Back Again......

Backstage 16x20 Sold

  I have been gone way too long...not going to say to much at this point but will be catching up with all the work I have done, sold and exhibited. Thank you all who have continued to ask me to post again and all the new followers that have signed on!
 I have an art page on Facebook and links on my website...if you would be so good as to like anything there it would be my honor!
 I will star of by posting a recent commission. The photo is one of mine that I took backstage at a performance by The Dancers Studio in Carthage, Missouri. It is owned by my partner, Max's daughter..I take her as my own. She is also the artistic director and choreographer and teaches a large amount of students there. Max and I help out with props from time to time.
Here is a bit of a progression. Have a fantastic painting week ahead! Theresa

In progress

Closeup of faces

Soon to be a small painting

Closeup of central figure-Our neighbors daughter

The Rest Of The Story.......

The previous blog dealt with the central image of a violinist for a suite of ten paintings requested by a collector.
In this blog I will put together the rest of the images. As I chose the pictures I had it in my mind that they should all face toward the center image.....as if he were the Soloist and the rest of the musicians were in the symphony. Here is were I had one problem....aside from just putting paint on canvas in a mature and direct way.
My client had requested certain instruments. So I looked through my file of what I had and traveled the internet for inspiration. I would say all of the paintings came out pretty much the way I wanted them to......except one. I had found a picture of a trumpet player. I really loved the image and could see it translated into paint immediately. There was only one thing wrong....he was facing the wrong way. What to do....I flipped the picture.....problem solved....right??? .......Nope...wrong! What happened was he ended up playing the trumpet in an impossible way because the instrument cannot be played that way....and I had completely painted it and thought it was fantastic (if I do say so myself)! As I brought it downstairs and out of the studio for Max and I to gaze upon and contemplate it's beauty.....Max, a trumpet player, noticed something. Yep....that's when I got the word....! Darn...darn...darn! What to do know? Only one thing....find another image and do it right!
I sent the image and an email to my client and explained what happened...in good conscience I couldn't let it out of the studio with it so wrong. My client emailed me back and said whatever I wanted to do was fine with him.....but he really like the painting anyway....felt it was very strong and I would have to agree. Well.....two weeks later after I had finished two more pieces for him......and what do you think happened? He still had to have the painting because he liked it so much! What's an artist to do??? Well....for me the truth never hurts, first of all. I did have another person interested in it...but explained the issue....and her son was a trumpet player also. So, of course she declined. In the long run...it all worked out. Everyone is happy!
Lesson learned......if you are going to work from photos.....check everything twice and beware.....there really is no substitute for painting from life. I have done my fair share and still do paint from life or studies from life for the most part. I just didn't think about how most musical instruments (I am aware of a few left-handed instruments...but not many) are only played one way. It won't happen again!!! I have added the rest of the images in the progression they were done below. Let me know your thoughts!


The first painting and the inspiration for the suite was sold several months ago. When I painted this I had not thought about a series.
My client was inspired to order several more paintings in a symphony series.


The second piece...a pianist.....One of my favorites.



The third....there must be a conductor! Hands....arrgh!
I need practice....so good to have someone who has faith in the fact that I will just get better!

I next decided to get the big one out of the way. This is a 16x20 the rest are all 8x10.
This makes the fourth piece.


The client was anxious for a classical guitarist....this may well be the best one!
This is number five. I believe I am getting better!!!

Before I got to this one I had to stop on the series and produce a few other pieces and some other plein air activities. I did a still life with a stuffed turkey....more on that turkey later!!
The client requested woodwinds...I chose the Bassoon...I just like the shape of it! This makes number six.


My client then asked for a trumpet player. This is the painting that was wrong.....but sold anyway! He should be reversed. Number seven.


This is the replacement for the backward trumpet...also sold. I like it!!! Learning a lot!
Number eight.


Tuning the Timpani....number nine.

One left the harpist...she is giving me fits......:)
See you later,
Theresa

Long Time No See............

"The Soloist" 16x20 Oil Sold

I was beginning to think (and you may have, too) that I may never blog again. There always seem to be so much out there to do, that I feel like writing a blog can be a complete waste of time.....but I do miss communicating on some small level. So here I am...yet again....playing catching up. To all you regular bloggers I have much admiration for you!
There has been lots going on (isn't there always)...so I will try to play "catchup post" from where I left off and go on from there. I believe I mentioned a step by step portrait? This piece was part of a series of musicians for a collector....nine in all. This was to be the central painting with 8 surrounding pieces. I am as we speak on the last one.
We as artists know that commissions are a strong source of revenue and a valuable tool to our learning. They can have a downside though...don't get me wrong I am extremely grateful and could not survive without them....but they can dull you somewhat creatively. Mostly because you are painting another persons vision and not yours. Fortunately my collector is patient and gives me lots of creative room. So on the whole I have learned an awful lot! It has been a very rewarding experience!

