Swim sisters

Swim sisters   16x20 acrylic collage

Two strong sisters that look like they could easily swim the English channel. I added collage bits, corrected some of the skin tones, added the outline and a few shadows. I think this one is done.

I lied!

 Lifeguards   16x20 acrylic

I went back in and toned down the background. That had the effect of making the figures pop out more dramatically.

Starting a swimsuit painting

So I have my 16x20 canvas graphed off and I am working from an old photo. A proud pair of lifeguards...soon to be colorful!

Beach Buddies

Beach Buddies  24x24

This painting was based on an old photo. I was interested in the affection between the woman and girl. The girl's parents passed away and she was raised by her Aunt and Uncle. The girl appeared to be happy and outgoing in all the old photos, quite the apple of her adopted parents eye. I'm not sure if people understand that they are wearing old turn-of-the-century bathing outfits but I hope the affection comes across.

Day 24 A beginning

OK, I think I have completely fallen off the wagon of the daily painting practice. But I do paint a lot--more than anyone I know. So I am documenting the evolution of a painting I am working on for a show this summer. This is a 24 inch by 24 inch painting, so it is not small! It will change a lot as I develop it. Some people really like to see how I get to point D from point A. So here goes.

Other people are sticking to the practice at: 
http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.ca/2013/01/30-in-30-day-twenty-four.html

30 in 30 Day 9

Beach brothers    12x16

A commission based on an old photo. Painting their pinched little faces was a real challenge (they were cold!). I find it really hard to make good photos of paintings when it is so grey outside. Must try again today.

More painters--more paintings: http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.ca/2013/01/30-in-30-day-nine.html

Simone

 "End of the Day"

This is a painting that has been around a couple of years. I like it but it never seemed to garner much attention. Time for a makeover.

"Simone"  18x24

I lightened the background and her expression (just a little). It was "End of the Day". Now it is "Simone".

A New Start

A layout sketch for a 24x24 painting. I liked moving the subject up near the top of the painting. I think it will work well when I get some color and collage worked up on it.

Bert

 Bert   12x24

I liked his authoritive stance and his shock of white hair. You wouldn't "cry wolf" around Bert but you knew he would fish you out of deep water if necessary. I would like to try this painting in a larger format.

Adjustments

You know, when you come out of the water and you need to "adjust" your swimsuit....

http://www.facebook.com/UniteWomen

Bather series

Agnes and Maude  

Still working away on a bather series for summer.

Another repaint

I painted this last August but have never been that happy with it. It is based on an old 1920's photo of a man and his chicken buddy. It was so dark, he just seemed to be lost in the painting. So, I lightened it.

Oh wait! In my list of Valentine loves I forgot to mention that I love the Canadian government. I went through tough times and had to live on welfare. I am thankful that I had welfare to fall back on. I hated the sense of inadequancy that went with it (like standing in line at the grocery check-out and having the lady in front of my quip--"You can tell it's Wednesday, that's when all the welfare people shop"...for the smug women who look down on divorcees, I want to remind them that they may be one husband away from welfare). But it was a hand-up when I needed it. I was also able to retrain (acad technician) through government programs. Now, when I have to pay taxes, I like to think I will be helping some other Mom and her kids to survive.

Red and Rhonda

One of the last paintings I finished for my show. I rather like the triumphant way he is holding her.You are invited to the reception this Wednesday night 7-9 pm at Pynelogs. I wish I had had time for more of the bathers series....ah well, I have my work cut out for me this winter.