shadows and such

Roses Sketch

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Just tinkering with an idea I've got in my head. Seems like a much better idea than trying to put it on hardboard as an official painting, and then deciding I'm not so sure about it, and trying to fix it half a dozen different ways... yep, much better this way. Really love the shadow, but I'm thinking it might look better from immediately overhead.... but then we don't get to see the vase of roses from the side and all that prettiness :(

Well, I'll have to try that idea next and see how it feels, I guess. And be grateful that I can get gorgeous roses like this in the middle of winter, that's something to enjoy as well. Hope you're all having a wonderful end-of-the-weekend!

#335

Not exactly November....

Daffodils 4

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Sandra Price

But I've been craving some springtime, and so I went back to some reference pics I took at Duke Gardens in February- so, pretty much, we're looking a few months into the future, right? Just three months or so, not bad at all :D

And I l-o-v-e how this one turned out, too. Happy. See how translucent the petals are? And the cool shadows against the yellows moments?

Also, I've been tagged! The tag-ger was the wonderful Faye Christian Phillips (that's a link, click on it), and as tag-gee I'm to tell seven things about myself, and tag seven more people. Fun :)

First, the seven "things"

1. I'm a total bibliophile, and am always in the middle of some book. And I re-read all of the ones I own. My favorite author is Margaret Atwood (try her Oryx and Crake, it's an amazing post-apocalyptic dystopia kind of thing), and my favorite poet is Edgar Allan Poe (no, he's not always as gloomy as the Raven. Evening Star is a particularly beautiful one of his).

2. I'm hopelessly and terminally motion-sensitive. I can't go on any ride that goes in a circle or upside down, can't look at a map, a book, crochet, or a sketchbook in the car, would rather ride in the bed of a truck than the backseat of a car, and I've just accepted the fact that I shouldn't eat for 24 hours before getting on a plane.

3. Used to be really, really religious. Not so much anymore.... kind of making a religion out of acceptance and moderation.

4. Yeah, the moderation thing. I smoke, drink, cuss, and break certain laws. All in moderation, of course :) At least by my standards. Hehe.

5. Love cats. Don't really dislike dogs, but cats are infinately superior. They have retractable claws, they don't drool, they don't bark, they don't jump up, and they purr. Awesome feature in a pet.

6. And I have the best cat ever. Truly. He's adorable, sweet despite the whole evilness thing, and he plays fetch. Yes, seriously.

7. I really have no idea how people run out of inspiration, or things to paint. I think I could be put in a closed circuit with only my existing reference materials and existing little still life thing-a-ma-bobbies and be perfectly happy creating pictures for the next decade or so. Hopefully that feeling will continue forever.

And the tagging of the people:

1. Eric Orchard

2. Gayle Mason

3. LC Neill

4. Lisa Gloria

5. Margaret Dyer

6. Molly Brose

7. Nathalie Davis

#334

Porcelain

Angelica with Mardi Gras Beads

9"x12" acrylic on hardboard panel

commission - sold

Happy with this one- that determined, steady, dark blue gaze, the slight smile, the upright way she has of walking, the wonderful tangle of blonde waves.... hope you like it too :) and that you're all having a wonderful night!

FYI- if you're wanting a portrait for Christmas, there is still time! Email me at kelliemarianhill@yahoo.com if you're interested :)

#333

Kitty cat, Thanksgiving Day

In the Light

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Lisa Gloria

My sister-in-law's cat, Monet, napping in the bright sunlight streaming through the window and across the big, gorgeous bed.... nice, comforting, and I can practically feel the purring emanating from the painting. Just a few colors, nothing too complex... just something soft and warm and peaceful and still. Comforting. Happy thoughts, and happy holidays.

*hug*

#332

And sunshine again

Interior #2

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

available at The Pink Elephant

That seems to be a bit of a theme, lately. Not a bad thing :) More limited, this time, that spot of sunlight on the ottoman, the restricted palette, that sense of stillness, and waiting.... and the stripes. Stripes are fun to paint, as it turns out :)

#331

Pretty November sunshine

Study of Becky

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Closing in on that one year / #365 mark, aren't I? Super exciting :)

This one, it's a study of my beautiful sister-in-law in one of those marvelous overgrown turtleneck sweaters, the bright sunlight forming this wonderful halo around her... I love her curly hair, and that adorable profile. This one really challenged me, but I'm happy with the way it turned out. The desaturated version shows a really good values balance, so that's encouraging, too.

