Taking Liberties

Pause  watercolors 12x9"

Taking liberties with color  and composition is what I aimed for in this painting.  I had taken a photograph many years ago at Colonial Williamsburg of a costumed interpreter taking a break. As soon as I asked permission to take her photograph, she straightened up and posed in a stiff stance.

This past week I played around. I changed and simplified the background colors. I managed to give her  back the look I had wanted to capture on that particular day. I observed a few ladies carrying babies on their hips and chatting - that helped me to paint  her this way. I was pleased to be able to make the changes and complete the painting.  When I straddle between realistic and conjured depictions, I feel a different sense of accomplishment  as I finish the painting.  

They Never made it into History Books.

March is 'Women's History Month'  It recognizes and acknowledges amazing accomplishments by women. I decided to post Sarah,  done in color pencils, a portrait of a 'slave' from Colonial times.  Colonial Williamsburg  has actors portraying and reenacting life from that period. I used my photographs as reference and wanted to highlight the spirit of survival and dignity she was exuding.  She is one of the many unsung and unseen heroines of the world.  This year's theme is 'Women taking the lead to save the world.'  Its a tragedy that it is the 21st. century and  women are still treated as slaves in many parts around the world. They bear the brunt of war and violence.  Many never even get a chance to discover and nurture their talents.  Isn't it time we all worked to change that?   

Sarah color pencils 11" x 14"

Frayed Nerves

I just finished jumping rope --I am trying to keep warm while waiting for the repairman to show up and fix our heating system.  Yesterday afternoon it started making awful noises and to be safe we decided to switch it off. Its almost noon today and the repairmen haven't showed up yet. We have a few spot heaters out and running but its 34 F/ 2 C, cloudy and drizzling outside and about 50 F/ 10 C indoors (I keep checking the thermometer we have) and my nose and fingertips are just COLD :(  I have been alternating drinking a lot of hot coffee and tea (and even just hot water to keep my caffeine level under check!) I have rubbed my hands together vigorously and stood in front of the heaters but was still cold and so decided to jump rope to keep me warm.  My mind wandered all over the place as I was skipping rope and I suddenly remembered The Post done in color pencils a few years ago.  We live not too far from Colonial Williamsburg which showcases and interprets life as it was in the 18th century.  There are lots of horses in the colonial replica of the city and many posts to hitch them when they are resting. I loved the look of the weathered wood, frayed rope and the rusting metal chain and had to try and capture them on paper. 

The Post color pencils on colored paper. 9 x6"