I did something yesterday that I haven't done in, oh, a couple of YEARS. That's painted from a live model. Which artists should do all the time but in reality we don't. Or I don't. I talked to Sarah 2 1/2 years ago about sitting for me. Ughhhhhh, two and a half years! I don't know what happens to time. Anyway, she helped with the weddings, (actually she is my son-in-law's sister, she was in one of the weddings) and we talked about actually having her come to my studio. We set the appointment, again, and I still almost cancelled. But, I didn't. And here is about a little over an hour's worth of time. 

I almost didn't post these for several reasons, 1) because I am embarrassingly rusty,  2) because it doesn't do Sarah justice 3) because I struggled so much that I didn't catch her essence and 4) because I am embarrassingly rusty. Grrrrr

But, I did it. And I finally kept my 2 1/2 year appointment. I think I still have another 2 1/2 year appointment to fulfill. I told her brother at the same time I'd like to paint a study of him too. Well, he's in the family now so I better make good.

The upside is Sarah is scheduled to come back next Wednesday. Any other takers to be a live model and keep me going? 

It is wedding #3 this week so I have to stay focused but I had to do a very quick post. I haven't been doing much creating when it comes to paintings. (Though I have been very wedding creative these last couple of months.)  Thought I'd share what I wish I could finish.

I thought it would be a very cool idea to paint a painting for my kids when they got married. That was the plan. The reality - 3 DIY weddings in 1 1/2 months just made it a crazy idea. If only we lived in a perfectly timed world. Anyway, here is the only one that I got started - Logan and the Lion Tamer. It's the underpainting. I'm hoping that I get a life back after this week and finish it (and start the other two).

Before all the wedding madness started last month I did a triptych painting for my lawyer daughter's office. Something in the colors she loves, that wouldn't distract her clients but be interesting, and that I could do quickly. Viola! It's not what I normally do but it was a very fun, easy artistic workout for me. Now when she sends me a photo of them in her space I'll share it with you. For now, you'll have to see it in the studio.

It's very different from the one I did for her Graduation present. And I use the term "Graduation present" loosely here, since it took me 3 years to finally finish it. And now that I have tried to find an image of it, to upload, I realize that I never had it professionally photographed for my files. Geez! An artist is never supposed to let a piece out that hasn't been recorded. Someone should fire me. Dang.

I'll upload a version when I take a photo of it. So what do you think?

Maybe being an artist doesn't lend itself to writing a Bucket List. It's kind of depressing and it's limiting. Doesn't leave room to recognize the moment and seize it. But, as I was lusting over some artistic type tools this morning, figuring out how I can manage to get them (oh, and I will get them) I realized that my Bucket List (a wish list of things to do before I die) came in an entirely different form. Mine is a Studio Wish List - a wish list of things to try before I die. So, I have started to create my wish list. I'm dreaming already. 

A Bucket List? No. A Studio Wish List? Yes! Yes! Yes! (Can I use anymore Yeses or exclamation points?) This is the way people must feel about their Bucket Lists, the way I feel about my Studio Wish List. I would give up food for some of these things. Is that sick and wrong? Wait, don't answer that.

Since I am just starting it today, what would you suggest goes on a Studio Wish List? I am so giddy I can't think of them but if you mention one I've probably thought about it before :)

(Reposted from the blog I'm closing.) The Boyfriend built a boat! There was nothing Bitesized about it. Well, except the kid's efforts compared to his efforts (which the Boat Builder was very grateful for but jeez, he built a boat! And it floats!) Since they did add here and there with their small efforts they are invested in the "we built a boat!" My Husband gave them a chance to be part of something bigger than they could ever do on their own. And making more memorable moments has just begun.

I love that man!! Have you ever built a boat?

Okay, I couldn't help myself. Creativity can't be boxed in and I had to tattoo another tote. I had so much creative fun doing this before, as did my kids, (Link to the related posts here and here.)  that I thought you might like to try your hand at it. All you need is a Sharpie® and something that stands still. And courage. That's the biggest thing - people are afraid to make mistakes. This is one of those projects that mistakes seem to hide themselves.

So, give it a try. I've included some close ups. For the first while, just copy something from one of the images. Then, as you get going, let your inner artist loose. It might be difficult at first but keep building.

Email me an image of what your inner artist did. Or upload it to my Shannon Christensen Fine Art Facebook Page.  Do it. 

Hope Series • Allegory of Healing

This is a piece that was a long time in the making really. When I saw the photos I had taken it reminded me of the hopelessness people can feel. Specifically, this is one of my daughters and it brought back memories of her life. And while painting it I had lots of time to reflect on our relationship and her life. 

She was born with a congenital anomaly that required surgeries and left her with some difficulties. They were the hardest to deal with during her childhood. And her care required physical pain. At one point, the strain became too much for her little 7 year old soul and she cried, "I wish I could die!" At that moment, I would have given anything to take her pain away. I yearned to do something. But couldn't. It was impossible. 

Searching for something, past her pain and mine, the thing that came to me was comfort and hope. I could give her the power of hope. A perspective past that moment. A view of the source from which strength comes. A balm for her wounded heart. 

I've thought of my own times of hopelessness and what it has been that has given me comfort and hope. Time and again, my greatest help and hope has come from the powers of heaven. This painting is about those critical junctures of life where we choose - hope or hopelessness. 

My daughter isn't 7 anymore. But, whether 7, 17, or 70, at those defining periods, I hope she will look to the windows of heavens, reach out to what is being offered, and have faith in the healing power of hope.

Symbolism
Some of the symbolism I see - 
     • When hopeless the foundation beneath you can feel as though it's deteriorating. Crumbling or melting away
     • We all have vessels that need to be filled
     • Personal revelation flows from heaven to us but we have to be willing and ready to receive it
     • There is no certain time frame to healing and hope will be need time and again
     • There is a healing balm within our reach

What do you see?

I went to the Frick Museum when I was in New York city. It was wonderful, but, as with any museum, I didn't get to see the up close detail in the paintings. Some of them I just couldn't get close enough to because of the large scale of it. Then, there just wasn't the time to indulge myself in viewing them like I wanted. For me, because of where I've lived, it's been a once in a life time experience to go to the Frick. There's other museums that I would love to visit as well.

So, imagine not being able to travel to museums because of the lack of time or money. Enter Google Art Project. It's the answer to every artist's (and those who love art) dream. 

The Google Art project gives the viewer the opportunity to see the crackled paint in the Vermeer, the detail in the Constable cathedral, the thin wisps of the water and sky of a Turner, the powerful shapes of the Goya, or the directional strokes of a Rembrandt. In exquisite detail. At virtually no cost. All while sitting at home. Is this a great world or what?!!

My name is Shannon Christensen and I'm an art junkie. I'm going to be spending hours on this site! Forget Farmville, or whatever the newest distraction is, go Google Art Project.

I'm teaching a student today a private lesson. I'm going to talk about the Rub Out Method in painting. These are a couple of photos of a small study I did for a larger painting.  

          • Start with an underdrawing of varied detail or just draw freehand
          • Pull paint off the canvas with brushes, cloth, q-tips, anything that works
          • Leave paint in areas that you want the darkest values
          • Usually it is done in umbers or siennas

This helps in numerous ways

          • Helps establish values before color
          • Creates an underpainting to "follow" when adding additional paint
          • Without a lot of invested time/supplies a composition can be established and re-worked

Here is another example Oil Painting Studies • I Love You Painting