Thursday, January 1, 2009

DSDF week 16-18 Portraits

"DSDF Portrait of Us Different Folks with Different Strokes" 8x10 oils
She's done! My humble portrait of the artist assigned to me by Karin Jurick for our end of the year challenge. When I received the email from Karin, she said "Just have fun with it". So I decided to go with my more
playful cubist style. I do really enjoy painting in this style because it's so unpredictable and always playful. She reminds me of Virginia Madsen, I wish I knew who she was. I've sleuthed aroun d the regulars but I failed lol This design reminds me of a happy beginning. As if she's telling the bluebird, "Change is upon us and it's going to be good!" Ok, maybe that's the oil medium speaking lol Please che ck out the wonderful display of varied talents in the DSDF blog! I've also added Janice Warriner's photo that she submitted to Karin which inspired my piece.

Here is one of my bigger cubism painting I've done. It's "Red Moon Over Bella Vista" 4'x5' acrylics. Based on the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel which is pretty much the touring spot in our little own. In the summer of 2005 we enjoyed a 2-week display of a red moon. It truly mesmerized me and I wanted to capture it but I was in the middle of wanting to paint the biggest canvas I've ever attempted, so this is what I ended up painting. I've sold a ton of prints on it but I still have the painting. The gallery asked to display it around Halloween and I keep telling them it's not a Halloween painting :p It's also a job and half to transport it, I always have to ask my friend Linda please give my painting a ride. And Miss Linda is always so accommodating, I hope she never sells her cute white pickup truck. She brought us some cheese wafers for Christmas which is what I blame for the 5 lbs I gained. heehee


30 comments:

  1. I really like all those bright bueatiful color! And I especially like that "Red Moon Over Bella Vista." That is really a cool picture! Hope this new year is better.

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  2. Oh Erika, this portrait is my favorite of all the submission, I wished I would of had you paint me.
    I scream JOY, HOPE, PEACE and HARMONY and this little birdie is telling I can do anything because I'm special.
    Just beautiful.
    Your big one is also fabulous you should do more in this style. You have such a talent. How bid is that one ?

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  3. I adore this unique rendition of your artist's portrait. It reminds me of those carefree 50's style travelogue illustrations that were of happier and more carefree time.

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  4. Your portrait came out quite charming, Erica. I love the whimsical quality it has and the beautiful colors.

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  5. What a cheerful painting; perfect for the new year! I love the colors! Is she actually holding a bird in her photo? Excellent work, as always!

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  6. I also love your Red Moon Over Bella Vista - looks glorious!

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  7. Thanks Tigglizzyclone! Well let's give this New Year our best to make things better!

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  8. Dominique you humble me - those are some very impressive portraits on the blog including yours! I'm sure your partner will depict you beautifully!

    I am so pleased that the painting turned out so cheerful. Everybody needs a cheerful beginning huh? If my passion was easier to tame I'd paint in one style only. But I tend to get bored so I need to amuse myself to keep painting - or else I explode from my desire to paint!!!

    Thanks again so much. The lower piece is about 4 foot by 5 foot before framed.

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  9. Welcome to my blog Sheila! I'm glad you like this rendition. Wow I'll have to research those kind of art you speak of. I find looking back to past art is perfectly healthy.

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  10. Thanks Edward! I appreciate your thoughts. This piece is very pleasant to look at if you don't mind me agreeing with you. Even though it's a portrait of someone, it's a piece I don't mind hanging on my wall.

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  11. Thanks Akiko, what a relief to finish it and to come up with something positive and happy - we could all use such a message to get us started off right. No, she wasn't holding a bird lol I think her photo might be from a cell phone so it's mainly upper arm up. Thank you my dear x

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  12. A double thumbs up, I'll take it Edward! Thanks!

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  13. Erika, this is the 3d time that I am trying to post??? What I previously tried to say was...Very bold use of colour which belie the smaller actual size of this painting. A happy message that has been very skillfully painted. Have you had any posting issues?

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  14. WOW! Mayhaps I won't post mine!

    jeez, the pressure is on. And, I, too luve the red moon. That is one of the BEST...cancel that...THE BEST painting I have seen of all the hundreds of milquetoast paintings of the chapel!

    You rock!
    luvs ya, Red

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  15. What wonderful positive things Vern thanks so much! No, actually I personally haven't had and problems posting, but I've had readers tell me their posts never showed up. I wonder what causes that. THANKS so much for continuing to try, I love reading reactions or input!

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  16. Silly Wed Wabbit c'mon show us the beautiful portrait already! You got started before I did!!!!!!

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  17. I love it!! Thank you so much for painting me: I'm honored!

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  18. Hi Janice! And the feeling is mutual! I will email you in a bit!

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  19. Hi Erika, thank you so much for your high praise of my portrait of Karin - I love the way you phrased it, thank you. Your portrait of Sandy and Domingo is wonderful!

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  20. Edward I look forward to see art that feeds me and the portrait you did was good food for my soul!

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  21. Erika, you are a busy girl! Your work is so varied, so colorful, so heartfelt. I especially like the stacked teacups and roses.

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  22. Deb thanks, I appreciate you browsing around and thoughtfully commenting!

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  23. Hi Carol thanks so much I appreciate it!

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  24. I love the twist you put on your render, Erika...great color, great idea and I love the shapes!!!

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  25. I keep coming keep back to your painting, Erica. I love the expression on the girl's face and the little blue bird. Very well done......you should be proud!

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  26. Thanks Theresa it was a fun project I hope you thought so too!

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  27. Thanks so much Carol! When I saw her photo, it seems like her expression had a message. So I thought I should put some extra elements and interpret how the photo made me feel :)

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  28. Hi Erika, Love the portrait you did. The colors are great and adding the bird is wonderful. I was away for all of December so missed out on doing the portrait challenge. I had really wanted to do that. Darn. And, re my "Heaven is a '57" watercolor....Yes.....that's '57 Chevy Bel Air. Belongs to a friend of mine. My family had one also, back in the day. Ours was a turquoise convertible...really fun!

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Thank you for taking the time to comment ~Erika