The Conservatory

A few of my painter peeps went to the Conservatory here in our town, to paint small portrait sketches of its residents about a week ago. I had only gotten a couple hours of sleep the night before and from 8:30 till noon this day, we had been painting a hired model. We went from that to the Conservatory where we painted till 3. I have to tell you, I was pretty tromped by the time I got home, but the afternoon was such a delight, I would have been sorry to miss out. The residents were so entertaining and engaged in what we were doing, regaling us with tales of yesteryear that would make your socks roll up and down :-) I am reminded: You can NOT judge a book by its cover. (photo by Lewis B)

Little Liza

M2P2=Monday Morning Portrait Painters
There are a million people in the room on Mondays and if you are late getting there, you get what you get. And by "late," I mean "not early." The early bird gets to sit, and gets to see the model without binoculars (although one early-bird sitter often uses binoculars anyway, no kidding). This Monday, there wasn't even room against the far wall, so I took the extreme oblique position. My grandmother used to play semi-pro basketball and she was famous for her ability to sink swishers from such an angle: the corner of the court, under duress. I try to tap that same spirit of courage and determination, attempting the shot in spite of the silly position and no backboard.
If there were a ref and a scoreboard, I would know for sure how I did. I would like that. But it's probably better this way.

Miriam the Tamborine Girl. 14x11

I have been very busy painting and teaching this year. It promises to be a very good year in the world of Art. It is certainly off to an excellent start at any rate!
Thank you for stopping by and I wish you the best this new year.
I dedicate this post to the Art Collectors.
Thank you.