This painting has literally been on my easel for almost 10 years. Honestly, I don't know if it'll ever be done but I feel like I'm just not good enough to do it the way that it needs to be done. Maybe one day... Anyway, it's called "Though Your Sins be as Scarlet". The woman, who was considered unclean in Christ's day, washed Christ's feet with her hair and her tears, truly sorry for the mistakes that she'd made. She, that day, was closer to God than the men around her who were judging her for her life and judging Christ for saying that her sins were forgiven. 

 I was really unmotivated during all of December and pretty much all of January. I finally got a few paintings done though. The first one is "Adventures in Baabaasitting" and I'm not in love with the photo of it. I'll try to get a better one tomorrow. The second one is unnamed, but it's of the Swiss Alps in June.

It's been a while. I tend to forget about posting on here. This first painting is called "A Fly Family Portrait". The thing that I love about Cletis, the Fly, is that he has two orange buck teeth and dagnabbit, he's a super happy fly. And what fly wouldn't be with his family back at the homestead for a family photo?

My second painting is called "The Emperor's New Clothes". A royal decree was sent throughout all of the land that every subject was to come and see the Emperor's beautiful, new clothes which could only be seen by the most intelligent and wise of them. As they gathered in their finest attire, it was good that butterflies are unable to show any expression because the shock of seeing the Emperor naked wasn't reflected in their stares.
 

I've been a little remiss in posting my artwork here. The top piece is called, "Let Us Prey". It's acrylic paint on a 14" round canvas. And the bottom piece is just a practice drawing of a poppy that I did while waiting for my best friend while she had various things done to her in the hospital.

Well, I've been busier than I've realized. I totally forgot to upload all of these new paintings. I'm sure that all two of my followers will be very disappointed. I think I've found my new niche though. I'm heading down a path that I'm really excited about right now and I hope that everyone enjoys it. I guess that if they don't, I still do and I can at least retain a bit of my sanity while I'm painting. The snail painting, "Schneckenverstecken" (Snail Hide and Seek) is my newest painting and I really had a lot of fun making it. It just goes to show that my old brain still enjoys young ideas, so that's good. The top two paintings are both from Sedona...one of my favorite places, ever. And the bottom one was inspired by a class I took not too long ago. I wanted to try some of the muted colors that the instructor used in his paintings. Long story short, it's not my thing. My thing has always been vibrant colors and I guess it always will be. The Christ painting is of my cute nephew, with a few changes here and there to make a better painting. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy what I've done and, you know, want to empty your wallet in my direction. ;)  Here's hoping!

Well, I managed to finish a couple of paintings early this week. On to the next one!

Well, I'm a little behind on my weekly paintings. This one was supposed to be done last week, but I just couldn't seem to feel like I was done with it. I'm not sure that I ever will feel done with it, so here it is.

I've been wanting to paint this for years. The original looks much better than the photo of it, I think. One of these days, I'll figure out how to take accurate photos of my work. Until then, you'll have to just be surprised when you see them in person. I've named this one "The River Valley, 1 Nephi 2:9-10". It reminds me of when Lehi and his family and friends have been traveling through the wilderness for years and come upon this beautiful valley with a river running through it. He tells his oldest son, Laman, who has real struggles with his testimony, that he wishes that he'd be like the river "running into the fountain of all righteousness". He then tells his other rebellious son that he wishes that he'd be like the valley, "firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!"  This peaceful scene makes me think of the peace that you can have when you're doing what's right. Your life may never be perfect or without trials, but you can have the peace that only God can give you through doing the things that He would have you do.

Well, this was a new one. When I was in high school, my mom told me that I should become an architect. I told her straight up that there was no friggin' way I'd ever do that since I hate straight lines. Seriously, this isn't a painting that I'd ever choose to do, but a nice lady that used to live in the neighborhood behind us really wanted me to paint a picture of her old house...so I did. I'd say never again but, realistically, I can be bought. It just won't be cheap. ;)

Double Portrait

This is a painting that I was commissioned to do through a recommendation from a friend of mine. This young man lost his grandpa not too long ago and realized that he didn't have any photos with just him and his grandpa. It's a common thing...more common than you'd imagine. I think that we, as humans, see those around us as permanent fixtures in our lives. We somehow believe that they'll always be there and we miss out on the opportunity to have those photos taken. That's where artists come in, I guess. I don't think that it's as good as having that real-life photo with the one you love, but we try to make up for it the best that we can.