#330

watching a movie in the dark

Study of Louise

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Not a bad Monday, and this was a fun daily to do, a nice sketch, really.... difficult, trying to get everything in there in the dark, but she has such lovely features, glowing a bit against the darks of the background and her sweatshirts. Fun :)

Hope you're all having a wonderful night! I'm off to climb into bed and try to warm up.... I am sooooo looking forward to springtime. Yes, already.

#329

Just a Sketch

Study of Monet

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Just a sketch, looking more closely at things.... beautiful idea, beautiful idea that I'm working towards, pretty light, pretty kitty basking in the light. Just black and white tonight, but you can kind of see it, can't you? Just wait till I get the real one done :D

'nother eggy

Egg II

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

private collection

Pretty shiny things, colors and circles and that fun overhead view....

Friday night....

Tea - Equilibrium

16"x20" acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

And it's been a looooong week, and I'm sleepy- waking up early to head out to Winston Salem for the big Whimiscal Women Fall Show/Art Sale, too, so it's going to be a big weekend.... love to you all. Hope it's going beautifully.

baby time

Study of James

6"x8" acrylic on hardboard panel

Just having some fun with the cutest little redheaded baby ever :) I swear, painting kids is n-o-t-h-i-n-g like painting grownups, it's like they're a different species or something, but they're adorable, so it's all good. Ooh, and the week's almost over, too- hope you're having a good time with it!

Now it's official

Egg 1

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Bob Manning

:D I've painted a raw egg, now I'm a for-real daily painter! Seriously, though, awesome subject idea. Kudos to whoever thought of it first.... and then went ahead and painted it anyways, even thought it is a... raw... egg.

Anywho. Happy tonight, and hoping you are as well :) now, off to sleep!

#324

person and pet....

Martie and Alex

9"x12" acrylic on hardboard panel

Sooo proud of myself on this one! There's probably some details I'll go back and fidget through tomorrow, but the result right now I'm thrilled with! Martie has the most wonderful profile, and her hair is so much fun, and of course Alex is wonderfully, confusingly shaggy but her leash makes for the most perfect way to carry your eye through everything, I'll have to remember that the next time I do someone with a carry-on dog....

You know it snowed here today? Didn't stick or anything, but still, insane. So not my thing, even if it was beautiful.... I should migrate to the equator every winter, I swear.

But now it's late (too late, truly). You know that charge you get when you're working on a piece you're really excited about, and it's awesome and exciting and it makes you do stupid, stupid things like miss sleep? Yep. Apparently I'm in the middle of one of those. Oh, well. We'll see how it turns out :D

#323

Another Present

Polka Dots

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

Having some fun- as a general rule I don't do patterns at all, but for some reason I was feeling the pink polka dots and just sort of rolled with it :) The ribbon is this odd velvety non-color on the inside, and I'm finding myself wondering how it would look if it was equally patterned on the inside of the curves.... hm. Maybe next time.

#322

always up to something....

Wrapped in Gold

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

Having fun with this- I loooove Karen Appleton's work, and with Christmas coming up (I really can't believe they're playing Christmas music in the stores already, really can't believe it) I wrapped up some cute little boxes with tissue paper and oversized bows and this is our first result. Yay!

#321

soft sunlight

Late Morning

6"x6" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Leroy John Lobo

Saturday night.... wonderful, beautiful, productive sort of Indian-summer day, and today's painting is a nice, peaceful sort, soft blues and violets, just finished with your coffee, the cup and saucer just sitting there, still and warm in the sunlight. Happy thoughts and lots of love :)

#320

Dreams and Light

Pearl Nautilus

12"x12" acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

Ok, I am rather... intoxicated.... right now, so I'll be good and not talk for too long. Just watched Hancock, about to watch Kung Fu Panda. Hehe. Good night, yes? Love you too.

Another November sunrise

Butterfly Clouds

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Marian Naik

Darling Husband saw the butterfly in the clouds, but I have to say I really like it... and the colors, totally love the colors. I had no idea how wonderful smalt hue would be as part of that wonderful soft purple the clouds turn sometimes, but it really really works, and makes the light show up so marvelously... happy thoughts. Wasn't sure I should paint it, thought it might be toooo pretty, but it works, even the little rainbow glimmer. It's nice. Hugs to everyone!

#318

Halfway through the week!

