Wednesday, December 30, 2009

A.W.O.L no more...


A.W.O.L. for the non-military folks stands for Absence With Out Leave. It's been a rough month folks and I apologize for being so behind in posts and responses.


This painting does not do this lovely lady justice. I didn't capture her smiling eyes as well as I wanted and her face should be more oval. Her portrait of me is much more flattering and I adore it. You can see it on her blog HERE.

Because she finished hers within the first week, I was able to find out this is Christine Maclellen. This is actually the second painting I did of her. The first one, I thought I made her face too long. If I had time, I would paint a third and I am sure it would turn out "juuuust right".

8x10 oil on RayMar

44 comments:

dominique eichi said...

You did a fabulous job Sheila. I love it .

Dean Grey said...

I'm so glad you're back, Sheila!!!!

*happy dance*

Good to see you painting again too!

-Dean

Marie Theron said...

What ARE you saying? To me the eyes are smiling and this painting portrays so much of the inner joy of your subject, Sheila. Your experience in court forensics is counting a lot in the long run!

Unknown said...

Hallo,
ich wünsche Dir einen Guten Rutsch ins Neue Jahr. Ich wünsche Dir Gesundheit und Zufriedenheit, mögen Deine wünsche in Erfüllung gehen. Ich freue mich immer wenn ich ein neues Bild von Dir sehe.
Liebe Grüße Werner

Autumn Leaves said...

I have to admit that I was a bit worried about you Sheila. So sorry to hear that you've been having a rough month and hope that things get way better in the new year. I think you did a fantastic job on this portrait and you did get her smiling eyes quite nicely. Such beautiful work from you, as always.

adebanji said...

There's a fantastic feel to this piece!

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

Sheila, I admire anyone that can paint people! And I think you did a wonderful job on her portrait. Hope you have a Happy New Year!

Linda said...

beautiful work as always, Wishing you a new year to come full of happinesss and good health.Lindax

Maria Kovalenko Leysens said...

I like this, the rosy cheeks, fresh colors, expression and brushwork. Welcome back!

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Sheila,I think you may be a little hard on yourself. I don't know what she should look like, but, this is a totally appealing painting. You are one talented lady and I think if you look back at your early posts you will see how far you have traveled in the last year. Bravo!

Manon said...

Great to see you Sheila!!
Christine's portrait is lovely! Fun challenge!
Have a Happy New Year girlfriend!!

Unknown said...

Hi Sheila - I'm happy to see you return, and was hoping that you're OK! A relief. The portrait is lovely and the brushwork reminds me a little bit of Van Gogh's (especially the background). I think her eyes DO smile :)

Dana Cooper said...

Sheila, this is a delightful piece and looks "juuust right" to me. You hit your mark capturing her smiling eyes, congrats!
Happy New Year, Sheila!

JudyMackeyart said...

Glad you're back! Though I don't know what Christine looks like - the eyes in this portrait looks very sweet and kind. I think your portrait is wonderful.
Have a wonderful new year.

Unknown said...

Great to see you back. This is beautifully done Sheila and I so admire all of you just for stepping up to the plate!

Michelle said...

I think you did a fabulous job! Love the rosy glow along with the great brushwork...so fresh and full of life! Her portrait of you is amazing as well. Happy New Year!

Carol Nelson said...

Yea! You're back. I know sometimes life gets in the way of art. I'm hoping the next 100 days will be smooth sailing for me and my portrait project.

Christine MacLellan said...

Hey Shelia, Thanks I love the painting of me. It made me crack up! And a paiting that causes a reaction in my opinion is a sucessful one. If you want to exchange I would be glad too with you my fellow blogger.

Carol Horzempa said...

Sheila, so glad you're back! You did a great job on this portrait and glad to see that Christine loves it. What a compliment to you and your ability in portrait painting!

Vern Schwarz said...

Nicely done Sheila, and great to see you back. I'll cancel that APB right now...ha! Happy New Year!

Krista Hasson said...

Happy New Year to you and your family!

Dean H. said...

Glad your back among us, Sheila. Now I can stop painting your picture on all those dang milk cartons! :)
Well done portrait...great personality shining through and I love those glasses perched jauntily atop her head!

Mary Paquet said...

Welcome back, Sheila! May 2010 prove to be a magic year for you.

You are much too critical of yourself. This is a wonderful piece and you captured the cheerful nature of your subject beautifully.

Cheers!

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

Sheila this is great! I know how hard portraits are - I get gut-twisted just thinking about them! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

I think you did a great job.I do see that her eyes are smiling.
Why you are so tuff on yourself? You are soooo good in many ways so give yourself some credit okay?

Do you know the artist?

Gary Keimig said...

really great job Sheila.
Happy New Year and may God bless you and yours this coming year. Don't stay out too late.

Edward Burton said...

You did a great job with the challenge, Sheila. Glad you're back and I hope you have wonderful new year, my friend.

Angela Elledge said...

Welcome back; you've been missed greatly! This portrait is beautiful, I love the cast shadow on her neck, amongst other things. Happy New Year to you and your family.

Jo Castillo said...

Looks like a fine portrait to me! Sparkly eyes and fun. Happy New Year to you, too.

artbyakiko said...

Great job!
A HAPPY NEW YEAR to you too, Sheila!!
Yoi Otoshi wo Omukae Kudasai.

L.Holm said...

I think you're too hard on yourself, too. This is lovely. You really captured a smiling, warm woman and great personality. It's great! Hope 2010 brings all good things your way, dear Sheila! xoliz

gh said...

Without knowing what she looks like, i can only say that what I see here from an artistic point of view regarding style and technique is wonderful. I like the texture and your brush work. The colors as always with your painings are delightful as well.
I'm very happy to know your are fine.
Happy New Year

Stephen Parker said...

Sheila,

I think you did a great job on the challenge, though I wasn't able to see the original photo you have the link to. I really like the strong darks and thick paint strokes.

Have a great year in 2010!

Natasha said...

So glad you're back in blogging world. Happy New Year!

Elizabeth Chapman said...

Glad your back! Holidays can some times be that way. WONDERFUL painting!! this looked like a lot of fun. Going to try and get back in on a challenge. Happy New Year!!

Unknown said...

I'm so glad you are back, Sheila. May this new Year bring you joy, happiness, wealth and health, Sheila.

Kathleen said...

Sheila this is wonderful I think she sparkles as she smiles-

Linny D. Vine said...

Welcome back, Sheila! Your portrait is excellent and has a such joy to it! May the new year be full of happiness and creativity for you and yours!

Lokelani Forrest said...

Sheila...you were missed. You did a fine job on the portrait. I wanted to participate but was too late. Maybe next year.

Celeste Bergin said...

a very nice portrait!

Crazy RAvens Studio said...

Happy New Year, Sheila, I think you did a fine job, nice fresh brushwork. Wow, you are blessed to have so many friends!

Unknown said...

Great contrast Sheila, welcome back and a Happy New Year!

Sheila Estep said...

I think she and your painting are Beautiful! Happy New Year too!

SYLVIANE said...

The more I look at your painting, Sheila, the more I like it!This morning, it made me smile, it is so optimistic! Thank you!