Sunday, January 4, 2009

New Years And Then Some....

Portrait 11x14 oil
We all know it ....we've all done it...what's that you might ask? The answer...the old get around... make a resolution......things will be different scenario.. Right? Right! Well, I am no different. I have made many resolutions in the past....some of them have stuck and some have not and many have been picked up again and again.
My basic New Year's deal, procedure, method or just plain ol' superstition, though, is this......What I do on New Year's Day is what I will be doing all year long....and...we eat black eyed peas for good luck! Sounds simple...right?... not always. I did paint on New Years Day...that was number one....the other thing was mental house cleaning which I often try to do. If I am being negative or some other awful characteristic I like to examine my life and see where it's coming from.....and try to exorcise that evil demon! So for me I spent time painting, reflecting, reading and some quality time with loved ones. If you rested on New Years Day then you probably needed it and deserved it.
The day started well enough....I put the beans on with the remains of the Christmas ham....took out my paint palette from the freezer and poured some coffee. Max woke up shortly after and we had coffee and talked about how much fun we had New Years Eve. Just a few guests, the adult kids and Inez's boyfriend and some drinks and food to nibble on. It was a great evening and we all had a great time. Wyatt came down stairs soon after and he and Max decided they needed to go to the mall. Wyatt had bought three shirts one of which they forgot to remove the anti-theft device ......and so off they went. I read for awhile and thought a lot. Mostly just thankful for all the good things in my life! Inez got up and then she was off and I had the house to myself. A little more reflecting and catching up on some mail, my calender, website etc. Then I finally painted for awhile and just about finished my piece. There was a small amount left around the eyes which I finished off this morning and now....fini! I was getting very nervous that I was not going to get to paint that day....but I did!! I will then begin another piece.....perhaps a landscape...maybe a still life...mostly waiting for the the preoccupation of the current piece on the easel to fade away.
As for resolutions.....I rarely make them at New Years. If I have a mind to do something I generally start very soon after the inception of the idea...if at all possible. Like smoking...we decided to quit....waited for the last cigarette to be smoked and then quit. Like painting everyday.....I got out of the habit and am now back to painting at least three days a week...not always a full day though...darn! Things are becoming increasingly organized and allowing me to paint more often than the last 6 months or so.
I had a good day New Years...things were going easy and working out as I had planned. max got home...and....of all things.. I had a present from him! You must know this about Max to understand. He is not a present giver on holidays birthdays or anniversaries. He told me that from the start and his kids told me the same thing. Now you must also know that I can have just about anything I want, anytime...within budget and reason....although I don't ask for much. So for him to come home with a box full of things (bath stuff and lotions) from Victoria's Secret was a very pleasant surprise. In fact it made me cry! It's not the first time he also bought me a present on my birthday and Valentine's Day.
So there is my New Years Day blah, blah......I will make an effort to paint more outdoors though and keep up the blog. I hope everybody is gonna have a wonderful year....I am!
Now...one more thing!! Here is the portrait I had to do for the Different Strokes From Different Folks Challenge. I hope the fellow can recognize himself...I gave it a real shot. We were all given a photo of someone else who had entered the challenge and then asked to paint them. We weren't supposed to labor over it...and I didn't. I probably spent 4 or 5 hours total.
Until next time,
Theresa

48 comments:

Vern Schwarz said...

Hi Theresa, the great portraits just keep coming on this challenge and yours certainly is all of that. I love the natural at ease feel of this piece, which you've painted beautifully.

Art By Erika said...

THERESA CONGRATULATIONS! Not only did you take me up on the invitation, you've also met deadline and painted this LOVELY LOVELY portrait! WOW, I knew I was up for some serious eyecandy when I brought it up to you! Back later for more read on this post WOOHOO!

Peggy Montano & Paintings said...

Teresa, this is truly a great painting. Such character in the portrait.

Unknown said...

Wonderful wonderful portrait. So warm and inviting. This was my first challenge and I'm am in awe of all the talent in DSFDF. Congrats on a great job!

artbyakiko said...

What a wonderful portrait! It's absolutely beautiful!!

John Vander Stelt said...

Nice job on the portrait!

Dana Cooper said...

Beautiful portrait!

Edward Burton said...

WOW, outstanding portrait, Theresa!
Wonderful job capturing his friendly expression.

dominique eichi said...

Very nice feel to your portrait. Some of your pieces are awe-mazing. PS Great music too :)

Anonymous said...

Theresa,
With your flourish of words, like a verbal Currier and Ives, I really got the imagery of your New Years Eve and Day.
A very warm and real way to start the year.
Before seeing this post, I had looked at DSFDF and saw this absolutely beautiful portrait you painted and came right here to comment.
Such a luminous representation of character and facial planes.
Was one of the best challenges she's held, and among those, yours was simply, utterly beautiful.
As always, you give your blog your signature.

The very best to you in 09.

Anonymous said...

Theresa,
With your flourish of words, like a verbal Currier and Ives, I really got the imagery of your New Years Eve and Day.
A very warm and real way to start the year.
Before seeing this post, I had looked at DSFDF and saw this absolutely beautiful portrait you painted and came right here to comment.
Such a luminous representation of character and facial planes.
Was one of the best challenges she's held, and among those, yours was simply, utterly beautiful.
As always, you give your blog your signature.

