The Art of Seduction and Pin Ups

Ever wonder what I do in-between commissions? I'm sure you have better things to wonder about, but seeing as how you're here (and you're still reading) here's a glimpse into the creative corners of my mind.

To the left, a work-in-progress of a woman's hand, painted on 11x14 inch Aquabord. This is my ratty old "test slab" of Aquabord (which I've washed off with soap, water and scrub brush in the past!) so I don't usually go too far with my experiments - but in this case I've been enjoying the results and I keep going back to it. The theme is "Seduction" but it's kind of creepy at this point. But fun for me nonetheless.

Here next is a 9x16 inch sheet of 300lb cold press paper with the same theme of Seduction. Looking a little more sensual than the previous one... I might have to change the name of the series when it's finally ready for unveiling. I'm currently working on building up the layers on the man's hand - there's no rhyme or reason to this one. As you can see I've done more work to the middle finger, then moved on to the baby finger... I really am a scatterbrained artist.




Last, another Pin Up in progress, this one on 15x22 inch 140lb cold press paper.
I'm really starting to get a feel for where I want to go with these. I am trying to keep this one as clean and fresh as possible, so I'm forcing myself to put it aside after each glaze so that it dries completely. That way I have less chance of muddying it up or destroying the clear colors in the layers below. You can barely make out the dropped shoe on the ground to her right, because I haven't decided yet if I'll keep the shoe on the ground, discarded, or if I'll paint her hand coyly dangling the shoe from her fingers. I'm leaning toward the latter right now.

I've ordered some 5x5 inch Aquabord panels with 2 inch cradles (that means how deep they are - it looks like a shadowbox turned toward the wall, with the paintable surface on the back). These will make a nice addition to the Pin Up series, ready to hang for Christmas.

Wordless Wednesday

Register on ArtFire.com

20/20 Referral Program in place

I've been working on commissions lately, and as most of them are gifts, I'm unable to show the work-in-progress stages until much later, after I'm assured that I won't ruin the surprise!

So in lieu of showing you what I'm working on now, I'll share with you this fun portrait I finished right after I returned from Paris (above), along with some news. I've been developing a referral program in the background here, as a way to thank my many repeat customers who refer their friends and family to me. As anyone in this industry knows, "word-of-mouth" is the absolute best form of advertising available. In fact, a very large percentage of my commissions in the last year were referred from previous clients. 

So instead of costly ads this year, I'm pushing my advertising dollars into the hands of the people who help me the most: you!

Here's how my "20/20 Referral Program" works:

When you refer a friend or family member to me for a new custom painting, that person will receive a 20% discount on their painting, and you will receive a credit in my studio worth 20% of their final cost.

eg: Your sister-in-law loves the painting you had commissioned as a gift for your parents last Christmas (in fact she secretly wishes she'd thought of it first). You send her to my ArtFire studio (& tell her to mention your name) and she commissions a portrait valued at $500. Her price will be marked down by 20% to $400 and you will receive a credit in my studio for $80 (20% of her final cost!) once the payment is completed.

It's a great way to save money on the most unique gift in the world - a custom portrait!

Now this will only work for orders placed either in my ArtFire shop, or via my website. I won't be offering this program in my Etsy shop; however, if you were a previous client of mine at Etsy and you refer a friend to my ArtFire shop, you will still receive the credit - but it will only be valid at ArtFire or my website. Capisce? 

I love reading your comments, so please let me know what you think! 

Lighting Up the Louvre work-in-progress

"Lighting up the Louvre"
12x12 inches
Work-in-Progress (unfinished)

I've been back from Paris for 2 months already. Where on earth has the time gone? And how could it possibly be August already?

With the 2nd annual Mayor's Gala almost upon me, I thought I'd better get in a Paris state-of-mind (the theme of this year's Gala is "Paris by Night") so to that end, I had a browse through my hundreds of photos and settled on a lamp post to paint. I literally just drew the lamp to start with, because I wasn't in the mood for anything else.

Once the lamp came together, I thought "why not?" and started sketching the Louvre behind it. From there I continued adding details, letting each wash dry and a bit of time go by before attacking it again.

Tonight I finished the statues on the front, took a step back and thought: "well, it's good...but it's kind of wishy-washy..."

Out came the Vermillion, and well - you can see where I'm at now. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll reassess the situation then. I need to add some window details, and maybe (maybe) I'll tone down that red.





Register on ArtFire.com

Unique, one-of-a-kind gifts

I hear this quite often from my clients when they commission a small portrait: "It's a gift". In fact, most of my smaller paintings are commissioned as gifts - especially the ACEO and 5x7 sizes.

Why?

1. They're absolutely one-of-a-kind.

2. Guaranteed "wow" factor when the crinkly wrapping paper is torn off.

3. Everybody else will be wishing they thought of something so thoughtful and imaginative.

4. No way this is getting regifted at the Christmas office party.

5. Surprisingly affordable!

Last month I had a surprise weekend sale on my ACEO custom paintings, and all the members of my Facebook Fan Page got the news first (if you haven't joined my Facebook Page yet - there's a little box on the right sidebar that will take you there to check it out).

Where can you commission a small portrait? Well, you could start here by sending me a message (comment here on my blog), or visit my ArtFire shop - the perfect starting point for cool handmade shopping.

Twilight Art on Etsy's Front Page

I get ridiculous globs of pleasure from discovering that my art made it to the coveted Front Page of Etsy. It's like when I was a kid and wandered in to the kitchen to find my latest drawing on The Front Door of The Fridge.

So here I am to share my latest astronomical feat of Front Page Fandom:

Yes, that's my Twilight art on the right.
Bella portrait in blue, aka "Confessions II"

Neato.

New Twilight Art on eBay

"Edward"
bid now on eBay

I recently finished another round of Twilight ACEO art cards in my studio. I kept the theme a little moody blue, like my first two paintings, with the same sort of dark, slightly abstract quality.

Now is your opportunity to bid on them over at eBay. I accidentally listed them for only 3 days last week, so unfortunately you don't have much time - they end tonight! But if they don't sell, I will probably set up one more auction for a full week. Bidding starts at $20. As most of you know, I don't do auctions very often but I'd like to try adding a few a month and see how it develops. My seller name is Christy*Art

"Bella Dreaming"
bid now on eBay

"Bella Dreaming" is a labour of love for me. From the first time I saw the movie I wanted to paint this scene, but wasn't sure where to go with it, what style to use, etc. Now that I've finally created this, I'm eager to repaint it much larger. The dynamic hits of red are what really pull it together for me.

Jacob

at BoundlessGallery $25

Being a Twilight fan myself, these small portraits are near and dear to me so I don't give them away easily. I held on to the first two originals for as long as possible before finally selling them on Etsy and Boundless Gallery.

"Bella"
bid now on eBay

Of course, I'd love your support so please do stop by and view the listing or even better, place a bid!

Know someone who might be interested? I love being ReTweeted!

Please leave your comments, I really enjoy reading them. And have no fear, I'm currently working on Rosalie, Jasper, Esme, Alice and Carlisle. With a video demo too!
Register on ArtFire.com