Mary

This week's sketch model at the SBAA Portrait Group was Mary.

She was a great model!

When I was out the other day painting the forsythia (the day I met the photographer) I also did an ink was of a massive tree. I forgot to post it then. This is across a double page spread in my Stillman & Birn Beta Sketchbook.

Portraits - Ann & Carmine

Last Tuesday I got to paint portraits twice. In the morning I painted with the South Bay Art Association portrait group. Ann was our model.

Then in the evening the Wet Paints Studio Group has their sketch night. Carmine who is one of the members of the group graciously sat for us since we hadn't found a model.

Claire

On Tuesday when my plein air group was supposed to meet we had rain and snow showers...not quite what you need to paint outdoors. So I headed over to Bellport and joined the SBAA portrait group.

I hadn't done a real portrait in quite a while (just quick sketches of people) so it took me a while to get into the grove. Claire posed for us in what I guess is sort of a Mexican vest and hat. Doing a black hat against black hair was not easy. This is 5 x 7.

Ardem

I painted with the SBAA portrait group on Tuesday morning.

Ardem posed for us. This is 5 x 7.

April 18 - Natchez, LA

Marge

Yesterday Marge posed for us at the South Bay Portrait Group.

This is 5 x 7.

Chris

The South Bay Art Association's Portrait Group met this morning and Chris was our model.

This came out looking pretty much like her. This is about 5 x 7.

Rachel

On Tuesday the SBAA Portrait Group met to paint Rachel, our model. I like the way the skin tones came out but I think I made her face a bit too long. 

Reflections on 2012 and Happy New Year

Reflections on 2012

 

As 2012 comes to an end I must say it has been an interesting year with some highs and lows for all of us. My thanks to family and friends for your support, love, and encouragement.

 

On a personal note my family is doing well. We celebrated 3 weddings this year in various places in and out of the country. I was lucky enough to attend all three and I happily welcome Flor, Emily, and Rachel to our family.

 

Several blogging friends came to the area this year. Ai Nukoolkit visited NYC from Thailand and I got to spend 2 days sketching with her in Manhattan. Lin Frye was here for a workshop, and after several years of being internet friends we got to meet. Hurricane Sandy make it necessary for her to stay on Long Island a bit longer than she wanted, so we were able to spend some extra time together.

 

I participated in several shows and have my work in the Fiedler Gallery in Greenport. I sold some paintings at shows and as commissions, so I am grateful for that.

 

The art groups that I belong to met this year on a regular basis. It is always fun to go out and sketch and paint on location with both the PALS Plein Air group and the Patchogue Sketch Club. I also met with the SBAA Portrait Group. My thanks to Jeanne Salucci, Gina Lento, and Don Stonebridge for coordinating things so well for the groups.

 

My thanks to my partner in crime, Susan Toplitz, who researched so many Long Island locations for us to paint together this year. It is always fun to have company! She and I joined the NYC Urban Sketchers where we met some wonderful artists. I met another blogging friend, Carol King, this year as we met with the NYC Urban Sketchers to do a Worldwide Sketchcrawl in Brooklyn.

 

Last but definitely not least, my thanks to my husband, Jerry, for his support and understanding of the love of art that I need to express. He has the same love for his music. Jerry puts up with a lot from me and I appreciate it.

 

There are many friends who are still not fully recovered from the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. I thank God that Jerry and I weren't affected, but my thoughts are with those who lost so much and are still struggling to get their lives back to normal.

 

I have MANY, MANY things to be thankful to God for this year, and if you are reading this you are among the things I am thankful for too. I appreciate your visits, comments, and support this past year. I wish all of you health, happiness, love, and creativity in the coming year.

 

 Happy New Year!!! Wishing you all the best in 2013!

 

 

 This painting was done for the Weekend Drawing Event on WetCanvas from a photo supplied by "pjartwc". My thanks to Jan for the reference.