Some of the things I learned:
The value of doing many images of a similar subject.
Planning small canvases to their maximum and how to devise a series that will hang together.
Color and paint application. A constant learning process!
Work ethic and timely response. (I don't really have a work ethic problem....but staying on top of an assignment does take planning.)
The sheer value of just working.
Not seeing the image as a face, violin, trumpet, etc. but shapes of color, value and paint application.
How much more I need to learn!

Below is the Demo for "The Soloist"


The beginning....a quick pencil sketch secured with hairspray.
I don't like to get too detailed with drawing...and many times I just begin with paint.
Because of the violin, hand and face I chose to do some drawing.

Close up of the face and beginning with thin paint and various colors.
Skin has many colors in it....look and you will see green, blue or purple among others in the flesh tones. Trying to keep edges in the face soft.


Some more work and laying in broader shapes and background.


Continuing to work on the face and the areas around it.


The hands and violin started...checking the accuracy of the perspective of the violin.
The collar is done the face is 90% done.


Almost there!.....the jacket is finished , the bow needs some fine
tuning and the neck of the violin needs to be finished. Also the hand needs refining
and a tiny bit of work on the head with glazing and paint application.


Voila! The finished piece. Details worked out on the violin such as strings, keys, frog and moldings, glazing and some more tweaking on the face and hands!

Thank you to everyone that continues to sign
to my blog, support me via Facebook and my website,
Sincerely,
Theresa

I have entered a few piece in the Bold Brush Painting Contest. If you would like to vote for me...you can access in the sidebar or go here and vote for me or whoever you like! I don't think helps winning....I just like to see if there is any positive reaction.
Thank you ahead of time for your vote!!

The Best Laid Schemes O' Mice An' Men.........

Theresa's Pansies 8x16 Oil Sold
I always say I am going to blog continuously like so many other bloggers...then life gets in the way...or should I say living life gets in the way. I have been plenty to say (just ask my boyfriend and friends...I am more than opinionated at times....and always have something to say. So here I am yet again...and yet again behind in blogging...I haven't even been on Facebook but momentarily.I have been more than busy living life, also.
As last mentioned I have acquired a patron who is more than generous in keeping me busy....and more than generous with emotional support. I have completed several paintings for a musically themed suite of paintings. Several other pieces have been acquired to there collection. You can see them below.
Gardening is another lifelong hobby and the vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers are rolling in. Thank goodness Max (who also has a very green thumb) likes to garden also or I could not do it all!! I have pictures and will try to get them up also.
I have also been doing a lot of studying....just trying to get better with edges and color. So I read a lot, I am especially enjoying my two new books one on Sorolla the other on Sargent. That makes five Sargent books I have now.....Oh, if I could only paint like him now...or Schmid or 100 other artists who have aspects of their work that I deeply admire!
I also attended a plein air paint out that was great fun even if rained most of the time...I still got a couple of decent paintings out....and one sold. There is no better training than painting from life!!!!
I hope everyone is enjoying there summer...we have been. There has been everything from a party on Memorial Day at our house to a sadly attended funeral of our 92 year old neighbor and dear childhood friend of Max's to toiling in the garden in unbelievable humidity and enjoying thunderstorms on our front porch.
Below find some recently sold pieces and some not sold yet.
Next up large step by step portrait and the story of a painting that I never cared if I sold...but did!
Best to Everyone and Enjoy Life,
Theresa



Rose Bower Oil Sold Plein Air



Rose Trellis Plein Air (finished at home)

A Worthy Opponent.......

Abendessen (Dinner) 20x20 Oil Sold

When I was asked to paint another crab for a collector......my first thought was "oh, what fun" and it truly was! On the other hand my self-challenging and creative ideas often get the better of me. I immediately had an image that came to mind.
I grew up with this old stein and a few more...seeing them often in the house and creating little stories about the pictures represented on them. This has always been my favorite ever since I can remember. I loved the color, shape and decoration since I was a little girl. Sooo...it was the first thing to go in the setup aside from little crabby that has been stored in my fridge since last year. After all I wasn't going to eat it...just paint it....so the age of this crustacean being frozen was not an issue. Then with a little more consideration...I decided on the green glass mug...the little brass pitcher and the onions...and finally some beer to go in the mug. I had a considerable debate with myself on choosing the backdrop. I made my final decision and I was off an rolling!
I set the still life up at Cherry's Gallery and completed it there....many people stopped by and watched the this painting come to life. Then, as sometimes happens....difficulty set in. I began to over think...the stein started to give me fits. I did not realize that there was so much detail and how was I going to handle it. Well...as almost always....I soldier on...and completed it. The client loved it...and wanted periodic reports while it was in progress since he was out of town while I painted it. He has paid for it since and picked out the framing material. As an added benefit he also bought the one off the easel that I was working on at the time. I will post it next.
No one knows how grateful I am for such wonderful things happening to me.....and no one knows how hard I am on myself when I am temporarily in doubt over what I am doing.......until now...:)
I am actually very,very pleased with this piece....now that I am not looking at it anymore. As artists I think we sometimes tire of what we are working on....we become blind...and I think many of us are perfectionists....I know I am!!!
As always...I will continue striving to grow and learn and improve my technique....a little looser is what I am trying to accomplish in my still life work.
Until Next Time,
Theresa


Day One and Setup


Day One


Day Two



Day Three



Day Four



Day Five


Day Six (Final)

Happy Earth Day

By the way I still have my first Whole Earth Catalog....!