Study of Amna and Maya

acrylic on 8"x10" hardboard panel

Not my usual bright-sunshiney-uplifting self tonight, for whatever reason, so I probably ought not do any real typing and just let the pretty painting be enough :) I am really proud of this one, as it stands- the eyes were an absolute joy to do, and those soft-squishy baby features, and of course I had fun with the butterflies.... *sigh*

Hope you're all having a wonderful evening!

Good afternoon, good evening, and good night!

Concentric - Caffee

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

sold - private collection

I hate winter, truly I do. But it is nice being able to drink nice warm things like coffee and hot tea and hot chocolate.... yes, that's a nice thing :) And this seems to qualify as my favorite viewpoint, even though I've never tried it like this, with a spoon and coffee before.... oh, well. Happy.

And now running off to do the other nice thing about winter- snuggling down into bed under a nice fluffy comforter and enjoying the contrast between the cool air and all that warm softness *contented sigh*

#316

Imagination and Escapism

Looking South

6"x6" acrylic on hardboard panel

available at the Pink Elephant

It's Monday night... guess that can be trusted to explain away me being tired and cranky :/ On the upside, finally started on two commissions I was a bit scared of, and they're going beautifully, so that's exciting. And there's always the hope that tomorrow will be better, friendlier, more ideal... freakin' warmer, that would be nice too. So, a little bit of getting away here tonight :) Hope you like it too!

#315

Flying away home

Flying Away - Grape Leaves

9"x12" acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

collection of Lucille Rice

Pretty golden suspension, grape leaves all flying away home across the canvas... spent entirely too long on this one, layering and layering to get that glow just right, the motion across the composition.... happy. Hope you're all having a wonderful night!

#314

Rarr! I'm ferocious!

Silver and Black

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

sold - private collection

Ok, about the post title.... I'm terminally random. Couldn't come up with anything rational to put in that little blank, so I typed in the last thing that I said to Darling Husband :)

And now, on to our very pretty little painting of the evening... another little cup of coffee, this time accompanied by it's spoon. Happy. And then the other paintings I've got going.... ooh, maybe the leaf suspension will be ready to go tomorrow evening. *hugs*

#313

Stillness

Tiger Nautilus

9"x12" acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

private collection

Really and truly happy with this painting- and having a wonderful evening- went out with friends, and now we're all sitting around watching Wall-E, which is soooo on my top ten movies of all time list. So, back to that... hope you're all having a wonderful night as well!

#312

Last of Three

Orchids - Blue and White III

6"x6" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Lauren Adams

Trying a square format on this one... the last for the moment. I'll think I'll try another coffee group soon :D Field trip to Starbucks! No, but really.... just having fun. Really reveling in my painting lately, and it's nice. Hope you're all having a wonderful night.... yay, tomorrow's Friday!

Ooh, PS- got the official Awesomest Doodad Ever, which I'm totally scared of- it's this sort of green lead-crystal goblet thingy that's going to be an absolute bear to paint, but is so beautiful I can't help seeing it a half dozen different ways. Promised myself I could start on one of them after I get the two... three I've got currently underway finished. They're almost there, promise. Geez, I'm a.d.d. tonight....

#311

Happy tonight

Orchids - Blue and White II

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Lauren Adams

Halfway through the week, and with so many ideas and inspirations. It's a nice thing. But at the moment I'm tired and looking at an early morning... guess I'll go back over and play with the grape leaves suspension I'm bugging out over, adding some lovely lavender tones to bring out the brilliant gold of the leaves... but really, I should go to bed soon. Really. *sigh* I'm going to stay up too late painting again, aren't I? guess that's one way to tell what you love....

*hugs to everyone*

#310

Election Night

Orchids - Blue and White I

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Lauren Adams

Watching McCain's concession speech, up past my bedtime but I just had to stay up until this point in the process. In love with the colors on this piece, all of the wonderful shades in those delicate, curving petals, and in the marvelous pattern of the opening flowers....

#309

Another angle

Study of Michael II

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

The reflected light at the base of his jaw and under his chin is wonderful... trying to model his shoulders and the top of his chest was an absolute bear. Considering I want to do a good-sized shirtless portrait of him, I guess it's something I should get used to :) It's just so different though! I'm used to non-face flesh I paint being much plumper and more feminine, I suppose... oh, well. Also plotting on some orchids, and some more coffee- so make sure to come back and see!

