Children of the Rainbow - progress

It has been almost four weeks since I started the underpainting on this piece.  Longer than I expected; however, four days out of the four weeks I was unable to paint because I had out-of-town company.  My niece, an artist herself and a tattoo artist for a living, was here from Hawaii so had to show her around.  I live in the Nashville, TN area, so needless to say, there was a lot she wanted to see and experience.

Anyway, today - July 29th other than details and touch-ups on the underpainting, I am close to laying the color in.  I can see areas where adjustments are needed.  So far it has certainly been a trip - the faces bringing back so many memories. Oh yes, one other thing - these children are all related and there are four generations represented.

Remembering

Today is September 11..."a date that will live in infamy!" These were the words spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he reported to the nation the deliberate attack on Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawai'i by the naval and air forces of the empire of Japan. Those very same words ring even truer for what is described as the most brutal attack ever experienced on our country's soil. On this day all over the country, this horrific attack is being remembered in some way. I choose to remember it here by the posting of a newly completed painting.

Some of you may remember the drawing I posted to honor the July 4th holiday - I had plans to paint it and I have. For some reason it has taken me a longer time than usual to finish this painting (this is 18x24 on gallery-wrapped, stretched canvas). I've entitled it "A Moment With God." I chose that title because behind the photo I saw a scared kid, who needed the reassurance that he would be alright.



Some of you may know that my son is a professional performing musician. He returned home from his latest "gig" and looking at the painting said: "We just did this gig for an Army training facility (he told me what the name was, but I don't remember)." He went on to say that, "as I looked out over the audience - hundreds of soldiers who were just kids - it hit me that these 'kids' were being trained to protect my kids and they don't even know them. That scene made a huge impact on me."

May God bless us all.

Practice, Practice, and more Practice

Couple of days ago I blogged on being stuck. Trying to get unstuck is what this entry is all about.

I have been told countless times and read countless articles that the way to better your artistic skills is through practice, practice, and more practice. I have come to the conclusion that, that statement is totally true and unless I “bite the bullet” and work on a painting EVERY day I will never reach the level of expertise that I aspire to. That being said, I put a little 9x14 practice oil painting that I’ve been working on off and on for a few months back on my easel in an attempt to finish it. It is a study of a painting done by William Bouguereau ”Petite fille au bouquet.” William Bouguereau is a master of the arts who was not only a painter, but a teacher, frescoist (Someone who paints on a surface of plaster esp. while it is still moist. I had to look up that word.), and draftsman as well. He lived from 1825 – 1905 and is considered one of history’s greatest artistic geniuses.

Anyway, to break this block that I’ve been experiencing I am trying to finish this painting.



Because I want to better my portraiture skills, I decided to do just the head and shoulders of his wonderful painting, which I will post below. Sorry couldn't get the picture any larger.

Petite fille au bouquet

By William Bouguereau

My version looks older, but that’s what practice is about. Practice until you get it right. And too, maybe this little bit of doing will get the artistic juices flowing again.

FYI…For those of you who may not know, you can find this artist’s work and all of the great masters at http://www.artrenewal.org.

Mahalo for visiting.

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1. Share the link to this site with just one other artist, art collector, or someone who would be interested.
2. Post your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Self Portraits

It has been a little over a week since I last posted…my goodness how time flies.

I’m told that in the process of learning how to paint, especially if one decides to delve into portraiture, one should practice by doing a self portrait. Before really getting into painting I often wondered why would someone do a self portrait…is it ego? I have discovered that it is a great way to practice. Your model is always handy and there is no charge for the sitting. Where can you find a better deal? I’ve gone onto artists websites and found that some of them have done several…one artist mentioned doing a self portrait at least once a month. Even the Masters have done self portraits, many of them more than one. So, if the Masters have done it, then why not me? I'm sure it can only help me hone my portraiture skills.

Sometime back I decided to give it a go and this is what I came up with…


This is my first attempt. Not very good, but my family did recognize it as me.


This one I call “Melancholia.” I did it for a challenge with the About.com painting website. The challenge was to do an expressive self portrait. I decided on this composition because I find myself in this position many times, especially when I’m studying a piece that I’m working on. Also, with the hands being such a large part of the overall composition, it gave me an opportunity to work on hands…something I’ve always had problems with. I was surprised that I did get some pretty decent feedback on it. I think its time to do another one. I could paint from photos, which I have done on many occasions and I do have some fantastic photos of people from foreign countries in their cultural dress in great poses, but I want to be able to paint from life; therefore, the self portrait.

