I have been doing some redecorating in my home recently by painting over the too brown walls left from the previous owner. I have added COLOR, but the neutral soft ivory that I painted in the halls looks pink at certain times of the day, and that drives me CRAZY!!! I told my husband that I can not stand the walls and I am repainting them more of a
taupe shade. (OH the HOURS I put into painting.... Oh well.) Anyway I bought 30- 12" by 12" gallery wrapped canvases and am in the process of turning my hall into a family portrait extravaganza.
Above is Conway. His portrait was the
first one I did. I had planned to paint them in oil, but then loved the preliminary drawings so much that I decided to keep them in that state. I really love to see the marks, adjustments and process of thick, thin, straight,
squiggly, light and dark lines that when layered on top of
one another create an image of an actual thing.
This is sweet Ava. I took her photo with the camera in my phone.
and my son-in-law Jason. He was so cute and excited to see his
portrait as this was the very first one that was ever done of him. It will take a while to finish
every one's portrait with all the holiday coming up AND the fact that the adults in the family want the portrait to be from a photo of them that looks "attractive". (I can't blame them, I have done two of myself lately and they are not making the cut.) I'll post all of the
family portraits as the wall progresses. Thanks for letting me brag!!!!
Oh, and new paintings on my
ART BLOG too.
above: sweet little Pepper who just turned One year old recently and
darling Pearl who recently turned two years old. We are expecting our #15 glamchild next month and it will be a boy... no name yet, but I am sure that it will fit in with the rest of the unusual names that my children have picked for their children. It is funny how each generation thinks they are starting something new with the choice of names that they like. I know I thought I was the most clever gal on earth at the time, and now there are millions of girls named the same names as I named my daughters. LOVE those babies though, no matter what their names are! I also posted a group of portraits that I did for a dear friend on my Kelley Smith Art blog today if you are interested....
While Xander worked on his painting, I worked on this one. A client/friend wanted a portrait of her children by the pool. The perspective I used is very popular and on trend at this time, and I think it is very cool, because even though the children's heads are not in the picture plain, you still get a feeling of their personalities from each child's stance and position. Several of my friends who saw the red primed canvas were not sure about my color choice, I explained to them that I like to "prime" the canvas with the contrasting color of the general color pallet of the scene that I plan to paint. This made them quite nervous! 
I then printed gold Relief Society emblems and glued them behind the heads for halos. 
We made these cute little sock dolls that new mothers use to comfort their babies if they are too little or sick and can not go home yet. The Mom, Dad or caregiver can place the doll inside their clothing, close to the skin and the doll will soak up their scent. The next time they visit the baby, the doll is place next to the baby to snuggle and/or prop tubes and the baby will feel the comfort and smell of their loved one. The dolls are very easy to make so I've included the instructions if you would like to make some yourself and donate to your local hospital. 
The drawing will take place that afternoon at 4:30. You do not have to be present to win. I will also be painting a demo. in front of the gallery and schlepping my prints and greeting cards from 10am to 5pm. I think it will be a fun day for the family to see all those cool cars and cool art. Maybe I'll see you there?!
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