Angela Bentley Fife's Artworld:

ANGELA BENTLEY FIFE'S ARTWORLD: all things right-brained.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Baby Shadow

Lately my shadow #3 has been painting in my studio with me (she's 2). I love her creation so much. This is maybe 3 weeks worth and I think she is done. It is really a beautiful watercolor. I think it is going on my painting wall.
Usually she watches 'Wizard of Oz' while I paint but lately she has been going back and forth between painting and watching.
So maybe we should title this "Through the Tornado" or "Dorothy's tumultuous travels".
This little puppy is getting framed! Mommy proud.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Have You Seen This?




Maybe these have been around the world via email, but I saw them not too long ago, and I am still amazed. In case you cannot tell, they are chalk drawings on a sidewalk incorporating some real people. Look close, these are mad skills. If I could do this, I would have some serious street cred with my kids and the neighborhood!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Largest Painting I've Ever Done



24 x 48"
'Accepting Comfort and Strength'

I am not settled on that title, just trying it out. I have to deliver it next week, so I need to decide quick. I would love some ideas if any of you are struck with something you can't shake.

It is going to the well-known Springville Salon to be juried and hopefully accepted. Because it is larger than I usually do, I realize I am questioning my composition. I also added a detail of Naomi's face because I find her captivating. She has a wisdom in her eyes, kind of an old soul thing. I love painting her. This pose was her choice, her idea....she is 7. After I finished the painting she looked confused and then she told me she thought I was going to paint myself into the painting instead of the dress form. Cute.

The title I have at the top comes from my cousin who was giving me an impromptu critique the other night. She told me she dreamt of the painting that night. She was the girl and was hugging her mother and had such a strong feeling of comfort and strength. I was so moved that she dreamt of my painting after looking at it for just a few minutes. I always hope my paintings have the ability to affect someone or evoke nostalgic feelings. They are emotional to me, but I never know if they project any of those strong feelings to the viewer. PS.....this painting has nothing to do with my own Mommy issues that I may or may not have.



April Fools!

I spent the afternoon making fake "fish sticks" (cookies smothered with peanut butter and rolled in corn flake crumbs).....before you judge, the shadows LOVED their sweet star item!
They were accompanied with "fry sauce" (jam), "peas" (taffy laboriously rolled into little balls), and "mashed potatoes with gravy" (ice cream with caramel sauce). It looks like more work than it was. Shadow #2 was in tears assuring us that she has never liked fish sticks and why did she have to try it....in not my best parenting moment, I told her she better try it because I worked all day on them or she would have to go to her room. Needless to say, she finally licked it and realized she was having nothing but sugar for dinner. Tears quickly dried up......