Show & Tease

Hello Everyone!

I can't believe January is almost over!!! Weren't we counting the days 'till Christmas just a couple of hours ago? Ugh... Life is passing by and I don't even feel it anymore. Turns out that my mom was right when she told me that life went by faster after you turned 18, and even worse when you turned 25, and now I'm getting dangerously close to 30!!!
For my older readers, beware not! You have lots more wisdom under your belt, and I'm actually not afraid of going to the "third floor," it is just a little bit shocking to see how quickly time passes by... (And yes, I am exaggerating/being a drama queen -it is one of my talents- I'm only turning 28 this April).
Anyhow, I wanted to announce that I will be showing one of  my bromeliads at the Limner Gallery in Hudson, NY. The reception is February 1st at 5:00 PM in case you are around that area.
In other news, I am very close to being done with Muse #5 and I'm also working on a pastel piece with pears as the subject (just to clarify: they are NOT done). This post is just to give you a little teaser...

Four Models...

 

Muse #5 has been photographed and is currently on the sketching phase. As you can see above, my sister was kind enough to pose for me, and I have to say she looked beautiful and was a really good model! (posing is easier said than done). Thank you Viviana!!!!
I captured lots of good reference pictures that I may be using in the future, including the one here, which was one of the candidates for the painting but didn't make it to the "final round."

You may also be wondering what kind of muses are in picture at the bottom. Well, I also had a couple of other models that decided to go on the spotlight that night. My father, as well as Yogi (white maltese) and Brandy (black Portuguese water dog who has now been with us for the past 5 months!).

Yes, we are a very photogenic family ;)

Muse...

I made some final changes to it and muse number four is ready to go!

If you compare it with the last picture I posted of it, can you spot the differences?

I cringe at the sight of the last one!!!


"Calliope"
36"x30"
Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

1/4 Done...

The workload is piling up, the e-mails don't stop, the stress is ever-present, but when I come back home and I work on either my paintings or illustrations everything else just "dissolves." I thank God for giving me the grace of finding something I love; a place where I can get lost in, where I can forget about the not-so-pleasant bustle of daily life...

Here is a process picture of muse #3. I would say she is only 1/4 done. I still have to work on some anatomy problems as well as the "pushing and pulling" of the different planes. I think she has lots of potential... I thank my friend Sharon for posing for this one! Gracias Chicharrin!!!!

Muses

After hours of hard work, struggling, wanting to give up, starting again, learning new things about anatomy, morphology, among other things... I introduce to you the first two muses: Melpomene (tragedy) and Urania (astronomy).
Ancient Greeks believed that inspiration was brought to humans by these female personifications of music, astronomy, dance, poetry and other arts. Moreover, many words in the Western lexicon are derived from these deities' special powers. You hardly think of these things, but ever wonder why a museum is called that? How about music? Or the saying in spanish "se le despertó la musa" (or its variations)?
It is really cool that by studying art you can learn about history, etimology, geometry, anatomy or morphology (among LOTS of other stuff). That is another reason why I am so passionate about pursuing this profession. It is interdisciplinary in nature. As I like to say (basing my concept on my dad's teachings), "Art is like math, you first need to learn the basics to move on to the more complex concepts." And I feel I'm just getting started...

"Melpomene"
36"x30"
Oil on Canvas

"Urania"
36"x30"
Oil on Canvas