3 Commissions

I have been working for the last month on 3 commissions for a family of sisters. Twins Kathrin and Amelia, and an older sister Gabby. I was able to meet with them one afternoon and record my impressions, and come up with my own interpretations. Their mother (the client) was so open minded and willing to let me express my own thoughts about her girls. I don't really do portraits, but I enjoyed these. It was fun to interpret these young girls. Most importantly, I hope they love them and think I was true to who they are.

Amelia: centered, quiet, introspective.
Kathrin: outgoing, full of personality, comfortable with attention.
Gabby: mature, athletic, quiet.

Long Days

Summer is here and it was officially 104 degrees yesterday. Which means popsicles, swimming pools and bare feet. The kids only get the swimming pools. The only problem is I have been so busy painting, I have only 1/2 enjoyed summer so far. I am knee deep in commissions (I will show later), and also painting for Wally Workman Gallery 30th anniversary. No pressure, but please send us "your 3 best paintings you have ever produced". I am a little stressed, I must admit. It is not infringing on my sleep yet, but because I feel guilty about my kids being inside for most of the day, I am making big promises for our upcoming beach trip. (I promise to not yell once, to say yes whenever you want your fingernails painted, and to create something big and amazing out of beach sand in exactly 2 weeks).

I have been painting everyday (almost) and things are moving well for the most part - don't want to jinx momentum though. This painting is the first of 3 for Wally Workman due the end of July. Let's just all cross our fingers in hopes I can do it all. I am definitely burning the candle at both ends and my house is here to prove it. Let's also say a little prayer that the kids don't get sick of cereal and mac & cheese.....pretty please.

'Young Trepidation'

Oil

18 x 24"

Oh So Proud

Career Day.

2nd Grade.

Shadow #2 wants to be an.........Artist!

Oh proud mama.

P.S. the "beret" makes me laugh!

For Sophie

I did this commission for a dear friend in North Carolina. Her husband ordered it for her birthday, sent me the dress of their daughter, Sophie, and surprised her. Maybe the award for the best husband of the year goes to Joe. I am flattered he entrusted me with the job of immortalizing little Sophie. I hope they love it forever.

The process of this painting also made me think about how fast time flies, and how fast our little babies grow into tweens and beyond....yikes. I miss the babies, but am loving the conversations and different relationships that grow as my kids grow. I have changed so much since I was pregnant with my first little girl 12 years ago. I almost feel like a different person. I am less judgemental of myself and others, I am more laid back and have so much more perspective about what is important to me, I like parts of my personality that I didn't know existed,, that can only come out through being a mother. I am grateful for my life and all the experiences we have had in the last 12 years.

Two Articles

Two articles came out this past week about my work. The first is an artist of the month feature for an online art magazine.

The second is an article about mothers who create art about motherhood.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you mama's!

http://www.artistsnetwork.com/article/angela-bentley-fife/

http://utah.todaysmama.com/2010/05/03/the-mother-artists/

300 Plates Show

Art Access

230 S 500 W #125

SLC Utah

801.328.0703

May 17th - July ?

This is my first time being a part of the 300 Plates show. It is a fundraiser for 'Art Access' who provides art programs for the disabled. It is a great organization and a very well known show. So each of 99 Utah artists paints on 10 x 10 metal printer plates. Then they are numbered starting at 75 and going up in $1 increments. The number your plate is, is the cost of your painting. So theoretically you could get a Brian Kershisnik painting for less than his usual $10K.

I went several years ago to the event and it was first come first serve and when they opened the doors it was like black friday but art gallery, wine drinking style and not that different from the fights at walmart the day after Thanksgiving. I literally saw someone push an old lady out of the way with her elbow to put her sticker on one of the plates so she could buy it.

I was so turned off, I left with my 3 purchased plates and vowed to never come back.

Well, they have changed the purchasing process now and have promised it to be much more civilized. Who knew that little metal disks could attract the animal instinct. Cheap paintings = crazy people. The list of artists is humbling and now that I am one of the artists, I would be honored if someone would push old people to buy one of mine....not probable. Let's hope there is interest in my work and I cannot wait to expand my own 'plate' collection!

300 Plates Show

These 4 (sorry I forgot to photo the upper left one before I delivered it...duh...lost forever) fit together to form a larger painting but they also stand alone as singular works. I thought it would be challenging to make it work both ways. I am not tech savvy enough to figure out how to put them together right, so you will just have to imagine. Or you could take a look at the plate show, they are going to try to hang them together.

Whenever I am pushed to do something different with either color or format or subject matter, it changes my direction a bit. I haven't done paintings with cropped views of the dresses. But I like the finished product of these where the dress isn't necessarily the main focus...so I think I will do more of this. We'll see if anyone buys them. If not, than forget all of that excitement about a new direction.

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.

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!

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......

New Blog

So I saw this idea on another artist's blog and I loved it.....

I am starting a new blog for a list of paintings that I am currently showing at my galleries and those that are available to buy. I think it will just be an easier way for my clients and friends to actually see what is out there and what is selling around the country.

So, if you are interested, click ME.

I will keep it updated and try to keep it simple. My actual website is so outdated, I thought this would be a quicker link for my blogger friends. Thanks!

These are two diptychs I did for Terzian Gallery. I am liking the idea of linking some kind of meaning to my quick figures. These are small like 8 x 14". The first is titled "thoughts of home" and the second "disposition". I would like to play with this idea a bit more with diptychs and triptychs. We'll see if they are sellable..... I actually really like them.

Studies

I took a zillion pictures of shadow #2 for some ideas for a big painting I want to start.....I know which one I am leaning toward, but I would love your input. Mr. Fife and my shadows all voted and we all like different ones. I know I will paint the entire dress form, I am just contemplating which pose to work from. I have about 30 others, but the differences are slight, so here are the main decisions. Let me know what you think. I also realized that each pose has different meanings and emotional impacts. I don't think there is any right or wrong, I just haven't decided which way I want to go. I see a series coming.

New Paintings

'Baby Hunger', 'Waiting to Fly', and 'Inside Out'

This not-so-great economy has made selling a little slow, but not too bad. The gallery in Texas says good paintings are still selling. So with that hope, I am trying to produce good, good paintings. And Park City made a big sale this week. So... time to refill.