 I was commissioned by a friend that I worked with at Hobby Lobby to do this old barn that had been in her family forever. It had been torn down, but they had a photo of it and she wanted me to paint this for her mom for Christmas. The challenge was that it was a nice, green, summer photo and she wanted it to be in the fall. It was fun though and I didn't hate my tree, so that's a first.

This was another commission for a friend online. I had painted her other grandchild, and she hired me to paint this one as a gift for her husband. I got to choose the photo out of a bunch of them, so that was a nice change of pace. I enjoyed the lighting and the expression on this one and though it took me longer to finish than I'd hoped, I felt pretty good about the end product.

I was commissioned to paint this for Casey's boss.  It was a fun challenge trying to put the dogs together when they're from separate photos, figure out where to put his boss, and find just the right pheasant to do the painting justice. The grass was a particular challenge for me since I'm not really a landscape artist.  Trees and bushes always intimidate me as well.  Anyway, his boss was very pleased with the final result and though I'd change some things if I could, I'm fairly pleased as well.

And this is a drawing of my granddad, who married my Lee's Ferry-crossing grandma.  This was another gift for my mom.  It was kind of hard to draw because the reference photo was apparently taken by someone who figured my granddad didn't need the top half of his head.  ;)  Anyway, I think I figured it out.  He was a handsome guy, wasn't he?  I sure adored him when I was a kid.

This is a drawing of my grandma (the same one that crossed Lee's Ferry as a three-year-old).  I did this drawing for my mom for Christmas.  I've been really negligent in posting my drawings/paintings.  Sorry to anyone who cares. ;)

 This was an assignment for a local class.  The woman encouraged us all to be a lot more loose in our painting styles and I tried...I really did.  She also had us using opposite colors for our underpaintings and it broke my brain, but I think I sorta pulled it off.  The reference photo for this painting was taken in Murano or Burano, Italy.  I honestly can't remember which place.  In any case, both places are just outside of Venice.  The colors of the old buildings are fantastic and I've been itching to paint this for quite some time.

This is Lee's Ferry, where my grandma and her family crossed when she was just three years old.  Grandma and her family were traveling in a covered wagon from Mills, Utah down to Graham County, Arizona.  When they went to cross the river here, it was really full and flowing fast.  My grandma remembered being loaded onto the ferry with two of her family members.  When one of her brothers wanted to join them, her dad said, "No, three's enough to drown at once."  Needless to say, this terrified her.  Anyway, I don't love the painting yet (I'll probably rework it later), but I love the story behind it and wanted to share.  :)

This painting has been in the works for a few months now.  This is Brugge, Belgium, or Little Italy because of all of its canals.  I fell in love with Brugge with it's beautiful stepped houses, nice people and, of course, its huge population of chocolate shops.  :) 

I'm a little, OK, a lot ashamed to admit it, but this painting has been on the back burner for finishing for around 16 years now.  This is a painting of my sweet daughter who will be turning 18 this Friday.  I was struggling with the dumb tree and just gave up.  Unfortunately, I still don't think I pulled it off.  I'm calling it done for now and will go back to it later when I can figure out what needs to be done.  : /

I was given this assignment by my favorite college teacher (my favorite teacher out of any of my schools for that matter), Adrian VanSuchtelen, about 5 months ago and I've finally forced myself to finish it, thanks to a painting day with a friend and the sheer determination to just get it out of my sight.  I wish I could've done the scene justice.  The rainbow that was slowly disappearing after the terrible thunderstorm, where lightning crashed not more than 50 feet away from us, was a beautiful, calming sight.  This is one of my few watercolor paintings.

German Village reworked

I reworked this painting because every time I looked at it, it made me growl.  Growling at your art work is generally not a good sign.  I'm still not completely in love with it, but I like it much better.  Now all it gets is the occasional grimace.

Steve, my latest portrait

This is a painting that I started for my best friend back when her husband died...many, many years ago.  I finally found the painting down in the pit of doom (i.e. the basement) and decided that after 6 years, it might be time to finish it.  So, after completely painting over it because I was dissatisfied with his positioning (and this photo of it doesn't show what his positioning really is), here it is.

