Painting again...

I can't believe I haven't blogged since Monday! The week sure went buy in a hurry. And since we last "talked," the dish cloth has taken the plunge into the dishwater (I'm so glad you all didn't think I was that weird...) and I have taken the plunge back into my paints. 

First thing I did was take this painting and gesso over everything but the big cat and the hand and then paint the woman new again. The old one just didn't feel "right" to me - too timid and afraid. I wanted to paint someone stronger. I tried to let my intuition guide me.

Her wrap or shawl is made from little pieces of torn paper and then I continued the color scheme and the motif from the paper into the rest of the painting. I also used some of the texture I got with the layer of plaster of paris I prepped the canvas with and got some great effects.

I wish you all could feel the fantastic texture! I tried to photograph it, and you can see it a little here

and here:

That combined with the red and gold and that intense gaze of the big cat - NOW this painting feels "right" to me!

Alter Ego
12 x 24 inches
mixed media on canvas

Available in my Etsy Shop.

❧ Silke

Protected ~ Finished painting

After a few changes, this painting is now finished. It's interesting how when I sit for a while with a painting that's almost finished, suddenly I see what else needs to happen.

It was the same with this one. And now it feels done! And I couldn't be more pleased!!

Protected
Acrylic painting on plaster of paris
12 x 24 inch canvas

I'm linking this to the wonderful folks over at Paint Party Friday! Make sure to visit to see some amazing art!!

Happy Friday to you all!!

❧ Silke

Totally in love!

I know we artists have a tendency to forever criticize our own work, but not with this one. I cannot believe this came out of my paintbrush!

I'm so in love with this painting that I keep staring at it!

I'm not sure if it's done yet, but it's definitely done enough to let it sit for a bit to see if it needs anything else.

The background is beautifully textured plaster of paris and I think I want that to be a little more visible. But I'm not sure yet.

Protected (in progress)
12 x 24 inch acrylic painting on canvas

I may just leave it as is.

Tomorrow Daniel gets back from his trip out to California where he attended a conference and visited with his sister. It's been very quiet around here and I cannot wait to have him back! We'll get to spend a few days together and then I'm off to Germany. It's a busy summer...

Wishing you a beautiful Thursday! I hope all is well with all of you!!

❧ Silke

New Painting in Progress

For this new work in progress, I am using a different approach. I only roughly outlined the position of the woman on the canvas and then started painting without a sketch. It was fun to see how the face started taking shape.

This is a larger painting with more detail than usual and I'm not sure if I'll get it finished before I leave next week for Germany to visit my family. We'll see.

We've had the most wonderful rainy morning here and I spent it in my studio painting. The sound of the rain on the skylight was my music! 

I hope you are enjoying your Wednesday, rainy or not!

P.S. When I get back from Germany, I'm going to learn how to paint with oil paints. My friend Kelly (click here to see her art) inspired me to give it a try!

❧ Silke

Celeste - Finished Painting

I spent a good deal of my day today painting and it felt so good!

Meet Celeste. She really speaks to me. She is so calm.

I'm not sure what she is looking at or studying, but it certainly has captured her attention. Maybe she is at a concert and looking at the program...

I know I've said it before, but painting on a layer of plaster of paris is wonderful. It is so smooth and gives the whole painting such a different texture and finish. I love it!

Celeste
acrylic painting on plaster of paris
8 x 10 inch canvas baord

Available here in my Etsy shop.

I hope you had a great Tuesday!! I'm off to take a peek at your blogs...

❧ Silke