Thank you to all the sitters, The Malibu Times and The Malibu Cultural Arts Commission for sponsoring this show running until Jan. 12th 2018 at Malibu City Hall.
Thank you also to Richard Chesterfield of Monrose Catering for the incredible food.
And of course everyone who attended. A night I will never forget.
Thank you to MT photographer Julie Ellerton and Malibu Surfside news photographer Dave Teel for the pictures here.
A Night to Remember
The Face of Malibu Opens
67 portraits of mine on display.
Ventura Artist Mark Tovar Stands Near His Portrait
A Full House
With Show Curator Alan Roderick-Jones. Thank you Alan.
With Cantor Marcelo Gindlin
The Faces!
Speech tine.
Standing Room Only.
Lovely Marie Stapel with her son Kurt. We miss you Marie.
Talking the Talk.
Richard Chesterfield, one of the sitters, and the owner of Monrose Catering who did a spectacular job catering the event.
My studio Holiday Card. “La Couronne de Houx” Via Palette Knife, 10 x 12" Email me if you would like me to send you one snail mail. Happy Holidays Everyone!
It has taken me a long time to paint this gentleman. Two years in fact since he led a fantastic trip to Northern India in the footsteps of Buddha's life and the places he visited and was inspired by. Work in progress...Martin Aylward. http://www.martinaylward.com My palette knife is working in frenzy here against gold leaf. The background will be the black rock of this famous spiritual cave, rubbed with gold leaf by Buddhist pilgrims for centuries. Come back to see more...
"The Leader, Sariputta's Cave, Vulture Peak, India." By Johanna Spinks Oil on Linen Via Palette Knife
Anyone reading this blog, knows I have a passion for corsets and have been collecting them for years.
I have just "untied" a few.
A huge studio "STEAL of A DEAL" thing is going on over at DailyPaintWorks, many sketches of mine done as demos during my time teaching at The California Art Institute and The Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art or during private studio teaching.
Five sold this week to as far a field as Switzerland to a wonderful new collector I have so enjoyed getting to meet - and email with about all things corsets.
The prices are super affordable, to say the least, as affordable as they are ever going to be, in time for the Holidays. One thing I know is that everyone seems to absolutely love corsets. Most are oil sketches with gold leaf.
Go here to view what's available. I am adding corset sketches daily.
I painted this yesterday especially with the US election in mind which happens TODAY. Everyone is in a tizzy.
I am reminded of a GREAT leader of all time Sir Winston Churchill after binge watching Netflix's The Crown at the weekend. Episode 9 made me teary-eyed. I won't spoil it for you. But watch this amazing show.
"You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks." Winston Churchill. Also a good painter as well as politician and poetical orator.
The Bull Dog- Winston Churchill SOLD
Via Palette Knife
12 x 10"
by Johanna Spinks
They say talk is cheap - but that can never be said when it comes to Art surely?
I will be appearing on the radio show "Del And Debi, Mind Body and Soul" this coming Tuesday to discuss all things about my portrait world. Also appearing with me will be ArtModelShannon who I painted this week. See photos below.
When I was asked to bring a model I like to paint along with me, who has an interesting story that would be inspiring to others, well, there is no-one better than ArtModelShannon, a visual artist, a fine art model AND a full-time nurse.
Her art message is female body empowerment (among other things) and that is one helluva message for all of us. Pushing the envelope. Plus she is a really hard working nurse helping others daily in their times of need.
Call in with your questions for us all this Tuesday at 3.45pm.
323 473 3100
ArtModelShannon
18x24"
Single sitting
Palette knife/brush combo
By Johanna Spinks
I have worked with more art models than I have had hot dinners over the last 20 years of life painting. I wish I could remember each and every one but the number runs into the hundreds at this point.
