My Love Letters

Spring is only hours away, but in my case it's only steps away. All I have to do is go to my mother's bathroom. In my Feb 2007 post, where you can see me hard at work, my project at the time was a mural that was based on Jean Honore Fragonard's beautiful work. Because I was doing two walls, I chose two of his paintings to work from, "Love Letters" and "The Swing".

I wanted this mural to look and be fantastic, so I did a lot of research. A lot of research. One of the techniques I read about was using an overhead projector. Where could I get that piece of equipment? Two words: Ebay, baby! I was so excited when my package arrived that I got started right away. Step 1: measure the wall. Step 2: print the desired (and scaled) image on transparency paper. Step 3: chalk an outline of the image that's projected. Simple!

The projector made the work go easier and so much faster. Only the top half of my mom's bathroom has a scene. The bottom half that you see is the "garden wall" complete with cracks. This particular mural even has an special feature--a trompe l'oeil (trick the eye) effect. Visit my website's mural section to see it and more.

My February Project

In recent months, I've been so preoccupied with building my website, revamping it and promoting my work that I've actually neglected painting! Who knew time could fly so fast? In keeping with my temperamental nature (see Jan 2007 post) I went from no painting to wanting to do something new, exciting and big -- a mural!

The last mural I completed was the largest project I'd single-handedly taken on. That was a learn-as-you-go kind of project, which is a better way to say that I didn't know what I was doing. It was based on a gorgeous bathroom I saw online. "Outdoor Pathway", (to the left) a 57x74 mural on canvas, took about three weeks. While I'm not totally happy the results, I am content. I may do it over someday, but for now, well...I'm still a little proud of my accomplishment.

The location I decided for this latest undertaking is my mom's bathroom. It was decided over a year ago that it would be updated, so this was the perfect opportunity. Now what to paint? The mural had to be balanced with the decor of the bedroom, which definitely has a European feel, so I focused on paintings by European artists. My mom also appreciates scenes found in toile fabric. Jean Honore Fragonard was my ultimate choice. I'm more prepared for this project. I've read books, practiced techniques, searched forums and studied nature itself. And you know what? I'm happy with it...so far.

My Third Attempt

When I was a little girl, my friends from Sesame Street taught me how to paint a flower. My first attempt was a simple daisy. I was so pleased that I printed one on almost every piece of paper handed to me. I loved flowers. From there I turned to another PBS program: Bob Ross. He was going to teach me how to paint roses, my second attempt at flowers. Well, my roses looked nothing like his, and I concluded that he was no Elmo! I hated flowers and wanted nothing to do with them or Bob Ross EVER!

I am called, what people term, a temperamental artist. I looked that up to see if that was true and here's what I found: “Excessively sensitive or irritable; moody. Given to changeable emotional states, especially of anger or gloom.” What?!? That’s not me! In fact, I’m the exact opposite! Easygoing, laid-back, happy and peaceful. I go with the flow! Temperamental? HA!!

*Ahem* Getting back to the original discussion, I had said I wanted nothing to do with flowers, and I carried out that statement. Imagine my surprise when I get a commission to do a floral. A huge bouquet of magnolias. Was I up to the challenge? You bet! I tried the graph method since the canvas I was working on was large. This was my third attempt at flowers and I wanted the proportion, color and overall design to be just right. There were slight mishaps along the way. If I was irritable or moody, it was directed toward the painting and it worked to my client’s benefit. I won’t deliver a product until I’m satisfied. Needless to say, the “Magnolias” were beautiful. I love flowers!

My Golden Opportunity!

I was honored to paint this particular couple's portrait. They were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, the golden anniversary, and were giving a formal party to celebrate the event. Although guests were asked not to bring gifts, my clients said they they had known the golden couple longer than the 50 years they'd been married and wanted to do something special for them. I later found out that the festivities were...paused...for the presentation of the 16x20 painting. Talk about a memorable gift!

As usual, a photograph was provided for me to work from. It was a somewhat of a challenge because I hadn't painted a two-subject portrait in some time. I was very pleased with the final results, and so were my clients. Please feel free to click the image for a more detailed viewing.

