Strider

Strider

12" x 16"

oil on canvas

 

A Strider is bicycle for the very young. It does not have pedals or a drive chain. So it is a play bicycle that one can walk around. Small and shiny.

It was easily Gwennie's favorite Christmas present. It did not matter to her that it was also NOT her present, however she quickly appropriated it and played with it much of the day - including the owner's helmet.

Grant was good-natured about it, or didn't dare cross her. She can be very determined.

I Can Ride

I Can Ride Fast

Campbell

 16" x 20"

oil on canvas
[click on image to enlarge]

The sheer joy of being able to ride a bicycle without training wheels is one of childhood's early milestones. 

Campbell's success is apparent.

With her Mediterranean complexion and beautiful hair she is also a whirlwind of energy and emotions.

Life will always be interesting near Campbell.

Framed

This is primarily a back lit scene, however to give some detail especially in Campbell's face I have also cast some artistic reflected light on the subject.
Campbell viewed the painting and said "the girl is beautiful. [and it's me]"
I agree

Quinn

Quinn
oil on canvas
16" x 12"

Quinn, who is a very special little spirit, has been a part of our family for two years. This painting shows her at about her one year old stage.

Her sister was of the opinion that her eyelashes and eyebrows needed to be very heavy to differentiate her from her cousin. She has a big personality to match her dark, long eyelashes

Ready for Adventures

Ready for Adventures
Grant
16" x 20"
oil on canvas
[click on the image to enlarge]

In the great outdoors with a full collection of good sticks.

What more could a little guy require for adventures and exploration? We should all be so enthusiastic about our opportunities.

The underlying photograph was taken from Morgan's blog.

Shown framed below.

 

Christening Morning

Christening Morning

18" x 24"

oil on canvas

[click on image to enlarge]

A newborn baby on the day of blessing brings so many poignant feelings. 

Among them:

-Reverence for this precious spirit

-Gratitude to Heaven for sending a special spirit

-Approaching Deity to ask an additional blessing for the infant and the future

-Family relationships

-Joy in a mother's sacrifice to bring forth a new family member

-The wonder of life

-Innocence and purity

Technically this painting was done somewhat in the chiaroscuro pattern with marked contrast between the background and the highlights. Black for the dress was made by mixing two powerful strong complementary pigments, in this case Phthalo Green and Alizarin Crimson which makes a rich, luxurious paint. It also allows small variations in hue not possible with traditional blacks. The extended arm has more crimson while the back of dress has a greenish hue.

The photo below shows this painting with a rather poorly cropped gold frame.
 

To most viewers the dominant figure in the painting is Rebecca, the young woman on the left, she is the figure closest to the viewer and therefore is larger, she is at the point of the highest contrast in the painting and she is painted with the sharpest details.

She is also on the left, and most of us 'read' a painting from the left to the right like we read text.

One might suppose that it wouldn't make that much difference, however below is the same painting now shown by reversing the photograph. Quite a different emphasis to my eyes.
Now to my eyes, the infant has increased in emphasis [and it is more apparent that the bottom of the white crochet blanket should be darker - and so I corrected it later]
You may see this differently.

 

 

Wanna Taste?

Wanna Taste?
Gweneth
11" x 14"
oil on canvas

Innocence and joy.

Sharing something special.  Gweneth is enjoying the Easter season.

Goldfinch in Coneflowers

Just for fun I cropped the photograph of the painting.

I think this demonstrates a problem with the larger work, in that the focus was a bit fractured by the conflicting elements.
This more limited composition seems to work better.
I mentioned the limited palette in the first posting. The purple hues are made with an iron oxide and ultramarine blue mix. They would be brighter with a cadmium red, but I like this shade.