Happy New Year Joy

"Sweet Goodness"
Oil
Johanna Spinks
Sold.

Hi Everyone

Happy New Year. I am chomping at the bit to get into the studio this morning full of new resolutions and energy for the year ahead with some nice commissions on the go.

In the meantime, I post this humble cupcake. Feels kinda joyful to me. And it sums up how I want my year to be and YOURS.

 Now Take on  The Joy

Johanna

The Face of Malibu By Johanna Spinks

Mr. John Paola
The Face of Malibu, featured in The Malibu Times
Two hour life sitting.

Hi all.

Feels like I am now 'off and running' as my third sitter for The Face of Malibu portrait series, the wonderful John Paola, appears in The Malibu Times this week with his life story. What a great guy.

http://www.malibutimes.com/malibu_life/article_ffd7c3ac-4a20-11e2-a463-0019bb2963f4.html


The Face of Malibu follows my Face of Ventura series which is still appearing in The Ventura Breeze thanks to the wonderful publisher Sheldon Brown, now a dear friend of mine. I am thrilled to announce that those 58 portraits have now found a final home. Stay tuned...

All portraits are painted in a single life sitting of around two hours.

It is a joy.

What is your joy?

Go seize the art day.

Johanna

12 Days of Christmas Gratitude Giveaway

This Beaty Can be YOURS!!! Happy Holidays Everyone
"Seeing Red
8x10 on linen panel
By Johanna Spinks

Ba humbug. The Holiday Season leaving you less than jolly.

Then turn it around. Tell me what you are most grateful for this Holiday Season and my favorite comment, over the next 48 hours,  will win this 8x10 oil sketch absolutely free.

This 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway is also running on my public Facebook page, link to the right. You can also post there as see what others are saying.

Watch out for the next giveaway. There are 11 more coming. HO HO HO.

Join me tomorrow...

The Bookie
By Johanna Spinks
Palette Knife Portrait
12 x 16
oil

One space left for my First Friday Atelier Teaching Day in the Malibu Highlands tomorrow. Join me. All aspects of painting will be covered.

email me for details

johanna@johannaspinks.com

Go Kate!

Congrats to Princess Kate. I love her!

Princess Kate
18x22
pastel
Johanna Spinks

Pastel Portrait done at their engagement which was featured in American Artist Magazine, summer drawing issue 2011.

Beauty is is the eye of the beholder?

Repose
Johanna Spinks
Figure Oil Sketch

Happy Sunday afternoon from rainy California:

I posted this sketch I did from life on Tuesday on Facebook and it got quite a  few comments. Mostly because I took it down from Facebook after someone posted a very public mean comment on my timeline, I am sure, offended by my posting of this image. I apologized to all if I had caused offense.

I was heartily encouraged to re-post the nude, evidence of my art process, and the knowledge that artists have painted and sketched the unclothed human form for centuries. To be offended by it, my FB commentators, said was rediculous.

At least two other FB artists told me they were deliberately posting their nude sketches that day in support.

It is a funny world we live in out there. 'Sexy' sells all over the planet. The Kardashians rule. Young girls want to look like the latest Britanny Spears, whovever she is these days. But a simple nude sketch causes offense. Painting the human form well is one of the hardest art disciplines. That is my only goal.

To paint it well. Better each year of my journey.

To my eye, the nude figure in art, is beauty. And a challenge to paint.

That's all.

Now go take on the art day.
Johanna

Thankful

Turkey,
5x7
Pastel on paper
Johanna Spinks

Happy Thanksgiving All. Even if you don't live in the U.S., it is good to stop for a moment and think what we are thankful for...

Plus, I get to eat turkey and pumpkin pie today on top of all the over things I am thankful for.

Not sure I want to draw a turkey ever again though.

What about you?

November Tea Cup Madness Continues.

Day Two of Tea Cup Madness running through November...Get you free tea cup print by signing up for my email newsletter.

Come on...you know you want to.

Cup o' Gold,
Johanna Spinks
Mixed media
SOLD

Why do you think people like tea cups to much?

CHEERS!