child portrait Archives

Little Girl’s Portrait

Mastic

Little Girl 02

For this little girl’s portrait, I reserve the white areas using mastic resist before I begin painting. This allows me to relax more while I paint. The use of mastic creates a more enjoyable way for me to be able to relax and enjoy the process of painting. There are artists that look down on anyone using this tool and they feel that this should be illegal at the professional level. But, I disagree. If you don’t like my use of mastic resist in watercolor paintings then don’t buy them. That is how I feel.
A really light wash was applied to her facial features after the sketch was done.

Background & Shadows

Little Girl 03

Backgrounds are important to me because they show me where the light origin is. Finally, I get to jump into these colors. After a background is painted I am able to clearly see if my image is drawn correctly. If it is not drawn right it will really show at this stage. Does the outline look right?

Then I apply colors in layers usually looking for the darkest areas to lay in the brightest colors into first. Placing dark shadows shows me the shape more and more.

Tracing Lost Art

Tracing Lost Art. In October 2007 these paintings were donated to “Holy Family Hospital” and placed in their Shamrock Gala auction, “Don’t Rush a Good Thing I304”, “Seven Horse Spirits K404”, and “Koolau’s Haiku K504”.

The mystery of where the 3 missing paintings ended up afterward begins after they are placed in Holy Family Hospital’s initial “Shamrock Gala” fundraiser auction. The event was held at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane WA in March of 2008. A beautiful affair that I was graciously given a ticket to attend. Tuxedos and formal dinner attire were required for a sit-down meal with table centerpieces that had tree branches painted gold, foliage, and tubular lights intertwined. I have a souvenir wine glass from the event pictured below, “Latah Creek” and “Shamrock Gala” on it. Here is a link to more information about the event that was rec’d later.

Two paintings, “Don’t Rush a Good Thing I304 and Seven Horse Spirits K404” were not sold at the auction and I don’t know what became of them. Contacting the hospital to request information about their outcomes has not been successful in locating them so far.

One of the paintings did find a home, “Koolau’s Haiku K504” was purchased during the course of this auction by a sweet couple who I was able to meet afterward. I recall that they live somewhere here in Spokane WA but I regret that I never did think to get their names or contact information when I was introduced to them.

I would like to be able to locate these missing children (lost oil paintings) from the beginning time period of my oil rub-outs career so I can complete the information for my records. I wouldn’t mind seeing them again also. Please feel free to contact me with any suggestions you may have to help locate them.

Louis Maestas Seminar

After the Louis Maestas seminar weekend in 2004, I felt totally inspired and no longer afraid of using oil paints in my studio. Lou had told me that he could see that I already had what it takes, and I should use my talents now. He suggested some next steps take and advised that I “just start doing large oils”. My husband was inspired too by meeting him and seeing his beautiful work, so he went into action building self-framing large board canvases to paint on. I textured the first canvas’ right away and began painting from the heart.

There was a total of 4 really large ones that I did immediately after the weekend spent learning with Louis Maestas. One of these large northwest landscape oils was entitled, “Horseshoe Lake Boat Reflections L604“. It was sold to a local collector so my records are complete and I know its present-day location.

Lakeside boats casting reflections on the water in a northwest shoreline. — Sixth rub-out oil painting done.

My small studio became very busy and full of drying oils as I went on the road applying at and touring art galleries, and setting up my art at events.