Kai - A Boy & His Ball (cont.)

Kai - A Boy and His Ball
16x20 oil

Sorry, I just realize it has been about ten days since I posted progress on this piece...long overdue. Unfortunately the photo is not true to color and I am disappointed in it; however, that is usually the case...a photo never does the real thing justice. A lot more yet to do on it, but other than the fact that I think more dark/light contrast is needed and he seems to appear older, I am pleased with it.

I'm not particularly fond of the title so I'm open to suggestions. Usually, I come up with a title at the onset of a piece or when I am in the actual creating/painting, but this time I can't get past my "temporary" title. That could mean that this is what the title should be...???

I live next door to my son and his family so quite often my mo'opuna will drop by for visits. While doing this painting Kai would pop in, look at the painting and make comment when something didn't look quite right or ask "why" I did such and such a particular way. For instance, he looked sad in the painting and I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Kai walks in and says, "Tutu, my mouth is too low." That was exactly what was wrong...the downward curve of his mouth was too downturned. When that adjustment was made, he looked pensive not sad...just as I was trying to achieve. Too many times adults don't listen to what the children have to say and if we took the time to listen, it is amazing what we can learn from them.

Aloha till next time.

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KAI - A Boy and His Ball

This is slow going because other than the fact that I have not spent everyday painting, I am being meticulous about detail. I have done the underpainting, put the books on the bookshelf and tried to individualize each one. After that dries I will glaze over to blend into the chiaroscuro area behind his head. This is my first attempt at this technique, but I think this painting lends itself beautifully to that technique. For those who aren’t into art…Wikipedia defines chiaroscuro this way…

Chiaroscuro (Italian for light-dark) is a term in art for a contrast between light and dark. The term is usually applied to bold contrasts affecting a whole composition, but is also more technically used by artists and art historians for the use of effects representing contrasts of light, not necessarily strong, to achieve a sense of volume in modeling three-dimensional objects such as the human body.

I don’t know what it is about this picture…is it just the sweet, loving child that he is that makes it so special for me? He looks kind of sad here…I need to correct that because he is not. I think it might be the droop of his lip/mouth…too much. I posted the reference photo on first posting; just click this link if you want to look at it again.

> There are 3 ways you can make a real difference to this blog.
1. Share the link to this site with just one other artist, art collector, or someone who would be interested in myths and legends of Hawai'i.
2. Post your thoughts in the Comments section.
3. Email your ideas and/or suggestions on what you would like to read/see more of to lokeforrest@comcast.net

Yay...I want to paint

After three weeks of not really being inspired or motivated to paint, I have finally "felt" like getting back into it. I'm pretty sure it has been because I haven't been feeling up to par and just lacked the enthusiasm. From time to time; however, the fog lifted enough from my brain to be able to blog.

I have three wonderful grandchildren who will indulge me by letting me take their pictures with the intent of getting a shot that would be perfect to paint. My oldest grandson Kalani (the heaven) is now in college...OMG where has the time gone!! The other two still at home are Kai (ocean) who is eight and Kiana (Hawaiian for Diana) is four. I love their Hawaiian names so I will be using them here. Needless to say, I must have hundreds of photos of them that I think would make wonderful paintings.

Spending the day with my two younger grandchildren a while back, I caught my 8-year old grandson in this great pose. Not a staged shot...just him being engrossed watching TV. I loved his expression and demeanor. He was totally oblivious to the fact that he was being photographed. Kai is a warm, lovable child who loves giving and receiving hugs. I live in an apartment which is an add-on to the main house and he almost always will come by on the way to do his chores to say "good morning Tutu." Kiana is a pistol. Smart beyond her years and has been conversing fluently since she was two, or maybe even earlier. It seems like she has always been speaking in sentences. She is the princess, a beauty with a mind of her own and a strong will. She comes to visit me frequently. Will on many occasions sneak in and try to scare me...she'll accomplish that on every try. I have a photo of her which I will be painting at a later time. I've painted each of them before and will probably continue to use them as subjects.





My mo'opuna (grandchildren) are God's reward. I'm sure all you grandparents out there feel just as I do. A thought I just had...if a woman thought about having children and the responsibilities it entails...playing such a huge role in the outcome of a person's life...we may think twice about becoming a mother. However, on the other side of the coin...with good, nurturing parenting we are rewarded with grandchildren. Hmmmm...come to think of it, for some, even without good, nurturing parenting we are still rewarded with grandchildren. I love being a grandmother.


Anyhow, this project will keep me busy for a while. I will post my progress at major steps. Right now, I am contemplating...OK, where do I start?

More later.