Sketches and Paintings of Women

Figure Studies

2007-11-18T21:00:00.000-08:00

I love to draw and paint the figure. I think that shows in my work. On Tuesday nights a group of us have been doing figure sessions at Billy O's studio at the Foundry Art Center for a few years. I always look forward to it. I usually work in pastels there because they're quick to work with and easy to transport. Some of the following pieces were completed in these sessions, some were redone from my sketches. Please double click on the images to see the detail.
Becky

Julie

Beth

Rebecca
After completing the first portrait in pastel I decided to do another in oil. But I wanted to have some fun with it. I did some thumbnail sketches first using the same pose. I fattened her up, stylized the face, changed the hair, added a flower and took off the clothes. Then as I painted, I added the swirls in the background and decided I would like to see her as a redhead. The result is almost cartoonish but I like it. They are titled "Just One More" and "Just One More 2".

This is an old painting, actually sold a couple of years ago, but I think it's my all time favorite. It's titled "Happy Happy Hour". A lot of people said it reminded them of someone they knew. It wasn't done from a model. I just made her up. I find I like some people more after they've had a couple of drinks.

Beth, 6/12/07. This was actually done as a nude. I wanted it to be sketchy and improvised the dress, jewelry, background, and nails.
They're Talking About Me • 12 X 16 image area • Pastel • $600

OLD FAVORITES

2007-07-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

This series of paintings was done when my daughter still lived at home. She received a Victoria's Secret catalog in the mail. As I looked through it I found myself getting madder and madder because all the models were so damned skinny. I took the catalog to my studio and started sketching the posed models, adding about a 3 inch coat of fat. I stylized the faces, added long red hair and placed them in similar settings. I named my "Chubby Girls" after my mother, grandmother and great aunts. After all, chubby girls are cute too!

Shirley • Watercolor • 14 X 20 • NFS • Prints available

Audrey • Watercolor • 22 X 14 • NFS • Prints Available

Jesse • Watercolor • 17 X 22 • NFS • Prints Available

Georgia • Watercolor • 14 X 21 • NFS • Prints Available

Nostalgic Paintings

2007-07-19T22:28:00.001-07:00

The Kelly Girls • Pastel
This painting hangs over my fire place. It is taken from a black & white photo of my mother-in-law and her sisters. They had all just gotten new winter coats from their father.

Mom & Dad • Pastel
This is a commissioned painting of my friend Rhonda's parents when they were a young couple.