Each however is a special encounter for me and many have now become my friends, as we work together so often over the years. We kind of grow up together. Art models bring so much to the studio table and help us artists paint well. They inspire leaving us hopefully to join hands with the Art Spirit and do the rest. Art models have to show up through thick and thin, with a good attitude, smile on their face, no matter what is going on in their personal lives. I know from my old weekly teaching class this is not always easy. A ton can be going on behind the scenes in your daily life.
So today I just wanted to say thank you. Our collaborations are appreciated. I also wanted to say thank you to Jeremy Lipking. I have learned so much from Master Lipking about figure painting over the last few years.
These two corset paintings of mine sold today to a new collector featuring two models I have been luck to paint many times, Amina Santana and Toni Sky.
Thank you to all three.
Catch more of my corset paintings and sketches at www.dailypaintworks.com
The are super affordable and make delicious Holiday Gifts.
I have always had a thing for paisley fabric probably thanks to Laura Ashley and being put in those kind of frocks as a kid.
Lovely Katy arrived at my studio for a life-sitting wearing a simple paisley shirt. I didn't really do the shirt justice but I certainly was enamored with it - and Katy.
It was a three hour sitting with The Saddlerock Painters at my studio in the Malibu Highlands, yes, near Saddlerock Mountain.
This painting has already found a home but if you are interested in some of my smaller daily paintworks which are very reasonably priced, please go to this gallery link
Thanks to everyone from far and wide who attended my show opening, "Going Under The Knife", sent flowers to the event, phoned, texted, social media posted, or emailed warm well wishes. To be honest, I felt the love from all over the world.
I feel so very lucky as an artist to have had this type of support and I appreciate it deeply.
Thank you also to the curator of the Museum of Ventura County, Anna Bermudez, and Museum CEO Pattie Mullins, for the invitation to show in the first place.
And forever thanks to my mentor Everett Raymond Kinstler, N.A., for his encouragement to continue to explore the palette knife portrait work describing my journey as: "A refreshing departure and journey into creative portraiture." www.everettraymondkinstler.com
Show runs thru April 30th at The Tool Room Gallery, by appointment with the Museum, scroll to previous post for contact and location details.
Please note the this gallery is off the main museum campus.
Opening Night, Friday April 1st, 6-9 p.m.
Show runs through April 30th
After reception, viewing by appointment only.
310 384 7029
Johanna's palette knife work: "A refreshing departure and journey into creative portraiture”, says Mr. Everett Raymond Kinstler, N.A., painter of seven American presidents.
Included in the show will be a large portrait of Ventura scientist and philanthropist 102 years'-young Howard Boroughs which was recently accepted into the permanent collection of the Museum of Ventura County.
To view Johanna's palette knife portrait collection go here: http://palettecollectionhere
Just over two years ago, award-winning portrait artist Johanna Spinks decided to take a risk with her familiar paint brush: putting it down. In its place, she picked up a palette knife and began using the metal artist’s tool for her private, non-commissioned work in order to paint the people around her. Her upcoming curated show at the Museum of Ventura County’s Tool Room Gallery, entitled “Going Under the Knife," is sampling of this palette knife work. Much of this work was done from life sittings, depicting those near and dear to her and those who captured her heart on her travels through India, Europe and the high Sierras during this timespan. Johanna’s mentor and seven-time presidential portrait painter Everett Raymond Kinstler, N.A. describes her palette knife portrait work as "a refreshing departure and journey into creative portraiture”.
Included in the show will be a large portrait of Ventura scientist and philanthropist 102 years'-young Howard Boroughs which was recently accepted into the permanent collection of the Museum of Ventura County. Johanna painted Howard in five life sittings at his home, an experience she holds most dear.
One thing is for sure, the palette knife won’t be put down any time soon.
