Save the Date - Holiday Show - Dec 4, 2021

 

My Eyes are on You

 Not making any excuses for my delay in posting. Suffice it to say, I am here now.

Patience, 8x8, oil on board

This cat belongs to a friend's cousin that we stopped by to visit while on our road trip through Ohio last summer. He would not come down any further than the landing to the basement. He just sat there and watched every move of his owner, Gigi. I took a number of shots of his different looks, but I liked this one. It was almost as if he was saying, "You know I don't do basements..." or "are you almost done?" He definitely was communicating. I haven't come up with any great name for this piece so if something strikes you, let me know. His name is Dippity.

I am still fascinated with cats for some reason.

Tabby Cat, 8x8, oil on board

I hesitate to post this first image I had planned on using for this post. Something stayed my hand from making it live, as there were a few things I saw when putting it up for view. Here is where the new title comes in. I am not a patient individual. I started this small painting in June for Pete's sake. It should have been done within a few days, not months! The first flaw that struck me was his paw that is underneath him. Ugh. What the heck? Stuck out like a sore thumb. Even if the image had his paw looking somewhat deformed, the value and shape were off. The second thing I noticed was that the shadow side of his head did not join with the shadow side of his body. Both easy fixes. 

The second image was also taken with different lighting. One is a tad light and the other a tad dark. Posting the photographic image of my work is like having a second pair of eyes. It is always very helpful if not always welcome!

Stormy III or Stormy Napping - cat portrait

Stormy Napping, 9x12, oil

The comment I received from Stormy's owner when I sent him an image for final approval of #3 was:

Purrrrfect!!! She looks so "Stormy" like! That's our kitten who just had her 13th birthday You do such lovely work Victoria!

Can't get much better than that. It is nice to have satisfied customers. I stopped doing pet portraits years ago after one client had so many little tweaks. She was finally satisfied but I was done with that.

To keep with the other two portraits (https://victoriasart.blogspot.com/2019/10/stormy-ii-cat-portrait.html and https://victoriasart.blogspot.com/2019/10/pet-portrait-1-stormy-outside.html) I found an old 9x12 plein air painting from 2008 to paint over. It was a path leading into a dark grove of trees with some tall grasses catching the light. I turned it upside down to start this painting. I drew in white chalk a basic outline. I decided to paint in the background to get rid of distractions and start my building blocks. I liked the strong texture coming through from the path of the painting underneath for the background. Interestingly enough, the wall in the photo was an old textured plaster wall. I recognized it as I have the same in my house.

Blockin start

Next, I started with the bigger shapes of the cat and outlined the blanket folds. I did like the green coming through, as I own a green plaid blanket and it seemed apropos with it already laid in so nicely!

Alas, it was not a green plaid blanket Stormy slept on. Never having to paint plaid before I think that intimidated me more than anything else. So, go to the trusty shape thing and don't worry about what it actually is. The owner doesn't seem to mind that it isn't a perfect rendition of the blanket but is of Stormy. A man who has his priorities straight!

I did have fun doing these pet portraits. I like doing cats, I have decided. A shout out of thanks to The Whole Cat & Dogs too for the referral. They have been amazing in promoting me to their customers. Stop by and see them when you are on Old South Pearl Street

Stormy II - Cat Portrait

Stormy II, 8x8, oil on linen panel - commission

Here is the second portrait of Stormy in the series of 3 I was commissioned to do. The original image has Stormy in a shoe box. I cropped it down to a square leaving those 3 white rectangles to help move the eye around and break up the space.

Here is the beginning of the block in process. I liked these abstract shapes showing through. It is a shame I can't seem to incorporate them more into the new painting! I know it sounds weird, but when I have another color underneath it does push me to think differently than I would do starting on a fresh pristine canvas. One day the underlying painting will become a part of the new. Some things just take time to make themselves known.

Pet Portrait #1 Stormy Outside

Stormy I, 8x8, oil on linen panel

I was recently commissioned to do three portraits of this lovely cat, Stormy. This particular painting Stormy was outside. I have not met this cat yet.

Starting out, I grabbed an old plein air painting, for which I do not have a photo, but I think you can tell it was in fall and the trees are reflected in the lake. This painting is from Washington Park, south lake facing south. Not one of my better paintings...ie no great loss and is now better used.

My initial block in. Starting with larger shapes and breaking down into smaller shapes.

The owner is very happy with this portrait, so that means a job well done.