Inspired by Botticeli

While attending Auburn University I had the opportunity to take lots of art history classes.  I couldn't get enough honestly.  In fact, I bet there are enough art history classes on my transcript that I could've been a dual major in printmaking and art history.  9 classes at least under the belt....all of which I made high A's in (toot...toot).  Sitting in the dark theater with images of our rich cultural history projecting screen after screen is what motivated me to continue down the path of being an artist. 

And this artist was one of my very favorites:

 Oh Botticelli.  Your dreamy skin tones and eloquent hands...you had me at first slide.

This week in Studying Under the Masters our artist inspiration is Botticelli.  Yummy.  I know, I'm weird.  His work has truly inspired me to seek the artist deep inside me I know I can be.  I've used the whimsical crutch.  I have.  Deep down I've always wanted to paint figures, not necessarily realistic ones.  But rather images that reflect the joy I receive from knowing people. 

Here's my progress with yesterday's painting:

 

If you read my post from earlier in the week then you saw my first attempt at a figure Saturday night.  Since then, I've watched another artist's technique which made a light bulb turn on.  I can't wait to try another tomorrow!  This is so exciting for me.  I truly was feeling a tad lost and quite honestly bored with my current work.  This.....this is bringing back the joy to my paintbrush.  In fact....I painted this one during school sitting at different tables with the kids.  They were all like, "OH MY GOSH Mrs. Horne.  Where did you learn to do that?"  My response...."Can you believe this is all new to me?  And that by practicing I'm getting better and better?"  What an amazing lesson to teach these kids.

Since I wasn't sure how any of this was going to turn out the ones I done here at school were literally painted on this surface:

Yep.  This is good old fashioned cardboard.  It came out of the IKEA boxes that held Mailey's new bed.  I knew it'd come in handy one day for something special.  I've got to work on lips.  They started great with the drawing...but slowly got pursed a bit too tight.  She looks persnickety.  I love that I've taken lots of photos of the process.  I can totally see where the lips lost their luster.  Next time I'll attempt a smile!!

So...are you trying anything new lately with your paint brush?  I hope so.  It's a lovely feeling.

Sometimes New is Good

I find that sometimes ideas consume my little head and until I get them out and onto the canvas, well let's just say I get a little loco!  I know, I'm such an artist.  So the idea swimming in my head was to make portraits of my children.  Now, I am not going to become a portrait artist...nope.  But the thought of my hands capturing their little personalities through paint really excited me!  I take thousands of photos a year with my Canon Rebel....seriously.  So I flipped through and found my favorite shots and turned them into these:

The photo of Mailey was of her in this year's amazing Halloween costume complete with Taylor Swift wig, thus why she has flowing blond curls and not red wavy hair.   I may have to change the color of her hair at some point.  It says, "Her spirit embraced them all".  Which it does, it really really does.  From where she started to where she is now, the one constant is her little spirit and how ginormous it is.  She freaks me out a little with the manner in which she embraces all things.  From humans and animals to her sweet dolls, she embraces each with such an open heart.

And then there is William.  The child Billy and I prayed for almost 2 years to come to us.  The child that came out quiet, that was gentle and kind when Mailey came with a fury.  The child that is so sensitive you look at him wrong through the hair you see tears in the eyes.  The child that saw when I was finally doing his painting smiled from ear to ear in flattery.  The child that "makes my heart sing".

This child is not really mine.  Well he sorta is.  This is my sister Molly's son Fielding.  I just puffy heart the photo of him I used for this painting.  He has this total routine with his smiling....it starts small, then the mouth goes wide open with tongue out and you can not help kiss and gooey all over him.  Seriously.  You can't see the words too well, but it says, "He will forever leave an imprint on your life".  Yep, that's what children do.  You know what I mean?  And not just from the second you see them being born, but from the second you know you are carrying their soul they imprint on your heart.  It's completely and totally unavoidable.  And since this child in particular was not in the grand plan, he has imprinted on all of us more than we ever imagined he could.

So this little painting time has completely and totally inspired me.  Getting completely out of my comfort zone has been a wonderful way to jump start the next series of paintings.  I have big plans up my sleeve for the next two months in the studio, most of which include the brush and paint.    I can't wait to share the journey as it unfolds.