tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11870773148968900272024-02-07T11:04:30.742-08:00Beverly GurganusStudio of Fine ArtBeverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-8555167998841921672016-07-30T14:29:00.001-07:002016-07-30T14:29:20.531-07:00Painting Live Models
Painting using live models scares me, or should I say intimidates me. When I was in art school I signed up for a summer portrait painting class where each class we would paint from a live model. Trying to get a portrait started and work within 25 minute increments was very challenging (not to mention my professor looking over my shoulder). I would find myself so worried about the time limit and Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-15408960486371840162016-07-25T09:02:00.000-07:002016-07-25T09:04:10.183-07:00Travel SketchbookI love sketch journals, but haven't consistently kept one. Pinterest has so many examples of beautiful sketch journals from other artist, and I would say to myself that I will one day start one, but one day seemed to never come until... now.
I began meeting a friend occasionally to do some on site sketching, and I found that I was enjoying it more than I expected. I went and bought Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-16809342528242149232015-09-13T20:49:00.001-07:002015-09-13T20:49:09.909-07:00Grandpa's Lap "Grandpa's Lap" 20"x16" oil on canvas Beverly GurganusEarly spring 2015 my mother suffered a massive stroke that left her with difficulties in speaking and in mobility (her left side to be exact). She spent a week in the hospital and then 2 months in a rehabilitation center. We visited her several times a week and always on Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-75045657575287477242015-06-28T22:12:00.001-07:002015-06-28T22:12:18.812-07:00Sophistication"Sophistication"16"x20" Oil on CanvasBeverly GurganusLast summer I took my daughter to Hobbs Studio to have her senior portraits taken. Jeannie,the photographer, did the traditional drapery pose along with three other outfit changes. We were allowed to bring props so we took a beautiful red velvet like chair that we found at the thrift store as well as our little spoiled yorkie.  Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-52107402373327441382015-06-28T21:34:00.001-07:002015-06-28T21:34:08.674-07:00Self portrait in oilI "Measuring Me"20"x16" Oil on CanvasBeverly GurganusI have been painting for several years now, and I still have a hard time with putting my art "out there". I'm very critical of my work especially when I compare it to other artists' works. I came upon a painting competition sponsored by Jerrysartarama and decided it was time to climb out of my safe cozy box. I knew that Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-45265604295585794942015-02-18T18:24:00.001-08:002015-02-18T18:25:11.940-08:00Portrait of GrandmaLast month I lost my last grandparent. My father's parents passed away before I was born so I grew up with one set of grandparents. They lived in a different state so we visited them most christmas vacations and every summer...we loved going to grandma's house!Grandma made the best waffles, had the biggest selection of dry cereal in her cabinet, and gave us plenty of soda pop (that isBeverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-9034826945217238972015-01-15T08:09:00.001-08:002015-01-15T08:09:07.672-08:00Self portrait study 1Self Portrait Study 18x10 Oil on Gallery Stretched CanvasBeverly GurganusI have found comfort in painting from photos... Lighting never changes, subject never moves, and I can work at my leisure. As I continue to grow, I find myself dissatisfied with settling in my comfort zone. I was inspired by another artist who is an amazing portrait artist with beautiful self portraits. So.Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-28925020685037285852015-01-03T18:42:00.001-08:002015-01-15T07:51:04.903-08:00Her and Hen"Her and Hen"11x14 Oil on Gallery Stretched CanvasBeverly Gurganus January 2015Out of the five people in our family, my youngest daughter (7 yrs old) has joined me in the love of raising backyard hens. From the first day I brought those tiny fluffy chicks home she has been right by my side helping me take care of them. She has become my Little Chicken Farmer.I took a photo of my Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-71722125345672136182014-10-30T16:31:00.001-07:002014-11-02T17:14:43.075-08:00Still life with eggs and teapot16x20 Oil on Gallery Stretched CanvasBeverly GurganusI'm still thinking of a title for this piece. Painting white is a challenge for me because my mind tries to talk to me the entire time making me question my use of color. I find myself having to step away from the easel then come back with a fresh eye. I never get a satisfied feeling about it until I have all the surrounding Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-72920684306734100432014-10-09T20:00:00.001-07:002014-10-09T20:00:26.877-07:00Chicken paintingsI have embarked on a new adventure of raising backyard hens. I love collecting and eating fresh eggs from my own backyard as well as just sitting and watching the hens as they forge. They each have their own personality, and they are much smarter than one would think.I have been able to spend more time in the studio and that makes me Happy Happy Happy. I decided to take this newBeverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-15480885347138601342014-10-09T19:32:00.001-07:002014-10-09T19:32:52.330-07:00LongingLonging11x14 Oil on CanvasBeverly GurganusHere is another painting inspired by another one of my daughters. I took photos of my middle daughter last year before her formal, and this pose was my favorite. The likeness is not on point, but that wasn't my ultimate goal...I wanted to capture the feel of the photo rather than the person of the photo.Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-6248566174117871622014-09-27T06:16:00.001-07:002014-09-27T06:16:36.162-07:00ReadyReady11x14 oil on canvasBeverly GurganusI took photos of my daughter over 5 years ago before she left for her first formal. There was one that I fell in love with and knew one day I would paint it. That day has come!The original photo was taken outside with lots of landscaping in the background, but I chose to eliminate the background in order to create a quietness in the painting.Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-5520545977085578822014-07-27T05:16:00.001-07:002014-07-27T05:19:23.354-07:00Child Portrait StudyI am always creating...sometimes it is a project for my home, and sometimes it is on paper/canvas/wood. Moving into a new home and trying to put my personal touch in every room has made it hard for me to find that balance of working on my growth in visual arts and learning and doing new projects for the home. I have been going through a graphite stage recently where I just want to Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-17632910516913230362014-06-18T08:14:00.001-07:002014-06-18T08:14:27.214-07:00Another Zentangle Portrait &Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-2493494233406913412014-02-01T14:00:00.001-08:002014-02-01T14:00:43.597-08:00Zentangled Portrait9x12" graphite on paperBy: Beverly GurganusI discovered zentangle a few years ago and love it. I like the random design from a single thread (similar to a scribble) and then letting the art take its own form, but lately I've been wanting to take it in another direction. I have seen Zentangles incorporated with various subjects, and the zentangle/portrait draws my attention the most..Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-65466816684538204912013-09-26T10:45:00.004-07:002013-09-26T10:48:17.347-07:00Still Life August 2013
Untitled
Beverly Gurganus
12x4 Oil on Canvas
Some of my favorite still-lifes to paint are bottles. I love all the shapes and reflective light found in the glass whether transparent or not.
