Perfect Art Studio Furniture

Beautiful Stephanie came into my studio to be painted this week from life wearing a gorgeous red satin slip from Paris that I wanted to paint as much as her pretty face - so I did.

I have painted this lovely young lady quite a few times now after being introduced to her by Jeremy Lipking. www.lipking.com.  I always enjoy her sweet soul and the energy she brings to the table.

I have also collected a vast number of slips, kimonos, flimsy vintage type clothing and yummy paintable things from around the world. Students always ask me: "Where do you find all these things?"

It is also the first time I got to paint my new studio bench which I waited for months to buy after spotting it at Charme D'Antin in Los Angeles. It is over 100 years old and completely impractical. I suspect it was made from an old french bed headboard. But I love it and wonder at all the people who sat on it or slept under it that elaborate headboard. Maybe I am the first to paint it?

Gratitudes to Stephanie, that red satin slip, and my new old bench.

Life sitting at the studio this week

A Bishop Gets Painted.

Shipping out today from my studio. I am honored to have painted Bishop William Alexander Guerry for a Southern Church. Bishop Guerry was a reformer and martyr. His life was cut way too short when he was killed for his beliefs about including minorities in the church.

I am indebted to my portrait hero Phillip De Laszlo once again. I look at his work so much these days. Check out this old Master.
https://www.delaszloarchivetrust.com

Bishop William Alexander Guerry
By Johanna Spinks

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!

The Perfect Neutral Red?

Quickie color demo. Did I mention I love color?

I have some great students!

Here's my 'color' demo from my studio teaching class yesterday. A packed class and a beautiful muse.

So what's the perfect neutral red?

Go here to find out theperfectred

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

New Paintings Added!

My summer collection 2014

High Days And Holidays

Featuring the people, places and things I love to paint, bathed in the impressionistic light I enjoy.

New paintings added to my Fine Art Store

Art for Every Budget

Go here

click

Hot Pants At The Museum

Today's quick sketch:

"Hot Pants at Van Gogh"
By Johanna Spinks
8"x 8"
Watercolor and ink
To purchase
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/johanna-spinks/hot-pants-at-van-gogh/244458

This lady in the short purple hot pants and high shoes  was causing quite a stir today  at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art's new show, "Expressionism", Van Gogh to Kadinsky.

Few could take their eyes of her including me so I quickly got out my sketch book. Sorry Van Gogh but your place in art history is still secure.

http://www.lacma.org/expressionism#about

Beautiful Times

"Shutters"
By Johanna Spinks

My summer workshop in the beautiful Malibu Highlands is done and dusted. Boy did I have a great time. Thanks to all the artists who came, and thanks to the locations that hosted us. Malibu Cafe at Calamigos Ranch, Malibu Wines, and Charme D'Antan.

More pix to follow...

Zenday Best

Every day is Zenday when you get to paint beautiful muses. I love painting this lady. She is an artiste herself, and a wonderful singer. I just love her zenergy.

This was from my teaching class yesterday, now at my studio. Was thinking of Phillip de Laszlo who painted great 'red haired' people in portraits, especially his son.

 It's been a brilliant five weeks with some great work going on in the teaching room. Both figure and still life. New semester starting next Wednesday, drop ins welcome.

Only a couple of spots left, email me for details. johanna@johannaspinks.com

Gratitude Giveaway Continues...Win this Original Oil

"Summer Belles"
Oil on Linen
By Johanna Spinks
http://www.johannaspinksfineart.com

My Holiday Gratitude Giveaway continues for just a few more days. Post here or on my public Facebook page what you are grateful for in 2013 to be picked to win. I think this one is a little gem, a perfect gratitude for someone.


Looking for that perfect Holiday Gift. Free shipping. Gifts for every budget: Holiday shopping go here:
http://www.johannaspinksfineart

WIN THIS! My Holiday Gratitude Giveaway

The Mandarin Collar
By Johanna Spinks
Oil and Gold Leaf
8x10

You can win this! All you have to do is post what you are grateful for this Holiday Season in the comments section below. I will pick the winners December 24 from my favorite posts. Read the gratitudes on my Public Facebook page too to inspire you. Link on the sidebar.


Need a Holiday gift? Visit my online store:http://www.johannaspinksfineart.com/#!product/prd1/1458282471/the-mandarin-collar

WIN THIS PAINTING! Gratitude Giveaway Continues...

PANSY POWER! Original Oil
MY GRATITUDE HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY

WIN THIS ORIGINAL OIL by me!  "Pansy Power", 5x 7. 

My Holiday Gratitude Giveaway continues. Post what you are grateful for in 2013 in the comments section below. Winning comments will be picked on Dec. 24th so you can keep posting on all giveaways until then. Shipping free, my thank you to you. This is also running on my public Facebook page so you can join in the fun there. Share in the gratitude. 

Visit my online store for some great Holiday gift ideas. Art for every budget.
http://www.johannaspinksfineart.com

Holiday Gratitude Art Giveaway

Today's Gratitude Giveaway
Post What You Are Grateful for This Year!
"Figgy Plum Pudding"
Print
Shipped free to you!

My annual Holiday Gratitude Giveaway begins today!

Just like last year, until December 24th I will be posting art giveaways, the winners picked from my favorite comments posted. There are lots of giveaways to be won!

So tell me what you are grateful for this year in the comments section of this blog below and I will pick a winner. This is also running on my public Facebook Page, look to the sidebar, if you want to see what others are posting.

The final day, Christmas Eve,  will be an original piece of art. A festive 16 x 16 original oil painted portrait. That can only be won by posting here on my blog.

So come on enjoy the fun. Share the gratitude!

Palette Knife Portraits

Close-up
Palette Knife Portrait
By Johanna Spinks
NFS

Seems to me you have to work with even more precision when working with just a palette knife than a brush. Funny thing that. People imagine that it is so much more freedom to get out the knives and go swish swash.  Palette knife portraits take me far longer to paint than ones done with the brush. And to do them painting directly from life, the sitter really does have to sit still.

This is a close up of a posthumous portrait I am working on. It is giving me quite a challenge but I am getting there and sure enjoying the process.

Challenges...

This has to be the bravest lady I have ever met. I was honored to paint her as she faced a very difficult health challenge in her life.

Moulin Rouged,

Busy time in the study meeting portrait Holiday deadlines...basically I am painting every day right up until December 23rd. A posthumous portrait of a doctor for a southern hospital, a three child trip tych,  a 15 figure beach scene for a repeat client's nursery, and an engagement beach scene for a lovely couple in Australia.

I do allow myself a little fun though. Do you? Hope you like this new corset. It will be in my Holiday Corset Calendar Collection! Watch this space.

Moulin Rouged
Oil on Linen
9"x12:
$600
Free Shipping
http://www.johannaspinksfineart.com/#!corset-art/ca5b

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...