Back to Work

After several months of going in all sorts of directions and working myself crazy, I finally got some down time. This weekend I went with my husband for a little getaway. He was playing in a golf tournament and I was able to relax while taking in some sun. It was a nice and long overdue break. Today I am back to work as we finish preparing for our Women's Show dropoff which will take place tomorrow. We hang tomorrow afternoon and Wed. The opening will be Sat., Apr 5th at 7 pm.

End of the day

The day is over and I think I have done all I can do with this painting. I will take a look at it tomorrow and see what else can be done, but at the moment, I can't see anything. Often some space away and a fresh set of eyes will give me new insight.


"Self Portrait as Venus Astarte after Rossetti"
Oil and Encaustic on Canvas
36" x 48"















Here is a closeup shot of the face and hair. Not aure if the encaustic and texture will show through, but hopefully it will.

At a Snail's Pace

On another topic, check this blog entry from the ever witty Edward Winkleman. What a concept, could you imagine. This is actually scary.
Art Race

Final Countdown

With only a week left to finish this painting, I am almost there. It is moving very slowly at this point. I made some adjustments and added some other elements to it. Now I am at a point where I will sit back and let it tell me what it needs before I call it complete. I have really enjoyed the creative process here and letting the painting dictate where it will head.

Moving Along

Friday, Sat and Sunday were spent preparing for our Women's Show opening Apr. 5, having our monthly guild meeting, and tearing down our juried show. Being St. Paddy's Day yesterday, I decided to take a day for pleasure. The town that I live in, Luquillo, has an annual parade celebrating the event. I hadn't celebrated St. Paddy's Day in 9 years. I know, I am a very bad Irish woman. But since leaving Miami, there hasn't been an opportunity. Below is a photo of the beginning of the parade. I would have had more but some of my friends walking in the parade decided I needed to be a part of it also.


Here is another:

Today I am back in the studio working anxiously to finish my painting. I am really excited at how it is coming out. Final touches now and some minor adjustments. Here is today's progress so far.

Full view

Now I'm having Fun

Using wax to do the final details like the hair and the feathers. Still working on glazing, and the encaustics in between.

Getting there

Seeing spots

After many hours of glazing this morning and feather work, I am going crossed eyed. But I am so loving the process. I am doing a lot more detail than I normally do. I don't normally glaze, but I am excited to see the deep colors come to life after I add some glazes to the fabric. Still a lot left to do. My goal today is to get the peacocks finished and then tomorrow back to work on the face and hands.


Peacock

"When the peacock lives it Tharsis, it signifies the effete. But when it is brought by the fleet to Jerusalem, it represents learned teachers. "

The main symbolism of the peacock is pride and vanity, when its tail is displayed.

But the peacock can also represent learned teachers, as "The peacock has hard flesh, resistant to decay, which can only with difficulty be cooked over a fire by a cook, or can scarcely be digested in the stomach, because of the heat of its liver. Such are the minds of teachers; they neither burn with the flame of desire, nor are they set alight by the heat of lust."

A peacock with its tail down (rather than displayed) can be a sign of humility, of restraining one's pride as the peacock resists displaying its tail.

Having some camera issues, but here is my progress for today. Have to go to a meeting at 3:30 in San Juan, so I have to stop early. Hopefully when I return tonight, I can get some work done.

A bit more

Getting caught up in details

Progress for the day so far after working until 2:30 am, then working since 11:30 am this morning. Still lots to do.

Late night Candle burning

With deadlines rapidly approaching, I am working late tonight trying to finish up two paintings that I have to have photo ready by Friday. Our yearly women's show opens on Apr. 4, and photos for insurance is due on Friday. All the traveling and being sick has really set me back a bit. Here is my first piece still in process. One of the pieces must be a self portrait. Mine is modeled after Rosetti.