In this piece I was trying to stay with a more muted color scheme (I usually use bolder color) and a cropped composition bringing the eye in through the cropped bottle.
I still Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-55060931833187874262013-02-12T15:57:00.000-08:002013-02-12T15:57:20.846-08:00Dr. Paul HawkinsIn my previous post, I shared with you a portrait that I painted of Dr. Hardison founder of Tidewater Baptist Temple (the church that burned down a year and half ago). I have been in the process of replacing the portraits that were destroyed in the fire. Below is the second portrait (completed in November 2012) of Dr. Paul Hawkins.
Displayed at Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-47623995590957730482012-10-29T13:37:00.000-07:002012-10-29T13:37:15.317-07:00Founder, Dr. HardisonAs I mentioned in an earlier post {a year ago} our church had a fire that destroyed the sanctuary and damaged the rest of the building, and now we are down to the last few weeks of re-building. There is excitement for returning to the home of Tidewater Baptist Temple.
That being said, I've made it my mission to replace the portraits of our past Pastors that were destroyed. Time Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-63004496485441736992012-10-18T08:23:00.001-07:002012-10-18T08:24:24.407-07:00Engagement in ParisTime has not been my friend lately, and it has been proven by how long it has been since my last post. I am still here and working on paintings (even if I can't find time to post about them all). Just to give you an idea of my day...
I start my day at 5:15 or 5:30 (depends on whether or not I hit the snooze button) with a work out. I drop the kids off at Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-8993644940984618672012-07-08T13:18:00.000-07:002012-07-08T13:29:36.434-07:00"From Ashes Comes Life"Earlier this year I wrote a post about our church that caught fire and that the sanctuary was destroyed along with everything inside. Our Pastor's son (Andrew) rummaged through the ashes and found charcoal remnants of our church piano.
The bag containing burnt pieces of our church piano:
Andrew approached me during Art Class (he was one of my students) asking what the Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-19749620895393814932012-05-21T12:12:00.001-07:002012-05-21T12:12:56.162-07:00IrisesSpring, that time of year when the outside no longer looks cold and uninviting, but rather full of life with a color palette of warm greens, yellows, purples, blues, and reds. The songs sung by birds and the smell of wonderful fragrance fills the air. I love this season so much that the sneezing, itchy eyes, and headaches from the pollen doesn't even get me down.
One of my Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-46390298112737028072012-02-18T08:48:00.000-08:002012-02-18T08:48:43.412-08:00Sculpting with ChocolateIt was that time again...my daughter's birthday. Each year I allow her to request the type of cake she wants for her birthday. This year she chose something simple {not} a horse for the top of the cake. She has specifics...the horse had to be black and white.
I had already tried sculpting with gum paste, but that was not successful. On my trip to the cake store, one of Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-54068009414912667992012-02-18T08:34:00.000-08:002012-02-18T08:35:11.920-08:00Sunny, White Standard PoodleThanks to Teresa for allowing me to do an example of her boy, Chevy, I have now received my first commission {a month ago}. Teresa has been wonderful sharing the Scratch board of Chevy with others and passing out my business cards...she is awesome!
"Sunny"
14x11 Scratch board
Sunny is a beautiful white standard poodle and he was fun and challenging to do b/c of his all white Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-58726988286222135322011-12-21T21:09:00.000-08:002011-12-21T21:22:29.862-08:00The Bernese Mountain DogMy husband has many clients within the community that range from car dealerships, fast food, hair salons, and pet groomers. After completing the scratchboard of my pug, I bounced an idea off of my husband...would one of the pet groomers allow my to display an example of my scratchboard portraits? We talked to them and they were excited for me to do a portrait on their beautiful 9 month old Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1187077314896890027.post-90136243164310915602011-11-22T21:26:00.001-08:002011-11-22T21:42:09.138-08:00Home StudioA new easel for a new studio Was able to get all of this from a kitchen/bath showroom that was having a major sale due to moving to a new location...major bargain Fell in love with this and decided that if I ever get a studio, I would put this on the wall. I have been dreaming of my own place to work and paint for several years now, and I thought my only hope was either a new house or wait til Beverly Gurganushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10141249489110764106noreply@blogger.com2