Been a while...

I know...I'm a slacker.  I've done a few paintings since the beginning of the year, but nothing I care to share.  :p  I finished my first Christ painting today and figured that I'd share it. I won't say that I'm satisfied with it.  I doubt that I ever will be. I can't tell you how difficult it is to portray someone that is the greatest man who ever lived...and whom you've never seen.  People all have their interpretations of how he looked and others assume that he MUST have looked the way people have portrayed him...  This is my interpretation of him.  Some things are similar to others but I wanted him to be my own.  I dare you to tell me that he didn't look like this. ;)  Actually, my friend told me about a young boy and a young girl who died and met Jesus...then were brought back to life.  So, if you're one of those two, please tell me what he really looks like.  I'd love to know. :)

Commissioned piece

     This is a painting that was commissioned by my step-father.  I'm not really a car painter or a landscape painter, so it is what it is.

     Time is short.  I'm considering carrying this goal into next year...before I turn 41.  What do you all think?

He's so fluffy I could die!

Just finished a quick one yesterday and started on an entirely new challenge that I feel underqualified to do.  You'll see what I'm talking about when I'm finished.  The drawing is of my only boy, Nibbler.  He's a sweet lil fuzzy guy and much much easier to raise than my girls.  Now if I could just potty train him and get him not to chew on the furniture... ;)

Sad update on Nibbler.  He died just a week ago.  I'm still not sure why.  I'll miss the little guy. :(
 

Number 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23

k  I'm totally cheating here...but I think I'm gonna count this painting as five. It certainly took as long as five. ;)  I'm still not completely pleased with it and I know that I'll still find things that I missed on it for years...but here it is.

Months later...

I know, I know. I've been negligent in my blogging duties.  Really no excuse except that I'm feeling overwhelmed being so far behind my goal.  This painting is finally within reach, I think.  Should hopefully be done with it this week...

Strange picture

Kathryn Irvin Lee

Yes, I'm a slacker

Alright, I know it's been a while.  I have two new pics to post.  My mom came to visit, so I got a bit behind.  We had a nice time though and I got some good photos of my nephew for some future paintings.  :)  Anyway, the first picture I'm posting is a drawing of my dad's mom when she was a little girl.  I know, I know, I'm stealing the photo for a reference.  My time machine is broken so I had no choice.  I gave this drawing to my dad for his birthday.  The next piece is one that I did for a short course that I took from my favorite professer in college, Adrian VanSuchtelen.  It's a conte crayon/chalk pastel drawing on a prepared ground.  I've not done anything like it since my college days.

I'm still plodding along on this painting.  I sure hope that it's worth it when it's finally finished.  I'm starting to think that 30 by 40 might've been a better name for this blog...  ;)

You know that you've chosen a bad painting for a deadline when you're thinking "Maybe I could get this done in a few weeks."  I'm thinking I might need to do some other paintings as I'm working on this one to just give me a break from it. Tedious doesn't begin to describe this painting.

I'm two days into this new painting and it's not too bad.  It's not nearly as bad as I expected it to be...yet.  I'm guessing that I have a few more 8 hour days left 'til it's done. 

My good friend came over and painted with me today.  It's nice to paint with someone that has a completely different style.  You can really learn things that way.

On a different note, my favorite art teacher from college is going to come to town and do a three day class on drawing. I'm stoked.  Can't wait to learn from him again.

Frightening: What I see in the Mirror Every Day

Here's a quick number 16.  This is a live view, not from a photo, so it's not as realistic as some.

Number 15

I finally buckled down and finished it.  I think I'll do a quick one next and then move on to something challenging again. :)

Buckling down

Ok, no more high hopes...just need high speed.  I'm sorta liking this painting though. It's coming along pretty quickly and I've decided to leave it painterly.  It just feels like that's what it needs.  I'm pretty sure it'll be finished today.  I'll upload it as soon as it is. :)

I've decided that "High Hopes" should be my theme song. :P  Sometimes paintings just fall together so quickly in the first steps that I assume that the rest will go the same way.  It's funny that after 14 paintings, I could forget how tedious the final steps to a painting can be.  And still, I'm hoping to be done with this one by tomorrow....  See?  I never learn.