I received a note from the subjects of this portrait. Here's what was said:

Dear Nichole,

We haven't words to express how we feel about your portrait of us. Impressive indeed! We thank you for the love you put into it. It shows!

My Dad

The women in my family are all fans of Jane Austen. We've read every book and/or seen every movie based on one of her novels. I noticed that in each production, and other period piece films, that there was always a scene in "the gallery", a room where all of the portraits of the homeowners' ancestors were on display. What a fantastic idea!! For the most part, paintings like this were largely forgotten, but I thought it might be interesting if my family had a gallery of our own based in the 19th century.

In all of my artistic endeavors, my dad was my biggest critic. He readily pointed out where I made mistakes, guided me when I reached a creative roadblock, but praised me when I did a job well. At first, he was a little skeptical when I told him my idea (at the time we had 11 people in the immediate family), but I talked him around. Needless to say, I wasn't too eager to paint his portrait when the time came.

My dad passed away earlier this month. My family and I miss him terribly, but we appreciate the stories, kind words, thoughts and prayers we've been receiving...it eases the pain a little to know so many people care. I will think about my dad every day, especially when I see the last portrait that he critiqued: it was of him. I'm glad he was pleased with it. For more information, please check out my brother Ulysses's blog.

My Friends: A Good Year!

For many of my friends, this year was a busy and exciting time that lead to one of the most important moments in life: Graduation. Everyone looks forward to being a Senior in high school! After all, Seniors rule the school, and there are so many activities to take part in and decisions to make. What will you wear to Prom? What photographer will you choose for Senior pictures? How will you design your ring? Although for me, that choice was made in my Junior year.

If memory serves, my graduation was a 3-day event -- Ring night, Senior night and the actual Graduation ceremony. Unfortunately, at my school, a graduating senior couldn't march with his or her fellow classmates unless they participated in these ceremonies. Sometimes schedules conflict, and so another decision needed to be made. Needless to say, I marched. But as the school year neared its end, I realized how swiftly four years have gone by. Its hard saying goodbye to favorite teachers and to your friends. One more decision: What next?

All of my friends have graduated from my former school, and I wanted to do something special to mark the excitement of being a graduate. This is an example of my gift to them.

Congratulations Class of 2006!

My Future Masterpiece!

Have you ever been in the middle of an assignment and suddenly *bam!* had a great idea for an exciting, new project? That happens to me alot. Usually, I'm able to finish what I've started, but I've had this craving for this particular art project that won't be satisfied until completed. It's one of my ambitions, but will become my masterpiece! After all, it's modeled from a masterpiece by one of the world's greatest artists!

John Singer Sargent was an American painter in the late-1800s to the mid-1900s. The portrait shown is the famous "Lady Agnew of Lochnaw". It currently hangs in a museum in Scotland. Sargent was a man of deep convictions and would not give in to please his patron. A difficult thing for me; besides seeing myself as my worst critic, I want all of my clients to be more than pleased with my work.

This beautiful art piece was modernized in a recent issue of a bridal magazine. Unfortunately, my 'great idea' didn't come to me until too late and other issues of the magazine had been published. So now it comes to me to reproduce what I saw from that magazine and put the face of "Lady Agnew" on canvas once more. This time, for the 21st century!

My First Blog Entry!

Hi there. My name is Nichole, and this is my blog. I'm here to tell you a little about myself and my love of painting. I find painting to be relaxing, as well as a way to challenge myself. One of my first endeavors at painting was at the age of five (don't laugh). I remember painting on a white wall of my house. I don't even remember what the painting was supposed to be, but I remember I was having fun! And years later, I still feel that way about every chance I get to paint.

I started taking my painting more seriously in high school in the VTAP (Visually Talented Art Program). My teacher told me to focus on portraiture because she felt that was my area of expertise. I actually didn't want to work with portraits because I felt my paintings didn't accurately portray the subjects. Besides, I couldn't see my grade depending on portraits (hahah). But... I tried it anyway. And here I am. And I love it!

I hope you come back to keep up with my blog. I'll try to add new work on a regular basis. Feel free to click the above image to see a larger version.