Sometimes I see something  that speaks to me with such beauty and personality that I just have to paint a portrait of it. In this case, it was this beautiful teapot.

Sadler England Teapot
8 x 10", Oil on canvas
Rita Salazar Dickerson (c)2014

Stage 1: The drawing. With a wash made up of Ultramarine Blue and Transparent Earth Red thinned with mineral spirits, I loosely painted in the shape of the teapot that was positioned on a shelf four feet away.

Stage 2: Blocking in the teapot. With a thin layer of paint I blocked in the major shapes, colors and values.

Stage 3: The background and foreground. After the teapot was blocked in, I painted the first layer of the background and foreground.

Stage 4: Adding more color and detail. At this point it was time to prepare the teapot with a second layer of paint for the flowers that were to come. I paid close attention to the shadows. Since I was working wet paint onto wet paint, I wanted the flowers to work into this layer -- allowing some of the paint from underneath to show through.

Stage 5: Completing the painting. Before working on the teapot I gave the background and foreground another layer of paint. Then, squinting my eyes, I looked at the teapot's flower design and painted my impression of it. Painting every last line of detail was not necessary. When I focused on the colors, shapes and design, the story of this teapot appeared.

Portrait Of A LIttle Girl: Elena Running 6th Session

Elena Running
oil on canvas, 16x20
6th session

Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area Plein Air Painting

If someone ever asks you to backpack into the wilderness of Colorado to catch the last of the summer's wild flowers, eat freshly caught trout, and sleep under the stars...do it! For the past couple of years my husband, Robert, has been asking me to go. I have always been hesitant for numerous reasons (bears, mosquitoes, and the lack of flushing toilets, to name a few) but when he lured me with one of the amenities being incredible views for artists who enjoy plein air painting, I finally agreed that I had to try it. I could no longer ignore the beautiful photos that he and my son, Adam, took each time they went that were taken miles from the familiar and more accessible Colorado landscapes.

Since we did not set up camp until it was almost dark, I knew my opportunity to paint at our campsite would come first thing in the morning. After a delicious hot breakfast of oatmeal and tea, Robert set off to fish at the lake down below our campsite and I excitedly got out my acrylic paints, painter box and brushes to record this breathtaking view with the early morning light.

My little French easel was perfect for this adventure. It comes with leather straps and  has its own built in palette and space underneath to store small paintbrushes.

I settled in and began to paint quickly.

This mountain range before me was absolutely breathtaking. At that moment I knew that the five hour car ride, the additional two hour four wheel drive to the trail head of this remote area, and then the two hour hike to our campsite was all worth it.

I quickly painted in the shape of the mountains,

and then began working on the middle and foreground of trees, the lake and the the mountain side.

Once I had all of the major shapes and colors in, I relaxed and knew I had time to add some details.

I had only one direct encounter with the local wildlife. It was this brazen jay bird who decided that she would investigate what I was doing and examine all that I had. She landed on a tree stump nearby and then squawked and flew at me. I jumped up to get out of her way and she boldly flew down to my paint supplies. She picked up my painting towel and then dropped it, grabbed my extra painting panels one by one and threw them down, scattering them around, and then perched on the edge of my can of water I was using for the paints and looked at me. For the love! 

After that little painting break, I added some details: the snow on the mountains, the hint of yellow wildflowers on the mountain side and the rocks jutting out here and there.

Two exhilarating hours later it was time to pack up my paints and head back down the mountain. I felt satisfied and happy. 

This experience has changed my perspective. In my journeys to other parts of the world, planet earth has always seemed smaller. But when I traveled to this amazing place right here in my home state of Colorado, the world seemed like it had grown so much bigger.   

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains..." Psalm 121:1

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”

― John Muir

Little Girl Portrait: "Grace" Completed

Grace
oil on canvas, 16x20
7th and 8th Session

Painting Grace's portrait had been a delight on many levels. First, her name brings to mind two  definitions of the word grace (elegance or beauty of form, undeserved favor or goodwill). The name is befitting of her. And then I think of how fortunate I am to be able to paint portraits such as Grace's as well as all of the interesting work that comes my way as a commissioned artist. This painting career that I have is definitely undeserved. God has been gracious. I am truly blessed.

