Happy New Year And A New Still Life

Happy New Year everybody!  I hope 2014 is off to a good start for you.  We are in a deep freeze here in New York and the weather has been nasty in general, so I have not spent as much time in my studio as I normally do, but I did finish up a new still life yesterday.

This was the original set up.  As you can see from the plum, I started this quite a while ago (in October I think).  I worked on it for two painting sessions, then went to Mexico.  On my return from San Miguel de Allende, I started work on my lovely model, Jamila.  It is just recently that I have returned to this painting to finish it up.

This was the original block in and the second day work.

Fast forward to picking up the painting again.  There was not a plum to be had in New York City so the plum became an orange.  I also changed the cloth on the shelf.  I'm happy things turned out this way as I like this set up much better than the first.

I also decided to redo the vase.  The shadow on the left hand side was not strong enough and that was making the vase look flat.

Building up the shadows and colors.

Started adding the pattern on the cloth after finishing everything else

Vase With Oranges And Grapes, 12x16, oil

Here is the finished painting.  This was a fun still life to paint and a good reminder that it is okay to change things as you go along.  I'm glad to have this painting done as I'm starting a new portrait soon.
As soon as we have a sunny day and my windows are not covered with ice I will take the "official" photograph of this painting.

Stay warm everybody!

New York City Holiday Windows and Downton Abbey!

It's that time of the year again.  Every December the stores here in New York City decorate for the holidays and it is always beautiful.  I can't wait to see what they come up with every year.  I was a bit late getting them photographed this year, mainly due to our never ending snow/ice/27 degree weather.  It is finally warming up a bit so here we go.

This giant wreath is on the gate leading into the outdoor space of the Frick Museum.  If you look at the top of the bow you can still see some snow.

The front window of the Laduree shop.  I saw some tourists posing outside the window with their bags.  
The shop seems to be a stop for everyone visiting the city.

Next up, Cartier.  Beautiful as always and of course I had to post the panther in their window since I have one of my own.  Well, she thinks she is one anyway!

More shops on Madison Avenue.  Madison was beautifully decorated and not inundated with people.  It was perfect for window shopping as opposed to Fifth which has become impossible the last few years.

Heading east I came upon this adorable little cafe.  I wanted to sit down for a cup of tea, but in our freezing weather everyone else had the same idea, so I settled for taking some photos.

These winter cabbages were still in their planters and covered with snow.  So pretty.

Such a pretty wreath.  The brownstones on the Upper East Side always look lovely this time of year.

Park Avenue in the snow.

This is not technically a Christmas display, but I was dying over the way this window was set up.  Since I would need a brownstone to display these, I'll just gaze from afar.

Don't forget the fur babies in the family!  This store always has the cutest window displays.  I don't know the name of it, but it is a few doors north of the 63rd and Lex subway stop.

So that takes care of the Upper East Side.  Now we're going over to Lincoln Center.  I was over there Friday night and was lucky enough to see some beautiful decorating.

I have to tell you why I was in Lincoln Center on a freezing cold Friday night.  Thanks to the magic of twitter I won a pass to see the season premiere of Downton Abbey!!  Are you guys fans?  I'm obsessed.  
Not only do I love the story line, but I am crazy about the fashions and the set design.  We had a great time and I got a fun shot of Broadway from inside the television studio.

You can see the trees all lit up.  Everything was so pretty you could almost forget it was 25 degrees!

The Christmas tree in the median by Lincoln Center.

I had such a good time seeing all the holiday decorating.  Hope you enjoyed it as well!

A New Portrait

The last few weeks I've had great fun painting a new portrait of the lovely Jamila.  Not only is she beautiful, but she dressed in a great outfit for us - it had a great French/Toulouse-Lautrec vibe and it really made the painting.

This was the first pose.  I put in the background and then blocked in the colors.  These pics are not the best as I snapped them with my iPhone, but as soon as the painting is dry and varnished, I will take proper photos and post them.

This was at the end of the second session.  I put another layer of color on and darkened up the shadows.

Here is the end of our third session together.  The painting is getting there, but clearly needs another session.  As I've mentioned before, I use Innerglow Panels, and the more coats of paint you have on them, the better the painting looks.  Also, if you look to the left side of the pose, her hand is not quite done.  Hands are my nemesis and I always save them for last.

Here is the finished painting.  We all had such a good time during these sessions that we are going to do it again in a few months.

Now it is time for me to get back to my long neglected dahlias.  I'm hoping to have them finished this weekend.  I'll post the painting as soon as it's done.

Have a great night everybody!

Frances

The American Artists Professional League's 85th Grand National Exhibition

A while ago I mentioned that I had a painting accepted into the American Artists Professional League's 85th Grand National Exhibition.  The exhibition is usually held at the Salmagundi Club, but since they are undergoing renovations, the exhibit was online this year.

On Saturday they had an awards ceremony as well as a portrait demo by Gregg Kreutz.

Gregg completed this painting in 1 hour and 15 minutes!  I was sitting there and I couldn't believe it.  I'm working on a portrait now and I'm about eight hours in and still need one more session.  I'm so glad I was able to see this because it really helped me with the painting I'm working on now.

After the demo and a musical performance, it was time for the awards ceremony.  I was lucky enough to win the Colonel George J. Morales Memorial Award, so it was a very exciting afternoon for me.

Sorry this photo is so dark.  I didn't have a chance to ask anyone to take a photo at the ceremony, so this was taken after while out celebrating.

It was a great afternoon.  Thanks to everyone at The American Artist Professional League.

Update:  I just realized I forgot to show you my painting!  Here it is.

Peonies In A Blue And White Vase, 16x20, Oil