These are both done in oil on 9x14 canvas board.

Until next time, mahalo for visiting.


> 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.
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 at lokeforrest@comcast.net

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.

> 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.
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More...Make A Joyful Sound

To those following the progress of this painting, it looks like I may be able to complete it in a few days if I persevere and paint instead of spending time on the computer. This is a diptych so I am anxious to begin sketching the companion painting.

Juried Art Show

A few days ago I received the expected rejection letter from the organization that I submitted work to for consideration for selection to a local art show. All submitted works were reviewed by a one-man jury. It is an art show that I have attended in the past, which I really enjoyed and also one that I submitted pieces to last year…was rejected then also. I looked back over last year’s submission and realized that I was not ready and that the rejection was a fair one. This year I felt I was much improved and my paintings reflected that. However, I was not optimistic about being selected at the onset, but thought I would go ahead and submit my work, along with the fee and an artist’s statement. I told myself I would not be disappointed if I was not selected, considering the hundreds of exceptional artists, locally and out-of-town, who submit each year. All that being said, I was more disappointed than I thought I would be. Did my “pity pot” for a couple of days and am back at it with renewed vigor. I recently read an article on rejection that helped immensely. Below is an excerpt taken from Tony Moffitt’s blog, written by guest blogger, Heather Brown Truman. Visit Tony’s blog at http://tonymoffitt.blogspot.com - he has some great, invaluable information to help artists at all levels deal with every aspect of the art world.

Rejection, it’s Good For The Ego. How does one deal with the inevitable rejections that we get along the path of the creative? Well, one of the best ways to deal with rejection is to embrace it. Yes, I said embrace it. Learn to love rejection, failure and disappointments.
Rejection is our friend; it tames the ego, creates drive and ambition, and clears the mind. Rejection is always part of the path, for any endeavor, creative or not. You will encounter it at every turn, even if you are the most creative, most skilled and most passionate person in the world. Rejection is a numbers game. I feel pretty good when I get a rejection notice. Why you ask? Why good and not bad or self-pity? Every single NO is another no on the way to my YES. You have to accept that fact. If you allow yourself to take rejection to heart, you will die, wither on the vine of life and give up. If you fear rejection you will never succeed.
Your ego is not that fragile, your work is important to you and the world. We take rejection because it is part of living; it is part of the equation of life itself. It only matters what you think of yourself, your own work, and your desire to accomplish whatever it is that you are working towards. Never ever, let anyone disrupt the relationship you have with yourself; it is the most important relationship you will ever have in this world.

So, fellow artists…embrace those rejections…don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough. Here are a couple of the paintings I submitted, they are available.

ITS MY BIRTHDAY!!!

IT’S MY BIRTHDAY

It’s my very own special day…MY BIRTHDAY. I won’t tell you how old I am, but I will tell you that I’ve been around long enough to have two little grandchildren appear at my door at 7:00 a.m. singing the Happy Birthday song. That is the wonderful up side of being a Tutu (that’s Hawaiian for grandmother).

Since it is my birthday, I get to relax and do whatever I want to right?? Well today I’m going to give you a break from my painting process, which I am taking a break from, and post a couple of my paintings that I recently completed and have sent to a jury for selection to a local exhibit.

This one is entitled "Beauty in Simplicity"


I call this "Behold His Glory"


This one is "Morning Dew"


I don't usually do floral, but needed a change of pace and in doing so discovered that I really do enjoy doing them.

Make A Joyful Noise

“Make a Joyful Noise” is the title of the piece I am working on now. I started it quite a while ago, but put it aside because I was having quite a few challenges with the concept.

This is the history of this painting. As a staff member of “Aloha Festivals” on the Big Island of Hawaii quite a few years ago I had to be in attendance at an event that took place at the rim of Halema’uma’u Crater. The event was the Investiture of the Aloha Festivals Royal Court. An Investiture is a ceremony to invest with authority or right. A large part of the ceremony was the appearance of the Hula Halau O Kekuhi (dance school) chanters and dancers. The chanters were so emotional and powerful in their delivery of the chants that I knew someday I would paint that scene. But how do you paint that kind of emotion? It has proven to be a challenge. I’ll try to take you through the process.

This is the preliminary sketch

Then it was transferred in two separate segments to a 24x30 canvas with the aid of a grid.

And more detail added


At this point I knew it wasn’t going to work because I had two main focuses, chanters and dancers, vying for the spotlight. After receiving a number of suggestions from artists on my art forums I decided to set it aside for a while, about three months to be exact.

I have resumed this painting and will show more steps tomorrow