Category Archives: portraits

The illustrious Peter Brown

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This guy is one of my heroes.  A fantastic author and illustrator, his children’s books are among my favorites.  You Will Be My Friend and the Curious Garden are just terrific books, tender and humorous in the best way.  Last night I had a chance to go see Peter speak at the U Bookstore in Seattle.  He is currently promoting his first middle grade novel, The Wild Robot.

This morning I read the first six chapters to my boys. The chapters are short and fun to read. All three boys are enthralled. Rozzum the robot has just scaled the cliffs of her wild rocky island, finally safe from the waves and sea…  I left them chanting “Read chapter seven! Read chapter seven!”

But mamma needs her coffee.

Actually, I still need my coffee, being a bit of a scatterbrain, I thought I should write this out while I had it in me.  The sun is out and it’s calling me. 🙂

peterbrown

I did this sketch of Mr. Brown while he talked.  The pink was added, a little hap hazardly at the end because a kid asked what his favorite color was.  It was pink.  And I loved why.  Just check out the enchanting cover on his new book and you’ll see. 

Do you see it? 

It truly is a great color.

You can learn more about the illustrious Peter Brown on his website: www.peterbrownstudio.com

Tiny baby paintings

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We took the boys out on the mountain loop to find snow last weekend.   

   It’s been warming up steadily out here and it seems we made it out just in time. The snow was crusty and melting but we had fun all the same. 

Being out in nature, watching my kids play, often puts me in a mood to paint. Sometimes I’m able to maintain that mood and retain the energy until an opportune time. This was one of those blessed times. 

 

I realize I painted them looking like babies. They are growing so fast! But in my heart they will probably always be my little babies. ❤️

Charcoal and Pastels

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I’ve been teaching a small weekly art class. We do a lot of figure drawing and gestural studies. Mostly 10 minutes and under, taking turns posing. It’s a blast, and my students are fantastic!  A few weeks ago I pulled out my charcoal and pastels. We work on tinted construction paper (less expensive than actual pastel paper). It’s been a fun challenge. Charcoal wasn’t my favorite medium in school, mostly because of the mess and how hard it is to preserve. But I can’t deny it’s merits. For bold, quick, expressive lines, it’s hard to beat.  

Here are two sketches I did of my students during class. Roughly 10 minutes each. 

   

Oscar and His Big Brother

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I had this painting in my head for a while before I painted it last month while showing at the Mill Creek Art Walk.  It came out rather odd and a little creepy. That was not part of the plan.  But I like it anyway.  The main of the idea was to capture Oscar being held by Edward in the way that he does.  Oscar completely trusting, just hanging out, looking around, as proud big brother affords him a better view.   I did the painting without reference material so you’ll have to forgive the vague likeness and the fudged details.  I must say it made me very happy to have a chance to work with oil paints on wood again. summer005

Grandma

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During last weekend’s watercolor class I did a quick portrait of my Grandma, who hosted the class.
I’m really very pleased with it. Perhaps not so much how it looks aesthetically, (although I am rather pleased with that as well) but more because of what it means to me as a record of a place and time and a relationship.  As long as I can remember, I have memories of painting with my Grandma.  She has always been generous with her time and creativity.  She taught me how to sew, china paint, make dolls and even let me try my hand at making lamp shades, finishing my shade after I lost interest halfway through.  She has encouraged me in every artistic endeavor I have ever taken on.

To me, this portrait reminds me of the hundreds of hours spent with grandma, painting, eating, listening to music and talking about life, God and art, and to me, that is a precious thing.

I love you Grandma.