Work In Progress....for Angela, by Dana

This is my submission for Angela Elledge's Flying Moleskin book. Angela is a gifted fellow artist/blogger who works at the West Dallas Community School. Angela's art is often of pets as well as children from the school.

The title suggests that though the portrait is a work in progress, so is the child.

It was a delight to create this piece for Angela, one who understands that we are all works in progress!

Van Gogh's "Starry Night"--Dean H.

Close ups

This is acrylic on gessoed paper in moleskin book...5 1/2 x 16 in. Also used a bit of ink work plus color pencil...Mixed media.

This is my contribution to Dana's book. She selected a dream theme. For a long while, I had no idea what to paint...until I slept on it, that is...Lol.

I don't know exactly what led me to think of "Starry Night" but as I read up on it, and Van Gogh, I knew this was a great solution to the dream theme.
The following is some interesting information and quotes that tie it all together...
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Van Gogh painted Starry Night while in an Asylum at Saint-Remy in 1889.

During Van Gogh's younger years (1876-1880) he wanted to dedicate his life to evangelization of those in poverty. Many believe that this religious endeavor may be reflected in the eleven stars of the painting. In Genesis 37:9 the following statement is made:

"And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me."
from Van Gogh Library
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"I dream of painting and then I paint my dream."
Vincent Van Gogh
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"When I have a terrible need of - shall I say the word - religion. Then I go out and paint the stars."
Vincent Van Gogh
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I experience a period of frightening clarity in those moments when nature is so beautiful. I am no longer sure of myself, and the paintings appear as in a dream.
Vincent Van Gogh
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Within a cropped version of "Starry Night" I superimposed a Van Gogh self portrait. The original portrait had anguished eyes and a down turned mouth. I modified it by closing his eyes and giving him a little smile...as in peaceful sleep...the land of a genius' dreams...

I hope you like it Dana!

"Momma Was Pretty" By Irit

This is for Liz Holm whose moleskin subject  is portraits.
Her Mom is sick, Liz gave up on her carrier just to be able to take care of her. Her Mom blessed  having such a great daughter. My Mom also having the same illness and my brother is taking care of her.
Liz is dealing with a very difficult situation but hanging on.
"Momma Was Pretty" is for you Liz with love, always remember  the good things about your Mom..
Oil on paper.
Please visit her Blog : Liz Holm

Ducks for Edward Burton

Edward had requested a theme of music for his book, but I for some reason had a little trouble coming up with an idea on that. So I went with Plan B, to paint these chilled out ducks I saw at Canyon Lake this past Sunday afternoon. They had just caught sight of people with french fries, and they also liked my hulled sunflower seeds. I'm a huge fan of ducks; we used to have some that hung out in our back yard in Dallas that overlooked Turtle Creek. We had a treehouse, and not a care in the world. These take me back to that time. But to link it to music, I'm pretty sure we were listening to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and grilling burgers while the ducks were in our yard. There's your music, Edward. Enjoy! 8 x 10 oil on canvas

"Visiting Monet" by Edward Burton

oil

This is for Camille Olsen. This fellow is checking out the Monet collection at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco. I love these kinds of scenes and love painting them.

STEAK=OUT for Sheila...James

Sheila's theme for her Moleskin is "Things You Love". Aside from the "Four F's"... Faith, Family, Friends and Freedom, that leaves my pups, Pokey and Taco Belle, Art and 18 Billion other things. While pondering this dilemma in 108 degree temps, out sitting under a tree, after a long day slaving in the greenhouse, and wondering where my energy went...I gave up, had a beer, and took a nap. Did the same thing the next day. And for the next 6 days. That's why I'm a week late. Then one day, I came home with a bit of pep left, thirsty and hungry. So I whipped up a steak, and a big stuffed potato, and a Zeigenbock Amber (only in Texas). While I was dining, I thought.."Man. I Love This". So I decided to paint it. That's why it's a little less than good....Had to paint it from memory. Bon Apetit.. Sheila!!!

