Friday, June 28, 2013

A Wee Bit of Progress on my Mermaid by a Cathedral Painting...



I'm moving along a bit with my mermaid by a cathedral painting.  Next is her hair and then I think I'll put some glazing on over her to make her look a bit more like she's underwater.  I like where she is right now, but I want to try and see if a bit more atmosphere will be better.  We'll see, I'm definitely scanning her in before I do the glazing though!


I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

A Renoir Inspired Original Angel Painting, a Gothic Mermaid Art Print, and more Prints!



My featured print auction for the week is on ebay here.  It is titled "Blending" and is of a blue and purple mermaid.  I also have additional art prints here.  They're all based on my original paintings with a largely fantasy theme and are starting today and ending next Tuesday.

They are "Freeborn" an abstract unicorn, "Hallofaerie" a fae goddess, "Heart on the Horizon" an image of hope, "In This Moment" another abstract unicorn, "Seven" a blue angel with big brown eyes, "Soft Dream" a purple rose,  "Sylph of Violet" a blue and purple goth fairy, "Windswept" an abstract angel standing strong against the wind, and "Winter Belle" a blue angel with snowflakes...

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to offer some art on ebay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions...  The prints have a start price that's approximately 20% off and the original art has a start price that's approximately 25% off!


I'm listing this original painting here and the print of it is here.  The title is "Gabrielle" and it is of a gothic angel fairy loosely inspired by Renoir's Gabrielle with Roses. 

Right now I have a bunch of ideas I want to paint, there's so many options...  I'd really like it if I could paint faster...  Ah well, I guess the important thing is to just keep painting...


If you miss this seven day auction, this painting also lives on my website here.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Sketch of Two Seahorses...



Another sketch of seahorses...  I'd like to use the other drawing in conjunction with a mermaid, but this one I think I'd like to use to paint just by themselves.

I was too late to add my sketch to Sunday Sketches this week, but to view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://www.bluechairdiaryillustrations.com/


I'm having a free original painting giveaway on facebook, the details are here, if you'd like a chance to win!

Saturday, June 22, 2013

Finished Original Fairy Queen Painting...



I've finished my fairy queen painting for Nibblefest, she's on ebay here.  I liked her so much with the light hair in the work in progress view, that I decided to give her long flowing white hair...

Friday, June 21, 2013

Fairy Queen Original Painting Work in Progress...



Here is a work in progress image of my fairy queen.  I'm a bit farther along then I am in this scan, but I still have a ways to go on her.  In addition to the obvious portions that still need paint, she's going to have an antler crown, I'm not sure how that will work out.  If I like it, this small 5"x7" painting may be a study for a larger piece.

I was trying to work on her yesterday during the afternoon, but the heat made the paints extremely uncooperative.  I love acrylics for so many reasons, one of them is that I'm allergic to oils, but they dry so very quickly.  Which is normally another reason that I like them, but when it's as hot as it was yesterday, I couldn't work quickly enough before the paints would dry...

I started her for Nibblefest, but didn't finish her on time to list as a seven day auction.  I'm hoping to try to post her tomorrow as a five day auction.  I haven't done much experimenting with shorter auction durations so we'll see.  Nibblefest auctions start at 99c, no reserve!  

I haven't forgotten about the mermaid, hopefully I should have more done on her by next week...


I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

I'm having a free original painting giveaway on facebook, the details are here, if you'd like a chance to win!

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Original Mixed Media Acrylic Angel Fairy Facebook Giveaway...



If you're also on facebook, I'm giving away this original 11"x14" mixed media acrylic angel fairy on canvas panel here!  My content is pretty much identical between the blog and facebook though, but I wanted to offer in case you'd like to enter to win.  If you're not on facebook, my next giveaway will be a blog giveaway; although obviously the prize will be different since the prize I am offering is an original painting...

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Wordless Wednesday: Facing West Art Show at Chateau L'amour Gallery

On Wednesdays, when I get a chance, I like to share a photo, or in this case a number of photographs, that I've taken.  These were taken at the Chateau L'amour gallery last Saturday at the Facing West fantasy and manga art show.  Alex Ledante and I shared a wall!