A New Work....

It's Spring and we are so glad to be out and about! Working with the soil makes me feel connected on a very elementary level...which is an extremely good thing.
I have also been painting regularly at Cherry's Gallery ( and helping put together a website exclusively on art).......it has been a wonderful place to work! I still like being home but unfortunately dishes, laundry and other domestic chores continually call my name and compete for attention. So I have taken up semi-permanent residence here and am forced to get dressed (no more painting in jammies..that I rather love) , brush my hair and attend "work" on a more regular schedule! It feels good and it is a good work habit. I have just finished a commission which I will post next. I have also "cut up" another painting....and I must say it is better than ever now!!
The above piece is a plein air piece...the heron was added later in the studio...it was just missing something in my eye.
Gardening is a priority now also....peas, lettuce, spinach, onions and more. Twenty eight lilies are now planted and also nasturtiums and hollyhocks......next up English and cabbage roses.
There is also a picture box of my my baby brother and I.....:)
Until next time,
Theresa

Back From California and Arizona....

Me and Max at Disneyland

I am making this real quick...and I mean really quick....I have been gone for three weeks to California and Arizona....visiting and seeing Disneyland. Upon my return I started painting at the local gallery here in Carthage, Mo, Cherry's, and spent a week painting there. It was a great deal of fun.....old students and aspiring painters stopped by, friends, supporters of the arts and collectors, also. At times there was a whole lot more talking then painting! Normally this piece would take far less time...that's okay...I had great fun catching up with everyone!! I will be back again this week. Painting another crab.....I think it is going to be great....but only time will tell!!!
Below a few pics of paintings and moments on vacation. Until more time allows have some fantastic creative days!!
Theresa



Me and my baby brother....so happy to see each other...




Setup for painting at Cherry's





First day (which was very short)...



Second day.....




Final....Oil and Onions 11x14

"Painting is so damn hard, that if it weren't for the occasional win, it would kill us."

Summer Dreams...Sold


Snow On Jenkins Creek....Sold


Scaling Eggs...Sold



Approaching Storm II....Sold

Well, as usual I am constantly playing catchup! Again I find myself with less and less time for writing...but spend a lot of time thinking about it. My thought process generally run along art...I visualize constantly...painting a picture in my head, considering the effects of light....color and edges...which brings me to MY big problem for this year.
Every year I paint, I consider certain key aspects of painting...in the beginning it was drawing, composition, color, handling paint, subject matter, mass, photo or life..each subject taking a self-imposed year of consideration....then how to paint from a photo and make it look like it was from life. Then I started painting a whole lot more from life....that took care of the photo issue....pretty much. I still use photos...but I don't like to.
Then came marketing...that took up a whole lot of time! The time I spent marketing has definitely helped....In the last two months I have painted three paintings...all sold and the few remaining from last year have sold also! I still feel weak in so many areas. That really is okay....since this is a constant learning process....and I will be learning for years to come..hopefully!
This year...it's edges...more and more I find my edges unsatisfactory...sometimes I like them...most of the time I am weak in that area. So this year I am going to concentrate more on edges...any advice from people out there is more than welcome. I find lifting the brush at the end of a stroke works well....painting wet into wet and also using a paper towel to scumble the edges...also a value change at the edges also works in many cases. At any rate...I still work at getting better....constantly!
Things have also been selling well....thanks to the marketing time I guess....I actually have a collector that has a "Theresa Rankin Room"...now that is an honor!! Here are some pieces that sold recently and the step by step I promised a month ago which got waylayed while I was sick and finishing a commission!
One can never know how grateful I am to have people actually buy my work!! I will continue to work hard...through the daily "stuff"...the hard times.....the emotional ups and downs..and the dreaded blocks! In the case of blocks I highly recommend Terry Miura's post and all the replies...well worth reading....we are not alone!!!!


The Start......Approaching Storm III



Some more work


Ugh....readjusting the composition (took out the foreground shrubs)


Adjusting yet again....Took out a hay bale....What do you think?....input please!

I will be heading to Los Angeles in the next week....so I may not post until I get back!!
Thank you, everyone who has joined up and who has commented....it really tickles me..I learn much from the other bloggers...every single one of you!!
Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On,
Theresa