Liz

I had to stop touching up this one. There always seemed to be something that I could do to give it that soft quiet peace that seems to be part of Liz. Liz's hair is very blond on the ends and her skin is so light that I wanted to try adding a dark background for contrast. It does make her pop out. Also, I wasn't sure if I should include her lip ring but both times that I asked, she said that she wanted it drawn in so here it is. The look works. This is the first time that I found the 19" x 25" paper limiting having to turn it horizontal so that her arms could be included. The whole work came out pretty peaceful. Thank you Liz.

My Good Friend, Art Landry

Since coming back from Annapolis two weeks ago, I have had several friends and family offer to sit for me. Yesterday, my good friend Art Landry came by to give me the chance to do his portrait. I have known Art for about a decade now and he is one of the best friends I could ever want to have. Generally, when we are together I talk pretty much constantly and Art is a man of few words. The fun thing about having Art sit for me, is that I was not talking very much because I was focused on drawing and, low and behold, Art started talking more than I have ever heard him talk! He told me great stories and every now and then I would have to ask him to get back into position but the fact that he talked and moved, helped me to better understand his face for this drawing. There is a hint of a smile here and when I look at this one, I feel that he is just about to start telling me something new. Thank you so much, Art for sitting for me.
I had a great time as usual!

Patrick

About a week ago I asked for volunteers to sit for me so that I could hone my skills that I learned in Annapolis. This is Patrick and he was a very still sitter. After breaks he could get right back into position without much adjusting. Thank you, Patrick for sitting.

Charcoal of James

I have been away in Annapolis studying portraiture at Maryland Hall and with Cedric and Joanette Egeli since the first week of September. I am so glad to be home.

What did I learn while I was there? I learned too much to type it all here but some of the best things that I came away with are the ability to handle charcoal, how to set up a model with one light source (that is why there is a red blanket on the window behind James) and how to think about the structure of the skull and muscles under the skin on the face. I am still thrilled to use charcoal.

I included some photos of what I have had to do to my living room in order to have a good work space. The model stand doubles as our coffee table. Also, I noticed that you can see the window on the stair landing is blocked by another painting to keep out the light. As always, James and Alex are ever handy models but I am going to start looking for people who can pose for me for two days, two hours each day in intervals of 20 mins posing and then resting for 10. That is plenty of time to do a charcoal from life.
For James, I popped in a two hour movie and that helps to pass the time. So, in the time it takes to watch a couple of movies, it would be done. So if you know anyone who would like to sit for me...I need the practice but I also need some works to show people what I can do. Almost all of the works that I make are commissions so there is never an actual work to show people who are interested- just my online photos and that isn't the same. If you are interested in posing, contact me and we could discuss compensation and arrangements.