A Selection of Palette Knife Portraits
By Johanna Spinks
Most painted from life.
www.johannaspinks.com
Just over two years ago, award-winning portrait artist Johanna Spinks decided to take a risk with her familiar paint brush: putting it down. In its place, she picked up a palette knife and began using the metal artist’s tool for her private, non-commissioned work in order to paint the people around her. Her upcoming curated show at the Museum of Ventura County’s Tool Room Gallery, entitled “Going Under the Knife," is sampling of this palette knife work. Much of this work was done from life sittings, depicting those near and dear to her and those who captured her heart on her travels through India, Europe and the high Sierras during this timespan. Johanna’s mentor and seven-time presidential portrait painter Everett Raymond Kinstler, N.A. describes her palette knife portrait work as "a refreshing departure and journey into creative portraiture”.
Included in the show will be a large portrait of Ventura scientist and philanthropist 102 years'-young Howard Boroughs which was recently accepted into the permanent collection of the Museum of Ventura County. Johanna painted Howard in five life sittings at his home, an experience she holds most dear.
One thing is for sure, the palette knife won’t be put down any time soon.
Honored that Hollywood grande dame Joan Benedict Steiger is including this life sketch I did of her in her new memoirs "Brooklyn Baby".
"General Hospital" star Joan, (also actor Rod Steriger's wife) is my latest Face of Malibu sitter and boy, does she have some stories to tell. Such a lovely talented lady. Read more about her incredible life story in the link below.
Joan Benedict Steiger
Sitter number 41, The Face of Malibu Portrait Project
Kindly appearing in The Malibu Times
It's amazing what a fresh start will do on a fresh day. I decided to revisit the life sketch I did of Shannon, see previous post, which I felt coulda, shoulda, woulda have been a whole lot better if only if...
I started it again, using the life sketch for reference, painting it with a palette knife. I put it down much more as I wanted to say it.
Softer, cleaner more elegant lines, with some color play of yellows and blues, see palette I placed to the side of sketch with my trusted Province Blue made from Charvin which I inhale like smelling lavender.
Sometimes my palette knife has a mind of its' own but I guess that's half the fun of a life sitting wielding a knife however frustrating at times. TY beautiful ArtModelShannon!
The Joys of the Palette Knife Life Sitting
By Johanna Spinks
Oil on Linen
www.johannaspinks.com
"Holly's Apples"
By Johanna Spinks
Oil on linen board
9x12" goheretopurchase
I once read somewhere you should learn to paint apples really well before you can even begin to think of learning how to paint a head. I think it was Helen Van Wyck, a deceased artist I admire for her teachings and books. I agree 100 per cent. There's a lot to be learned from the simple apple. This is a painting I just did back East when cold rain stopped landscape painting play. Sorry, I don't like to paint in the rain. We baked these apples in a pie right after recording them for posterity. You could say we were all pie faced by this point.
There is always something to paint as an artist, often right in front of your nose.
A rain soaked landscape painting trip to the east coast left me painting indoor flowers I had just given to my lovely hostess. www.johannaspinks.com
Cheers to Society Social Calendar for featuring my painting "Cheers - Cambria Wine Festival" on the cover of it's current issue. I have always wanted to be on the cover of this magazine. Thank YOU!
Dr. Donna Nofziger Plank
Scientist.
Face of Malibu Sitter Number 34
Kindly featured in The Malibu Times
Story here
Under the microscope? You bet! Painting scientist extraordinaire Dr. Donna Nofziger Plank in a single life sitting, two hours, for my Face of Malibu portrait project with The Malibu Times. Sitter number 34. Thank you both.
I am shameless in my enjoyment seeking to paint bright sunshine filled days, filled with color and happiness and some of my lovely friends who sit for me. The joy of being alive. I am excited to wake up today and start such a new painting along with the portrait commissions I am working on.
I am also grateful to have another day with my art as this week I remember with great fondness artist Glen Orbik who sadly passed away way too young. He inspired a generation of artists in Los Angeles. A terrific artist of the highest calibre leaving a huge legacy. I was honored to be on the faculty with him at The Califonia Art Institute for many years. All the teachers looked up to Orbit with great respect. He was much liked.
