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!!!!

Painting Lotus Flowers

 

 

I survived the flu!!! I am currently on antibiotics and happy to report that I completed my first painting post-illness. Muse number four has been photographed and I even did a small pastel study for it, but I will save it for the next post.  I also posted the process of this painting for those of you that are curious about my technique. If you have any questions, let me know!

I thought these lotus blossoms looked like 3 girls gossiping while sun-bathing. You don't see it??? Well, it might just be the meds...

"Lotus Ladies"
11"x14"
Pastel on Board
Available for Sale Here

Good News and Introduction

Hello everyone!!!

I have been a victim of the flu epidemic that has been going around the States. I couldn't go to work for 3 days, and even as I'm writing this I feel like I should be in my bed resting and drinking fluids. As you can probably infer, I only managed to paint one little piece this whole week and to tell you the truth, I'm not completely happy with it. I should have waited a little longer, because even though I was wearing a mask to cover my nose and mouth, I feel the dust of the pastels delayed my recuperation process. I will work on it a little longer and post it for your enjoyment once I get better.

Well, no more whining!!! I do have two exciting news to share with you today...

#1:
 My painting "Sweet and Sour" (pictured above) was accepted to the 2nd Annual Women Painters of the Southeast Society Juried exhibition!!! This is REALLY COOL and a huge step in my painting career.

#2:
As you may know, besides being a painter, I am also a graphic designer. I decided to create a new blog where I could share with you all my thoughts and creations related to art and digital design.
I cordially invite you to visit and follow my new baby:  "Wendy's Right Brain"

Thank you for reading!!! 

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

Dog Portrait

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

I hope you spent the first hours of 2013 next to your family, friends or significant others.
Here is the first post of the year.  My subject: Yogi, my mom's new maltese pup. He came to the family 2 months ago and he has proven to be one hyperactive doggie. He has managed to steal my family's heart and of course, my own. I am now heading to my parents' house now for a delicious Colombian "asado" (BBQ).

Take a look at the process below...

I wish many blessings upon you and your family. Here is to a year full of painting and nice surprises!!!! Cheers!!!

"Yogi"
8"x10"
Pastel on Board
Available for Sale Here

Color!!!

I follow several artists that have blogs just like this one; some of them paint in pastel, others in oil.
Pastel-wise I am drawn to (more like in love with) the work of Margaret Dyer (take a look at her paintings here). She paints in a gestural manner and has a wonderful way of handling color. I painted these pears thinking about her creations...

This pastel illustrates how the most important thing to make an object look realistic is the value and the proportion, not necessarily the color. Although you know pears don't necessarily have these hues, they still read as pears and have dimension. I had lots of fun putting lots of "unusual" color down!

"Multicolored Pears"
8"x10"
Pastel on Board
Available for Sale Here

Seasons Greetings!

Just a quick message for today (soon I will give you a glimpse of the muse painting)...

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you a wonderful 2013 full of surprises, blessings and love.Thank you for accompanying me in this wonderful artistic journey!

From our family to yours: Happy Holidays!!!!