Hot off the easel

Dashed to class tonight at Steven's urging. I missed my artist friends too
much. The model had a beautiful face, deep soulful eyes, brows that
arched into the center, a strong nose and a winning smile. He didn't
look anything like my painting, but he liked the work, so that's good.

Dominic
16 x 16 inches

acrylic on canvas
still wet

I told him he was much better looking than what I could capture in
my short time there. I worked for an hour and fifteen minutes.
Sometimes my determination to fire something off inspires me,
sometimes I end up with nothing, and a sinking feeling. I knew
I was rushing tonight. Too much to do for school and the rest of
life. I've been forgiving myself for being too busy all day -- so why not
continue? The break was energizing, the other artists' work
exciting. I learn something every time I spend time with them.

Have a take-a-deep-breath-and-smell-autumn day.

Models of kindness

Before the Dance
(the first image)
6' x 4'
acrylic on canvas

One of my favorite models is Claudia. She has always been
beautiful, and at 19 is self assured and growing up quickly.
As a model Claudia is perfect, reliably on time, kind and
cooperative. Her face is almost iconic in my work.
She is one of the faces in my largest painting 6' x 4', that hangs
in the administration offices at Seneca College where I teach.
The other girl is Solanna, my friend, Carolee's daughter.
Solanna is another amazing young person. She's now in
second year university here in Toronto.

Claudia
At the Dance
7" x 9"
acrylic on canvas

Claudia is the face on the sign I put on my lawn each year when I
open my studio for the St. Clair Artwalk. She is kind,
funny, intelligent, and now as a girl taking a year off to
work before going to university -- very business like.

One of the great joys in my life has been watching my children,
and my friends and neighbours' children grow into exciting
young adults. Their talent and generosity, energy and
incisive wit make any time spent with them a complete
pleasure.

I'm taking off tonight to see the movie Happy Go Lucky,
with Sally Hawkins. It looks exactly right for a
Saturday night.

Detail showing Claudia's face in
the first Before the Dance painting

Have a loving-the-people-and-animals-in-your-life day.

A wonderful mother model

Iris
18" x 24"
acrylic on bond paper

I had fantastic visits with two extraordinary
women today, so didn't get painting until tonight.
But I've been working steadily for four hours and it's
bed time.

Here's a rapid sketch I did of an elegant British
lady who posed for us one night at our class.
She was an artist's mother, visiting from
England, and a great model. She sat in this very
proper and straight posture, dressed in lush colours.
I like the agitation in my painting. I think I was
just excited by her gutsiness.

I'm glad that this was such a good day, because
it is the anniversary of my father's death --
long ago now, and of September 11, so
it was appropriate to spend time with kind
friends, and to appreciate all that is
special about our lives.

Have a thoughtfully happy day.