Christmas Memories

 I just finished a Christmas painting this week.  I was so inspired by the photo of my best friend's granddaughter that I couldn't help but loading up my brushes with bright red and green.  Christmas is past but I just couldn't wait when I first saw the photo of 3 year old Aubrey, I knew that I had to try and capture that image.  It was like something straight out of the Hallmark Store or a Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post.  I've tried to capture that Christmas memory on canvas.  The smell of the pine, crack of the fire and the sweetness of childhood are hopefully all present in my rendition. I made my little girl a bit older and I had to add the old brick fireplace, complete with hung stockings on the mantle and a stuffed bunny to finish off that memory of Christmas past.

"Christmas Memory" is an original work created in my studio in Las Vegas.  It is painted with Acrylics on a 16 x 20 canvas and is framed in an antique wooden frame that just goes with it perfectly.  I sure hope you enjoyed your visit and please come in and check out what is going on in the studio.

Drawing lessons- a priority in 2012

I have recently been reviewing a portrait drawing lesson series that I have had for a year produced by an outstanding pencil artist named Darrell Tank using what he calls his 5 Pencil Method.  His ability to draw with only 5 pencils is astounding.  You are certain that you are looking at a photograph and not a drawing.   Now I have always been able to draw better than most and I am generally able to produce a reasonable likeness of my subject matter.  Except for taking drawing 101 at the local community college 3 years ago, I have never taken any formal drawing lessons.  Since the summer of 2010, I  have become very motivated to become a better artist.  A good painter must also be a able to draw well so these drawing lessons are now on the top of my artistic priority list.  

This week I did a sketch of my cousin's daughter, Allison.  There is just something about this photograph of her that makes me want to grab a pencil or paintbrush and attempt to capture that thin smile and elongated facial expression.  My sketch has a long way to go to be Darrell Tank status, but I'm encouraged by what I see as improvements in my technique and shading.  I've included a couple of older sketches that I did in 2009 and 2010 to make comparisons.

 This next sketch is one that I just drew from my imagination trying to reinforce the shading techniques that I had just observed on the drawing lesson DVD.  Mr. Tank starts with the darkest areas and then shades his portrait from that value going lighter.  He also returns to the darkest areas in the drawing to reevaluate if they are still represent the correct value gradation.  You are always considering your edges and making things appear darker when they are behind or under to give that depth to the facial features.  An example of that is the area under the noise or the ear in comparison to the jawline.  There should never be a boundary line that gives your portrait the color book feeling. The edge should just disappear out of sight.  While this sketch is far from perfect, there is a good amount of correct shading to demonstrate some of the things I have learned.

                                                2010-Gavin                          2009- Jason & Tiffany (frightful)

The Family Tree

For years, I have worked countless hours researching my genealogy along with that of my husband.  It has been a passionate hobby of mine.  Somehow, in my mind, the act of discovering a name or a date brought meaning to the lives of these forgotten generations.  In reality it doesn't take long and the memory of your life is easily wiped from the face of the earth.  In James 4:13-15 we are told "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."  A cemetery marker, a census record or a vague certificate filed in court house is usually all that is left.  Yet somehow when I discover them it brings their life back into focus and while their are few that have great accomplishments, they make me who I am and their blood flows through my veins and the veins of my children.  This makes it important for me to document as much details as I can about their lives and share their stories with everyone that will listen.

My newest painting really has little to do with this subject except for the name that I have chosen..."The Family Tree".  This pair of cardinals have taken on the awesome responsibility of being a parent.  They have picked a strong and safe location to build their nest, high up in the branches of this oak tree.  Doing what parents of all kinds have done for generations, providing safety for their young and perpetuating their kind.  I hope that as you enjoy this painting that you will think about your own legacy.  It is never too late to say a kind word or make a memory.

$300.00

Blogger in training

I've felt a tugging in my heart to take blogging seriously and begin in ernest to regularly record my thoughts and things I have learned in regards to painting and my Nevada adventures. Of course one has to get out of the house to experience adventure. This isn't an easy task for me because I'm such a home body. So to get me better informed about the whole blogging process I've been reading books on the topic. I've skimmed the book "Blogging Bliss" by Tara Frey and also "Problogger" by Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett. Both books had really good information but the non-techy person that I am finds a bit of struggle with all the information. The one really tecky thing I had previuosly accomplished was getting this blog to link right over to my Facebook notes but this week Facebook announced they were ending this feature. Go figure.

A Road Going Somewhere

12 x 36  Acrylic- Pioneer Dreams

I have always been intrigued when I see a rocky path or road heading off into the distance.  Where does this go and who has traveled this way before me are just a few the questions that race to my mind.  The explorer in me wants to head up into those mountains in search of beautiful scenery or some old mining ruins.  Nevada is full of just such adventures.  I think that is why I love this state so much.

This painting reminds me of just such a road heading off into the distance.  We actually found this stone structure as we were exploring Central Nevada.  Check out this link if you want to see the actual location: http://www.robertwynn.com/Peavine.htm

I'm certain that as long as I have the energy to climb into our truck that I will feel that impulse to follow that unknown distant trail leading off into the horizon.  This makes me mindful of my life and the choices I have made.  We are all on a path of some kind and we need to always remember the one who directs our path.  "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."  Psalms 16:10

A Tribute to My Dad

Gerry Warner Diveley
February 8, 1940- January 27, 2011

My dad was a man that certainly lived his life outside the traditional structure of what most in society would consider essential... a job for one. He started out young in life as a cowboy riding in the professional rodeo circuit. I believe he was mostly a bull rider but sometimes he would ride a broncos and even a buffalo now and again.

An interesting side note to this was that in his youth, my dad ran around with the famous rodeo clown "Buddy Heaton" and even rode "Old Grunter" around for him. Buddy Heaton also died of this year.

Somewhere along the way, as a young man he decided that being a gambler was the best way to provide for his family. Now while I wouldn't agree with that decision, it was his to make and as his oldest daughter I didn't have much input in the decision. There were certain difficulties and sacrifices we were called to make because of his chosen profession, but again...we didn't have much input.

I do know he love his kids and adored my mother.  In August, they celebrated their 50th anniversary just a few months before he got really sick.

He passed away in January 2011, and I found that God had me use painting as a vital part in my grieving process. So far, I have painted several pieces in his honor. The most recent painting I call "Wild Ride" and it is inspired by this photograph taken of my dad while riding a buffalo.

Within just a few weeks of his passing I painted "The Cowboy and His Little Girl". The boots in this piece are the special ostrich skin boots my dad always wore.

I miss you terribly Dad...We're all doing our best to take good care of mom, but it sure isn't the same without you.

Love

Your Daughter
Julie

The Neighborhood Watch Committee

I finished this piece in early August and really like how it turned out. Brad and I enjoyed almost a week of vacation this summer in Central Utah, in the small town of Marysvale. During one of Brad's walks, around the area, he came across this house that had a very effective alarm system...You guessed it-three very noisy geese.

We owned a duck once and that one very ornery fowl would fly into frenzy whenever little screaming girls would enter the backyard. He would flap his wings, attack their toes and chase them right back into the house. Our teenage sons would have to act as protectors and carry the little girls out to the safety of the trampoline.

The thought of facing three larger, noisier and more aggressive birds doesn't really appeal to me. No matter how feisty they were, the picture was adorable and I knew the minute I saw it on our camera that I was going to have to try and paint it.

If you're interested in buying this piece you can buy it now through the Paypal button below or you can contact me at Julie@JTownsendStudios.com. I would love to hear from you.

"Neighborhood Watch Committee"- Acrylic 16 x 20 gallery wrapped
$250 + Shipping