Art Work: Portrait of Andrew

FAMILY

My grandson Andrew when he was 4 years old!  What a cutie pie!  Completed at Houston School of Art and Design.

Medium:  graphic pencil.

Art Work: Poppies

Poppies

Medium:  Prisma pencil for the flowers, and soft pastel colors for the background.  This work is done on black Bristol board.

The symbolism of the poppy has long been that of sleep, peace, and death.  Sleep because of the opium extracted from them, and death because of the common blood-red color of the red poppy in particular.  Poppies used as emblems on tombstones symbolize eternal sleep.  This symbolism was evoked in the children's novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz", in which a magical poppy field threatened to make the protagonists sleep forever!  

Following the warfare that took place in the poppy fields of Flanders (which is the setting of the famous poem "In Flanders Fields") during WWI, red poppies have become a symbol of remembrance of soldiers who have died during wartime.  On a much lighter note, did you know that poppies grow like weeds on the side of most roads in Italy?  They do, and they are a most spectacular site!

Art Work: Portrait of Meagan

Family

Portrait of oldest grand girl Meagan

Medium:  graphic pencil

Art Work: Portrait of Emily

Family

This is my sweet grandgirl Emily.  She is 9 years old.  Such a beautiful child in spirit and outward appearance.  She is full of playfullness and just a joy to be around!  Love her dearly.

Medium:  Graphic pencil

Art Work: Portrait of Drew Barrymore

Taking a portrait class at Houston Art and Design School.  We had to start with a movie star so that when we were critiqued we wouldn't take the 'suggestions' too personally.  I'm not sure that worked!!!  Ha ha.  In any case, here is mine, which will be posted on the school's web page!  Totally cool!  It's Drew Barrymore.  Let me know what you think.

Art Work: Portrait of Monkeys

Monkey Portrait

Medium:  Graphite pencils 

ORIGINAL FOR PURCHASE:  $40.00

PRINTS ALSO AVAILABLE!

Art Work: Lilith the Fairy

Meet Lilith (after Linda Ravenscroft)

Medium:  Prisma color, soft pastel, and paint pen.

ORIGINAL FOR PURCHASE:  $40.00

PRINTS ALSO AVAILABLE!

Art Work: Magick Bunny

First Place Blue Ribbon Winner 

in the Northwest Art League Juried Show 2015 

Houston, TX. 

ORIGINAL FOR PURCHASE:  $40.00

PRINTS ALSO AVAILABLE!

Medium:  Prisma pencils, and red glitter glue for the hearts! 

 

I have discovered that I enjoy fantasy and whimsical art!  So of course, it goes without saying that my next project was something fun!  I registered for an 9 week Prisma Color pencil course at Rice University, and am studying under Katheryn Klauber who is very well known in Houston for her portrait work. 

My chosen portrait . . .  a Magick Bunny!   This project was so much fun!  This picture was taken from a gift box that I received from my daughter Heather on my last birthday! (Original artist is unknown).

Art Work: Olster The Fool

My next art project was taken from the book cover "The Imaginative World of the Reformation".  I had great fun doing it.  I decided to do this art project when I was taking a graduate class at Houston Baptist University and studying the church history of England.  (Remember:  that is where religion began).  The original piece was a wood carving.  Wood carving was very popular in early art.  This piece was created by Heinrich Vogtherr, The Younger, titled "The Fool".  I could not find the date that Heinrich completed this piece.  Heinrich however walked this earth from 1513 to 1568.    

Meet Olster The Fool, who was a court jester for Queen Elizabeth. (of the Tudor family line).

I am very happy with the work I did on this piece.

Medium: Soft Pastels

The Artist Within Studio: Mozart

My next project is a prized possession in more ways than one!  I love the art work but more than that I love the model!  Completed early January 2011.

Meet Mozart - my kitty kat!

Awww.  Looking at this makes me want to go cuddle with him!  He is such a sweet kitty!! 

Medium:  Soft Pastels

Animal Portraits painted to order

The Artist Within Studio: The Mad Hatter

My next project was a big step!  Thomas was a little nervous about giving me the freedom to chose my project but I insisted.  I took this picture from the cover of a dvd - Alice in Wonderland (original Artist unknown). This project took about two months of 2 hour classes meeting once a week.  I started to work a little bit on the project at home - but not too much - still nervous about my skills, I generally just stuck to working in class.

Medium:  Prisma color pencils, water color and pastels!

The Artist Within Studio: Horse

My next work was so much more exciting.  And I must say - again the animal notebook - "you chose" assignment.  This drawing took about 4 weeks of 2 hour sessions.  I would not work on it outside of class in fear of 'messing' it up.  Again, remember, I am just a beginner!  But this turned out to be just beautiful!  Everyone loved my horse and I learned how to shade.  Thomas Cleveland was taking me places in my art journey that I never expected to go!

Medium:  graphite pencil.

The Artist Within Studio: Poppy the Frog

This was the first actual drawing using prisma color pencils.  Instructor handed me a notebook of animal pictures and said, "choose one".  Although I'm not sure why, an animal had to be our first project. 

I love my froggie! 

For Sale - Contact Artist

Medium:  Prisma color pencils, watercolor background!  Not too bad for a first time EVER artist! (July/August 2010).

The Artist Within Studio: Straight line drawing

July 2010:  Medium:  graphite pencil.