Day of the dead

I attended a wonderful party where we all participated in adding to the altar. We then shared stores of our loved ones who have passed.

"A portrait is a painting with something wrong with the mouth. " John Singer Sargent

I thought of that quote many times while working on this painting. The mouth is not static. The slightest line or brush stoke can completely  change the expression

This is the only one where I drew in the image before painting

 

Acrylic layout

"Waiting for the Muse" oil on board 80 cm x 100 cm

How can I work in this mess?

I hope I will have # 7 and #8 in the series finished soon. The messy studio is starting to close in on me.

a day's work

These are on the way... I can see what needs fixing. If you care to offer suggestions, I am open.
Perhaps another day or two to finish up.

Last 2 paintings?

Here is the progress on the 2 remaining paintings that I have started. I am not sure, but they may be the last in the series. I usually have at least 12 paintings in a series, but right now there are many other things that are needing my attention, like building a new website and get back to marketing. Perhaps after a couple more days of work these 2 will be finished.

Now it is finished

Thank you Linda Vandiver for your helpful comments.

Amost finished

This painting in the series will be the 6th. It is almost finished. Perhaps, I will add a couple more highlights.

6 hours in the studio.

I should have quit earlier. I don't think the work I did  improved the painting. Oh well, it is the process.

I think I can still pull this together - after a break

The 6th painting is on its way

detail

I approached this painting as if I were painting an abstract; using color as shapes.  At this point, I like what is happening.; big brushes and lots of color. Why use a restricted palette when the world is full of color?

The beginning of 3 paintings

I had new lights installed in the studio yesterday and they really help remove the glare I was fighting. They are  halogen tract lights and now each painting is evenly lighted.

5th painting finished

I was asked if I make a painting a day. No way. Each painting takes me at least a week and goes through many stages. I have heard that people like my first, robust, layout of the painting the best. If only it could be less crude, I would leave it alone - maybe.

This one has looser brush strokes, and has changed direction from the original under painting.

Blank Canvases, 36" x 36" oil on canvas

Beginnings and endings of some paintings

This bottom painting is very close to being finished. When I photographed it, I could see the changes that have to happen. It is wonderful that when I see the work photographed and posted, the problems practically scream at me. In the meantime I have moved on to the next painting in the series. What do you think?

blank canvases 

Another day, another painting

Here is an early version

I did put that over-worked painting aside today and tomorrow when the paint is completely dry, I will cover it with gesso for a clean start over.

I am working on one that probably will be finished tomorrow and actually drew another image on another board. I usually just start painting with no preliminary drawing. I'll see how that works.

still corrections to be made and she needs a brush in her hands

 

 

I promise myself to put this painting away

I felt more like myself today and just couldn't leave this painting alone. I had intended to start a new one, but every time I looked at this image, I grabbed a brush and pushed the paint.

It is better, but not good enough. I will put it away and see if it is worth more time next week.

At least I am blessed with an eye to see when my work is not hitting the mark.

This painting needs a time out!

I wish I could say I am happy with the latest episode of this painting. I'm thinking of only starting paintings and never trying to finish them.

Also I am not feeling my best and feel tired. Should have stayed out the studio and studied Spanish.

Time to move on to another painting

I worked a couple more hours on this painting and now I have to put it away. It may be finished, but I have stopped seeing clearly.  Starting paintings is always much more fun than finishing them.

Work in progres

There is just a small correction to be made on this painting on the bottom of this page. It really helps to photograph the work and look at it on the computer. The mistakes practically shout at me.

acrylic under painting

first layer of oil

Where I stopped yesterday

Just a bit more to do and this will be finished

Still working on the same 4 paintings

Almost finished.

I worked on the image below, last night and early this morning. The more I worked, the worse it got.

This image was still in the early stages. It kept getting worse

So, when I went back to the studio, after breakfast, I got out the gesso and painted out the face. The only salvation for this painting, was to completely start over.
This gave me a sense of relief.

I went back to the paintings I was working on yesterday and put this one out in the sun to dry the gesso.

Back and forth between the paintings

The layout of the new face is above. I feel better about it already

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Working on 4 painting at time

I am struggling to keep the paintings loose. I have over-worked them too many times, so
I'm moving back and forth, telling myself to STOP.  Sometimes I don't listen, and then I have to start all over again. I certainly am not making a painting a day. I am lucky to finish one in a week.

The one on the floor has had many changes and hopefully it will be finished in another day.

Why am I painting women painters?  Primarily, I am a woman painter and have been working at my art for 60 years. I have seen the prejudice from museums and galleries against women. I was told 30 years ago, in Scottsdale AZ, by a gallery assistant, that it would be very difficult to get my work into a gallery. My name Ezshwan is a good tool. People do not know if I am a woman or a man. 3 galleries in Arizona carried my work when I lived there.

Years ago a painting was juried into a museum show. When I walked into the space, I was greeted with, "You're not a man! We thought you were a man; you are a small woman"

In art school, I was told that I painted like a man. That was supposed to be a compliment....

back and forth between these paintings

The Messenger, oil on board

I think I will change the name of this new series to The Messenger, rather than The Artist, since I am focusing on painters and there are artists in other fields. this is the third painting in the series.

beginning paint sketch

First layers of oil

 Painted the back ground black and then sanded it off

Then put black and alizarin crimson back in.