And sometimes I can just paint without all the constraints.
Here is a recent commission. A little guppy of a girl. There are always intentions and goals with any piece, but here they were simpler. The parents wanted backlit hair and a direct gaze. I still wanted her to feel alive and have her hair filled with light and lovely textures.
Pushing around the colors in the last Goldfish painting got my brain to think more carefully about choices and color shifts. So, when I go back to this sort of “realistic” painting it feels like a walk in the park. Tiny color shifts are not scary and I can still paint with abandon.
Whether I am setting up challenges for myself or painting for others, I love the entire process. I talk in my workshops about how creating a work is like getting on a train and staying on that track until the end of the journey. I just have to make sure I stay on the right path to get the results I want at the end.
Then the final destination is a welcoming place.
Just beautiful! I always love your rendition of the light. So many levels of light here. Especially like the bit of light peeking on the left. So “alive”!
right? such a cute area…..
Beautiful work, Christine. Please, no more ‘mini versions of people because client wants everybody in the picture so they can save money.’ People like that don’t get it; they don’t get how RARE your gift is. Charge the most that you feel comfortable with, you can only make so many in your lifetime. You are THE best in Pittsburgh.
P.S. Make sure you get a signed contract giving you all rights to reproduce your work. Please message me if you don’t have any.
oh yes, I am a contract girl….and charging a bunch is my middle name….thank you for your kind words….
You are amazing Christine!
😊😊
It’s beautiful! You certainly captured her gorgeous hair!
Wow you certainly brought a sense of aliveness on the face with the play of lights and darks. There is the unmistaken sense of presence here. And have a Happy Thanksgiving , pass the pumpkin pie please.
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well!