The pictures here do not nearly do justice to Alex's fabulous art, his art is so beautiful!  I invite you to see more of Alex's art on his facebook page here, on his website here, and at his auctions here.

My Fantasy Art Up on the Wall

Alex Ledante's Manga Art Up on the Wall

The Wall Alex Ledante & I Shared Together

Me with My Art

Alex Ledante with His Art

Alex Ledante with His Art

My Lovely Mother at the Show

Thanks to everyone who came out, it was so good to see you!  Thanks Dennis Delgado for being such an excellent host too.  Also, I very much appreciate the well wishes of everyone who was unable to attend.


Although I'm somewhat Wordy, I am participating in Wordless Wednesday.  To see more Wordless Wednesday links, please visit:
http://blog.aquariann.com/
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

An Original Painting of Pink Saucer Magnolia Flowers, an Anthurium Duet Art Print, and more Prints!



My featured print auction for the week is on ebay here.  It is titled "Joyous Duet" and is of two red anthuriums.  I also have additional art prints here.  They're all based on my original paintings with a floral theme and are starting today and ending next Tuesday.

They are "Connected" a pink tulip, "Connected Square" a square version of the pink tulip, "Corazon" a deep red rose, "Corazon Close" an in close version of the deep red rose, "Nods Hello" purple iris, "Open" a purple calla lily,  "Pink Ribbons" a pink rose, and "Purple Rose" a purple rose...

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to offer some art on ebay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions...  The prints have a start price that's approximately 20% off and the original art has a start price that's approximately 25% off!


I'm listing this original painting here and the print of it is here.  The title is "Elegance" and it is of pink saucer magnolia flowers. 

I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to post my pictures from the show yesterday, but I very much intend to tomorrow.


If you miss this seven day auction, this painting also lives on my website here.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Catherine Al-Rubaie's Stunningly Beautiful Art...

Every once in a while, you meet someone who changes the way you look at art.  For me, Catherine Al-Rubaie is one of those people.  Her museum quality realist art has such an intense beauty.  I don't know how to put it into words, in this case, a picture is indeed worth a thousand words...

Catherine Al-Rubaie's Brown Bunny Rabbit Hare Original Oil Painting (NFS)

It is said that art is the window into the soul.  If I knew nothing of Al-Rubaie but her art, I would know what grace resides within her.  I met her through a love of her art and I have been so honored to see her works and to know her.  Having had the opportunity to know her as a person has revealed to me that her inner beauty shines as brightly as her stunning art.

Catherine Al-Rubaie's Work in Progress Pink Rose Oil Painting

See more of her artworks and work in progress views of her original oil paintings on her facebook page here.  She sometimes also has artworks available on ebay here.  At the time of writing this, the completed beautiful rose painting that I've shown a work in progress view of is currently available on ebay...

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Thanks so much everyone for your kind words about my show!  I will try to post a few pictures from it tomorrow...

Friday, June 14, 2013

Progress on my Mermaid by a Cathedral Painting & Aphrodite Coming to the Show...



I had hoped to get her done on time to take her with me to the show tomorrow, but I just didn't manage to get her done.  I do think she's coming along nicely though.  I didn't want to do rushed work in order to be able to take her with me, so she's still very much a work in progress.  I will have a number of others there though.


I will be bringing "Ocean Born" a 16"x20" original acrylic fantasy painting of the Greek (Roman) goddess of love Aphrodite (Venus), which I think is especially appropriate since the gallery is the Chateau L'Amour...    

The show information is here.  If you're in the Ontario, CA area on Saturday the 15th, we'd love to see you!  Alex Ledante will be showing his manga art and I will be bringing mainly fantasy art.  

Also, I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:

Thursday, June 13, 2013

A Gothic Angel Coming to the Show & Preparations...



Alex and I are bustling away in preparations for the show...  This angel is coming with us.

To see details about the show, please visit here.  If you're in the Ontario, CA area on Saturday, we'd love to see you!

