Klimt's Golden Tears

I've never been a huge Klimt fan.  His most popular work is of course The Kiss.  But when surfing some of his other work on-line, I came across the painting Golden Tears and knew that I had to paint that.

Definitely had to do the drawing first to get the proportion.

Drawing was done with chalk pastels.  She definitely looks happier in the drawing than the painting.  But then again, she's missing her tears.

Finished painting.

Monet Water Lilies

I started off in one directions with this and have changed it, but I'm not sure if I like it or not.

This is what I started off with.  I started over, re-gessoed the canvas, because I felt the background color needed to be vertical, like Monet's, instead horizontal.  I do like that change.  The other change was a suggestion from the instructor that the different panels change colors.  I've attempted that, but not sure if it's working or not.

First attempt

close up

Progress on next attempt with individual colored panels.

Adding more depth and color.  Also I didn't like that circle of lili pads in the blue section, although now I'm seeing a zig zag in green.

I'm thinking that the purple needs to move over farther into the red on the top and the bottom of that panel needs to be darker.  Also the green zig zag needs to go.

Do you undervalue yourself as an artist?

I think most of us do.  I recently ran across this saying:

I would like to think that's true, but I'm not so sure.  People seem to always be looking for a bargain or wanting something at a discount.  When it comes to hand crafted items or original art, that saddens me.  

I you are looking for someone to quilt something for you cheap and fast, don't come to me.  My time is valuable and my creative skills are worth more than that.  If you are looking for a portrait done while you wait, that's just not going to happen.  Creativity isn't measure in dollars or hours, but in inspiration.

How do you price your services or creations?

New Paintings

Just finished two versions of Georgia O'Keefe's Black Iris.  One is on a white gessoed canvas and the mirror image is on a black gessoed canvas.

I'm loving rotating them and seeing the different ways they connect.

See the mushroom in this one?!

This one looked like a shy owl to me.

And Angry owl.

I get to paint today!

I always wake up on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and think, "I get to paint today!"

I need the motivation and disciple of going to a class to find the time to paint.  I'm the same way with yoga.  Our little fitness club closed and I literally haven't done yoga since.  There are too many distractions at home!

I did end up leaving the two Georgia O'Keefe Black Iris paintings in class today.  In the window this time and NOT on the floor!  If they are messed up again when I come into class on Thursday, I am not going to be happy.

Worked on the Klimt Golden Tears today.  Got it mostly where I want it before I add the gold leaf. 

Then I did the back ground for the large Monet Water Lilies piece I'm doing next.  It will be, by far, the biggest painting that I've done. 

Excited!

Photos will be coming shortly!

Snow Day

Although it's actually raining out right now.....It's supposed to snow again later today and all day tomorrow, so teenager stayed home.

I just put the second coat of white gesso on a large-ish canvas that I got at the thrift store for free. 

Stretched canvas is so expensive so I talked with the owner/manager of our local thrift store.  He frequently has canvases that he can't sell, so I periodically check in with him to see what he can give me.  :)

There has been one that I actually didn't gesso and paint over.  I really liked it and it's currently hanging over my TV. 

It makes me wonder who painted it and how it ended up in the thrift store.