Closing Original Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Framed Paintings at the San Juan Capistrano Library Exhibit + November Sketches

I hope that if you celebrate it you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I feel very blessed and thankful for so much.

There's still a few more days to catch the Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead show at the San Juan Capistrano Library before it closes.  I'm sharing some of my pictures from the show, but there's so much more art, including some of mine own, there than is shown here.  I'd intended to go again and get more photographs, but my schedule precluded that.  I hope you will enjoy these snippets of some of my favorite pieces art from the exhibit.

"Amongst the Ancestors (Entre Los Antepasados)" & "Mariposa (Butterfly)" with and by Lisa Isabella Russo (Alex Ledante had me pose in his favorite Memento style...)

"Adrift (Flotando)" with and by Lisa Isabella Russo (This is one of two big eyed self portraits I had in the show)

"Bride" by artist and curator Skye Amber Sweet

Two pieces by artist and curator Skye Amber Sweet

"Muerte Sentada" by Christina Ramos

"La Catrina" by Robert Rossenblum

"Amina and Bunny Ears" by Donna Bates

Three pieces with and by Alex Ledante in his favorite Memento style pose...)

"Fatal Promise" and "Pueste de Sol" by Alex Ledante

Here is the show info:
San Juan Capistrano Library
31495 El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Library 949-493-1752

The festival exhibit dates are officially Sun. 10/1 - Thurs. 11/28; however, it looks like there will be art drop offs on 10/1 and pick ups on 11/28, so I'd suggest any of the dates between the two.
Gallery / Library hours to view art outside reception date is as follows:
Monday-Thursday 10:00a - 7:00p
Saturday-Sunday 9:00a - 5:00p
Fridays- CLOSED

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November 8-24 Sketches

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in November. They are all rough sketches.  I'm quite a bit behind in sharing my daily sketches, so I've grouped the images in groups so it isn't quite so overwhelming.  You may see them individually on facebook here.  You may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

Day 8:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a look of compassion...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.

Day 9:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She seems a bit surprised...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess

Day 10:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a depth to her.  I think she is most likely a goddess, although she could also be a fairy angel or a mermaid.

Day 11:  Here is a sketch of an alpine forget me not.  They are such charming flowers...

Day 12:  Here is a sketch of an alpine forget me not.  I enjoyed the curve of these flowers... 

Day 13:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has an intensity to her...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.

Day 14:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a cautious quality...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess. 

Day 15:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She might be up to something...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.

Day 16:  Here is a sketch of an alpine forget me not.  They have a sweet allure... 

Day 17:  Here is a sketch of a rose.  Roses are a favorite flower of mine... 

Day 18:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has an expression of soft concern.  I think she is most likely a goddess, although she could also be a fairy angel or a mermaid.

Day 19:  Here is a sketch of two pansies.  I've yet to paint a pansy, but I think they are lovely...

Day 20:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a quixotic expression...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.

Day 21:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She looks a wee bit suspicious...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.

Day 22:  Here is a sketch of a daffodil.  They are such lovely flowers... 

Day 23:  Here is a sketch of a ladyslipper.  I love the form and lines of this flower...

Day 24:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She looks like she might be contemplating her siren song...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.

Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Framed Paintings at the San Juan Capistrano Library + October Sketches

Happy Halloween and Feliz Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead wishes!

I apologize for my long absence, I was under the weather and quite unfocused.  However, I am feeling better now and would like to share an upcoming event.  These framed pieces are my newest contribution to this year's Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead art exhibit at the San Juan Capistrano Library, there are also a few of my piece from last year featured as well.

The two large portraits are actually self portraits; one is darker and more abstract, one is more positive and idealized.  I submitted them to a different show, but the curator Skye Amber Sweet saw in them something more, she saw the feelings of life and death expressed in these two paintings and thus their inclusion in this show.  

San Juan Capistrano Library 

31495 El Camino Real

San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Library 949-493-1752 

The festival exhibit dates are officially Sun. 10/1 - Thurs. 11/28; however, it looks like there will be art drop offs on 10/1 and pick ups on 11/28, so I'd suggest any of the dates between the two. 

