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Monday, December 28, 2009

Different Strokes for Different Folks Portrait Challenge

Lovely to Meet You, Ruth
6x6 oil on panel

This is my entry for the portrait-exchange challenge that artist Karin Jurick hosts each December on her blog Different Strokes for Different Folks. Karin collects headshot photos from participants, pairs them up, and sends them back out to be painted. You don’t know who you are painting (or who’s painting you) until one or the other appears on the DSFDF blog. Be sure to visit that site – click here – to see all the amazing portraits.

And so, it turns out to have been New Hampshire watercolor artist Ruth Bodycott’s charming face that has graced my easel this holiday season (original photo at left). You can’t imagine how many times over the past few weeks I’ve walked in from cooking or cleaning or wrapping or cleaning or decorating or cleaning… shaking my head… and looked over at Ruth who was looking back at me with that priceless “aren’t the holidays grand?” expression. I wouldn’t pretend to have captured her whimsical gesture in this portrait but I surely do appreciate it. Visit Ruth’s blog here – she paints delightful watercolors.

17 comments:

Ann Gorbett said...

Mitzy-I love this! The brushstrokes look so fresh and simple and I just love her character that you have captured.

Vern Schwarz said...

Great job on this Mitzi. I like the simple, clean strokes and colour of this.

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

Lovely, clean color in this! Wasn't this a fun challenge? You've done a great job.

Gwen Bell said...

Very nice, Mitzi! Love the painterly brushstrokes and the strong highlights.

Dana Cooper said...

You captured a lot of whimsy and fun Mitzi...great job!

artbyakiko said...

Hi Mitzi! You've captured her fun expression very well. The original photo has a dramatic lighting and you've done a great job on that.

Nancy Bowron said...

I like the way you have captured the essence of personality from the picture. I also like the simplicity of your portrait : )

Anonymous said...

This is one of my favorites!! GREAT job! :)

Mitzi Easley said...

thanks to all of you for your kind words and encouragement... joining a community such as this is truly one of the great blessings of 2009! Happy New Year! Mitzi

dominique eichi said...

Wonderful entry for DSFDF, I love it.

L.Holm said...

Great work, Mitzi! I love your paint application and beautiful skin tones! lots of personality here!
Happy New Year...Liz

Angela Elledge said...

I was just scrolling through the latest postings of portraits and thought I had already commented here. I love your painting style, especially like the clear colors and solid brushstrokes.

Ruth said...

Hi Mitzi, it is fun to see my portrait staring back at me with those big eyes, pleasing smile and NO wrinkles, ahem! Thank you. You have nice clean color and what looks like easy stroking (which I'm sure wasn't in the real production). Love the brush stroke work that you've done and the creative "bliss" you managed to incorporate into this. You had a hard photo to work from (I always turn out lousy in a photo and had a hard time finding one for submission.) Your suggestive areas of highlights and mid-tones and shadows are perfect. Loved reading thru your blog. Delightful. Your take on life is upbeat and inspirational. Didn't see an address for your email. Email me at bdycttdncr@yahoo.com. Ruth

Laurel Daniel said...

Great entry Mitzi! XOXO

Rosemary said...

Wow Mitzi! Wonderful capture of the expression! I also like your clean brushstrokes! Great job! Glad you painted Ruth since that's what brought me to your blog! I plan to visit often!

Bobbi Heath said...

Mitzi, every time I have scrolled through the portraits, yours has made me smile. It is beautifully painted and absolutely charming.

Bobbi Heath said...

Mitzi, as I have scrolled through the portraits yours brought a smile every time. It is beautifully painted and absolutely charming!