The Year Was 1912...

Coincidentally it's been one full year since I drew a movie scene. It certainly didn't feel like that long and yet it was. Rather odd how time has been escaping me lately. Nevertheless, here is Jack and Rose from Titanic-same watercolor and conte as usual of course but maybe it's just me but I think it's better than Becoming Jane or even Singing In The Rain. Still, I apologize for the low quality of the image, I never really bothered to compare my photos to another camera until recently and boy is my camera...basic. There is so much the camera doesn't pick up in this piece but I'm going to Staples to get it scanned so that I can have a better copy. It would be interesting to see a side by side comparison at any rate. I've been trying to think of other images I would like to paint-not necessarily movies but poses or expressions that evoke some kind of emotion in me. I like works that I can look at for long periods of time and still find new things I hadn't noticed about them, even though I painted them and that sounds quite impossible. Anyway, I hope something comes up soon because I've been itching to paint but because my process of finding images takes so long, I'm usually not up to the work by the time I'm done my research. That is, if I find anything I can be obsessed with for a few weeks. It's similar to finding a good book, I feel like I double my efforts to make sure I have an interest in the story just to fall in love with the characters and undoubtedly be disappointed by the ending. Needless to say, I am a very cautious person...or perhaps overly paranoid...then again, what's a week in the world of art, hmm? Bonne Chance!

Bernadette Peters

I found this picture of Bernadette Peters online and I love it! So I decided to paint it with watercolor and conte, as per my usual. Haha. I watched "Into The Woods" the other day and she is amazing in that show. My brother got a chance to play Prince Charming in his high school rendition of the show and I remember I helped him learn his lines and the songs during that time. We had so much fun, dancing around the living room, singing "Agony." I thought for sure I'd get into acting after seeing that show. I wanted to play the witch, Bernadette's part, or the Baker's wife. I saw Bernadette Peters once live at Symphony Hall in my Junior year of college, I skipped work that day I was so excited to see her. I had terrible seats but you'd never know with Bernadette's outstanding performance. It was amazing. Anyway, after I found this photo I knew I had to draw it and I hope I gave it justice because she is not a face you wanna mess up on. haha.

It's A Wonderful Life

Here it is! The painting that took me about a month to complete. I painted this for my dad for Christmas, we watch It's A Wonderful Life every year around Christmas time. This is the scene George Bailey and Clarence are at Nick's Bar for a drink. I'm very proud at my dad's reaction to this painting, he thought I bought it, because it's so different from the work I usually produce. Really good feeling. The canvas was about 24x30 and I had a lot of fun painting this, as exhausting as it was. I'm happy with the outcome and I'm glad my dad is too.

Finished Product

Here it is! The finished "Jeff's Angels" Truth be told, I'm putting this image on a few t-shirts for my friends in time for Christmas. I really think they're going to like it. I never imagined it would come out this good but I am very pleased at the overall image. I was originally going to paint this on each shirt by hand but I figure an iron on transfer would work out just as good, if not better. Still, very excited.
In other creative news, I've been working a lot with baked goods lately. I've managed to make turkey cupcakes for Thanksgiving and a golf course (including sand traps) for my dad's birthday. I've been just buzzing with creative energy these days so expect to see some more outrageous ideas by the end of this year! Happy Holidays!

Jeff's Angels

Hey, hey! It would seem I have dropped off the face of the earth these last few months. Truth is, I started my first full time job about a month or so ago and it's taking up a lot of my time. Good news is, I've made quite a few new friends at the work place and we sort of have a few outrageous jokes going on. I decided to draw a couple of them and this is the beginning process for it. To briefly explain, I will start with my friend Jeff, whom I have not drawn yet, but believe me he will be in this picture. He had made friends with Shana, Jennifer, and I and refers to us as his angels. Now, Jen and I love bagels. We always have a bagel for breakfast every day so we started referring to Shana as the cream cheese, since she sits in between us. Shana is a very spontaneous person so sometimes she just gets up and leaves to wander around or to find food, so one day I asked "Hey, where's the cream filling?" (Between you and me, probably my finest hour. haha) So to wrap this up, here is Jeff's three beautiful angels. Also, this is going to be a Christmas present to each of them once I put it on a t-shirt. Also, not entirely sure if I like how I came out, might change my wardrobe before the final piece gets put on a T. Who knows but I'll try to show the progression. Oh and also, Shana loves her accessories so I made sure to deck her out and Jen loves to wear plaid on casual days. We'll see what I turn into as I go along.

In A Flat

I've been on a bit of a movie kick lately. It all started with 'Becoming Jane.' The part where Tom glides in to dance with Jane and she has no idea that he's coming. I love that mushy stuff! I get chills every time I watch that scene. Singing In The Rain doesn't have the exact same effect but it is, by far, my favorite movie of all time. The dances and the story as well as the costumes and makeup. It's a gorgeous, funny film. This is one of the final scenes, and forgive me if you haven't seen it, but Kathy is singing behind a curtain for Lina. The boys open the curtain and the audience is able to see Kathy singing. It's an absolute riot. I love the painting but I will admit there could have been more work done on my microphone...my dad actually pointed it out and it made me laugh because it is so my father's way of saying things. I showed him the painting and he looked it over for a minute. "You know what I don't like?" What can I say? He's my favorite critic. How can you get upset over a comment beginning like that? Anyway, so he pointed out the microphone and continued to say that is really was a stunning painting. Just like my dad to end on a good note too. Between us, I've already got an idea for a movie drawing for his Christmas present. As for real life these days, Dan got a new job! He's actually out right now getting an ID made or something for work. I'm so proud. Hopefully I'll be hearing something soon regarding my own career...wish me luck. Well, I suppose that's it for now. Much love!

Becoming Jane

I am so excited about this piece! I love this movie and this scene really inspired me for some reason. I'm just glad I drew something for the month of August. It's been awhile with everything going on. Still, I'm very pleased with the outcome. I know there isn't much going on but I love when Tom Lefroy steps in to dance with Jane and surprises her. Very cute. Anywho, not much is really going on besides work and hoping something will come of my trip to Orlando...we shall see. At any rate I'm inspired so hopefully more work will come from this little energy boost. Wish me luck.