Progress...

Here is a shot of my first portrait --  now finished (and hanging up)! I think what has been the most rewarding part of this whole experience was to take on a new venture, struggling at the beginning, and finishing with confidence. My boyfriend says I am the most "adventurous change-fearing" person he's ever known -- and he may be right. It's funny how I love throwing myself into new situations and challenges, but hate the change it brings at the same time. However, the greatest feeling is completion and the new found confidence you've gained.

I am really excited about our last project, which we will be working on for the next two weeks. I feel like I am starting to get the hang of this whole portrait thing -- no stick figures over here anymore!

The sweetest things don't come easy. And when you finally get that little taste, a whole new meaning of appreciation becomes apparent.

-Sophia

The Big Reveal: My First (Oil) Abstract Painting

A lot of firsts this month.

I promised I would show you guys the painting I was working on in class. Here is the finished product of my first project! The objects were still life items that we found and brought into class. This was my first painting class ever, so at first it was really difficult to paint objects from life representation. I tried really hard to stay true to the objects, but it definitely ended up turning into my own representation of what I saw.

Now, we are working on a nude portrait of a woman. I feel like I need to call on my great-grandmother's spirit, who produced many beautiful, classic nude and still life portraits. This actually brings to mind one of the guys in my class. He looked so uncomfortable. He turned beet red, and could not look directly at the model. My teacher said she even had some students leave the room when the model removed his/her clothes. I don't understand why nudity makes some people so uncomfortable? Especially in art! I guess I'll never really understand -- in that respect, my French side runs pretty strong. It ain't nothing we haven't seen before... let's embrace it!

We'll see how the nude portrait turns out. It might end up looking like a stick figure with boobs.

Anyway, here is my "interpretation of the situation" in the form of a skull, an apple on a glass, a bundle of yarn, and a diablo.

And remember, don't be scurred!

Nude portrait by Paul Gauguin (1896)

"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions." - Dalai Lama

Trying something new:

I am taking a painting class. It turns out that I really enjoy painting -- it is such an incredible release. This is my first painting class EVER, and I am getting a chance to explore oil painting. I've toyed around mostly with acrylics beforehand, but oil is a completely different experience.

Our first project was to paint several objects, using different values of one color. Now, I did not mention that painting still life and/or people is not my forte - I enjoy painting abstractly. I like experimenting with color, shapes, and textures. But it is definitely a wonderful learning experience and it is a challenge in the creative sense. And what is art, or better yet, life without any mistakes. That is the most beautiful part - the imperfections.

My inspiration derives from so many different artists (as well as living people) and their work has been such an influence on how I paint. Mainly because of the use of their bold colors and their unapologetic passion. I wanted to post some work from various artists that inspire me to create on every level.

Frida Kahlo (above)

Jean-Michel Basquiat (above)

Henri Matisse (above)

Pablo Picasso (above)

Jackson Pollock (above)

Creating brings a calm, focused, and most importantly, joyful energy to my soul.

Maybe I'll post the finish products here. To have no qualms with imperfections, solely the sheer action of taking the plunge, is one great feeling.

Drunk off the feeling of real food for the soul.

-Sophia