Why Is 6 Afraid Of 7?

(prismacolor pencil on cardstock)

Because 7 Ate 9 !!!

A Cheese Sandwich, A Teabag, A Dog, And Yoda...

Or, in other words...

Happy Birthday Tracey!

"Smarter than you think, Mushu is."

Graphite on teabag

My friend Tracey's daughter is a genius of epic proportions, and for her mother's birthday she is creating an origami Yoda! 
(How cool is that?!?)

Tracey believes Yoda will add wisdom to her studio, because her current studio-mate (her dog Mushu), is a lackluster conversationalist.  If you have read Tracey's latest blog post, then you know that she also believes Mushu is 
"about as bright as a cheese sandwich"...

"Bright As A Cheese Sandwich"

Prismacolor pencil drawing on a toast photo

(presented on a dinner napkin)

In honor of Tracey's birthday, I have created two portraits of her beloved "mutt"...  One as the "cheese sandwich" Tracey contends Mushu is as smart as, and one as "Yoda", because I secretly harbor thoughts that Mushu is much more clever than anyone knows.

(close-up)

The jury is still out on poor Mushu, but what I know for sure is that Tracey is absolutely brilliant and definitely deserving of some silly artwork on her special day...

Happy Birthday Snicker Buddy!

Old Bathtubs

Lately I've been going through old sketchbooks...
I think that one of the best ways to figure out where you want to go, is to take a look back at where you've been.  When I'm looking for inspiration and I ideas, I frequently turn to my trusty old sketchbooks.  I usually come across an idea that I forgot about, or maybe an old sketch turns into a new idea when I look at it with fresh eyes.

These sketches were created (way back) when I was in college.  I was "trying on" lots of different styles at the time to see what might "fit".  Looking at them, I've discovered some things I may want to play with, but for now I'm going to use them to wish you a...

Happy Bathtub Day!

Happy World Smile Day!

(click on image to enlarge and print)

Happy World Smile Day!

In honor of World Smile Day, 

I am posting one of my favorite freebies again :)

It's easy to share a smile (or 28!)...

1. Print the poster on a full size sheet of paper.

2. Fold (accordion style) along the horizontal dotted lines.

3. Unfold and straighten out paper.

4. Use a scissors to cut along the solid vertical lines.

5. Hang the poster wherever you think someone could use a smile!

You can find more of my kindness freebies here.

Happy Birthday Paint Party Friday!

(Behind the scenes party prep)

Wow... 3 Years!

When EVA and I started PPF, I don't think we ever dreamed it would grow into such an amazing (and supportive!) community!

We are so thankful for all of you... You are the reason Paint Party Friday has become such a fun place to visit and share!

EVA

I can't imagine writing this post without also tipping my party hat to my friend and PPF partner, EVA...

EVA is smart, funny, creative, supportive, loyal, dependable, and so much more...  She is the perfect co-hostess, and I am so lucky to be able to call her my friend...

Thank you EVA!

Me

Please be sure to stop by the Paint Party Friday blog as we celebrate 3 fantastic years!  (We're having a giveaway too!)

Happy Birthday PPF!

The "Unselfie" Project: Process Pictures & Questions Answered

The response to The "Unselfie" Project has me excited, nervous, thrilled, anxious, giddy...  All good things, I think, when you're working on something new and something you're passionate about.  In addition to observations and critiques, I have been receiving lots of questions through comments, messages, emails, and phone calls!  I love the questions because they challenge me to focus on my intent and provide me with an opportunity to see things through the viewer's eyes.
So, since there are many questions that keep popping up, I thought it would be a good idea to put the answers to the "frequently asked" all in one place...

The layers of "Stevie"

What is The "Unselfie" Project?  
How did you come up with this idea?
The "Unselfie" Project is:
The unselfish desire to see beyond the "selfie"... To learn more about the layers of personality behind the photo.

This project was born from the idea that everyone wants to be seen, not just looked at, but really seen.  This project is a way for me to combine my passion for painting with my passion for kindness.

The layers of "Casey"

Where do these faces come from?
With a few exceptions, the faces come from "selfies" that were posted to either instagram or facebook.  (I also feel it's important to mention that I ask permission to paint their picture.)

How do you come up with the words that go with the paintings?
The words are a very important part of the project, they work in tandem with the painting.  People are so much more than what you see on the outside, or in a single photo.  The words describe the things you may not be able to see, but that are (some of) the qualities that make the person unique beyond their physical being. 

The layers of "Lisa"

What size are these paintings?  Are they on canvas?  What is your technique?  What medium do you use?  How do you create your backgrounds?
All of these paintings begin on an 8" x 8" square piece of 140lb. watercolor paper.

I begin each "unselfie" by writing (with an ordinary graphite pencil) about the person who I am painting.  It is a way for me to set my intentions for the piece, and they are the same words that accompany the finished painting.  After I am finished writing, I start adding some colors that remind me of the person (usually with watercolors or watercolor crayons).  Then I start playing while still thinking about the person... Just as each person is unique, so is the process.  Some of the techniques I use in my background layers include:  drippy writing (of more words inspired by the person), finger painting, stamping and stenciling (I like to cut my own stamps and stencils whenever possible), collaging papers that mean something, more painting...  I just like to build up lots of layers.

