757 Creative Space

I found an awesome spot in the heart of Norfolk... 757 Creative Space "a one of a kind collaborative business incubator..." And most interestingly a venue to display my art, for free!

I had a great time at the "Gobble Up Some Art" event on Friday, November 16!

If you aren't able to make it, my Midnight Blooms Collection and my Walk with Me Collection will be on Display for a few weeks (or months).  Go Visit 757 Creative Space at 259 Granby St. Suite 250, Norfolk, VA; and check out other artists too!!

My Solo Art Show...

My Solo Art Show was a Success.
There was a decent turn out; and the ambience was awesome.  The music, food and wine and art all meshed for a wonderful atmosphere.

Girlfrens Collection - Series 1

Meet all 6! Patience, Wisdom, Grace, Faith, Joy and Hope! I love them. Can you guess who's who?

My Solo Art Show... One month away...

Girlfrens - The New Collection

My creative vision shifts just as much as this Hampton Roads, VA weather...

One minute, I'm obsessed with painting mini canvas for the Walk With Me collection, and the next thing you know, I'm up at 4am painting faces again.  My latest project - will be profiles of women, faceless for the most part; with a focus on the hair (which I'm pretty good at) and the earring.  

I vacillated about naming this collection Girlfrens OR Gossip and Cocktails...  the concept for the Gossip and Cocktails came about because I wanted to title each piece after a cocktail drink; based on the look of the earring.  After some thought, I decided to stick to giving each painting a first name.  

I have completed 3 paintings in the collection so far, but haven't come up with names yet... I don't know for sure.  

It will come to me...

Art Show Pictures

Setting up for an art show with brick walls was very challenging.  And it took a whole lot longer than I anticipated.  But I was very pleased with the outcome...

The Ms. Marie Collection - Each painting is wearing a Button Cover, donated from my friends mom - Ms. Marie.

My Abstract Art was very popular... here I stand with a Happy LCherise customer.  I sold two paintings from my "Midnight Blooms" Collection.  And I'm inspired to paint more Abstracts.

My First Art Show

I had my first Art Show!  It was a GREAT EVENT.

Walk with Me...

My "Walk With Me" Collection is growing.  I have just about used all of the dog brooches that I have.  This is a photo of 5 pieces from the collection.  Piper, Scooter, Rusty, Macy and Sebastian.  Now, I need to sell them, so I can buy more brooches! :~)

Painting (On Canvas) - So many layers...

I'm starting to enjoy painting on canvas again...  When I started out, I learned early that canvas requires a lot of Layers.  And honestly, it was difficult for me to focus on finishing.  I would rush through because I was eager to start to next one.  Having settled in to a "groove", I now paint on both mediums (standard canvas and wood panel), at the same time.  When I have the "desire" to paint, I typically can choose one of three pending projects.  This weekend, I started a new canvas project.  Actually, I'm painting on a wood panel that has a canvas finish - The surface is a hard canvas.  I decided to photo track the many layers.

I give myself an idea of the eyes, nose, and mouth position.

I used a yellow for the foundation/undertone.  You can use any color really... I have used red in the past and even green.  Then to start giving the painting dimension, I added a dark brown color to the cheeks, chin and forehead.

 I took a pale pink and added another layer.  Notice how the pink blends in with the dark brown.  It's really all about brush strokes...

At this step, I'm not that great of selecting skin color...  The skin color really selects itself.  However, I decided to add a reddish brown tone...

 And then I blended the reddish brown with raw sienna.

 I mixed up another color using various colors... and added another layer, highlighting the areas around the eyes... AND I used yellow to re-define the Eyes and mouth.

 I decided on a burnt orange background.  And added layers to the hair.

 Mixed up another muggy brown color... and used water and layers and blending....

 Blended a lot more with yellow and my muggy brown color.  Defined the nose and Added white to the eyes and Red to the lips!

And now, I will have to let her sit for a while.

To this step I have used about 13 layers on the face alone... and probably just about 10 or so on the hair. One thing I want to do a better job of is tracking my time, but it's difficult because I literally will touch 2 or 3 different art projects in one sitting.  I will guess that to this point, I have spent about 3 hours.  And I think she will take at least another hour to get to a point of "completion".

Not Just Faces Anymore

My Mom handed me a Dog brooch in May and my first thought was - "Um, what am I going to do with this."  I actually handed it back to her, but in that second had a vision... and I took the brooch back.  My artistic vision would require me to paint "stick figures"... and I pulled it off.  And I think I'm in love... Introducing the "Walk With Me" Collection.

(You will Now find me on eBay, bidding on Dog brooches!)

UNIQUE LA Spring Show May 12-13, 2012

LCherise Art went to its very FIRST art show - at the (State of Unique)-UNIQUE LA Spring Show May 12-13, 2012.  Big Thanks goes out to Your Legacy Jewelry (www.yourlegacyjewelry.com) for making it happen.

Painting (On Wood)- My Process

I have been painting for 8 months now and when it comes to painting a new personality for the “Accessorized” collection, I feel I have a strong foundation in place!  First step, I create the outline of my painting – with the color Raw Sienna.  Using the Raw Sienna is actually a tip I took away from my art class.

Second, I add a new color and begin to layer for hair.  Once the hair is established, I have a better perspective on eye shape, nose direction, and expression and I take Raw Sienna to outline those features…  The great thing about painting on wood, is if I mess up, I can take a paper towel and some water and erase the error. 

The next step is deciding on background color.  Having knowledge of complimentary colors is useful at this step.  I also take into consideration colors that I may have not used recently or if I’m painting a custom request, the color scheme has already been provided. 

In this case, I selected pink and green.

I use a mix of colors to add layers to the hair.  I add color to the eyes and lips, drill a whole, and add the drawer pull!  It typically takes an average of 2-3 hours to complete a personality. 

I AM AKA

One of my friends is an AKA and a while back she asked me to paint her an AKA personality. You may recall, I painted another friend who is a Delta, a large painting some time ago. Anyhow, I asked her to send me an AKA pin and I held on to the pin for a few months until it "spoke" to me. It took me about 2 weeks to finish up I AM AKA, but I fell in love with her once she was done.

I AM AKA is the 3rd painting in my Sisterhood Collection. I have decided that this collection will only use a Brooch or Pin (no earrings).

I have a vision to make this painting into notecards... so we will see how it goes.

I love my Accessorized Collection

As an artist, I am growing in my skill. The diversity of the personalities that I paint, reflect my growth. No one looks the same. Everyone has their own personality. Everyday, I think about what look I can capture next.

Accessorized

I've been busy painting for my Accessorized Collection.

I love looking at the many personalities that I create.

Want one? Buy one... www.lcherise.etsy.com!

It was a challenge...

One of my friends asked me to paint a mini for her... and I didn't think I could pull it off. The ask: make a chubby, career woman, with a smirk... and if possible, make it look like she's keeping a secret. I spent days thinking through how I would accomplish that look. And although it was a challenge... I have to admit, I think I nailed it!!

LaToya

So, I'm pretty impressed with LaToya. She has been sitting faceless (without, nose, eyes and lips) for two months. She was a blank face with hair. And the other night, I was able to give her life!! Also, I've made a decision to Sell her. It will be difficult I know, but I have a wall full of paintings at this point and it's 2012 and time for my art to see other walls!