Number 14

Well, I don't like it at all, but I need to move on.  I'm getting to the point that I'll have to whip out 7 paintings a week in December if I keep going this slowly.  :P  It reminds me of something that would be done with craft paint, so be prepared...

It's a crazy week this week.  Between G starting school and various visiting teaching appointments, I have a back to school night to go to, a couple of bishop's interviews and the occasional supper to make.  *sigh*  I was hoping to crank out this new painting but my picky self just won't settle.  Well, hopefully I'll be able to finish it sometime tonight...  If not, it'll for sure be done tomorrow.

I'm so happy to have finally finished that painting that I'm feeling rather lazy today.  As usual, my in-between beasts painting will be...flowers.  :P    I know, I know, cop-out, but they're relaxing and beautiful.  What more could a stressed-out artist ask for?

Painting del Diablo

ZOMG, the beast is finally done!  I can't wait to get it off of my easel and figure out what's next.  Here it is, slightly cropped but you get the idea.

Well, we got back from a week's vacation down in Las Vegas, Arizona and Bryce Canyon and my painting STILL makes me want to cry. I'm making some progress on it and am hoping that I'll have it done by Tuesday or Wednesday.  I'd like to say that I expect it to be done by tomorrow but all that would do is make me giggle with the absurdity of it. I think my husband is afraid that I'll start hating our youngest daughter since this painting is of her.  lol  No worries there.  I'll save my loathing for her teenaged years.   ;)

There was much weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth...and still the painting wasn't finished....

The new painting has brought me to tears more than once today and I just barely started it. lol The angles are strange and being lazy isn't working. Time to buckle down and figure it out. Hope I can finish it in a day or two. Wish me luck.

Water Lily

I slowed down a bit recently. Lots of stuff going on. I had a great visit with an old friend of mine who came to stay for a day. So, I took a hiatus for a few days. Anyway, here's my newest painting. I'll get started on another tomorrow. Don't ask me what. I have no idea. :P

A Walk in the Tulip Festival

This painting was my new headache. : / I'm still not excited or happy about it but I need to declare it finished and move on. I'm running behind now. Here it is.

Yeesh, this new painting was a poor choice for someone with a deadline. Maybe it'll help me loosen up a bit though. : ) We'll see. I'm hoping that I'll be able to finish it in another day or so. I'm gonna have to choose an easy subject after this one to make up time. :P

The Pigeon Master

I finally had time to finish another one after the 4th of July weekend. I enjoyed nearly every minute of this painting. The colors are just my thing. I was once asked by a college professor if I was color blind. NO, I'm NOT color blind. :P I just like bright colors. Here's the painting. I hope you like it as well.

Bavarian Man

He's not the greatest but I really needed a break from my migraine work. Thanks, Amy, for the picture. I changed his expression a bit. Wish I could've changed the lighting but I'm just not that good. :P

German Village

I'm calling it done but I can picture myself coming back and fixing things that bother me later. Right now though, I have to stop. This thing is literally giving me migraines. So, here it is. Time to move on to something that I don't dread doing. :P

Number 7

Well, I went to my friend Amy's house yesterday and had a great time painting together. I didn't finish my main piece but I did do a still-life while I was there. It's not the greatest painting ever but it'll do. She had some beautiful irises growing still, so she plucked one and we went to work. Here's my result...

Yeah...still not done with this new painting yet. : / It's a lot harder than I thought it would be. It's starting to remind me of the old ladies that I painted. lol Anyway, I'm hoping that I'll be finished today. I'm heading to my friend's house to paint and am looking forward to it. She always has good insight into what I'm doing. :)

This new painting is really tedious. I'm sorta liking it though. I'd say I'm about halfway through now. Maybe I can finish it tonight. I'll post a pic of it as soon as it's done. :)

Arrgh, this new painting is all straight lines and angles. Straight lines and I don't get along very well. I sure love the subject though. Hopefully, it'll all turn out well and will be worth it. :) Go me, go me...6 months 'til your birthday...

Sexy Beast

I decided to do a drawing this time. This guy was just begging to be drawn.