Colorado Landscapes Series: No Name

We have driven by No Name, Colorado, countless times and have never stopped before. With the changing autumn colors at their peak, this rest area, exit 119 on I-70, made an unforgettable first impression. When I looked up at its dramatic canyon walls, I felt like I was standing in one of the great cathedrals of Europe.

No Name
20 x 20", Oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson (c) 2014

Stages 1 and 2: Sketching in the composition and then painting in the background trees. I used a thin wash made up of Burnt Umber and mineral spirits to brush in my sketch.

Stage 3: Blocking in the middle ground.

Stage 4: Painting the trees and foliage.

Stage 5: Painting the canyon walls. I wasn't sure if my plan of action for creating the rock walls was going to work; using a palette knife, I did a small area just to see. Its fun to push paint around and try different techniques. You never know until you try.

...I continued the canyon walls with an underpainting by blocking in the different shapes and colors that I saw.

Stage 6: Completing the painting. Using a brush and palette knife while the underpainting was still wet, I applied the second layer of paint focusing on color and texture.

Family Portrait Painting: Part 2

Stage 3: Painting the clothes. If you study clothing, it becomes obvious that there can be many reflected colors in them depending on the lighting and environment. For Steve's yellow shirt, there are greens and oranges with hints of blue.  His khaki shorts also reflected light blue and hints of orange.

Stage 4: Painting the arms and legs. In situations such as this, I feel like I've been given a break having  to paint only one full arm and hand with one leg. I did have to give his other arm and leg (partially exposed) my full attention just to make sure that they are believable and work with the composition. As with all my work, I gave it my all but know, deep down, I will soon see things a bit more clearly and will make adjustments and corrections.

Now its time to work on Patty, Steve's wife.

Portrait Of A Little Boy, Part 3

Stage 3: The mouth, face and neck.  

Visiting Fountains Abbey

Fountains Abbey
11 x 9", pen and ink

It was the beautiful blue skies and warm sun that encouraged me to sit down and sketch a portion of this amazing scene. I felt like I was walking through the serene Garden of the Gods as I strolled along the grounds of Fountains Abbey here in North Yorkshire, England. The difference being, this was a man made beauty.

If you'd like to see some of the photos I took please visit www.umbellico.wordpress.com 

Visiting Edinburgh, Scotland

The Assembly Rooms of the Church of Scotland
5 1/4 x 3 1/2", pen and ink

It was an incredibly interesting and enjoyable visit to beautiful Edinburgh. The sights and sounds of the city resonated with the rich history of the Scots. After we visited the National Gallery, I took a break and decided to draw a portion of the city's skyline from a nearby park and walkway. (Viewing great art makes me want to create art!) As I sketched, I could hear the lively music of Clanadonia, a contemporary Celtic band that was performing just outside of the museum. Their music just added to the fun!

Sketching the skyline of Edinburgh.

Performance Painting

 Angels In Worship
Painted at a Tweefontein Church Service, South Africa
March, 2011

Happy New Year! I thought today would be a good day to look back on 2011 and share some of the other paintings I have done this year that were created outside of my studio, on stage and at a variety of locations. While I love working with oils, I am equally passionate about acrylics on stage. Each painting experience was inspired and intentional -  making all of them unique and rewarding in their own way. I was fortunate enough to be invited to paint eight different times this year - each time in front of an audience - in worship
What a privilege it has been to work with incredibly gifted musicians and vocalists;  accomplished artists that are not afraid to say yes to the call.

The Cross
Painted as part of an Easter series.
Woodmen Valley Chapel
April, 2011

Significance
Painted as part of an Easter series.
Woodmen Valley Chapel
April, 2011

Hope
Painted at a conference for military wives.
Glen Eyrie Castle
April, 2011

Amazing Grace
72x72", Acrylic on canvas
Painted during the Chuck Limbrick Concert
Woodmen Valley Chapel
November 4, 2011

Madonna and The Christ Child
30x40", Acrylic on canvas
Painted during the Shannon Wexelberg concert
December 15, 2011
Woodmen Valley Chapel

Awakening the Artist Within
30x40", Acrylic on canvas
Painted at Solid Rock Church
December 18, 2011

Growth Charts: Hand Painted Christmas Gifts

Inspiration for this project first came from my daughter, Emily, who months ago asked if I could make a growth chart for her little girl; something that could be easily moved when necessary. This request triggered  memories of a growth chart we had for our children years ago that was not so movable. It was the white painted wood door jam of a 1950's kitchen in our home in Durango, Colorado. This growth chart was not restricted to family members. Anyone and everyone who wanted to be measured would stand up to that doorway and stretch as tall as they could; I would take my ruler and pencil to mark their place on that wall with their name and the date they were measured. It was so much fun for everyone to compare who was taller than who and track the progression of our children and their friends as they grew. Our tallest entry came from a good friend and co-worker of my husband's. His name was Jack and he measured in at 6 feet, 9 3/4 inches. Jack was a tall man. The kids squealed in delight when they saw his mark.