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

An Original Painting of a Sailboat at Sea, a Fairy Art Print, and more Prints!



My featured print auction for the week is on ebay here.  It is titled "Blood of the Nile" and is a gothic Egyptian fairy.  I also have additional art prints here.  They're all based on my original paintings and are starting today and ending next Tuesday.

They are "Misty Afternon" a soft impressionist sailboat, "Apple of My Eye" a big eye Snow White, "Intensity" a deep purple calla lily, "Leda and the Swan" a piece loosely inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, "Bright Triad" a trio of red anthurium flowers, "Deep in Thought" a blue gothic angel,  "Nesting" a dragon napping on her eggs, and "Hiccup" a young dragon in flight.

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to offer some art on ebay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions...  The prints have a start price that's approximately 20% off and the original art has a start price that's approximately 25% off!


I'm listing this original painting here and the print of it is here.  The title is "Crossings" and it is a sailboat on a calm ocean.  This seascape is one of my favorites and is typically not available for sale, but it is for the duration of this week...  

See some of my original art live THIS Saturday June 15th in Ontario, CA!  I'll be there in person for this one night only engagement.  The show information is here.  Alex Ledante will be showing his manga art and I will be bringing mainly fantasy art...

I didn't get a chance to work on my mermaid by a cathedral painting yesterday, so I have nothing new to share there, but hopefully I will get some painting time in on it today...

Monday, June 10, 2013

Rembrandt van Rijn at the Norton Simon Museum & a Bit of Work on my Mermaid's Tail...

Rembrandt van Rijn is one of my favorite artists of all time.  His portraits have an incredible warmth.  Even his loose brushstrokes define what he's painting with extreme beauty.  These are three pieces from the Norton Simon Museum of Art.  Whenever I go there, I make an effort to see them.  To see them fills me with much joy, I hope you will enjoy seeing these today.

Rembrandt van Rijn, Self-Portrait

Rembrandt van Rijn, Self-Portrait close up

Rembrandt van Rijn, Portrait of a Bearded Man in a Wide-Brimmed Hat

Rembrandt van Rijn, Portrait of a Bearded Man in a Wide-Brimmed Hat close up

Rembrandt van Rijn, Portrait of a Boy

Rembrandt van Rijn, Portrait of a Boy close up

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday


I spent some time working on my mermaid's tail.  At first I went in one color direction, but then decided to go in another.  She's going to have light blue eyes.  So when I thought about it, I decided I didn't want her tail to be so close in color, especially since it's in such close proximity to her face.

I'm hoping to get her done on time to bring to the show on June 15th, but we'll see...  The show information is here.  Alex Ledante will be showing his manga art and I will be bringing mainly fantasy art...

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Sketch of Seahorses and Work in Progress of Mermaid by a Cathedral...



I'm planning on incorporating these seahorses into a small mermaid painting...  It's just a loose concept at this time, I haven't sketched the mermaid yet.  I find the seahorse to be a captivating subject, I'm considering doing a different drawing of just seahorses to possibly paint at some point.

To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://www.bluechairdiaryillustrations.com/


Here is some progress on the mermaid painting I am currently working on.  I've done some glazing to the background and the cathedral to convey that under the sea feel...

I'm hoping to get her done on time to bring to the show on June 15th, but we'll see...  The show information is here.  Alex Ledante will be showing his manga art and I will be bringing mainly fantasy art... 

Saturday, June 8, 2013

Work in Progress, Mermaid by a Cathedral, Now With Some Texture...



I went out and bought some sponges to add texture to the cathedral.  It will be under some layers of glaze, so I'm not sure how much of this will be seen, but I felt it would add some nice atmosphere.

I'm hoping to get her done on time to bring to the show on June 15th, but we'll see...  The show information is here.  Alex Ledante will be showing his manga art and I will be bringing mainly fantasy art...

Friday, June 7, 2013

Work in Progress View of a Mermaid by a Cathedral...



