Sketch of the Day: Childlike Part Two

More sketches of girls being girls. Kids being themselves are far more interesting to me than the angelic portraits that I often see.

I especially like the one of my daughter running away. In the original photo she is running through a field of dandelions, but I like it because it is a view I see all the time.  I see it when we walk to the store, to the park.. really when we walk anywhere.  (Which is pretty often when you don’t own a car)

She’s free and fully enjoying it. And I’d be lying if I said that sometimes I wasn’t just the tiniest bit envious of that childlike freedom.

Artfully Yours,

~Laura

Sketch of the Day: Childlike

Little girls – the perfect example of unedited personal style. Remember that girl who clearly dressed herself. Her mom may have even gone out of her way to mention that little Suzy chose that fuschia skirt, red top, and green and orange heart print tight All By Herself.

It is that personal expression that got me thinking about drawing them.

Artfully Yours,

~Laura

Sketch of the Day: Fashion Inspiration

 

I love the way a model carries herself. This sketch was inspired by live action – watching models walk the catwalk.

In this case the inspiration was not the clothes but a moment frozen in time.

Artfully Yours

~Laura

Concealing and Revealing – Secret Self Portraits

Lady in Red by Laura Tetrault

You could read that title ” Secret Self” Portraits or Secret “Self Portrait” and either title would apply.

I haven’t really done a self portrait since school – I guess it doesn’t fall into my everyday thinking, but this painting started out with a challenge:

“James 1:22-25 tells us that God’s Word is like a mirror.
When you look into the mirror of God’s Word, what do you see?
What does it say about who you are? What truth does it reflect into your life?

 

How do you go about looking at your “secret self” – for me, that part of myself is one that I don’t really know in a concrete way. It is composed of things like dreams, snatches of this, clips of poems, journal scratches and sketches, beliefs, feelings, aspirations…. How do you put aspirations into visual terms?

Even writing this post was difficult for me, because a lot of the ideas I have about this piece are things I have never really put into words. How much of my secret self could I handle floating around the web?

Here’s a few of the ideas that went into this painting.

I drew things that I consider “my familiars” on my canvas. Latin words, lanterns, wild roses. Some things that I have recently adopted or that stood in for an idea that I wanted to express. Many of them got covered by future layers of paint but I know they are there. Some images express who I am, who I was as a child and who I want to be. That’s how I addressed the questions stated in the challenge.

Colour choice can say things about you too – these are my signature colours – most of them are transparent and layer nicely with one or two powerful opaque colours.  Picking apart colour theory and what each colour means  is a task for another post.

I chose the pose of the girl – introspective, partly turned away. It is almost like she is unaware of the viewer, or she could be avoiding the viewer’s gaze.

After placing her where I wanted her I started adding colours I liked and fleshing her out. This is one of the paintings that I decided to work with some iridescent paints. I find them beautiful but difficult to master.  Originally her gown was gold. Now it is red – I have always had a thing for red dresses. Such a strong, confident colour.

I struggled with her. Seems to be a theme here. If you want to see some of the photos in progress check out my fan page. There isn’t perfect documentation because I didn’t really plan on sharing it like this but you can see some different progress shots.

I’m not sure I’m done, but I like where I am and now I am waiting – for closure or for inspiration. Whichever gets here first. Maybe a portrait like this never really is finished?

If you want to work on your own, try these ideas:

Grab your gear – glue, paper/canvas/illustration board, paints, coloured makers and sharpies, photos and sketches you like.

Or

Do it digitally and grab your tech wizardry and a coffee.

1. Collect photos, sketches, magazine clippings, Pintrest pins that resonate with you. Maybe use a photo or sketch of yourself or pick something that represents you. Get lots of things you like, things you think say something about you. Whatever appeals.
2. If you are using physical things like magazine clippings, collage them onto your surface. If digital is more your thing, use photoshop, or create a new board on Pintrest.
3. Layer, layer, layer – until you get to where you want to be. Try to be intuitive about it and just let things happen. Just because you may cover some elements up doesn’t mean that they aren’t part of your portrait make up. Somethings are just deeper than others, even in art.
4. Take a photo  of your work and if you feel comfortable post it on my facebook page.

 

Enjoy – I hope you take the challenge!

