“Erika Lost in Painting”9×12 oil on canvas
This is my submission to a new artist blog challenge hosted by the talented Alice Thompson. The blog is Calypso Moon Artist Movement . This our genesis challenge – to create a self portrait which includes our shoulders because shoulder gestures add insight to the the subject’s personality. We were also instructed to choose one color plus black and white in our paintings.
My color choice was yellow ocher by Lefranc. I like that it is both an earthy and warm hue which adds to the mood of my painting. I chose this photo because I’ve been told people who know me catch me in this position often times. They conclude that I’m a deep thinker 🙂 Actually, if I could step out of myself and see me this way, I can attest that I’m very much in my creative zone and in the middle of mentally painting my next piece or maybe trying to determine a solution to a problem I’ve encountered on the piece that’s been sitting on my easel.
Please visit CMAM blog to view what the other hand-picked artists have done to meet the challenge!
The glamorous life and times of an artist!
How wonderful and insightful this piece is! I’ll have to check her blog right now!
I love this one E….how would you like to design some cards for us. I might even be able to pay you!! 🙂
Erica, this is a great painting. Your pose is very interesting giving you an introspective look. I think the yellow you chose is so warm and perfect for this composition. Well done!
This is wonderful Erika…the ochre-y color adds a unique feel.
Erica, this is a beautiful portrait! I love your the warm ochre background…great job!
I’m very impressed, Erika — I love the way you handled the hair loosely and then the face has such detail. The arms and hands are so gracefully rendered. The value range is wonderful, too. Lovely!
You know, for a really yellow painting, this doesn’t look yellow at all! Curious about what yellow you used…Ochre? Very nicely drawn.
Sheila you are always so sweet and supportive of me. This is one of those “stories” I’ve carried in my head so I’m glad I’ve finally published it to share through a painting.
Thank you Vern, yellow is so warm and expressive and choosing yellow ocher brought it down to earth. I guess you and I have introspective qualities!
Thanks Dana! This challenge added a milestone to my creative journey: I’ve come to accept I actually really like yellow ocher!
Carol thanks so much, I’m always complimented by your visits!
She looks poised like a cat always ready to snap into action when needed. The romantic sweep of the hair, mysterious dark rimmed glasses and side profile say so much about this intelligent thinker. Her hands look so delicate while her shoulders look powerful-notice where you put the brightest area on your painting. The yellow ochre added a warm richness. Your crossed hands and turned upper body also suggest that she can be very guarded. Thank you Erika- it’s wonderful.
Oh Camille thank you so much for noting all those! We artists love it when others appreciate the choices we paint/draw. As a confession I wish I had done the face with more looseness. I do charcoal portraits and it was not my intention for this oil painting to look like another charcoal job. I was tempted to paint it all over again but I don’t have the luxury of time!
Bing! Bing! Bing! Kaylyn you got it right! I’ve edited my post and added the color choice. Sorry about that. I wanted to post before I went out on a date with my husband. Thanks so much!
Alice I love love love it when you talk art! Guilty as charged! I’ve really enjoyed this challenge because I enjoy you and your mind. So deep, knowledgeable and hungry. Thank you for inviting me to participate dear Alice!
SIL! So glad you like and I’m so happy to see you in my blog like old times! My art commitments are full up to fall season but let’s talk! xox
The pose is the moment, the thought, the place before turning to meet someone.
It is lovely and very well done. I am enjoying reading the comments as the story unfolds in them as well as the image.
Nice to meet you, Erika!
Nice to meet you Earthula thank you! Alice’s challenge blog is off to a great start isn’t it? I say good for her and us!
Erika, I think yours was my favorite color choice. Bathed in that warm ochre glow, with that “caught in the grip of art” look, this portrait is very compelling. Hitherto I was unfamiliar with Lefranc pigments. This is a gorgeous hue and a gorgeous painting.
Mark I’m flattered considering how each artist had a wonderful grasp of the challenge and a good story with it! Lefranc is a lovely buttery brand however I use a few others as well 🙂 Thanks again so much!
WOW! You ROCK! Can’t wait to go see the others. xoxo Red
Thanks Red! Welcome home! Was Urana a workshop trip? xoxox batch@cha
fantastic work of art…
you have achieved what was put forward in the challenge…
the rustic feel is beautiful…
Beautiful portrait, Erika! I’m amazed that you have created such a deep emotional painting with only one color. Great job!
Thank you jyothisethu! Yes Alice gave us a good challenge and a 2nd one underway. I’m glad I chose the right color as well, I almost went for red!
Hi Akiko, I know you could have put a lot of emotion with the same challenge too and do it ACEO size 🙂 But I do appreciate the support and compliment 🙂