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

Pensive Cat

When I saw this cat, I simply knew I had to paint it. The color of its eyes and fur are simply enchanting.

"Gray Cat"
8"x8"
Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
Available for Sale Here

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

How to paint an egg... -SOLD-

The most important ingredient needed while painting eggs (besides the actual eggs) is PATIENCE. Lots, and lots of it. After that, it is a matter of reviewing some of the basic principles of art and visual phenomena: value, proportion, light, reflected light, shadow, texture, color temperature and edges.
I know, I know, it sounds simpler than it is doing it. But, pardon the cliché: "practice makes perfect."
I think I still have a lot to learn, but I believe this painting looks very nice.

"Cracked Under Pressure"
8"x8"
Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
Sold

Gotta please your mom!

Since my parents bought their first house at the end of last year, my mom asked me for a painting for the dining room. She wanted a colorful fruit. I don't know what it is about pears. Maybe I identify with them a little bit because of their shape (LOL), so that is what we chose. This painting took several sessions, even though I thought it was going to be really easy, but I am really happy with the end result. I will try to post the final "look" once we get it framed and on our wall. Apparently she is very pleased, but now she wants me to paint a triptic for the living room...
You may have also noticed that this is the first time I am using the new watermark (my logo) in the blog...



"Pera Multicolor"
40"x30"
Oil on Canvas
Private Collection

Pears

Today was one of those frustrating days. I fell asleep really late (around 3 am), I went to work, and then I wanted to take a nap but it was impossible. My phone rang or produced some kind of noise during the whole time I attempted it. This in turn affected my mood, and so all of these things led me to being really dissatisfied my myself and this painting. Some hours have passed now, and I realize this is not half-bad.

"The Fainting Pear"
8"x10"
Oil on Canvas
Private Collection

Green Apple Party

Today is the fourth day of my daily painting experiment and I am very glad of the product... The oils felt creamy and I love the loseness of the brushstrokes.

I have to confess that sometimes I tell myself I cannot paint. This usually occurs when I come up with something crappy even if I have tried really hard. But it is days like these in which I feel I need to continue painting!!! It is funny how your outcome fluctuates according your mood, inspiration level, and other circumstances in your life...

I can go to sleep peacefully. I feel like I have accomplished something today.

"Green Apple Party"
8"x10"
Oil on Canvas
$250
Available for Sale Here

Key Chain Piggy

Today I did not have much time to paint, but I decided to depict an ordinary object which after careful observation became an interesting subject...

"Key Chain Piggy"
8"x10"
Oil on Canvas
$110 (Shipping Included)

Notre Dame

Wow!!! Has this been a crazy semester or what?!!?
But I am done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I finished my internship and my philosophy of education class and I am getting ready to become a daily painter. I am also working on a portrait commission which I expect to have finished by the end of this week. I want to start fresh with my new endeavor.
I also have thesis on the horizon, but that will not start until mid-May.
As you see, all these facts explain why I have not been posting as often as I wish. It does not mean I have not been painting...
Today's piece is another sepia study; this time of Notre Dame in Paris.

"Notre Dame in Sepia"
8"x8"
Oil on Gallery wrapped canvas
$110 (Shipping Included)