Gloria J Zucaro's " Imitating Frida with Mario Robinson"

I will keep it short.  This week we have as our Creative Jumpstart 2016 inspiration the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.  Our first demo was with Mario Robinson who had done a wonderful self-portrait in watercolor. Mario showed us 3 or 4 watercolor techniques using both wet into dry, smooth washes, and wet into wet.  He also showed both wet into wet and wet into dry glazing layers for richer color.Below is my final project piece with Mario.  I did another self-portrait, but gave myself black hair like Frida.  I was amazed to see how much I look like my mother.  My mother is a brunette, where as I take after my father and was always a blonde(now with some help from the salon)!

"Imitation Frida"

My reference photo

One of Frida's Paintings used as reference

My second reference from Frida's paintings.

Oops!  I forgot to photograph right from the beginning, but you get the idea.

Almost done, but needs something?!

I decided to add some white ink as highlights.  The rest of the painting was done in Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils.

Enjoy the day!

Gloria

Gloria J Zucaro's "Of The Earth"

The ZIA(Zentangle In Art) I made for Earth Day. Done on a 4 x 6 card, using 17 different patterns with names of plants, animals, weather conditions, and the sun and moon.  The prompt is from Laura Harms over at I am the Diva website.  Great site to see her wonderful family photos, and many artists' creative versions of the prompt each week.

Patterns used

Seedlings, Woods, Jelly Fish, Tuffed Leaves, Partly Cloudy, Octopus, Milkweed, Dogbane, Aloe Vera, Dandlion Seeds, Bales, Sunray, Flying Geese, Cresent Moon,

Lightning Bolt, Mooka, Poke Root, Fescue

See Ya Later, Alligator! :>)  Gloria

Gloria J Zucaro's "Quoth The Raven"

8"H x 10"W Original oil on board.

purchase through Daily Paintworks Auction

Bids starting at $65.00

This week Carol Marine gave us the "Birdbrain Challenge".  Her bird is a gull.  But since I did a gull for Ria Hill's "Shoot and Paint" challenge earlier this year, and Carol said we could paint hers or any other bird of our choosing, I chose this raven.  I think it is great for this time of year, with Halloween coming up.  I used an already textured board.  Frequently I use the leftover paint on my palette to pre-treat another board for future use. This board was completely dry.  It had some oranges and other colors on it, but I wanted it toned completely red-orange so went over it with Cad Red Medium before starting this painting  I know some people think ravens/crows are spooky or evil, but I love them.  I feel they are somehow primal and they have always attracted my interest.  I feel the same way about geese as they fly South on a cloudy and chilly Fall day.  It gives me the shivers and I too have a longing to fly!

I am also posting this for Paint Party Friday.  Please check both sites to see what other artists have been doing this past week.

Gloria J Zucaro's "Silent Moon"

8"H x 8"W original Oil     $105.00  Framed

S&H to your ZIP

                                   To Purchase, email me at gloria@gloriajzucaro.com                                             

I had fun with this one by under-painting with acrylic gold glitter paint which shows through in selected areas. This cat that has a glittery surface is one of my Halloween decorations, as are my Fall leaves that are edged with glitter.   I needed something else in the upper left corner, especially because the cat appeared to be looking at something.  I really liked the moon.  I hope you do too!