Have a Sassy Christmas!

This year, I went very simple with presents other than ones to my children. All family and friends are getting tea or chocolates. So when I received a really personalized and thoughtful gift from a friend, I felt that I want give her something a bit more personal in return. I don't usually do paintings as gift, nor do I paint a lot of cats, but here is the opportunity for me to do both. I texted her this morning for photos of her cats and here is what I managed to put paint on paper while my little guy took a nap. Doing these paintings reminds me Christmas is a time for showing your appreciation of people you care about. Thank you for the opportunity my friend ( you know who you are) and you will get your paintings after your trip.

Don't dwell on what is lost...move on and create more

Sigh! Today I finally realized that I have lost some of my original files of my pattern design when my network drive went self destruct a couple months ago. I do have them in a pdf file and have uploaded them to Spoonflower, but I do not have the originals. I found that out as I was exploring the Society6 site and made my artwork available for more products. That part is very exciting so I am not dwelling on the lost too much. I now have my artwork available iphone, ipod covers, and a pillow covers. Please come check it out.  Here is the link Astrid Fox at Society6

Giddy at the Getty LA

I'm on the flight back from a short vacation in LA. We managed to combine family activities like Disney with some cultural outings like the Getty and I think everyone had a good time. My highlight of the trip was the visit to the Getty. I loved taking the tram up to catch a magnificent view and I enjoyed seeing my favorite old masters. I was pleased to show the kids their first Van Gogh - the Irises, even through the experience probably went right over their heads. I was particularly drawn to a piece by Degas - the hat maker. I liked the composition very much. I will further study this piece after I get home. The Children's House was inspiring not just for kids. I doodled along with my boys as you see here.

Self portrait

This week, I hit a bit of the creative wall. I was very dissatisfy with how I did with last weeks technique - glazing medium diluted colours over black and white on a tonal study. I let me ego or my expectations get in the way. During class, we repeated the exercise but with a portrait. I was quite nervous as I hadn't painted a portrait for many years. To intensify the self judgement more, I chose a self portrait. The photo is of me in my twenties. At the end, I conquered my fears and painted with less hesitation. I enjoyed painting from my younger self and transformed the image to my age today. Note to self: use larger reference and work out composition before execution

Absorbent ground and limited palette

I am giving absorbent ground another go here with a limited palette - Yellow Ochre, burnt umber, alizarin crimson and bronze. Here is what I got. I mixed the absorbent ground with the colours as I find a colours background gets me inspired easier.

Tonal studies

During the third class, we focused on tonal studies and prepping for the glazing technique. I used these studies to explore my recent interest of landscape.

Dancing and painting

During one of my Painting Bootcamp classes when we were asked to mix up two complimentary colours to show a transition from one to the other colour. I got to a place that felt very natural, I really felt like I was in my elements. I painted quite watery and produced a continuation of transition without gap in between each colour. I blended on the paper and show a gradual scale. The process was very liberating. It felt like my arm, hand and brush was dancing on the paper. I am a fairly clumsy person physically. I don't have quick reflexes like athletes and dancers do. But armed with my brush and paints, I felt quick and precise with my movement.