I haven't posted any progress on this one for a while because I was distracted by other projects.  I'm hoping to get her done on time to bring to the show on June 15th, but we'll see...  I've blocked in the cathedral, I want to add some texture to it with a sponge, and then do glazes to give a more under the sea kind of a feel.  I'm going to try to post frequent WIPs this week as I go.

You may see my finished "Nesting Fawn" on ebay here (or you may go down a post to see it) and you may see the show information here.  Alex Ledante will be showing his manga art and I will be bringing mainly fantasy art...

Also, I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

An Original Painting of Two Horses, a Fawn Art Print, and more Prints!



My featured print auction for the week is on ebay here.  It is titled "Nesting Fawn" and is a baby deer.  I also have additional four legged friends themed art prints here.

They're all based on my original paintings and are starting today and ending next Tuesday.

They are "Together" the two horses in "Linked" grazing, "Kawaii Neko" a gray and white kitten, "Snowy Bunny" a white winter hare, "Turning" a grey horse, "Waiting for You" a brown and tan cat, "Cuddle Time" a bull mastiff dog and the bare feet of his person,  "Gentle" a sweet brown rabbit, and "Mystic Foal" a brown foal with a crescent moon.

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to offer some art on ebay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions...  The prints have a start price that's approximately 20% off and the original art has a start price that's approximately 25% off!


I'm listing this original painting here and the print of it is here.  The title is "Linked" and it is a dappled grey mare and a black and white foal nestled together.  


I'm working on my mermaid by a cathedral painting.  I'm not sure if I'll finish it on time for the show, but I'm hoping I will...

If you miss this seven day auction, this painting also lives on my website here.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Tree Drawing Class at the Norton Simon Museum of Art

Last Friday I attended a tree drawing class taught by artist Jamie Sweetman.  I think trees and roots are really her passion.  If you'd like to take a look at her artwork, her website is here.


She said that it's natural for us to have a narrow cone of vision, but she suggested looking for the simple shapes first and looking at the negative space.  She said that sometimes if you draw everything it's boring and too complicated, sometimes you should only show some of what you're drawing.

My Sketch One

The main focus of this class was cross contour drawing.  Ingress described cross contour drawing as if an ant was dipped into ink and was following the form.  It's meant to describe the form and volume of the object with lines.  In my tree sketches, I tried to use cross contour lines.

Alex Ledante's Duckosaur

Artist Alex Ledante attended the class with me.  It's always interesting to me what different artists see when looking at the same object.  Both of us were looking at and drawing the same tree, but in it, Alex saw a duckosaur.  If you'd like to see more of his stellar art, visit his website here and his facebook page here.


She also likes cross hatching.  In shading she said that what is closest to you is lighter and that what goes back in space is a little darker.  She suggested starting with little strokes and then do larger ones and get a rythym going.  She said that mark making is like your hand writing and practicing strokes builds muscle memory.

My Sketch Two

She said that how to see and how to observe are key.  She suggested drawing observationally as often as possible, that drawing observationally from 3d objects strengthens skills more so than drawing from photographs.  She advised the more drawing that is done the better and that any kind of drawing helps even if not always drawing realistically.

This was the final class in a series of four classes, I very much enjoyed the series.  If you'd like to read about the prior ones, the Still Life Drawing Class is here, the Animal Drawing Class is here, and the Flower Drawing Class is here.


To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://www.bluechairdiaryillustrations.com/

I am also linking this post with Inspire Me Monday
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Upcoming Fantasy Art Show at the Chateau L'amour...



Alex Ledante and I will be sharing a wall at the Chateau L'amour on Saturday, June 15th 2013 from 6pm to 10pm for a one night show of Alex's homegrown manga and my fantasy artworks.  It's possible that some of my florals will also sneak in...

Chateau L'amour is located at 223 West Emporia, unit 4, Ontario, CA 91762

This is part of Ontario's Art Walk at 211-223 Emporia St. and 119 W. Transit St., Ontario, CA 91762

The show will be a one night only engagement on Saturday the 15th of June from 6pm to 10pm.  We'd love to see you there!