American Art Collector Magazine

Thank you to American Art Collector Magazine and writer John O'Hern for including my artwork in this article geared to art collectors called "The Essence of Being. On new stands this August.

Capture the Light Effect

A quickie portrait done of a beautiful sitter at my studio this week. I am about an hour in here capturing the light effect with big brushes. I kinda like what I got and,  more importantly, so did the sitter.

Beautiful times in the studio

Do You Like Sticky Toffee Pudding?

Face it! We all have those treasured memories of sticky toffee pudding and our grandma cooking it early on a Sunday morning by a bristling coal fire, right?

A nice flowery apron around her ample hips and a bowl for us to lick shortly afterwards. Boy, did that taste good.

Yes? Well, you will love this show then. I am honored to have five pieces in it including the one shown.

See you there. And bring some sticky toffee pudding or banana cream pie at the very least.

Gratitudes,
Johanna

"Every Day Thanksgiving"
20" x 32"
By Johanna Spinks

Show invite...See you there!

What's on Easel? Bishop Close-up

Did I mention I love my job?
In progress...
Close up
Bishop Portrait Commission

In Progress
Johanna Spinks

How To Paint Posthumous Portraits

Posthumous Portrait Commission

Morning All:

Shipping out of the studio this week is a 22 x 24 posthumous portrait for a client in The South, pictured here.

During my portrait painting career so far I have been honored many times to do this type of sensitive commission work and I consider it an honor each time. I don't take the task lightly.

I also feel the art of posthumous portraits  reflect how important modern day portraiture remains.  A life captured on canvas, reflected on, through an artist's searching eye, captures something  that the camera doesn't. This type of work is also very meaningful for the grieving family and can help in their time of sadness.

Sometimes these portraits are displayed at the memorials. Imagine 300 people judging if you have a likeness!

So how does one approach this delicate painting task? Here a a few thoughts I have:

*Get the best photo reference possible of the sitter, at different ages and stages of his life.  You don't want to paint them in their final days.

*Talk to the family, if you can, for any insights into the deceased sitter. Stories and memories. Character traits.  Do your homework. Know who you are painting so you can put some of that into the painting.

*Find out if there was a favorite tie or a favorite something or other you can add in that isn't in the photos. These little touches can be very special for the family.

*Deliver the portrait in a very timely manner. A grieving family doesn't need to be kept waiting too long.

*Expect the unveiling to be very emotional. Leave your clients alone in the room for a few minutes with the portrait before seeking comments or approval.

Face of Malibu By Johanna Spinks

I have reached double digits!!!
My tenth sitter Ms. Sherman Baylin,  Face of Malibu project appearing in The Malibu Times.  Each sitter is painted in a single life sitting reflecting the real folk in this modern day ritzy beach town. This projects follows my Face of Ventura project, those 58 portraits now in the permanent collection of The Museum of Ventura County.


Read about Sherman here
http://www.malibutimes.com/malibu_life/article_f6d84bb0-04af-11e3-af8a-0019bb2963f4.html?_dc=55852907011.28542

My Portrait At the Museum of Ventura County

How I love this MAN
Mr. Howard Boroughs
Now in his 100th Year
Portrait By Johanna Spinks
The Museum of Ventura County 100th Year Birthday Show
The Face Of Ventura By Johanna Spinks, Collection.

100 kisses to Mr.Howard Boroughs, seen here next to my portrait of him last night at the Museum of Ventura County's 'Celebrating a Century' birthday bash. Great night. Great show "Prized Possessions: A Century of Collecting".

More to follow...

Man of Letters...Face of Ventura Project.

My Face of Ventura project delivers the most interesting of sitters to my studio door. I knew from the very first time I met Bill, the local postmaster in town, who is known by EVERYONE, that I wanted to paint him.

This man of letters has had a long career in the U.S. Post Office. It took him a while to think about being painted by me. I was very blessed when he said yes. Now, I have a new friend and a deeper respect for the old charming ways of snail mail.

Post those letters folks!

YOu can catch my series each week in The Ventura Breeze newspaper and on talk radio's Lyn Fairly and Friends Show, KVTA 1520 AM , Saturdays at noon.