 

Her New York Minute

Sometimes life feels like it is flying by- decisions to be made – errands to be run. Just life.

Sometimes life for me is a check list of things to accomplish before the timer runs out.

I think about time fairly often – about moments and how quickly they are gone and about what is important in them.

The paintings I create often deal with an instant – only a second in a story – but a moment, a stance, an expression that hints at something deeper.

Her New York Minute is the latest in my exploration of minutes through women who are fun and fashionable – and why not!

If we really are photographed hundreds of times a day we might as well try to look “effortlessly” beautiful.

Artfully,

Laura Tetrault

The Point of the Hustle

 

 

It is the time of year where if you run a business, like I do, you get bombarded by lists. Things to do to improve your views, your listings, your online shop, to optimize, to catch the eyes of your buyers… do do do.

Frankly it is overwhelming.

And then there is the guilt – I have read this information, I now know what to do, and I am going to delete this email and do nothing.

But the bonus of all this unsolicited advice is the reminder that even when it doesn’t feel like it, or when you question the outcome of all the behind the scenes work  you do…

What you do today matters.

It adds up. One item at a time.

This is my “one item” to let you know that I’ve been doing a lot of work in my shop and I will be having a Black Friday Weekend sale (starting Thursday and ending Monday night) where shipping on everything I make will be free. Use coupon code ETSYFREESHIP at checkout to get the deal. (If you are looking at canvas paintings that can be a big deal – $20-$40.)

Please stop in and take a look around http://www.etsy.com/shop/londonartgirl . There are also bundle deals on different series of work. I’m trying new things so if you like the idea of getting a series bundle I’d love to know that it works for you.

So Now I have done My ONE thing.

What one thing will you do today to make your life better, your business a little better, your mind a little clearer?

Weddings, Weddings, and More Weddings…. Custom Art is Cool!

Just a peek at some of the custom work I’ve been doing over the last few months. I’ve found some really fun new colour combinations!  And I’ve done some really wild experiments. (Who knew that chartreuse would be a great colour to place under skin tones ?!)  This is why although I show my clients as many in progress pics as I can I don’t show some stages. I wouldn’t want to scare any body. Sometimes I am the only one who can see how it will work in the end

And one more wedding is on the way – here is a sneek peek

Jason and Ashley , Custom Acrylic Wedding Portrait in Progress

 

Working with clients is really a ball – I love the challenge of capturing someone’s special moment on canvas. IF you are interested in doing something of your own click here to see the basic info

Miami Venus

Venus, Acrylic Painting On Canvas - Homage to Venus De Milo

Artists of all types pay homage to their heroes – and this is one of mine. The Venus De Milo is lovely, classic, stylish.

Initially this painting started out with a really accurate sketch of the statue – but as it took form on the canvas I realized I needed to push it.  I ended up pushing her from a classical statue, into a modern somewhat stylized, beachy type girl, emerging out of swirling mists. You know me – I’m all for the drama.

Flying Singapore Airlines – First Class of course!

Bon Voyage: A Little Bit Vintage A Little Bit Now - An Ink Drawing of Lovely Woman

Bon Voyage – is a little vintage, a little now, a lot luxury.

The Vintage:

This drawing reminds me of the girls and passengers who would lean over the balconies as luxury ships drew away from the port and into the oceans of the world. These aren’t steerage class – these are the ladies who travel with fancy hat boxes and two or three gentleman assist them with their luggage.

The Now and The Luxury:

I don’t imagine that people view luxury the same way now – luxury isn’t first class on an ocean liner, it is first class on the swankiest of the swanky air lines.  I have to admit – I have never flown Singapore Airlines – but it always looks spacious and glamorous in Travel and Leisure! The costuming, the seats, the everything in the photos says “this is how travel was meant to be”. This woman is the woman who flies to all the right places, effortlessly, stylishly and somehow sans snootiness.

Darkly Lovely

Haven - Darkly Lovely, Ink Sketch of a half of a dark haired woman's face

I am often surprised at the directions things go. At first I thought this little ATC was going to go more snooty high fashion, but as I worked on her I began to think things like “rest”, “quiet”, “peace” until the idea solidified and the title was born “Haven”. If I could have an inner haven – this would be what it would look like from the outside.

Have you thought about what haven would look like to you?