Mahlet Portrait

Mahlet
8" x 10"
Prismacolor Coloured Pencils
90lb Cream Stonehenge Paper
This portrait is a birthday commission. It was a lot of fun to do. I loved working on all the colours. The pose is a little different too, and that made it more fun to work on.

Mahlet Portrait

Mahlet is a beautiful young woman, as you can see. Click on the above link to see the Work in Progress (WIP).

Christmas Message

Christmas2008

Click above to see our Christmas day photos.

Our friend, Doyle Dykes, sent out his Christmas message this morning, and I thought I would share it with everyone. He is an amazing guitarist/musician and a devout Christian. He is also one heck of a nice guy. We are blessed to know him.

The Tirolese Family wishes You a
Very Merry Christmas
and a
Blessed New Year!

Rebecca Puso Coração

Rebecca Puso Coração
8" x 10"
Coloured Pencil on 90lb Stonehenge Art Paper

Last "Before Christmas" commissioned piece for this year (2008), this portrait is going to be a gift for the subject.

Because I felt a bit rushed on this one, I had a lot of trouble with it. It took several tries to get the subject to look like herself. I am glad I took the time to get it right. The client was very happy with the final portrait. He felt that I made her look younger, which is not a bad thing. It pleases me when the clients are happy.

I must let you know that when I delivered Missy (below) to the that client, she was THRILLED with it. Missy was a beloved family member for the client and is greatly missed. When the client saw the portrait she got all teary-eyed and started to weep. She really loved the portrait and thinks it is going to be well received by her husband (this is a Christmas gift for him).

I was pleased that I was able to offer something meaningful for their Christmas, and beyond.

Missy

Missy
8" x 10"
Coloured Pencil on 90lb Stonehenge Art Paper

Missy was a lot of fun to paint. She was a beautiful dog, from the photos the client sent me, and from what the client told me about her. This portrait is for the client's husband for Christmas.

I really enjoyed doing this portrait.

ArtScape Magazine

I just found out that there is a small profile on me in the current issue of ArtScape Magazine. ArtScape Magazine is a local arts magazine that lets people know what is going on around town and in the local area arts-wise.

If looking at the PDF of the current issue of the magazine, you will find the article on page 8. I would like to thank my friend, Linda Zimmerman, for making a jpg of the article for us.

I was aware that this article would eventually be printed, however, I did not realize it was intended for the December 2008 issue. If an old friend (that I have not heard from in 20 years) had not phoned me to say she saw the article and would like me to do a small portrait of her, I would not have known. Normally, I pick up an issue each month, but this month I have not left the house/studio much, and therefore, had not yet picked up a copy of ArtScape Magazine. I will have to make a point of getting my hands on a few actual hard copies to put away.

The latter part of 2008 has been good to me as an artist. I am not certain what the difference is, but suddenly people are hearing about my work. I feel honoured that people enjoy my work.

Now I must rush back to my drawing board. I am hoping to have a portrait completed by Tuesday.

Robert & Theresa Lewis
8" x 10"
Graphite & Carbon Pencil
80lb Strathmore Acid Free Paper
This was a composite portrait. Two different photos were used to create this portrait. The client wanted the couple in front of the waterfall. She also wanted to have the subjects' dates of birth and death on this portrait. The fleur de lys represents the name of the town they are from. This portrait is a Christmas gift for her boyfriend.

It has been a while since I have worked in graphite so this was a bit of a challenge. I had difficulty getting the Theresa's nose correct, and had to re-do it a few times.

All in all, I am pleased with the final result. The client was very pleased too and can hardly wait to give to her boyfriend. The subjects are his parents. I can barely wait to find out how he receives this gift.

Here are the original photos I worked from:

From Lewis Portrait

Quick Update

I am currently working on a black & white pencil portrait for a Christmas commission. I have yet to photograph it (have not done WIPs) so I have no photo to post. However, if luck, discipline, and a few uninterrupted hours, have it, it should be completed by this afternoon.

When creating art (or doing housework) I like to listen to audiobooks. It is a form of multitasking. It allows me to keep up on my reading while I work, and it makes housework less distasteful. When I work on art, I tend to ready lighter, fluffier, books so that I can concentrate on the art. I listen to heavier more intense books while doing housework so that the housework passes more quickly and I don't have to think about it too much. Our local library offers audiobooks online that can be downloaded for 14 days at a time. This is a excellent way to listen to a access a large variety of books. The library continually adds to their collection so there is always huge selection from which to choose.

Since starting this post I have answered the phone twice(had a relatively longish conversation with one of the callers), emptied the dishwasher and put the breakfast dished in it, started a load of laundry, called my son in sick to school (he came home not feeling well), and fed the birds, rabbit, and fish. Now, I am ready to sit down to work on the commission.

Frog Talk

My son has started a fun little video series called Frog Talk. He is doing this for fun. He is a creative 17 year-old who plays many instruments and loves to entertain people. I am not sure what started this little series. Frog Talk 3 is my favourite, so far, but I have not seen Frog Talk 4 yet (being uploaded as I post this). Each episode includes a bit of talking followed by a song.

Please take a look at these, and feel free to leave comments on YouTube. I will include a link for episode 3 here. You can see the other episodes by clicking on "More From: frogstalks" in the right hand menu section on YouTube.

Kestrel

8"x10"
Coloured Pencil on 90lb Stonehenge Paper
December 2008

This lovely kestrel was commissioned as a Christmas gift. This year I have received several Christmas commissions and I am just tickled pink with most of the subjects.

This was a fun piece to do.

It has been an eventful few weeks. I have picked up, altogether, seven Christmas commissions. I have three left to go. I am at my limit to get work done before Christmas, however, anyone wanting work done early in the new year are still welcome to contact me.

The art show at Williams has been taken down. There was a lot of positive response from this show. All in all, I would say it was the most successful show I have had to date.