A Still Life Commission

 "Membrillo and Moroccan Plate"

18 x 24 inches, oil on canvas

Sold, commission piece

Sometimes that perfect piece of art is not out there waiting for you to find it, and you have to take matters into your own hands! That's what one savvy collector did recently when she commissioned me to paint this still life of quince. There's a backstory here, but first: my process!

I began with the objects she supplied me - the fruit, a jar of her homemade quince jelly, the Membrillo (a paste made of quince) and its wrapping paper, and several lovey plates and dishes in a blue-and-white color scheme - and arranged them with some additions of my own. Then I did this value study - it's about 9x12:

 The great thing about still life commissions is that the general parameters come from the client, but the inspiration is still my own. I could have made a hundred different paintings with the subjects I was presented! The quince were lovely - a fruit I've never painted before. 

Here's how this painting came together - an underpainting in sepia tones, then I blocked in the blue plate so it had time to dry before I added the pattern. The rest just flowed from there.

 This family bought a painting from me four years ago - a gift for their daughter. And this commission was a gift for another of their daughters, the Membrillo-maker herself! When I delivered the painting, I got to meet both girls, and see the older painting again, which is always a treat.  

Feeling very lucky and blessed - both to have gotten to make this piece, and to work with these amazing, art-loving people.  

Thanks for reading!

A Portrait Commission

 

"Untitled - Portrait Commission, May 2016"

18 x 24 inches, oil on canvas

It's cool how one thing leads to another, isn't it? The woman who commissioned this painting saw my portrait of a friend of hers, and decided I'd be just the artist to update a very sweet wedding-night portrait of her and her husband of 38 years! 

I really enjoyed spending time with these two, in their sunny living room surrounded by enormous house plants and blooming orchids. We had three in-person sittings, and then I completed the painting from photo reference.

I started getting to know them with a quick sketch:

Once I feel that a portrait is finished, I send an image to my clients for approval and suggestions. Here is my preliminary finish, on the left, and the final painting, including their suggested changes - which were all just right. Can you spot any of them?

 

 Framed and ready to deliver:

Do you have a portrait project you'd like to discuss? I'd love to hear from you!

The Pleasure Was Mine

 

"Portrait of R. Canaga"

20 x 16 inches, oil on canvas

Sold commissioned portrait

Robert Canaga is a former gallery owner and the curator of Eugene's Gallery at the Watershed. He knows everyone in the Oregon art world, and has an amazing collection of original art in his home. He's also a printmaker and painter. I was extra excited when he asked me to paint his portrait, because I knew I'd be able to include one of his works in the background! Working in his spacious, skylit studio and listening to his fascinating stories were icing on the cake.

Here's a progression: you might notice that I redrew the arms and hands between the second and third picture, lowering them on the canvas. I spent an entire sitting just painting the hands. 

(Click on the picture to see it bigger.)

Have you ever thought about commissioning a portrait? I'm 100% at your service. Let's talk.

When You Commission a Portrait

"Sketch for 'Keila'"

10 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

click to buy

I've loved gettting to know many amazing art collectors and enthusiasts over the years, and I've found that everyone has an idea percolating in the back of their mind for that perfect custom painting. So what really happens when they finally decide to take that step - make that investment - and commission that piece they've always wanted - a truly unique statement just for them?

I've been working with an old friend this week on a portrait of his beautiful wife. He initially contacted me on Facebook, and after seeing what a gorgeous picture he had for me to work from, the rest of the negotiations were a piece of cake! This is the preparatory sketch I made for Keila's portrait, which I will post once it's been officially unveiled.

I love painting portraits. When I was little, I drew princesses, faces, dresses, girls, girls, girls endlessly! I vividly remember the day I figured out how to draw a purse over someone's shoulder - it was a milestone, of a sort. I've never stopped loving painting the human face, and I'd love to paint your loved-one too. Have a painting in mind? Email me. Let's talk.

"Suzanne's Daisies" A top-secret Christmas commission!

16 x 20"

oil on canvas

Sold

Merry Christmas! I am blogging to you from the warmth and sunshine of my in-laws' place in Florida. Our orgy of giving is complete, and since a certain lucky friend of mine also received her gifts today, I can now share this painting with you. Back in July, when these daisies were blooming in their garden, her husband commissioned this piece - and then, somehow, he had the willpower to wait five months before giving it to her! Now, they will have daisies all year long, and you can, too, since my preparatory sketch is up for auction:

"(sketch for) Suzanne's Daisies"

5 x 7"

oil on canvas

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I'm already excited for all that's to come in 2013 - but hey, it's still Christmas Day, so, from my family to yours - Happy Holidays! 

"Sketch for 'Layla'" portrait painting oil on canvas young woman girl

 

8 x 10"

oil on canvas

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Here is the preparatory sketch I did for a portrait commission I just (as in 15 minutes ago) finished. My biggest challenge was keeping the loose, painterly feel of the sketch alive in the larger (14x18, still not large by any means) final piece. I think it came out nicely. Fingers crossed until I hear from the client!

I'll be heading to figure painting tonight for another crack at this compelling pose. It should feel like stretching a tight muscle, going from a computer screen (from which I worked all afternoon) to a live model. You can follow along on twitter, or facebook.