World's Fair 1939

I actually did this painting some time ago.  In fact, I finished it over a year ago.  I'm not sure why I didn't post it then.  It is based on a black and white photo of my mother and her sisters at the World's Fair in San Francisco.  This version is 11x14, and I am also working on a larger version.  This one was originally meant to be a kind of sketch for the bigger painting, but I liked it and framed it.  I also made shopping bags for my girl cousins with this image on it, and that was fun. 

I think you can sense their excitement and it has a bit of each one's personality.  My Aunt Ardye, with a Kodak box camera, my mom Merle Marie, and my Auntie Kay.  It's currently on display at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th St SE Washington DC....until November 8.  Today would have been my mother's 97th birthday.  I've been thinking about her, and wish I could share this with her.  In fact, I wish I could share all my art adventures with her.

KANAE MEETS SOPHIA

Recently I was organizing photographs and came across this lovely one of Kanae Watanabe with Sophia.  It was taken some time ago as Sophia is now 11.  I was inspired to make it into a painting.  The technique I used was to make a loose watercolor painting and fill in the details with charcoal and pastel.  This painting is now in a show called "Joie de Vivre" at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 7th St SE, Washington DC. This painting fits that theme!