These 2 paintings were done in consecutive days. I did the top one first and have spent about 6-7 hours on it. I love the idea but just can't get the colors or composition right. I have changed the colors many times. The bottom one is a finished piece. It took about the same amount of time. I really like it. I did some color changes on it but not half as much as the top one. Some days I go into the studio and things just come together. Other days it just doesn't. I don't look at those days as wasted days though. I'll try a bit more to get the top one right but in not too much time I will have no problem giving it a whitewash and starting a new painting right on top of it.
How I started painting. /
I was asked the other day about how I got started painting. I think it was 1999. I was living up on the Eastern Prom on Munjoy Hill in Portland Maine. There was a family in the apartment building below me that had a 10 yr old daughter. One day she had her paints out on the front lawn working. I started talking to her and she asked if I would like to try painting. I said sure and really liked it. I think within a week or so I bought my first watercolor paint kit. I just fell in love with painting. I started painting flowers. I have never taken any painting classes or sought out any training. I just think of what i want to paint and keep practicing till I get to a point I'm happy with.I started painting people at about 2012. It took a long time to get the hands and feet to a place I was happy with. Also the eyes are hard for me. Oh and the hair. Damn, I guess every part is tricky for me. Necks were easy. I do love the way I represent people and that is part of the reason I do not want to take any classes or training. I don't want to mess with my style. So this is some of how I got started. Thanks for reading my first Blog post on my new website!