Ryan Price Show

Ryan Price, monkey in the middle and I at Ryan's opening

Ryan Price has a great exhibition at Ingram Gallery- on now until June 22nd. http://www.ingramgallery.com/artists/ryan-price/index.htm

I love this guys work and have been following it for over 10 years. The show has wonderful mixed media drawings on drywall, over 160 wee drawings and a couple etchings. Check it out in person, it's totally engrossing.

Life drawing again!

5 minute pose

2 minute pose

I did some life drawing a few days ago for the first time in almost a year- sigh. I was pretty rusty- couldn't capture a likeness to save my life- but it was great fun. I was drawing with a few illustrators who kicked my ass and made me excited to do more. There is some talk about myself and illustrators Harvey Chan and Kagan McLeod doing a 3 way portrait painting session! Sounds like a good time.

Plugging away at solo work- sketching, making panels and taking reference photos- very exciting.

So It Begins...

Here is a small detail or glimpse of the first piece for my solo show at Ingram Gallery in May 2011. The finished pieces will be under serious secret security in my studio until opening night! Gotta maintain some suspense and the body of work follows a specific narrative so I want you all to see it as a whole. The work will be created with a wide variety of painting and drawing materials on my 300lb hot press Arches watercolour paper- nicely protected under a layer of beeswax.  I promise to keep the blog up with quick studies, oil sketches, life drawings and whatever else peeks my interest! Yey solo show 2011!!

Self Portrait

Strange Little Girl
18"x29"
carbon and gouache on watercolour paper

So, it has been quite some time since my last self portrait- and I don't think I've ever done one looking straight at the viewer. That took some guts- I'm a pretty shy person. I am all over this piece, so it doesn't need any explanation (or maybe I'm not comfortable saying anything about it!)

Otto

Mr. Monkey Legs
Carbon and gouache

Here is the second portrait commission I did in the past month. It was commissioned as a surprise, belated wedding gift for the parents of this lovely little guy (very thoughtful huh?!)
I had a great time doing these 2 portraits and I am putting it out to the world that I am now taking portrait commissions again!

Nomi

I did this portrait of a lovely young sprite named Nomi. She has been a student of mine for the past few years and her parents commissioned this as a gift for her Bat Mitzvah. The characters in the foreground are based on her illustrations of a poem she authored. I haven't taken many portrait commissions post babies- but I have done 2 in the past 2 weeks (I'll post the second one as soon as it is delivered).

SUMMER WORKSHOPS!

I am teaching 2 workshops this summer at the Leslieville School of Art. Here are the outlines:

Painting From Life: July 5th- 9th
Learn how to paint a live model in this exciting 5 day workshop!
Limited to 7 students, you will learn how to mix a flesh colour palette, capture a good likeness, proper proportion and perspective and other secrets to making a life like painting. Paint and brushes will be provided and the workshop runs from 10am-1pm daily. This workshop is for adults and keen teens.
$350.00

Sketching with Oils: August 23rd- 27th
Complete 5 oil studies in our new 5 day workshop!
Each day students will complete 1 oil study in a 3 hour period. Subjects will range from live models to plants and trees in our garden to drapery and still life objects. Students will learn colour mixing and fundamental drawing, painting and composition skills. Paint and brushes will be provided and the workshop runs from 10am-1pm daily. Ages 10 and up.
$325.00

For more info or to register email sara@leslievilleschoolofart.com