Another image of my latest painting...

This is a better image of the entire composition.

Nearly Completed...painting #4

This is painting number four, and it is nearly completed.   The first image will show the girl but the hat wasn't filled in yet; the next two pictures show the hat details almost completed.  There are a few minor details to be added, and I would say it is done.   I have been told that my work is irrelevant (insignificant - unimportant - immaterial) to the times.  You may want to look and decide for yourself.  Thank you to all that do look and read about my work - greatly appreciated.   It is titled: Happiest Place on Earth? And honestly, it has nothing to do with Disney. 

New Painting in the Works.

I have just started a new painting.  I will continue to build on the same work as before - a mix of color, black and white, realized and fantasy.  Below is a peek into the beginning stages...

An article in the State Press regarding our BFA show, Close Proximity.

This article is written by Monica Fidura.  She was great to work with and share our thoughts and feelings on our work, art influences and the show.  http://www.statepress.com/2011/10/18/up-close-and-personal/

The Monster is Back....

I worked on this painting over the weekend as well- I am pleased with the effects of a strong background, middle ground and foreground. It gives an awkward feeling to the painting-which is exactly what I wanted to achieve.  I made the baby a little more intense - almost creepy.  The whole canvas is not in the bottom image; we will try and get another photo of the entire painting.  And a side note: I don't want to paint anymore babies.  It is way too difficult.  I had to use a great deal of purples and pinks to give depth and shadow to the skin, using more neutral tones and browns aged him and just didn't work . Oh and as a reminder, this canvas is 4' x 6', so it's one big baby. 

Close Proximity - photos of the opening night

So we had a great opening night, but it was a small crowd.  Eddy took some pictures.  There is an awesome shot of the front of the building all lit up at night.  My work was a little harder to photograph due to the narrow space, but the art looked awesome!

Another Painting Finished!

I spent a total of fifteen hours painting over a two day period.  I finished the "Pressing Matter" painting.  I am pleased with the color and vibrancy.  This painting is a mixture of spray enamel paints, acrylic, oil paints and Krink ink paints.  I had a blast working with spray paints.  Toxic indoors though!!

This is a photo of my two paintings in the studio - Alter Ego and Pressing Matters.

Been Away Too Long...

I have not been able to get any painting done this week or over the weekend.  I am in the middle of getting the group BFA show together.  It has been very trying and exhausting.  I am looking forward to our opening, but am also looking forward to everything being done, so I can get back to what is MOST important to me...painting.  I also have to squeeze in a couple art history essays on Monday.  It will all get done though.  Wish me luck. 

New Website in the Works

A new website is in the works.  It is so user friendly that I can make almost all of the changes myself.  I updated the news link, and rearranged the artwork again on the portfolio page.  I really like this website.  Please check it out.  Keep in mind it is in the early stages not all the information and links have been added. Currently the work is set up in a mosaic format, as time permits, it will continue to change and improve.  But personally I like the mosaic set-up. 
www.LBellaBryson.com

Put in More Hours.

I put in another five hours today in the studio.  I am tired, but it's a good tired.  There is a lot more definition and detail in Caleb's face and hands.  I will try and get some pictures posted soon.  I also had a great critique with my professor.  He gave me some good feedback.  It sometimes takes another set of eyes to see what you're missing.  The painting of Caleb and Mason is really still in the very beginning stages.  I would say there is easily another 20 to 30 hours left to get it at a good stopping point. It was funny when I took a step back and really looked at Caleb's body alignment, it looked like he was in a magic act that went wrong, like the box was sawed in half, but he just wasn't quite right when put back together.  His legs were heading downward into the couch and his upper torso was heading straight along the line of the couch - too funny.  That has now been fixed - wallah!   I had posted the photo of me working in the studio on the Caleb, Mason, little monster painting on facebook, and Caleb noticed it.  He liked it so far, but asked his ol' mom to pencil in some shorts.  I replied...hmmmm.....nope. Too funny.  Soon I will have to switch gears and start working on the zipper head.  I need to put in the graffiti elements.  It will be a great deal of tedious taping off of sections, spray painting and hand painting.  I''ll get there.

Working in the Studio-

This is great photo Eddy took of me painting in the studio.  It shows the large canvas I am working on, and you can also see Eddy in the window reflection taking my picture.  He always gets the best shot.  I recently had a wonderful person remind me that it is about the journey as much as it is the destination- I needed that little reminder- loved and appreciated. 

The Monster is Back....

This is a larger composition (48" x 72") that I am currently working on.  It is a painting of my son, my grandson and a little monster in the background.  This has many interpretations; it is what you see and take from the experience.  The images will show the different stages.  I have nearly completed Caleb. There needs to be some final touches, smoothing out, but he is looking strong.  This painting has been a real struggle.  The canvas is extremely rough and my white paint is thick and difficult to maneuver.  Mason will be painted in color, creating a strong sense of foreground, middle-ground and background.

In this photo, the monster, Caleb and Mason are still in outline only:

 

This photo Caleb and the monster are obviously painted- I am pleased with the texture on the wall in the background.  You would not believe that it took me nearly two hours alone building up subtle texture to the walls; I will have to add more at later stages of the painting:

 

This is a little closer look.  I need to add highlights to Caleb's hands to bring them out more from the couch.  This painting is starting to reflect the kind of film noir I desire to emulate.

 

 

This is a nice close-up shot of the monster's hand.

Some Detailed Shots of Zedie and Buildings -

I find this painting humorous.  Eddy has provided some really nice detailed shots of the Alter Ego painting.  What you are looking at are the little Eddys and one Lisa in the windows of the buildings.  These are the photos I reduced down and added as collage elements.  This painting is biographical and autobiographical- of course in a humorous tale.  I hope you enjoy the little people.  I also have a nice close-up of Zedie and the buildings in the background.

Arriving Soon!!!

Zedie Cityscape is Looking Good

I am going to post pictures showing small progressions of change.  This is very nearing completion and I'm very pleased with the composition.  I recently added some fun surprises- that will be posted in the near future.  Thank you Lou for following my blog - Love you and appreciate your support.

This first picture shows most of the buildings and Zedie in place.  The space ships are up in the right hand corner waiting to be completed.

Next you will see the space ships painted in place. Plus I have now added Zedie's moon planet up in the left side of the canvas. 

Now, I have painted a strong beam of yellow light power - to give Zedie his strength to fight dark crimes and the monotone grayness of life.

 

I think that the yellow beam of light really helped to balance out the composition and keeps the eye moving through the image.  There are also little added touches to the windows and the bridge now has little head and tail lights on the bridge to give the sense of traffic.  I will try and post some small detail shots later.   Also, the buildings wrap over the edges of the canvas and the moon planet is completed at the top edge of the canvas, so from any angle of the work, you can be a part of the story.