Haunting Face of Need

Watercolor 20x24

If you haven't noticed, I haven't been able to paint this week! It has really stressed me out! But, it has been for a good reason. I have been getting myself ready (and my family ready for me to be gone) to go to a painting workshop out of town this weekend with two of my closest friends! We are going to Jackson, TN to Art on a Hot Tin Roof to attend a workshop led by Carole Foret and her sister Claire Kayser. I am very excited! It will be the first painting workshop I have attended. I am hoping to come home inspired and full of ideas!

This watercolor is one I did years ago. This woman was in a magazine with an article about the poverty in her area. Her face really haunted me, so I painted it, several times. There are thousands more like her out there that we turn a blind eye to everyday.

My Princess Ballerina #2

Acrylic 12x12 on Canvas Paper

My precious daughter took her first ballet class this summer - it was called "Princess Ballerina Camp". She LOVED it. A friend of mine captured a photo of her while she was in class and I have been working on painting it. I have finished all but her head - I just can't seem to make it look like her! The photo is a bit fuzzy. So, yesterday, after the 3 year old's birthday party and in the middle of clean up and laundry, I did this study of her head. I am hoping it will help me capture it much smaller on the full length I am working on! I am going to work on it today. Hopefully I can post it tomorrow!

The quick drying time of acrylics is a blessing and a curse - keeps works relatively safe from little fingers, but dries too quickly when I am easily distracted by the day to day. I can see every interruption in this one!

My quote for the week:
"You must be able to create in the middle of things, or else you will not create. You must learn to take whatever practical and psychological actions are necessary to combat the anticreating forces that surround you and live within you."
Eric Maisel from his book Coaching the Artist Within