Other than that... well, Monday night. What else is there to share? The cat's headbutting me, he wants some attention because Darling has already gone to sleep.... for some reason I'm not tired yet :/ Ooh, I'll get started on tomorrow night's orchid- yay!

#308

Baby blue....

November Sunrise

6"x6" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Patricia O'Brien

Having fun. Got a lot of painting done today, feeling happy and productive and once again wishing weekends lasted just a little bit longer :) Hugs and warm fuzzies and best wishes!

#307

I miss summertime!

Study of Candice

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

And totally love sunglasses, perhaps because I feel I can't ever successfully pull them off. And the drama of thick, super-dark hair :) This one was a lot of fun to paint, even though I was scared to death of trying to do the teeth- can't make them too white or they look weird, don't want to make them look dingy, never quite sure what to do about the lines that go between them... so I took a nice middle-of-the-road approach on them, and besides, the real focus is on the dramatic sunglasses and the lovely way the light plays on her cheek.

#306

Happy Halloween!

Study of Michael

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Not much of a halloween evening for me- husband is halfway sick and having to work tomorrow, so we're staying in and being good, not even dressing up, and trick-or-treaters apparently don't do this apartment complex- but it's been a good day anyways. And just imagine, tomorrow is November! Crazy, isn't it?

Back to the people studies on this one, and I swear, facial hair will be the death of me. Seriously, have you ever tried to paint a close-cropped goatee? Dude. But the stong jaw/sensual mouth combination came across well, and I swear those eyes are laughing at me :) And I already know what tomorrow's daily is, and I'm looking forward to it being Saturday and getting started on a couple of wonderful ideas I've got running around in my head....

#305

Reflection and Refraction

Reflecting

4"x4" acrylic on hardboard panel

sold - private collection

One wonderfully scarred, chipped, bubbled clear shooter, and two small dark marbles that look like they might be made out of hematite. Beautiful. Tried to play with the same complements as last night, the turquoise and the burnt orange- it gives it a nice vibration. And the clear marble, you can practically feel the light held in it. Happy.

#304

Open Arms

Autumn Gold

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

sold - private collection

Predictable? Maybe. But what better for a beautiful fall evening, pray tell? Reveling in color, as always, and trying to pay particular attention to texture and crinkles, what makes a leaf a leaf and not just a spot of color. Happy tonight. Tired, but content.

#303

Back to coffee, as it gets colder outside

Coffee Reflections

6"x6" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Lisa Williams

And so far as the subject of eBay goes, apparently recieving a hundred feedbackies is significant, because I now have a turquoise star.... feels like kidnergarten, no? Like I might be allowed to beat out the erasers if I'm really really good :)

The reflections part.... all the little swirlies and such. It's a very shiny cup and saucer. Even though I think my favorite part of the piece might actually be the foam, and the little bubbles where the foam meets the cup. Hmmmm.... coffee.

#302

Looking Away

Study of Amy

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Back to people again :) Also working on like a million other things, but I'll show you them when the time is ripe... or, more accurately, when they're not just an idea in my head or scribble-scratch in a notebook, but something a little more concrete. Something that doesn't require telepathy to share.

*warm fuzzies to everyone*

#301

I wish my computer could experience pain...

Hydrangea - Edge of the Light

8"x10" acrylic on hardboard panel

sold - private collection

Explanation of the post heading.... so I could experience the joy of inflicting pain on it. Ugh. Technology is awesome.... until the day it screws up and it's not so awesome anymore. Thankfully, though, I puzzled out a different way to finangle pictures into the computer, and I can share number freakin' three hundred with you, how exciting is that?

Beautiful one, too. Really happy with the way it turned out- the feeling of light is really there, and some parts of the water are just amazing. Fun colors, and a really pure, warm feeling to it. *sigh* See the way the light turns green in some parts of the shadows? And the bright spots in the reflection? And then those endless, echoing circles in the shallow bowl the hydrangea blossom is resting in...

#300

Love the Rainy Night

Lime Water

6"x6" acrylic on hardboard panel

nfs

Not the hydrangea, not yet. Almost there :) Still this one was plenty ambitious, yes? Lime slices floating in water in a glass on a lace-edged napkin... yep, crazy. But lots of fun.

