could bring on all of the symptoms I was experiencing. Plus, being allergic to molds, I was probably having an allergic reaction to the yeast in my body.

The solution? Avoid sugar, alcohol, vinegar, aged cheeses, breads made with yeast, mushrooms, dried fruit, etc… basically anything that is made with a fermented process, or promotes the growth of yeast. It isn't easy, but I'm trying, and I'm starting to get my energy back. Even though I thought I was doing everything right, I had to take it a step further. It's not easy to avoid all the things that make yeast flourish in the body, but I'm doing the best I can. There are medications that can be taken to speed up the process, but there is nothing like good old-fashioned, conscientious avoidance of what makes you ill.

Of course, my body had other ideas about this new-found health. My gallbladder, which was already known to be somewhat faulty, decided it didn't like my new, healthy regime. So on top of all the other things that I've cut out of my diet, I also removed red meat and fats. I'm not avoiding fats altogether, but cut way back. And, to my surprise, my gallbladder pain is starting to get better too!

If you are reading this, and suffering from similar issues, I encourage you to try modifying your diet. It won't be an overnight cure, but your body didn't get that way overnight either. I read that it can take 3-6 months to reverse the overgrowth of yeast in your system. On the positive side, I've lost weight and am feeling better. I'm back on track and more productive than ever! I have 5-6 paintings in the works at this time, and several more that were recently finished. I've been surrounding myself with angels!

Painting People Outdoors

I'm finally catching up on some "house keeping" regarding the many paintings I've done in recent months. This one caught my attention after not looking at it for a while, and I thought I would give my thoughts on the art of painting people outdoors.

This young lady was kind enough to model for a few of us during an outdoor painting session with friends. I don't do as much painting from life outdoors as I do in a studio, but certain things about this painting made me want to analyze it more.

This was a quick study done in about 2 hours, so it doesn't have the refinement of my commissioned portraits. As I recall, it was early August, and the late morning sun was beating down on the small shelter we shared in a park. Green grass, trees, and other vegetation surrounded us.

I must have been "in the zone" while I painted, as my colors in the skin tones are much more pronounced, vibrant, and reflective of outside sources than usual. In the photo below I point out specifics.

1. Note the blue reflection on one side of her face. I would say that this is reflected light from the sky, but the darker color at the top of her forehead (5) is likely the result of shade from the shelter that we were under. This leads me to believe that the blue reflections are coming from the sun shining off a light gray-blue roof that was on a building not too far away.

2 & 3. Her youthful glow reflected the many greens that were prevelant in the area we were in. Because we were sheltered, and the light was diffused, I attribute this to the strong summer sun all around us that didn't hit directly, but instead provided soft, colorful shades to appear.

4. Although she wasn't wearing light colors, there is still a reflected light that appears on her neck. That is probably from the roof reflection as well, but could be from the cement base of the shelter. I see that I captured some of the stronger reds directly under her chin and on her left cheek. I would like to think that this is part of the beauty that comes with youth, but it may be a combination of the sun penetrating her translucent skin, or the warmth of the day.

Because this was a group setting, it's not as easy to "set-up" a model to your exact needs or desires, but this was a good practice in painting from life en plein air. I hope to be able to paint Katie again in a more planned pose and clothing. She was a great model!

The combination of warm and cool colors on her face is quite fascinating to me. Here is a link to a site of Daniel Gerhartz, an artist that I admire, and who is a master at painting the figure outdoors:

http://www.danielgerhartz.com/Artist.asp?ArtistID=36476&Akey=HTDFQTVK

He recently launched a new video, The Beginning of Autumn, in which he speaks extensively to the joys and difficulties of painting a figure outdoors.

And finally, here is another link to an artist, Daniel Maidman, who's blog post here tells more about the process of painting outdoors:  http://danielmaidman.blogspot.com/2013/09/daylight-on-skin-filtered-through.html

Thank you for visiting!

Joyful Little Dancers

This group of tiny dancers at Susan Bunting's First Street Academy was just too adorable... How can you not feel their joy?

I Hope You Dance...

This is another in my "dance series" of paintings. Although I took a number of "staged" photos, some of the candids were fun and relaxed, and I couldn't wait to try my hand at this one. This exercise is giving me a lot of valued experience with difference sizes, shapes, poses, and skin colors of the various dancers. I'm putting together a retrospective from this series called "I Hope You Dance," to be introduced at Art for All in Menominee, MI on June 28.

An amazing opportunity!

I am honored to have recently been permitted a portrait sitting with Congressman Bart Stupak. I have run across many instances of artists who have taken the liberty of painting a well-known person's portrait without permission and I have mixed emotions about this. Although in my early years of portrait study, my naivetée beckoned me to paint anyone and anything just to get the practice, I have become much more aware of the personal nature of painting someone's likeness. I now believe it is important and necessary to get their permission before doing it.

Which brings me to today's painting. This is not about politics. Mr. Stupak represents my area of Michigan, and I have had several opportunities to meet him in person. He was genuinely interested in my work as an artist. At one point I suggested that perhaps some day he would allow me the honor of painting his portrait, explaining that I still consider myself to be in the learning stages. He was extremely gracious, and generous with his time. I am now in the process of painting a full-body corporate portrait of him as a result of our initial sitting. This vignette was painted alla-prima as a study for the larger painting. To be permitted to paint a portrait of a well-known senior congressman is about the most exciting thing that has happened to me as an artist. Thank you, Mr. Stupak!

Happy New Year!

Resolutions are a funny thing... as determined as one might be to make and keep meaningful resolutions, life sometimes gets in the way of the best intentions. Now that I am back on track, I'm looking forward to a year of growth as an artist, and as a person. It is, after all, only January 12. I have a full year of exciting paintings to get done!

This is Hanna. She is a sweet, gentle purebred Springer Spaniel who was rescused from the local animal shelter a few years ago. Recent paintings might lead you to believe that I'm focusing on pet portraits. Although I do enjoy painting pets, I actually have a number of "people portraits" in the works that I'm looking forward to sharing with you. I look forward to your feedback...

Family Memories

This was done at the request of a dear lady who admired a previous painting I had done. She wanted a keepsake of her happy memory with her parents. I hesitated at first since it was being done from an older photograph, but was honored that she appreciated my work. Mona is a loving person with strength and courage. I hope I captured her spirit in this painting!