Petunia

@2014 R.L. Delight, Petunia, 6"x8", oil on canvas panel

As a rule, I don't use photo references to paint from. However, sometimes a painting needs to be created and the rules must be ignored.
When my dog Twill crossed over the bridge, I wanted something physical to remember her by. I searched around until one day, on Facebook, one of the animal rescue groups I follow posted a beautiful piece of dichroic jewelry that contained a tiny bit of the ashes of one of their beloved dogs. It was lovingly made by the creative and talented Carolyn whose company is called Sacred Embers.
I knew I found my keepsake. I contacted her and saved up the cost of my own keepsake for Twill. When the time came to order, I found out that Carolyn had lost her beautiful and beloved cat of many years, that very day. To make a long story short in the process of her making my keepsake, I offered to paint a portrait of her kitty. Her name is Petunia.

I have never painted a pet portrait before so this was new territory for me. The following pictures are of the work in progress. I did not use any single photo but combined a couple to achieve the end result. The background in the painting was inspired by a beautiful wall hanging in one of the photos I was sent. Here is the process:

Petunia, sketch

Petunia, block-in

Petunia, adding detail

Petunia was a bittersweet joy to paint. I swear I could hear her purring as she came to life in the painting.
In other areas of my life, I had an unexpected milestone. I found myself, for the first time ever, recording music for a new CD with the band I am in. Here is a parting picture of me and a band mate laying down a cello track. It also serves as a hint for what is hitting the canvas next!

Recording a cello track for The Sedona Fire Band

And yes, the plein air painting has been going on too. More on that later!

-Renee

A Flying Leap

© 2012, R.L. Delight. "Offerings For Tethys", 6"x8" oil on canvas board.

I am taking another big step on my artistic path. I am working hard to develop my painting skills and have decided to take up daily, or almost daily, painting. I am working on the small paintings in the morning and spending the afternoons working on studies and my larger paintings in progress. Daily paintings start stacking up fast so, even though it is a big step for me, I have decided to start selling them through the wonderful art site, Daily Paintworks.
Here is the first painting I am putting in a Daily Paintworks auction! There is a button at the top right of the blog which will take you to the auction if you are interested. I only have one painting up so far but more will be coming. I will probably be making a few blunders at the beginning but I am sure the process will smooth out in no time.
One of the wonderful aspects of living on the coast is the beach changes on a daily basis. The sands shift around, rocks are exposed one day only to be completely covered with sand the next. So many things, from interesting creatures and seaweeds to all sorts of unfortunate debris, wash up with the tides. Visitors build whimsies, and sometimes destroy the natural elements of the beach. The ocean tides wash the beach clean again.
One day on my morning walk I came across these wonderful structures depicted in my painting. They lasted about a week before the tides took them one by one. These had such an elemental feel to them, harkening back to the days when the old gods and goddesses were honored. Tethys is a sea goddess, the White Lady who provides and protects the seafaring folk, and takes away as well.
Life is suddenly quite busy again. I am learning to prioritize very fast! I will be posting again on Wednesday.
-Renee