Ray

Ray
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 12x12

colors in progress...

So, I have probably lost my mind, but I am having great fun with color as I get wild with Ray Charles tonight! What possesses me to go after this portrait in such a way?  Painting daily takes away all fear when it comes to trying new things!  I’m undaunted when I slap down a strong, vivid stroke, the unexpected is just that much more exciting, and most of all - it is sheer, undiluted fun to push those boundaries way, way back!  I chose Ray Charles, because I love the infectious joy that his smile exudes......and it kind of goes with the music theme I had going with a few paintings last week.  I got my new catalysts yesterday, and I have used three new styles on this painting - the square, the arrowhead and the large chisel edge.  I love each of them!  I used the tip of the arrowhead for those little choppy hair curls, and the others throughout.  I probably used the square head most of all!  I think they are SO much better than palette knives, and I may never pick another knife up!  This wild and crazy painting is the 1154th in 1154 days :)

first sketch over old landscape!

Finding the Music

Finding the Music
Oil on panel, 12x9

So the 30 day painting challenge is over, and I can now take a break.  But the routine of the last 30 days is still with me.  I waited until late in the day to start this one, but I still had to paint it.  I have only started to do figure painting - and I really want to explore every avenue in this new genre.  It is also very appealing to capture with paint some of our daily family memories.  You know, the small stuff.  It could be like a painting journal of our lives together.  This is my oldest daughter - and I had to sneak up behind her to take the photo reference for this painting! This makes 31 paintings in a row :)