art that gladens the heart...

Isn't this little guy just over-the-moon happy? His expression of glee is super contagious. 



Graphite on Stonehenge paper, 8 x 10"
copyright 2011 Lisa Smouter


Capturing babies at about the one-year mark is great because they're developing many characteristics unique to them--both in appearance and in spirit! On days spent conjuring a face like this out of soft white Stonehenge I really, really love my job.

Who can resist that glint in his eye? My Annie certainly couldn't--she giggled and waved at him any chance she could while I was sketching him out. To her, I think he became like a character in a book.

And doesn't he have a great story to tell! 

Have a cheery day,

Lisa

Tonight's the Night!

The official reception for the BCI show is tonight! It's pretty snowy out there, so hopefully we still have a good turnout without any accidents on the roads.

If you can't make it tonight, the HCA is displaying the show until February 5th. Their hours are:

9am-9pm Monday-Thursday
9am-5pm Saturday
CLOSED Fridays and Sundays.

Cheers,

Lisa

tanks and trucks



SuperSucker Hydro Vac commission. 24" x 36" Acrylic on Canvas



Painting around a big pregnant belly is not always fun. Somehow you end up with multi-coloured blobs of paint across your stomach just below your line of sight. A year ago, while I was expecting Annie, I was asked to do this painting. My paint shirt no longer fit, so I ruined a few shirts before I gave up and switched to an old sweatshirt.

It was a very exciting and challenging project, especially because I had to work with someone else's photos and dramatically alter the surrounding landscape of the truck. The reference photo was taken in a typical construction yard with nothing around but bland gray gravel and a couple of dirt piles. So maybe I romanticized it a bit...

The process is lengthy but fairly simple. Here are a couple pics taken at various stages.

 

Tonal Rendering stage (values painted in one colour)



Photo of myself painting the final stage,
using the reference photos.

 

Detail of Kenwood commission.  Acrylic on Canvas.


 I have painted some trucks before in a large scale work for my Dad's office, but nothing as detailed as the SuperSucker painting. This is a section of that huge painting (see below for full view). The style is more impressionist, partly because the equipment is in the background of the painting, but also because I liked the effect of obvious brushstrokes showing various textures.  I think it helped to keep the subject matter interesting even for construction-illiterates such as myself.

This is a view of the entire painting.

Kenwood commission, 4' x 8'  Acrylic on Canvas.

 Till next time!

Lisa



Welcome to my new blog!

Having realized that my website is in dire need of updating, (and without the ability to do it myself!) I decided it was time to fill you in on what's been happening at home and at the studio lately.

Well, I guess I should let God have the glory for this work of art--Annie is a perfect little addition to the Smouter family. Right now her lungs are calling for cuddles and Daddy is getting some practice in that department (not that he needs it!). Annie is the curious type when it comes to easels, paint brushes and palettes; I will take that as a blessing, despite some paint on my living room floor. When she was only a few weeks old her clothes already bore the faint scent of oil paints. Now she's nearly 11 months, and all that crawling and walking is allowing for some serious paint exploration, if Mom doesn't catch her first....

"Reflection" oil on canvas. Approx 16 x 20"
Professionally framed. For sale $1800 tax incl.
Copyright Lisa Smouter 2010

As expected, Annie's arrival has really impacted my personal artwork. For me, the experience of nurturing an itty-bitty newborn was often like firmly supressing a huge adrenaleine rush. Calming the quick pace; willing the slowdown. It was my mind and body's urge to quickly get that load of washing in, when suddenly my heart would quietly remind me that this baby's beauty trumps dirty laundry every time. Besides, a newborn face is an obvious winner, but it doesn't stick around long enough to fight many fights--she sure grows up fast!

This painting came somewhat unwittingly from those feelings. When shooting some reference photos, I was fascinated by the many reflected shapes and by the pop of the orange leaf. I didn't even notice the small treasure  hiding  underwater  until later....hmmm, the irony. Is someone knocking on my head?!

I'm honoured to announce that "Reflection" has been accepted into the Bruno Capolongo Invitational exhibition. It was selected along with work by other emerging and established artists to be shown at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts from January 10 - February 5th, 2010. The opening reception is Saturday, January 15th from 5:30-8pm, where the awards will be given. Very exciting!

So if you are interested in seeing some high quality contemporary fine art, please visit HCA while this show is up. (Note: HCA is closed on Fridays and Sundays.) I know it will be a fantastic display!

Lisa

P.S.  Some of you might recall that I was awarded an Honourable Mention for my copy of Vermeer's "Milkmaid" at a previous BCI exhibit. You can see a photo of it and more of my previous work on my website.