The very best to you in 09.

Carol Feldman said...

Well, I am impressed! Lovely to look at. What talent!

Anne Marie Propst said...

I have watched with great joy the wonderful portraits on Karin's challenge. I haven't been brave enough to jump in yet, but hope to. I had to comment on yours though as I thought it was fresh and really beautiful. Great job.

Anne Marie Propst said...

I have watched with great joy the wonderful portraits on Karin's challenge. I haven't been brave enough to jump in yet, but hope to. I had to comment on yours though as I thought it was fresh and really beautiful. Great job.

Bill Brauker said...

Theresa,
What a delight it was to go the Different Strokes site yesterday and discover the wonderful portrait you did of me. It is terrific. You are so talented. And yes, I recognized myself immediately!

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Theresa,

You sure did a great job on that portrait. He looks like a handsome and interesting man. I like your
musings about New Year's and resolutions. I don't make them, because I don't like beating myself up over an idea. Like you -- I try my hardest to do the thing I plan to do. And frequently I'm blessed to succeed.

Love your blog. Love your painting and writing.

xoxoxoxBarbara

VickiRossArt said...

gag me with a spoon. I hate the portrait, and your blog. Too ooey-gooey!

NOT! just a kidder. fabulous as always.

Kim VanDerHoek said...

WOW, really WOW! This is amazing! What a great start to the new year. I'm so glad I found your blog through DSFDF, I'll be back for more.

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you so much Vern...I am honored!

Theresa Rankin said...

Hi Erika ..thank you for pushing me on this one...it was great fun and all the wonderful work..including yours... is so stimulating to see! I believe I will continue with these challenges....it seems to me it will be great practice and a wonderful sense of community here at blog city!

Theresa Rankin said...

Peggy thank you so much for your lovely comment...it is an honor for me to be able to paint and have people really like what I do!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Sheila...it is fascinating to see all the different styles....I believe I am hooked!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Akiko...thank you for the lovely and sincere comment...your support means a lot to me!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you so much John...I am somewhat overwhelmed by all the comments! But very honored!

Theresa Rankin said...

Dana..thank you so much for commenting...I truly appreciate it!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Edward for your wonderful comment!! I am most appreciative and extremely honored by it!

Theresa Rankin said...

Dominique I am so happy you like my other work as well as the portrait. Thank you for taking the time to visit, comment and listen to the music!!

Pete said...

Theresa,
If you didn't labor over it, it sure looks like you at least had it well thought out. Congratulations on a beautiful piece!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Bonnie!! You are always so warm and generous with your praise...I hope to see you join the challenge if time permits! It really was a lot of fun!!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you so much Carol!!! I am extremely honored by your comment!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Anne Marie...Thank you!!! I am happy you saw the freshness.....something I try for!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Bill...it was a lot of fun to paint someone I did not know...and still have them recognize themselves! I am really happy you like it!!

Theresa Rankin said...

Hi Barbara...I was so hoping you might join in on this one...since you excel at portraits...but I know your schedule...and you are one busy gal. Most of my resolutions are made anytime of the year....no need to wait for a new year....just a new tomorrow! Much love and thank you for all your support!

Theresa Rankin said...

LOL!! HAHA!! Vicki...you are such a wild card...I know how much you love ooey-gooey!! Thank you Hon, for all the nice things you say about me...you are a doll!

Theresa Rankin said...

Kim...thank you I am always So pleased to meet a new artist...I look forward to hearing from you again!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you, Pete for your genuine comment!...I do like to keep my paintings fresh so I try not to labor over them. I did have a plan...I almost always paint a piece, stroke for stroke, in my head before I put it on canvas. Thank you again for your lovely comment!

Carol Horzempa said...

Theresa....so you are the artist that painted the lovely portrait I saw the other day on DSDF. I was so impressed and loved it immediately also you have a great blog......your writings, art, pets, slideshow, all of it!

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Carol...I am honored by your comment!

TSL said...

I loved your Bill.

Victoria on Okinawa said...

Theresa, I love the texture in this portrait and you captured the mans strength and gentle nature at the same time. There seems to be a touch of mirth in his expression too as if he had a little secret he was smiling about.

Johnnie Sielbeck said...

So many portraits on the DSFDF site that it took me a while to get here - and what an interesting blog you have! Love the portrait you did of Bill Brauker, very direct and fresh. I look forward to seeing more of your work. Happy painting & enjoy those Victoria's Secret surprises!

Trevor Lingard said...

Hi Theresa
Your portrait is fabulous on different strokes. I look forward to following your work.
Kind REgards
Trevor

Theresa Rankin said...

Trevor, I certainly appreciate you stopping by and commenting! I am honored!

Theresa Rankin said...

Tina, Thank you so much...I am glad you stopped by!

Theresa Rankin said...

Victoria...thank you so much for visiting and commenting. The little smile he had was fun to try and capture!

Theresa Rankin said...

Johnnie..I am honored your work is wonderful...thank you so much for stopping by...hope to see you often!

Dewberry Fine Art said...

This is one of the protraits I kept coming back to. It has such a beautiful feeling and captures a spirit deeper than paint. Fine job.

Theresa Rankin said...

Thank you Thank you! That is what I want to hear when doing a portrait or anything .......something deeper than paint. I am honored, Dori!