Gallery / Library hours to view art outside reception date is as follows:

Monday-Thursday 10:00a - 7:00p

Saturday-Sunday 9:00a - 5:00p 

Fridays- CLOSED

The date of our Day of the Dead event and reception is Saturday, 11/3 from 12-3.  In addition to the art, the exhibit and festival will include:

Aztec Dancers

Free Face Painting

Ballet Folklorico

Mariachis

Sugar Skull Making and Crafts

Pop Up Poetry

Alex Ledante and I will try to be there, most likely towards the end.  We'd love to see you if you're in the area, it's a wonderful exhibit and festival.  I'll try to get some photographs when we go.

Edit 11/2: I've ran out of time to do a separate post for PPF today, so I am sharing these completed paintings.

Happy Paint Party Friday!  To see more participants, please visit:

http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

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October 11-30 Sketches

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in October. They are all rough sketches.  I'm quite a bit behind in sharing my daily sketches, so I've grouped the images in groups of 5 so it isn't quite so overwhelming.  You may see them individually on facebook here.  You may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

Day 11:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a powerful gaze.  I think she is most likely a goddess, although she could also be a fairy angel or a mermaid.

Day 12:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She seems to have a joyful quality...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.

Day 13:  Here is a sketch of a mandevilla flower.  They seem like lovely flowers... 

Day 14:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has an expression of gentle concern...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess

Day 15:  Here is a sketch of a Virginia bluebell.  They have a charming form...

Day 16:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has an intensity to her...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess. 

Day 17:  Here is a sketch of a peony.  I love peonies...

Day 18:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She is adorned with flowers in her hair...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.

Day 19:  Here is a sketch of a dahlia flower and bud.  They stand upright and full of joy...

Day 20:  Here is a sketch of daffodil flowers.  They have a wonderful charm to them...

Day 21:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a gentleness in her gaze...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.

Day 22:  Here is a sketch of some apple blossoms.  They have a delicate beauty... 

Day 23:  Here is a sketch of a flamingo flower.  These flowers have a dynamic form...

Day 24:  Here is a sketch of a wild columbine.  They have different look than their domestic counterparts but are still quite lovely...

Day 25:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has an intense quality.  I think she is most likely a goddess, although she could also be a fairy angel or a mermaid.

Day 26:  Here is a sketch of a rugosa rose.  I love roses very much...

Day 27:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has a touch of sadness in her eyes...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess. 

Day 28:  Here is a sketch of a labrador puppy.  It is one of two dogs I sketched for a project I am moving forward on, I've decided to go with the the older dog, but this little fellow is a sweetie.

Day 29:  Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She has wildly flowing hair...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.

Day 30:  Here is a sketch of a sunflower.  They are such a joyful flower...

Day of the Dead Exhibit at the San Juan Capistrano Library + October Sketches, Sketch 5 & 6, Big Eye Mermaid & Angel...

Here is one of my three paintings included in the Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Exhibit photographed by Skye Amber Sweet, she is an artist and the curator of this show.  Exhibit details are below.

San Juan Capistrano Library 

31495 El Camino Real|

Library 949-493-1752 

The festival exhibit will run until 11/30  

Gallery / Library hours to view art outside reception date is as followed:

Monday-Thursday 10:00a - 7:00p

Saturday-Sunday 9:00a - 5:00p 

Fridays- CLOSED

The date of our Day of the Dead event and reception is Saturday, 11/4.  The exhibit and festival will include Aztec dancers, free face painting, ballet folklorico, mariachis, sugar skull making along with other crafts, poetry, and possibly live painting.  The bulk of that entertainment will be between 1:00p - 3:00p.  

Alex Ledante also has works in the show and we will strive to be at the reception.  Please coordinate with us if you'd like to meet there...

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

http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

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Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She is glancing sweetly backwards...  I think she is most likely a mermaid, although she could also be a fairy angel or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in October. This is from day 5. 

I would like to try to reach a goal of 100 faces sketched on consecutive days, I started this effort on September 1st, 2017...  This is face 35. 

This is a rough sketch.  You may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.  

Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  She is gazing upwards...  I think she is most likely an angel fairy, although she could also be a mermaid or a goddess.  I'm unsure if I'll paint her or not, but I did enjoy sketching her.  

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in October. This is day 6. 

I would like to try to reach a goal of 100 faces sketched on consecutive days, I started this effort on September 1st, 2017...  This is face 36. 

This is a rough sketch.