Saturday, January 26, 2013

Camo and Lace

Well, I have not quite kept up on the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge but I have blogged more and that is good for me.   Although I haven't painted and posted a daily painting I have been working... playing... uh, working daily.   Okay, so I love my job.

When asked to paint this portrait I was thrilled by this little girl with her auburn hair and fatigue  clothing with white eyelet lace and a pink ribbon!  So adorable.

I thought this time I might show a little more about the process.
Here is a photo of the very beginning stage and a photo of the almost done.  
A little tweaking still to do but it's always fun to put the oil paints aside for 
just a bit and play with the pastels.



Camo and Lace

I'll come back with the finished piece in a couple of days!  (I hope :)



to see more of my pastel portraits, visit my website at 

Angelini Studio



Monday, January 21, 2013

5th Avenue Anchorage, Dreaming of Paris

Take a stroll down 5th Avenue in Anchorage, 
and follow your nose to the best steak in town.  
Enter in and re-live boomtown Alaska, back in the days of the pioneer.  It was a new frontier only for the strongest.  

The gal with the red umbrella has just finished a fine, rare, blue cheese stuffed, fillet and is warm to the core regardless of the cold wet day.  Trust me, there's a big smile on her face even if you can't see it!

5th Avenue Anchorage,
Dreaming of Paris
12x16 Original Oil


If you're ever in Anchorage, you don't want to miss this one!
Club Paris has been serving since 1957 and going strong.

http://clubparisrestaurant.com/origins.html

Contact the artist for purchase information:
angelinistudio@hotmail.com




Saturday, January 19, 2013

By the Light of the Ranch

Well, it's no secret to those who know me well that I tend to jump around a bit. 
I would love to have more qualities like those who have a definite path, always knowing what the next step is going to be, but as they say, you can take the girl out of spontaneity, but you can't take the spontaneity out of the girl!  Ok, so that's not exactly what they say, but I have moved back to my previous post when I said "Back on the Ranch" but there was a painting of boats! 
Now it's truly time...

Back on the ranch... here is a second painting from my visit to Rankin Ranch in California.  I was so tickled to be invited to a paint out weekend with the California Art Club.  There were some very wonderful people there as well as amazing artists.   My first painting from the trip "Counting the Herd" started my fascination capturing the light in a new way.  I loved painting that cowboy and have many wonderful memories and photos from that trip.  I hope this is the second of many from that series. 




"By the Light of the Ranch"
Rankin Ranch, California
10x10 Original Oil
300.








Friday, January 18, 2013

Mystic Star

Well life on the ranch here has been none the less than hectic.  Okay, so it's not a ranch, but it was just last night, January 16th that we finally were able to celebrate Christmas with my oldest son and his girlfriend.   That's a little ridiculous but we sure had fun!


Mystic Star 
10 x 10 Original Oil


So now that I've had a chance, I've spent some time finishing another start from David Lussier's workshop.   When I spent that Saturday morning in the little town in Connecticut and I knew that I had to leave within 30 minutes, but knowing that he (David) had some of the greatest photos, and after his demo and new inspiration I knew I had to try.   At that time I decided I would quickly put as much as I could on a canvas using his photo of boats from Mystic.   I still see some areas to finish up on in this one but I just loved the composition.  I believe in some way, these boats are like salty dogs, sharing stories of the sea.  Just hanging out together, both very different but beautiful in their own way. 







Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Garnet Barn

"Garnet Barn"

It was Saturday, Jan 5th, and I was scheduled to fly home on Monday.  
It was about the 4th time I had visited New England with plans to meet artist team 
David and Pam Lussier.   Facebook posts and phone calls were often shared, but we were never able to connect personally, so this time was it.  No excuses.  After contacting them, I found out David would be teaching his class in Willington, Conn.    It was an hour and a half drive starting around 7:30 in the morning.  Very out of character for me :) but it was a beautiful drive.  Back roads to the little town with morning light, 
fresh snow, creeks and barns along the way.   
Once arriving in Willington,  I found David's studio in an old mill on a 
pond with waterfall and all.  Wooden floors, track lighting and big beautiful windows make up the studio space and of course the walls were adorned with fabulous paintings that sparkle with snow and sea alike.  
David's paintings were an inspiration to start the day.   Both David and Pam are so very warm and welcoming with big smiles and hearts to match.  Shortly after introductions and set up David began his demo.  I'm walking away with some great nuggets, my favorite being how he uses his color wheel to create a palette that will ensure harmony through out his paintings.  

So, with feedback from both David and Pam, my Day 9 painting is from a lovely little Connecticut scene called Garnet Barn.


Garnet Barn
10x10 Original Oil



David Lussier showing his palette set up. 
David Lussier standing and Pam seated.  Both happily painting.







Garnet Barn

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Sparkling Water

Day 6 of the 30 day painting challenge is a fly day for me. Changing location from New England to Alaska. So today, I'll reminisce about a day gone by but very much cherished.


Sparkling water is sometimes something to quench a thirst or delight a tasty palette.... but speaking of palettes, sometimes sparkling water is a great opportunity to set up the paintbox and just try to capture a single moment of this joyful dance. A wonderful blinding light captures an eye and keeps it there as it does a melodious dance among the water. When the waves break upon the rocks, rolling, splashing and playing until it lays again only to return for another set. The sun often joins in on the playful dance and adds musical notes of color and light to entertain even the most somber soul. It's a place where the problems of the human race can seem very small and like the snowflake, no two are ever the same.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Newport Jewel

The coast of Newport, RI, also known as 12 mile drive, is a real jewel in itself and while some days are meant for still life, others are meant for plein air. The cold, ocean air at the beginning of January tends for quick studies though. At times it's hard to get started because of how amazing it is to just watch and be moved by the movement. Crashing sprays, breaking waves, light changing the colors and intensity of the deep living ocean. It swims within my veins. Then, as daylight gives hints that it will be leaving soon for another day and another place, I must set up quick and sing the song of color notes.

Quick studies, along with photos, are the souvenirs that will come home to my studio for larger and more detailed paintings. Until then, this little 6x8 will keep the moment alive.







Friday, January 4, 2013

Jewel of the Past

This 8 x 10 piece is a jewel of a memory. It's been on my mother's dresser from the day I was born. She has two of these perfume bottles and a little ring container. I would love to put more time into this one but the challenge of painting and posting daily (plus visiting friends and family, plein air painting, begin packing and daily road trips) it had to be a quick one. And because I'm sometimes a little crazy, let's add the challenge of cut crystal :P Really am happy about painting it for the journey.


Oh and speaking of plein air, it was delightful to hear from friends that my photo was on the cover of the Newport Daily News of Rhode Island! 29 degrees and painting the beach.




Thursday, January 3, 2013

Bejeweled Barrels

A second day of a 30 day painting challenge and a second day of the vineyards of Oregon. I haven't yet actually painted the vines yet but everywhere I looked, there was a painting to behold. The owners are artists themselves! Great wines and flowers for everyone to enjoy.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Jewels in the Vineyard

January 2nd marks the beginning of a 30 day painting challenge thanks to Leslie Saeta! I am excited and looking forward to the discipline (much needed by me :) and dually challenged by the fact that I am on vacation. But let this be a year of "no excuses" and I'm happy about that.

A quick post as my painting backpack is ready, the sun is shining and Newport is not far.

My theme for the 30 days is, like the song, "There are Places I Remember"

Remembering a visit to Portland with my husband and two sons, (a less frequent event now that they are grown) is always a favorite. These little jewels were found in a vineyard in Newburg, Oregon and painting yellow always brings me happiness. I hope it brings you happiness too.