My Photograph of Bird of Paradise Flowers at Huntington Gardens + Sketch of an Amaryllis, Big Eye Angel, & Fairy/ January 15, 16, & 17 Art Sketches Daily...

I took this photograph of these bird of paradise flowers at Huntington Gardens in the winter.  There's less blooming at this time of year, but I thought these were so very lovely.  I hope that you will enjoy this photo!

I love to paint flowers, you may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.

================================================

Here is a sketch of an amaryllis flower.  I think they are bold and beautiful...  I'm unsure if I'll paint it or not, but I did enjoy sketching it. 

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in January.  This is from day 15.  

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of a big eyed maiden.  This delicate beauty is wrapped in a cape and has a garland of leaves...  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 January. This from day 16. 

This is a rough sketch.

Here is a sketch of a big eyed gothic maiden.  She is looking upwards with a quixotic smile...  I think she is most likely a fairy angel, 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 January. This is day 17. 

This is a rough sketch. 

Original Bird of Paradise Flower Painting! Art Prints & ACEO Prints! LACMA Creatures of the Earth, Sea, and Sky: Painting the Panamanian Cosmos Exhibit Part I...

"Eternal Bird of Paradise" Original 18"x24" Painting on Canvas Here

This week my featured painting is "Eternal Bird of Paradise."  This vibrant tropical flower blooms frequently around here and is a favorite of mine.  The art has a realist impressionist feel.  The original floral painting is available for purchase on my website as are art prints and LE ACEO prints!  

Most of my art is also available on my website at lisarusso.com; however, on the first Tuesday of the month, I like to put some art prints and LE ACEO prints on ebay at a lower promotional rate for the duration of the auctions...  This month, my theme is angels, you may see them here.

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday

http://www.create-with-joy.com/

=================================================

Creatures of the Earth, Sea, and Sky: Painting the Panamanian Cosmos Part I

LACMA Exhibit Open until April 15, 2018

With a theme of real and mythical animals, the show includes a mix of ancient ceramics and 20th century textiles.  Some of the ceramics were part of chief's burials and restored from purposely broken pieces, they are glazed in styles unique to Panamanian art with some purple hues.  The textile panels are called molas and come from the modern Kuna culture.  They were traditionaly made in pairs as part of a front and back panel of a woman's blouse and thought to have protective qualities.

I found these works very appealing.  This is Part I of II.  

Edit:  Part II is here.

Pedestal Plate with Transformation Figure and Multitude of Stingray Spines

Panama, Macaracas style, 800-1000 CE

Transforming Human-Jaguar Effigy Vessel

Panama, Conte style, 600-900 CE

&

Transforming Jaguar Vessel

Panama, 600-900 CE

Mola with Mirror Image of Parrots

Panama, San Blas, Kuna People, late 20th century

Effigy Vessel Reminiscent of a Pelican Bird, with Ears

Panama, Veraguas, n.d.

Plate with Striding Bird with Encirling Tail

Panama, Conte style, 700-900 CE

Jar with Abstracted Bats and Spout in the Form of a Lizard

Panama, Late Tonosi style, 300-500 CE

Pedestal Plate with Two Rotated Iguanas

Panama, Macaracas style, 800-1000 CE

Mola with Birds among Spiral Motifs

Panama, San Blas, Kuna People, late 20th century

Effigy Vessel of Curled-Up Possum or Anteater

Panama, Veraguas, Conte style, 600-900 CE

Whilst I have continued to sketch daily, I spent my time getting this ready and haven't had a chance to prep my sketches yet.  I'll try to get caught up on posting my daily sketches tomorrow.

Sketch of Bird of Paradise Flower, Art Sketches Daily, December 4 Sketchbook

Here is a sketch of a bird of paradise flower.  These flowers have such an elegant beauty.  It is in my tiny sketchbook that measures 3.5x5.5 inches.   I'm unsure if I'll paint it or not, but I did enjoy sketching it.

I've decided to try and do a sketch a day in December.  This is day 4.  

This is a sketch in colored pencils.  You may see some of my finished paintings at lisarusso.com if you'd like.  I'm not really a colored pencil artist but I am exploring something new for the sketchbook.  I will be juxtaposing my usual rough sketches with the colored pencil sketches at varying intervals.  I tend to sketch very lightly, so these and my usual pencil ones are darkened a bit in photoshop for online viewing. 

The opening of the Whittier Art Gallery December Miniatures and Small Works Exhibit with my small lisianthus painting was very nice, I'll try share some of my pictures when I get a chance.

I am also participating in Sunday Sketches.  To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:

http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

Eternal Bird of Paradise, My Original Flower Art Painting, Now Up on My Website...

"Eternal Bird of Paradise" Original 18"x24" Painting, Open Edition 8"x10" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

"Eternal Bird of Paradise" is a one of my floral paintings.  Birds of paradise are such amazing flowers, their blooms are so vibrant and lovely.  This one will remain forever in bloom.  The piece has a realist feel.  This piece is available as an original, as prints, and Limited Edition ACEOs!

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week!

The Start of a Bird of Paradise Painting & Some Listings...

This week I worked a bit on my Bird of Paradise painting.  At this point it is sketched in and my preliminary background is in place.  I consider this point to be the "bare bones" of the painting.  There's no color yet on the flower and I may change my mind as to the color of the background as I get further into it.  I love this soft blue, but I'm not sure if I'll keep it for this painting.  We'll see how it goes!

The canvas is 18"x24" and I'm working in acrylics.

Anyway, I'm having a print giveaway that ends on Monday July 30th, the information is here.

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

http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

I usually try to get my prints up by Tuesday, but I just haven't managed that this week!  Connnected, a vibrant pink tulip is based on a small 6"x6" square original that I sold at a show.  It is available here.

As the square size is not a standard size, I also have it listed as a 5"x7".  This week is Little Owl's debut as a print, I don't have it up on my website yet.  In addition, Deep in Thought, a blue angel fairy, is also up as a print.  To see them all, please visit here.