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Saturday, December 27, 2014

Gloria J Zucaro's "Mainstreet Art Center Christmas Projects"

The week before Christmas is always a celebration at The Mainstreet Art Center where I go to paint twice a week.  I am one of those artists that does enjoy being in the company of other artists when I paint.  It doesn't distract me at all, and my main circle of friends is with other artists I've met since I started painting at Mainstreet in 2004.  Every year before Christmas break we do a special project and then we all eat lunch together with the morning classes staying late, and the afternoon classes coming early.  We each bring a dish to pass.  There are about 30 painters all together. The goal of our project this year was to add interesting backgrounds with different values to figures facing away from the camera.  We picked a specific color palette.  We were to bring references of figures seen from the back or side, one figure preferred, as we were to complete the painting in about 2 hours.

I got my references from Paint My Photo.  They are copyright free and all you need to do after you use a reference is let the photographer know, and link to your painting so they can see it.  If you have a page on their site you can show your painting there also.  Below is the reference called "Dancing Down The Road."  

Dancing in the Road

Below is my painting from Dancing Down The Road. 
10" x 8" Oil on gessoed panel, unframed


My other reference from Paint My Photo was called "Cuban Dancers", see below. 

Since we were only to paint one figure, I had to change the arms and balance of the figure.  This is not finished.  I need to put something in her hands.  I am thinking a jump rope(?). and I need to shape her face better and put a hint of  her features but not enough to distract from the overall figure.

See my WIP painting below.
7" x 5" oil on gessoed panel, unframed

I wish you all a Happy and Healthy 2015!


Gloria



10 comments:

  1. Your painting group sounds fabulous fun and I can imagine how you get inspiration from each other, even from just being with and making art with each other.
    I like your painting "Dancing down the Road" very much, you have painted the dress so that it looks even better than in the photo, it looks like lace and vintage silk, and I love the mysterious background you have invented.

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    1. Oh, thank you, Sheila. Yes, I do get inspiration and feedback from my artist friends.

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  2. These are beautiful paintings. I love the dancing down the road especially. I hope you enjoy your celebration on the 11th- something to look forward to in the darkness of a January winter. Thanks for the nice comment on my blog.

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    1. Thank you Erika. Yes, it will be keep the celebration going! You are welcome, too.

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  3. Oh Gloria these are truly gorgeous pieces! I admire that you can paint with the energy of others in the room. It's difficult for me...I need my own space. However it does sound like a terrific time!! May your New Year be abundant in good health, wealth and joy!

    Hugs Giggles

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    1. Thank you for your comment and for your friendship throughout this year.

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  4. Gloria, both of these paintings are really lovely. I love the movement in the skirt of the first painting. I love the opposites in color on the second one. You did great with the prompts.

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  5. Beautiful work Gloria! You've made these your own.

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  6. That sounds like a lot of fun, and your painting came out great. Looking forward to what you'll do with the seond one. Wishing you lots of painting pleasure and creativity in the new year!

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