Faith

I'm starting a new series. This series focuses on virtues, and I've chosen to portray them through the eyes of women.

I was looking through some antique, old photographs of women the other day and I was struck by the natural, sincere emotions in their faces. I thought about how our photographs these days are so entirely posed, it is almost impossible to tell how that person was really feeling at that moment.

But when I looked at these women's eyes, I felt as if I was witnessing a real moment in their lives. I have been sketching some of the more powerful images I have found 0n an antiqued surface. I don't think I have done a series that has felt more natural to me. Oftentimes I try to think up something that is "deep" or philosophical. I feel like this has meaning, but that it isn't overdoing it, if you know what I mean.

There are many virtues to be found in these faces, but the titles I have selected are ones that I have felt are more prevalent in their respective pieces. What virtues do you see in some of the pieces I have posted? I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

What is the Value of a Virtuous Woman?

Announcing the First Annual H-Anna-H Art and Photography Show

Hannah Galli (A very good friend of mine, and cousin by marriage. Not to mention an amazing photographer) and I are going to put on an art and photography show September 10-11. It will consist of our fine art and commission work that we have produced over the last couple of years. Most of it will be for sale. Also, we are going to have coupons for those interested in commissions, and lets not forget the GIVEAWAYS. (more details on the giveaways when it gets closer.) We're pretty excited, to put it lightly. We are most of all impatient to share with all of you our passion that we have shared for the last decade. Art truly is a beautiful thing, enriching lives, communicating across cultures and beliefs, a powerful way to touch others. We hope that our art can do this for you.

Here's a link to Hannah Galli inneri fine art photography. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.

Vella

Remember how dramatically I proclaimed I was going to paint? Well, I finally have some sort of evidence of that.

But on to more important things.

Meet Vella. This is my Grandmother-in-law. She is a beautiful woman full of kindness, knowledge, wisdom, and faith. On this 24th of July weekend, I declare her a pioneer in this trek of life. Her humility and dedication in transforming her way of life recently has inspired me to try to do that more in my life. I wanted to capture her legacy as her posterity will remember her from now on. I have always been impressed by her and I have been wanting to do this portrait for a long time. I hope you can catch her spirit and get to know her a little through this painting. You'd have to meet her to get the full effect though.

Happy Pioneer Day!

I Will Paint Tomorrow!!!!!!

FINALS ARE OVER and I'm sort of thrilled about that. Tomorrow I am going to paint. End of story. So feel free to check back, hopefully it will be something good. But for now, here is a study I did of my vunderbar friend Camille (her blog is artsy and fun...check it out!) in under two hours. It was so great of her to sit for me!

I hope you all do something fun this weekend. I hope that I do too.

That's all. Farewell until tomorrow.

New Photo-location Find!

So I like to do photography as a hobby, and it just so happened that my friend Coryn needed some last minute pics of her and her handsome future hubby. So, me being the novice photographer I was, I googled "good photography locations in Provo" and came across this place. It is on 5th East, about ten blocks south of BYU. Gotta love old warehouses and rusty poles. So all you Provoians, you should probably check it out. That's all. Hope you like the pics.

Cuties.

Susan Lyon

I absolutely LOVE the color combos used here. The light is so beautiful, subtle and cool, and the shadows nice and hot hot hot.

One thing I love about Susan Lyon is that she kinda uses reverse psychology in her painting. I'll explain.

She often will make super large-stroked, exciting backgrouds; sometimes even with tons of texture. In the first piece, not so much the case. Now think about more traditional ways of attracting the eye. The background is usually totally downplayed while the foreground has the big textures and exciting brush strokes. With Lyon's work, she makes the lights, the focal points, a place for the eye to rest. Interesting method. I love it though! If you want to see more of her stuff, she is also one of my side-bar stars.

Hopefully soon I can post more of my own stuff...Spring term has sadly stolen me away from my studio happiness. Sigh. But I've got some commissions that I need to get done, so at least those should show up soon. Hope you're enjoying the exquisite weather!