Sunday, June 28, 2015

Sophistication


"Sophistication"
16"x20" Oil on Canvas
Beverly Gurganus

Last 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.  It was fun watching Jeannie work her magic.

Several weeks later we recieved a call to come and view the images, and to select the ones we wanted to purchase.  We went through each pose and started eliminating the ones we didn't like first, and then (continuing with the process of elimination) we made our final selections.  When it came to the formal dress poses, I had a favorite, but my daughter had a different favorite... I let her pick the one she liked.

I couldn't get the other picture out of my mind...I saw visions of it in oil paint.  I'm not one who feels comfortable asking for things, but again putting myself out there; I sent a message to Jeannie (Must be getting brave in my maturing age) asking her to grant me permission to attempt an oil painting of her photographed portrait of my daughter.  She generously printed off a photocopy of the portrait.  I was so excited to get started.

Above is my interpretation of the portrait that Jeannie @Hobbs Studio photographed.  Thank you Jeannie!


Self portrait in oil

I 

"Measuring Me"
20"x16" Oil on Canvas
Beverly Gurganus

I 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 placing in the competition was slim, but that wasn't my ultimate goal (it can take many tries and lots of growing to reach that level in competitions). My objective is to start getting my work entered and let time and experience do the rest.

Above is my entry in the Jerrysartarama self portrait competition for 2015.  Now you all know what I look like when I'm in full concentration while painting.  ðŸ˜€