Rita Salazar Dickerson: January 2016

Monday, January 25, 2016

My Art Diary: August - December, Part 3

One of the enjoyable aspects to creating commissioned paintings is the variety and wide range of work that comes my way. Though I do like painting my own dreams I also like the challenge of painting the dreams of someone else. Oftentimes it takes sketches, emails, conversations and more emails to land on that final vision that satisfies the dreamer. It's such a great feeling when everyone walks away happy. Mission accomplished.

In this post I'd like to share a variety of works that came my way because someone in each instance was inspired to give art as a special gift.

The following two acrylic paintings were given as personalized baby gifts. Isn't it fun to think about a newborn entering the world who is greeted with original art that honors him?

NOLAN
16 x 20", Acrylic on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson

JACK
16 x 20, Acrylic on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson

This next project was a birthday gift to a cadet pilot instructor. Who knew that one day I would be painting a flight jacket?

Custom Personalized Flight Jacket
18 x 18", Acrylic on leather
Rita Salazar Dickerson

Cedaredge Peach
6 x 8", Oil on panel
Rita Salazar Dickerson

This last piece was a gift to myself. After spending the day picking tree ripened peaches, my next desire was to paint one.

Friday, January 22, 2016

My Art Diary: August - December, Part 2

Mixed in with the pets that I wrote about in my last post, I was honored to paint these portraits that were to be Christmas gifts for loved ones. Every portrait has a story and this first one had an additional aspect to it, I was asked to paint two pastels of the same subjects. Same size. Same everything. Each would be going to separate families. The challenge didn't come until I had completed the first one and had it approved. Then it faced me. I needed to come as close as I possibly could to duplicating these two handsome boys -- keeping them as similar to the first portrait as possible. (I got to know these boys really well!)

I am usually asked to paint in oil so this was a change of pace to create in pastels.

Reid and Eli, I
20 x 16", Pastel on paper
Rita Salazar Dickerson

Reid and Eli, II
20 x 16", Pastel on paper
Rita Salazar Dickerson

After I completed Reid and Eli, I began the portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Carlson. It was also to be a Christmas gift. An added bonus with my work is the opportunity to take pleasure in hearing the story behind the painting...in this case the special memories shared between two people of a time and place they both enjoyed.

Mr. and Mrs. Carlson
16 x 12", Oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson

Monday, January 18, 2016

My Art Diary: August - December 2015, Part 1

As 2016 begins, I look back with a thankful heart at all that has happened since I last posted in this blog. It has been an amazing "season" of creating commissioned art, sprinkled with teaching art. My days have been full with a variety of mediums in my hand...from pencil to pastels, acrylics and watercolors, to oils... and the common thread has been sheer enjoyment. Although the consequence to all this creativity has been the lack of time to write about my experiences until now, I am determined to start the new year with a fresh update of my latest art.

With this first post, I have to say, pet portraits are so much fun. Each one is a privilege to create. When I am invited into someone's story, I get to see beauty not only in the animal but in the special relationship between the furry friend and his or her owner. And without fail, portraits make great gifts that touch the heart. As you can see from the photos, during these past several months I was able to get to know some beautiful animals.