DAY DREAMING II

Dana had as her theme "dreams" and I could only think of my boy Josh when he was younger. He would get into and box and just get lost, looking into the sunshine outside. He did a lot of day dreaming as can be seen in the first one I did HERE.





I have done this piece in gouache on mount-board.

What if Christ came into my Clutter?

Irit has her theme local places. But I couldn't get any inspiration from where I had been locally recently, but I love my cluttered room. I could spend all day there and I wondered, what if, my best friend, Christ, came into my Clutter? What would He do? I then used my Italian friend as a model to set up the possiblity of this happening? What do you think would happen? I think He'd look up and pray I.............



I have done this piece in gouache on mount-board.

"Open House" by Irit

This painting is for Angela

I painted this from a memory I have from an open house that I went to, I love going to open houses in my area.
In this house all I remember is lots of red in the kitchen. Red is  my favorite color.

This painting was almost finished when my grandkids were visiting us and one of them ,by mistake, put a book on the fresh paint.

I tried my best to save this painting but unfortunately the result was not exactly what I was hoping for.

My Stuff - Dominique Eichi

                                                      8  x  10      Oil

Well this one is for Adebanji's Moleskins and his theme is Homelessness / Poverty.

I've been thinking about this book for months and I like painting faces so I've been taking pictures of different people I see around my city (San Diego) wanting to get one that represent what I hoped to portray.

But it seems that something else was in the works for me.

A few days ago this picture jumped at me walking downtown with Tiffany. I thought it was striking as it was making this homeless stuff so in your face with the lights and shadows.

So I've been thinking about it and it seem as we all consider Our stuff to be very important, yet we will not be able to take it with us when we die and most of our children do not like our stuff so they will sell it as soon as we're gone to get their stuff. So, I guess this reminder is for me, to take my stuff with a light heart and be ready to give it away to those that might need it more than me, after all it's only STUFF.

God doesn't bless us to increase our standard of living.

God blesses us to increase our standard of giving.

He gives us money to check our hearts. If you love money you will use people. If you love people you will use money.

DO-SI-DO for Edward

8x11 oil on moleskine sketchbook

Until I read Edward's introduction in his book, I had no idea what I was going to paint for his music theme. When I read "people dancing", I knew immediately I would attempt this painting.

At my school, after studying Pioneer times, 2nd grade has a day where they celebrate the Pioneer life of long ago. The children are dressed in period costumes and have fun experiencing Pioneer times. One of our grandmothers dresses the part and tells "stories" of her travels West. After her stories, she plays her autoharp and the children dance. This is Jules dancing with one of our parent volunteers. I don't have favorite students, instead I have a whole school (250 students) of favorites. Jules is special, she loves art and I love her!

Here is a short video of my school, click here, you can see a real quick shot of Jules drinking milk in the dining hall and then later eating a sandwich. As sad I as I am for my summer vacation to end, after watching this video again, I cannot wait to see my students!

Liz's Front Porch for Irit

my front porch
mixed media sketch

Irit's journal theme is local places.  Since my travels are more restricted these days, I figured just out the front door would qualify.  Our home was built in 1920, and has a long, covered porch with a swing at one end. When the weather's not too hot, it's a (relatively) quiet place to relax.  So relaxing, in fact, that it wasn't until I'd finished this piece that I realized I'd done it upside down in the book. My apologies, Irit, but I've cut it out, and glued it in right side up.
xoLiz

Santa Barbara Mission-Dean H.

This is acrylic on gessoed watercolor paper approx 9.75 x 6.5 in.

Here is my entry for Dominique's moleskin. Her theme is gates...pathways...passages.
I thought this fit her theme perfectly...with the mission and illuminated cross symbolizing the most wonderful journey of all.

Hope you like this one, Dominique, and thank you for inviting me into this wonderful group of the Flying Moleskins.

Adebanji sent both Michelle's and Dominique's books to me in one package. So that is how both of these will be sent to you, Vern. They will be on their way today.

The image for this painting comes from the A Day Not Wasted painting challenge for July.
It's hosted by a great photographer and artist, Lee Brown...check it out.