Metamorphosis

Christmas Swap Treasures

Just a FEW of my beautiful Christmas Swap treasures I have received!  Aren't I lucky?!!! ~Lou

What a Difference a Day Makes!

Last night we became great-grandparents of a beautiful baby girl, Lenna Faith.  Our grandson, Greg, was really our fourth child, as he lived with us until school age. It was a rough delivery, so I'm very thankful today that mom 'Laura'and baby okay.  Our daughter sooooo thrilled...but a young gramma!

The older I get, the more I believe in synchronicity- my Mom's name was Laura, and there is a 'Lou Ella' in their family (my first name.) Lenna stands for Lou Ella and Donna, her deceased Mom's name.  It is also my SIL name and tons of other 'coincidents' with the two families.

On a humorous note, our youngest son was in the crowd this morning on the Today show- standing next to 'Lenny',if you are a regular watcher.  Scott was there on business and saw all the sights.

And....THE BROWNS BEAT PITTSBURG!!!!!!!!    ~Lou

 

 

 

My Beautiful Stocking made by Angela

I was in a stocking swap for Xmas and had mine hand delivered by Angela Hoffmann this last weekend.  I can't open the pressies until December 12th and there after, but was thrilled with my hand-made quilted stocking!!!!!~Lou

STRUCK WITH AWE

 I Just returned from a fabulous 'girl' trip to Columbus, Ohio where I enjoyed art, laughs, hugs and great hospitality.  Here we are in front of the European Papers store where we all stocked up on our favorite things....(I feel a Xmas song coming on!!!!). Back left to right: Me, Sue T., Brenda D., Kathy Mc.,Andi H., Christy G.,Joanne H.and Darlene R.  Front: Kari H-Mc., Beth B. and Jan B.

Family Tree Done, for Now

I'm done for now-will set it on an easel and look at it for a few days before spraying with protective laquer.  It consists of Goldens acrylics (liquid and heavy) as well as Noh-I-Noor woodless pencils.  Thanks for all your great comments! ~Lou

 

It's Coming Along...

The painting is coming along and I am becoming attached to these people.  I listen to classical music and think of their lives- the lower left man is a Civil War soldier back after the war and is finally starting a family.  His wife is worried about the baby- so frail.  The middle row woman wants a baby, but so far her husband doesn't want any.  The back row couple are an earlier generation,and did not live very long- the plague, you know.

I took too much cough medicine last night, I think!

Am building up with acrylics, trying to find the faces now.

 

Deeper Colors and Mixed Media

I am building up more colors and values- trying to have a balance in darks and lights. 
My idea is to have the figures more faded towards the top and stronger by the lower right figure.  This woman, who will hold a baby, is my center of interest.  I am getting a bit muddy in my colors.  I break out my watercolor pencils to define some areas and colors.  Mixed media it is or am I trying to find a 'crutch' to use?  I also used a bamboo scraper to add white lines. ~Lou

Original Inspiration and More Layers

Original vintage photo for inspiration-thought you might like to see it. I changed the people in my painting and added a baby in the lower woman's arms, as I needed an odd number of figures.  Also ditched the umbrella and will add a lot of trees and branches for my theme. These figures speak to me while I'm painting. Yikes!~Lou

Step Two-Transparent Build Up

STEP TWO:  I have started to build up transparent layers, by doing thin washes of Goldens acrylic colors, starting from Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, Nickel Azo-to Anthraquinone Blue. I was paying attention to the angles of their shoulders, shadows and values.  To see all the values, I turned the painting in every direction.  I also sprayed frequently with water and scrubbed some areas with a blending stick.  The gesso is revealed in areas I want for highlights.  There are also some faint trees along the edges, that don't show in the scans. Stay tuned for step three! ~Lou

  

Step Two-Transparent Build Up

STEP TWO:  I have started to build up transparent layers, by doing thin washes of Goldens acrylic colors, starting from Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, Nickel Azo-to Anthraquinone Blue. I was paying attention to the angles of their shoulders, shadows and values.  To see all the values, I turned the painting in every direction.  I also sprayed frequently with water and scrubbed some areas with a blending stick.  The gesso is revealed in areas I want for highlights.  There are also some faint trees along the edges, that don't show in the scans. Stay tuned for step three! ~Lou

  

Back to Painting- See Progress ..or Maybe Not

I have been influenced in the last few weeks by two sources- an article in the current Somerset Studio by Lisa Bebi  and a local watercolor demonstration I saw by Linda Hutchinson.  I started out as a watercolorist in art and have been missing the immediacy and freedom it brings.  Lisa's article shows a basic style that I love- just basic whites and sepias to start a project.  Yesterday I went to a 'free' (what a concept!) workshop at our library by Linda Hutchinson and it stirred up my watercolor needs.  She has a very loose style and builds up her paintings by turning them sideways, upside down-whatever it takes!  So this sketch here (showing two parts of same painting) is the beginning of an acrylic painting I am doing and I will show you the steps I am going through to complete it.  It is on a 12x16 inch canvas panel that is pre-primed for acrylic use.  Because I am scanning this, you will see just portions of the piece, but I will post the entire painting when I'm through.

Step 1:  I sketched the basic figures with a brown watercolor pencil, using an old photograph as a basic idea. In sketching, I particularly noted the angles of the figures as well as what would be my center of interest. Next I watered down some white gesso, and with a large flat brush, covered the entire surface.  This blurs the penciling, which is what I want.  Stayed tuned for step two! ~Lou