#299

All blues and greens

Hydrangea Rain

4"x4" acrylic on hardboard panel

on hold

By popular demand, I'm working on another hydrangea piece (which I believe will be done after a longish day tomorrow, we'll see)- I guess this would be a study for it, or something... it started as a way to sort out the best colors to use, and became an end unto itself. Used that fun diagonal line, drawing in acrylic thing that's been taking over lately, it gives you the most wonderful optic blending, and with these colors.... my Darling Husband, not the most poetic person in the world but dearly beloved nonetheless, said that it felt like springtime. Maybe not what I should be going for in October, but it does feel wonderful, doesn't it? Looking forward to next year already :D

#298

Snowbunny

Study of Cassie

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Broke every rule in the book one this one- used somebody else's low-res photograph, taken at night with a flash on a ski slope, with the subject making a goofy face. I'm also probably risking my life by posting this- the adorable subject of this painting is my baby sister. Still, worth it :)

#297

Halfway through the Week

Study of Jarrett

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Really, really enjoyed this one- that light in his eyes was a real challenge, as was the little smile, but I think I got it. Hope so :) Same limited palette, same limited time frame, but loosened up with the brushwork while trying to keep what I learned last night with Kristina.

Other than that... meh. It's getting cold here, and I got some gor-ge-ous pics from my Mama from a trip up to the mountains, there's a few things there I'm dying to paint. And I really-really want to go out to the Eno this weekend and take some pictures, fall color and trees and flowing water. I've got an idea for a largish painting in my head, a close up of the base of a tree, the roots and something special hiding there, really ocd detailed and with dappled sunlight. We'll see if I can get up the nerve to try it :D

#296

Experimentation is a Good Thing

Study of Kristina

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Set up some rules on this one- relatively quick portrait/study, to be done in acrylic.... using only one brush, and only a few colors, and only those short, diagonal strokes. I have been accused of being a bit of a glutton for punishment, but I quite enjoy this end result :) Go ahead, click on it- you get it super-sized that way. Isn't she lovely?

#295

Curves and Light

Tuberoses - Glow

6"x6" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Joanne Kinney

Dramatic, strange, wonderfully sweet-scented flowers that I get from the local farmer's market on a regular basis mid summer through, well... fall. Love the way they make the house smell, and they have the most fascinating shape, one that I had been afraid to try until tonight.

But isolating one stem in a small format made the subject less intimdating, if no less graceful, and you may not be able to see it, but I got a couple of books on Andrew Wyeth this weekend, and I think it's starting to show- focusing even more on the light, yes, but using more of those small, cross hatch strokes with the little bitty brushes and pure colors, set against the usual layered washes. It's nice :)

#294

The sweetest things in life are chocolate.

Godiva Chocolates

4"x4" acrylic on hardboard panel

sold - private collection

Ok, I'm being silly, but that's how I feel this evening :) It's been a lovely fall day, and I got a lot done... good feeling, you know? Did the life drawing studio again, really feel like I'm making a lot of progress there, and it's happy. Chocolate seems like a good thing this evening, lol.

So, four little life sized truffles, the top one with a bit of glare on it (sorry about that) ready to go to their new home. I officially love the colors- so rich and creamy. Kind of makes you want to lick the painting. Reminding myself that would be a bad idea....

#293

PS- posted a new image. Better, yes, but this one's tricky to photograph for some reason...

Autumn Gold

Falling

6"x6" acrylic on hardboard panel

sold - private collection

Something intricate and fragile tonight, with flickery highlights and translucent passages set aganst soft shadowy areas. It's comfortable, and really seasonally appropriate, no? And I tried to keep it really close to the background, pretty subtle... maybe there's be more of a glow if it was set against black, but the softness and subtlety works better for tonight. -huggle-

#292

Pretty, pretty

Filigree

6"x6" acrylic on hardboard panel
collection of Deborah Ross

Wow. Yes, you've seen this one before, this is just the first time I've gotten up the nerve to show all the wonderful little gold trim details. Yay! The shadows and reflections showed up in the most unexpected places, and I really love the result. Perfect for a cool, rainy Friday night.

#291

Same view, different Teacup

Quiet Time

6"x6" acrylic on hardboard panel

available through the Pink Elephant

One of my great grandmother's teacups, to be precise... most likely the only way I would have painted a flower-shaped sort of teacup, much less one with pink trim.... but I really like it :) The tea came out a really great color, and you can see how it changes, gets darker quicker at certain points of the curves than others, which is really great. Also love the variations in color and shadow on the inside of the cup, really wonderful. Happy.

#290