The face is painted using shades of paynes gray (acrylic).  When I paint a face I start with a quick sketch (in graphite if the background is light, or white charcoal pencil if the background is dark).  Then, I roughly paint in the values using a (fairly wide) flat brush.  I keep going back in with successively smaller and smaller brushes until I'm finished.  (Adding detail to the eyes is always the very last thing I do.)

The layers of "Patience"

What is the point of creating so many layers if you just cover them up anyway?
I love this question!  The layers add depth, both literally and figuratively, to each painting.  Just like it takes many layers of personality to create a whole person, it takes many layers to create each painting... Sometimes the layers peek through and you get a glimpse, other times the layers are hidden beneath the surface...

The layers of "Jenny"

Why aren't the faces in color?
When I was in college (many years ago!), I was taught that paintings should start with an underpainting (a monochromatic value study).  My professors explained that the better the underpainting, the more depth the subsequent painting would have.  We always added color, sometimes limited color, but we always added color on top.

It wasn't until very recently that I realized there is a beauty in the underpainting all on its own...  And for this project, leaving the underpainting "as is" seemed very appropriate...  The "exposed" portrait in shades of gray set against the vibrant background layers creates a contrast that adds even more depth to each painting.

Thank you so much for all of your comments (and questions!) about my paintings... I am so excited about this project, and all of your interest helps keep me motivated!

Jenny

Jenny

Jenny is... a nature lover and camper who thoroughly enjoys her family time... bravely exploring, magically traveling, and opening her heart to adventure... prolifically and passionately painting portraits... squeezing in as much studio time as possible... learning, teaching, and sharing her love of "the masters"... turning her dreams into realities... She is #beautifulinsideandout, #morethanaprettyface, and #beyondaselfie.

The 29 Faces Challenge: "Kindnessgirl"

Patience

Patience is... looking through her lens and capturing magic... passionately paying tribute to her family... a kindness pioneer and guerrilla goodness guru... paying attention and listening with love... connecting, laughing, sharing, and embracing (even the messy parts)... lighting a path and changing the world one bulb at a time...feeling it all deeply... She is #beautifulinsideandout, #morethanaprettyface, and #beyondaselfie.

The 29 Faces Challenge: Happy Random Acts Of Kindness Day!

In honor of Random Acts of Kindness Day, 
I have created 28 faces...

(Click on the image to enlarge and print.)

28 Smiley Faces!
(Please feel free to share!)

It's easy to spread some kindness...
1. Print the poster on a full size sheet of paper.
2. Fold (accordion style) along the horizontal dotted lines.
3. Unfold and straighten out paper.
4. Use a scissors to cut along the solid vertical lines.
5. Hang the poster wherever you think someone could use a smile!

You can find more of my kindness freebies here.

The 29 Faces Challenge: Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day Friends!

It seems very appropriate that I am sharing the latest portrait in my "Unselfie Project" on a day that celebrates love, because Lisa and her family are self-proclaimed lovers of the holiday.  (When you read more about her you'll see why...)

Lisa

Lisa is... a creative mama... seeking joy and paying attention to life's little moments... actively grateful... cozy cuddle coordinator and creator of the adorable "GFU Bakeshop"... kind and supportive... playful with color and maker of magical garlands... filling her home with beauty, love, and happiness... She is #beautifulinsideandout, #morethanaprettyface, and #beyondaselfie.

The 29 Face Challenge (29 Faces In One Sitting?!?)

Since I tend to create a lot of detailed portraits, 

sometimes I need to play.

When I was in college, my favorite warm-up exercises were the blind contour drawings.  Now, many (many) years later, I sometimes head back to my roots and create blind contours, continuous line drawings, non-dominant hand drawings, and various combinations of them all.  When I need to loosen up, I find the most important thing is just to keep my hand moving quickly.

I'm curious...

What is your favorite way to warm-up?

The 29 Faces Challenge: #4

A face from over the weekend...

Some days I draw.

Some days I paint.

(And, some days I do both!)

The 29 Faces Challenge: #3 (A Work In Progress)

(Layer #3 of #3)

I would like to start this post by thanking you for all of the kindness, support, and encouragement you've been giving me about my latest series of paintings!  I have received multiple questions/comments/emails about my process, and I plan on writing a post about it (I've taken lots of progress pics), but until I do I wanted to give you a little glimpse of my latest painting in progress...

(Finally starting to draw in the face after 7 background layers.)

Be sure to check back to see the finished painting!

The 29 Faces Challenge: #2

Casey

Casey is... a good sport... sweet and sometimes bashful... sassy but kind... the youngest of five, but definitely not a "baby"... caring, gentle, and eternally attentive... creative, bright, and passionate about music... always ready to belt out a tune... a supreme songstress and daring doo-wopper... courageously going for it... She is #beautifulinsideandout, #morethanaprettyface, and #beyondaselfie.

The 29 Faces Challenge: #1

Stevie

Stevie is... eager to help... a good listener... kind and generous... a creative thinker and wonderful word weaver... artistic...  best friend to "Bellie Bean"... sometimes shy, sometimes silly, sometimes serious... super smart and wickedly funny... an adventurous fire spinner... curious, strong, and brave... She is #beautifulinsideandout, #morethanaprettyface, and #beyondaselfie.

One Of My Favorite Challenges Is Right Around The Corner!

(Click on the image to learn more.)

See you then...
I can't wait!