Mom always loved to tell me when I was a "little" that I received my darker, olive complexion because we lived near an

Native American reservation.

 My eyes always linger on those fortunate to have skin the color of Copper, Burnt Siena, Umber, Gold Oxide, Bronze

with blushes of Crimson.  

Working in a large journal these two women spilled out and onto the pages.  My references are photos I have taken.

Watercolor paper, Stablio pencil, willow charcoal, chalk pastel........

Recycled post office mailer, gesso with lots of texture, umber acrylic wash, Stablio pencil, willow charcoal, 

chalk pastel.

Working on a very rough texture was a challenge, but I liked the final result....

Two little offerings from my very messy studio table.

Heart Thought: could it be for the better if the entire earth's population were a warm honey color?  Could there be more peace and less class division? Just something to think about.

Friday Portraits

Edith Piaf was born December 19, 1915. Her life is shrouded in mystery, misery, and tragedy.Perhaps born on a street of paris, or perhaps in a charity hospital....she nevertheless was homeless and raised by sisters of charity.  A mere 4”8” giving her the name of the Little Sparrow. This Little Sparrow had a voice like none other...beloved for her ballads, Chanson Francaise...her voice is total magic. You can purchase her recordings today...just drift over to Amazon.  

A few years ago the movie La Vie en Rose was made. Mesmerized, I watched it straight through two times, and then once more. I bought her tapes and listened non- stop to her magical voice, that belied her tragic life. 

One evening I went to my studio and started a series of face paintings, all were imbued with her haunting eyes. They just magically appeared on my canvas. I have never had an experience like that since.

I have sold these paintings, but decided to recreate them for our Silver Brush Show this weekend. I couldn't capture the magical quality of the first paintings.I should not have expected to. 

I showed my favorite on a blog post a few weeks ago, here are two more to enjoy. 

La Vie en rose one and four.

Edith’s eyes held mischief and great sorrow. 

These paintings are not meant to replicate her image, just a fleeting impression.

8 x 8 panel: acrylic, graphite pencil, reed brush with china ink, and oil pastel. 

Heart Thought: whose music, voice, or presence transports you back to another time?

warmly, sharon

What could be Different to Share?

Writing a blog post can be rather a challenge on many levels.

Energy, Time, Commitment and IDEAS..

There are weeks when I can't think of anything that might be interesting to share. (Don't want to bore you!) There are other weeks when ideas jump like O.R. popcorn out of a kettle with lid OFF!

I started this blog years ago and the purpose and theme have changed with time. 

But the primary focus was to discuss ART. (I do wander and stray away at times.)

Searching for something fresh to share on a weekly basis, 

it occurred to me to post faces painted in a very serious manner, faces in sketches and faces in a really crazy, folksy sort of way.

Once a week I will slip one or two Faces into the pot and see what comes out.

Today I share two:

This oil was done several years ago...one I wish I had not sold.   

This is portrait of a Tibetan woman in her beautiful turquoise and coral adornments. I love the deep burgundy blushed cheeks  of the nomadic Tibetan people.  Oil on black under painted panel.

Did I mention that these would be serious mixed with punky-funky. This painting along with 5 others in the series, are inspired by the life of Edith Piaf. I was totally smitten after seeing the movie of her life,  and listening to her raspy amazing voice for hours on end. 

 Marion Cottilard won a best actress academy award for her amazing transformation as Edith.   

Acrylic, gouache, oil pastel, pencil, India Ink,

bamboo pen, and fingers!!!  Lots of luscious layers. 

Next week I will share a few more portraits.

Feel free to download for your own personal use.