Ballet Recital

8x16 Acrylic on Canvas

I painted this of my beautiful niece last night at Wine and Paint With Carole Foret. I had a wonderful time and met some fun ladies! Some of whom I hope were encouraged to begin painting! The image I used for this painting is from my niece's ballet recital in Beijing last year. The yellow was a challenge for me - especially since I only brought yellow cad light (lemony color). I had to mix some darker yellows for the darks in the costume - but I like how the red looks and I think it helps the background. I still need to finish her hands, but that will have to wait until next week! This is my last post until Monday! Off to NOLA!

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