The pink dress was ideal for little Grace. She wears it well. The color enhances her skin as well as her light hair. The background also emphasizes her beauty; the framing of her smiling face with the greenery and then the colorful flowers that dance playfully behind her. It was all so much fun to paint!

Little Girl Portrait: The Background

Grace
oil on canvas, 16x20
6th Session

I enjoyed painting in this vivid green portion of the background which immediately enhanced her light blond hair and little pink bow.

Portrait Of A Little Girl

I can understand why some artists get hooked on doing children's portraits. American artist, Mary Cassatt,  is one of the first that comes to mind. She painted beauty, softness and innocence.

I feel fortunate each time I have the opportunity to paint a child's portrait. It's exciting every time. And in this instance, if you add to that a handmade blue dress lovingly sewn by her mother that is embellished with little white satin flowers handcrafted by her grandmother, it all becomes sentimental and lovely. In addition to that, I will go another layer deeper and tell you that her mother was painted in a portrait when she was a little girl and she sat in this same rocking chair. Another bit of family history in this painting is the buffet in the background - it was passed down from her great grandmother. History once again mixing with art and telling a story. I love it.

Now that I've drawn in her image with a thin layer of burnt sienna, I am ready to pull out the rest of my paints and get busy.  

  

Starting With The Eyes

The eyes tell so much about a person. Especially when they belong to a little person who doesn't worry about who she is and is very comfortable just being herself. Young and confident. Not afraid to look you in the eye. With a summer week spent enjoying out of town guests, I knew that opportunities in front of my easel would be limited. It was very satisfying to set a small painting goal for myself, to paint just the eyes, and then accomplish that goal.

South Africa: The Bracelet And The Skirt

Ah, yes. The bracelet and the skirt were just as fun as I imagined them to be plus they had the effect I was hoping for. The skirt adds contrast and visually anchors down the fantastic yellow shawl; it also balances out her black hat and hair. And the bracelet simply enhances the entire outfit. But before I allowed myself to paint them, I had to do her right hand. Underneath her hand she is cupping a yellow flower that is attached to the shawl. This poses a bit of a problem for me because right now I feel like it is hard to read visually. (Or maybe I'm just tired.) I'm not sure I will keep it in the painting. I'll do the background first and then decide.  

World War II Portrait: The Rich Details Exposed

I enjoy going to estate sales. It is a chance to have a look into someone else's life and imagine who they were and what they were like. To see a part of their history, a time capsule of sorts, just by viewing their belongings. I feel that way about this painting. I wish I could personally thank Pete and the person who took this photo. The rich details exposed here are rare and so interesting. Once again, I am experiencing the privilege of painting objects (and a portrait) that have captured my attention and enriched my life.

World War II Portrait: Shapes, Shadows and Folds

Ahh, the challenge of fabric! Painting the shapes, shadows and folds of fabric has always fascinated me. My plan was to paint just the upper body and hands but once I started working on Pete's uniform, I could not help myself (does that sound odd?) and continued on with his pant legs. By 11:00 last night I knew that the hands would have to wait until today. I make adjustments as I go. The right arm and shoulder had to be pulled in and his forearm straightened slightly. I love details and so I'm looking forward to painting the book cover, one of my favorite parts of this painting.

World War II Portrait: Painting Someone's Vision

A new commission is always exciting to me because I have the challenge of painting someone's vision that I adopt as my own. Plus, there is the story behind the painting which never fails to intrigue me. And so now I enter into the story of Hjalmer "Pete", the son of Swedish immigrants who settled in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This photo was taken in 1941 when he was drafted into the  U.S. army. My goal is to capture him on canvas using a black and white reference photo while transforming it into color. After lightly painting the composition in with a thin wash of oil paint, I am ready to begin. Stay tuned, this is going to be fun!