Hazel, finished!

I put the final touches on her today. I'm very happy with this one, and excited to show it! "Hazel Is Always Twirling" Oil on Canvas, 20 x 24.

Hazel Dancing

I started renting a small area in a studio this month. I go there most mornings. I have been amazed at how quickly the time goes; today I was there for 3 1/2 hours, and really could have stayed all day. Will I ever be able to reach my dream of working full time as an artist? I feel that I am making progress, and getting more proficient with each painting. I'm hoping that I'll sell enough this year to cover the cost of the studio rental at least. I'm looking for commissions for portraits.

Here is where I stopped for today.

New WIP, looser style

I've been wanting the try a looser, more painterly style for awhile, and this portrait just seemed right for it. I have some extra time right now so am trying to get a lot of painting done while I wait for some actual paying work to come in! I'm really enjoying this one; to be honest I didn't know I could paint like this. 

The Red Shawl 2, final

WIP, continued

Slowly developing the details of the shawl. This part is much harder and I paint and then paint over, again and again. It would be easier to make the shawl with only suggestions of the details, but I feel it's important to learn this.