I never realized how special that growth chart would be until the day the movers came and everything we owned was loaded up into a large moving truck. The only personal item remaining in that empty house was the immovable growth chart, a small memorial to the many years of growing and changing that took place in our little house. I cried.

And now I fast forward to today and the creation of growth charts for my granddaughters that will never have to be left behind. I painted them on a pre-treated canvas fabric with acrylic paint.( My kind next door neighbor, Susan, hemmed in the edges for me.) They turned out to be quite the Christmas project. Each one took longer than I had planned but in the end, they were wrapped and ready under the Christmas trees waiting for their unveiling.

9/11 Artifact Unveiling

Today I had the privilege of attending the unveiling of the 9/11 Artifact memorial at NORAD. I was able to take photos and I think they will help tell the story. I have only been to NORAD once before and it was years ago for my son's 4th grade field trip. This time it was even more exciting being there knowing that I had a part in this special day. I came early and left late, just trying to soak it all in.

"We Will Not Waver"
"We Will Not Tire"

"We Will Not Falter"
"We Will Not Fail"

It's five sided base forms the shape of the Pentagon.

After NORAD I drove to the campus of UCCS and photographed the 2nd memorial artifact that I had the opportunity to be a part of. It was also unveiled today. I like the fact that this memorial is very accessible to the public.

This monument points toward NORAD and the NORAD artifact points toward New York.

9/11 Artifact #2

Close-up of 9/11 Artifact #2

As we take time out of our busy lives to pause, remember and honor those killed and injured ten years ago today, I thought I would take a break from the painting that I am currently working on and share with you photos of the second 9/11 artifact that I had the honor and privilege to be involved with. My challenge, once again, was to paint the surface as it looked when it was pulled from the rubble at the World Trade Center. This steel plate will be displayed on the campus of UCCS  here in Colorado Springs. This smaller piece will be pointing toward NORAD where the other artifact I painted will be displayed.

Let us never forget.

Portrait Of A Little Girl: Tiny Feet and Wiggly Toes

Elena
oil on canvas, 16x20
5th Session

Portrait Of A Little Girl: Arms and Hands

Elena 
oil on canvas, 16x20
4th Session

9/11 Artifact Restoration

When asked if I would be interested in painting one of the 9/11 artifacts from the World Trade Center, emotions that I didn't even realize I still had, resurfaced. This was a commission involving subject matter that still touches the hearts of our nation with pain and anguish. My mind was filled with the visual images of that September 11, morning nearly 10 years ago.

As I accepted the job, my heart started beating faster with excitement and anticipation. I felt honored and privileged to be invited to work on this piece of steel that now represents a life changing part of our country's history. It will be displayed as an outdoor memorial at NORAD (Northern American Aerospace Defense Command).

The goal of this project was to preserve this steel beam artifact so that it will always look as it did when it was pulled from the rubble at Ground Zero: ripped, twisted, rusted and with the original markings of numbers and letters. In order to achieve that goal, it was first photographed with accurate photos that captured the details and coloring. If left untouched out in the elements, it will continue to corrode and rust and lose its original markings.

My challenge was to paint the steel artifact with a faux finish that captures the likeness of how it looked when it was taken from that rubble. Since this job would be impossible to do in my studio, I worked each day at a local paint shop (Taint Paint) that specializes in electro-static applied custom powder coating. It almost felt like I was working with ground pastels or chalk.

When I started painting, it seemed so quiet. Even though there were others working in other areas of the paint shop, I felt alone with my thoughts. As I touched the rough piece of steel and began applying the paints, I could not help but think of the lives lost on that beautiful September morning. Sadness. Horror. Tears. I felt like I was surrounded by it. It was sobering. I have been to Ground Zero and when I was there, looking at the devastation, I never imagined that one day I would be touching a piece of it. That it would follow me home.

After each layer of carefully laid paint was placed on the beam, it was then baked in a large, walk-in oven. The beam weighed 850 pounds. Moving it was not easy. The workers at the paint shop were so helpful and ready to assist. I stood clear and let them do the heavy work. Once cooled, I would start on the next layer.

A little over a week later, my job with the artifact was done. As I watched them load it back on to the flatbed to be transported back to the construction company, I felt the same way I always feel when a commissioned painting is completed and taken away. A part of me is going with it.

World War II Portrait: Hjalmer "Pete"

Hjalmer, "Pete" 16x20 oil on canvas (c)2011

In August of 1941, Pete was heading to Camp Grant, Illinois for basic training. It was World War II and he was drafted. His posture and facial expression tell a lot more than I could ever say or imagine and so I'll let the painting and photo speak for themselves. (I've included the reference photo this time because sometimes I think it is interesting to see the very beginning of my creative path.)

 At the completion of this piece, I find myself thankful on several levels. I love a good challenge and this painting did it for me. The research, the conversations with some of  those who were closest to Pete and then the final surprise presentation to the recipient, his son, were all so rewarding. My life has been enriched and it was a privilege to get to know Pete in a special way. Throughout history one of the highest forms of honoring someone is to have their portrait painted; I'm so glad Pete was honored in this way.