Go Big or Go Home?

My 2017 New Year Resolution of painting all portraits via palette knife is off to a bright start.

 I went large format for the first time ever this week in a life sitting painting my pal Keri and it was exhilarating.  My brain had to really work hard to get out of its' comfort zone.  At first I wasn't sure I could do it.

I now realize I have been building up to this for a long time.

Thank you Art Spirit.

 Stay tuned. It's going to be a year like no other in my art life. 

"Lush"
36"x36"
Oil on canvas via palette knife
By Johanna Spinks

The life sitting with Keri
About two hours in. 

Corsets Selling Like Hot...Er..Corsets

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.

stealofadeal

Life Sitting This Week
"Nothing Tolouse"
18x24"
By Johanna Spinks
Oil on Museum Quality Light Board
Just added to www.dailypaintworks.com

Sold This Week - Corset Art By Johanna Spinks
Adding Daily
www.dailypaintworks.com

Election Day Bull Dog

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

I'm On The Radio...

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.

http://www.delanddebimindbodysoul.com

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

Available for purchase at DailyPaintWorks
here

Sunshine Times

"Peacock Parade"
By Johanna Spinks
Oil on linen
10 x 12"

Available at www.johannspinks.com




I finished this painting this week thinking of Derby Day ahead.  I never tire of painting good times and dappled light. Hope you enjoy. 

The Perfect Still Life

"Breakfast at Tiffanys"
My class demo at The California Art Institute
16 x 20
SOLD

I consider big picture hats with flowers the perfect still life. The person sitting underneath is almost a sidebar. Sorry person underneath! This was a demo done in my teaching class. It feels good to be back teaching after quite a long break due to surgery. I learn a lot from teaching - and I get to paint crazy big hats as part of the fun.

JOIN ME WEDNESDAY MORNINGS AT CAI. It is a great group of artists. More information here

See you there? Reception tonight!

"The Gift"
By Johanna Spinks
L'Art Du Corset Collection
12x16
oil and gold leaf

Just one of many corset inspired artwork by me at tonight's opening reception:

To purchase go here:
here

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.

Tuesday Nights At The Lipking Studio

Life Study, three hours
By Johanna Spinks
Oil on linen, 12 x 16

Most Tuesday nights I head over to Jeremy Lipking's engaging studio to paint. I have done this for the last two years. He is an inspiration and a true young master at the top of his game.

Lipking paints it all very well from figure to landscape. Plus, he is a generous teacher to everyone in the room. One of the main lessons for the room last night was to work your dark mass shapes first before moving toward the light. Amen. Place your eyewear in the sketch toward the end of your painting. Make sure the eyes are 'pushed back' behind those frames, painted down in value a bit. Treat the under-eye area with kid gloves. Gently. Softly.

I will never paint like Lipking. No-one can. Many try but they are not as good.

That's not the idea. I believe in surrounding myself with greatness, hence showing up the last two years.

Check out Lipking's work here You can also join his ongoing class in Agoura Hills, C.A, by signing  up directly from his website. Look out also for his solo show at the Arcadia Gallery in New York, opening this December 12th. More information here

Above is my three hour study from last night. The room was packed and I was standing near the back. I needed the model's glasses. But I like wot I got. I love a gal in glasses.

Below, a taste of the evening Lipking style!

Close-up of Lipking's sketch. Copyright Jeremy Lipking

Last night at The Lipking Studio - some great work going on.

Visit My Studio today - New YOU Tube

Hi all:

Come on over to my studio today and see what I am working on? I serve a good cup of tea. See ya there.

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

Shaking Things Up, Silver Leaf

Art du Corset
By Johanna Spinks
Original oil and silver leaf
Purchase here: $395 free shipping in the US

http://www.johannaspinksfineart.com/#!corset-art/ca5b

It's exciting when a collection you have been quietly working on, finally comes to light and you feel ready to share it with the world.

My new collection is called "Art du Corset", mostly featuring corsets, sometimes other whimsical things that take my fancy. A lot of gold, silver and bronze leaf is used in the later works.

This range is very affordable making the perfect gift for the Holidays  Here is the newest one I added to my online store this morning.

http://www.johannaspinksfineart.com/#!corset-art/ca5b

International visitors have asked, and  yes, I do ship internationally. Just email me for shipping price. johanna@johannaspinks.com

Face of Malibu, Brad Pitt?

 Ms. Marie Stapel
NFS
Face of Malibu by Johanna Spinks
Single life sitting - two hours

Thanks to The Malibu Times for continuing to highlight my Face of Malibu portrait series featuring local residents who make up this uniquely famous beach town. I am trying to focus on people who might be somewhat less obvious than the Mel Gibsons and Brad Pitts who have put this town on the map, although if Brad calls, I will definitely paint him and  you'll be the first to know.

This month's sitter is Marie Stapel, twice president of The Malibu Art Association and all-round lovely lady. Now in her golden years, she continues to surf on boogie boards even.

Read more about her life story here:
malibuhere

Dappled Light

Dappled Delight
8"x10"
Oil on panel
By Johanna Spinks

Purchase at my on line store
http://www.johannaspinksfineart.com/#!product/prd1/1103784231/dappled-delight
$395.00 incl. free shipping

Today's quick sketch of a house with luscious turquoise green shutters. Wonder what goes on inside? If those dappled walls could only talk.

Bling's The Thing...

Close-up of a full length portrait commission I have been enjoying working on for a wonderful client.


How to paint bling? Get in out and out as fast as possible. Thick paint. Squint. Let the paint quality show. Gems should never be smoothly painted. 

The Face of Malibu By Johanna Spinks

The Face of Malibu By Johanna Spinks, Dr Bill Swarout, featured in this week's Malibu Times
NFS

I remain honored that The Malibu Times is featuring my Face of Malibu portrait series. This series is hot on the heels of my Face of Ventura project, now in the permanent collection of the Museum of Ventura County.

Here is the latest sitter Dr. Bill Swartout, painted from life in a single sitting. He has an interesting story. Read by clicking here

Turned out to be quite a colorful sketch. A camera crew was behind me. That may explain why.

I seem to be in a very colorful mode right now.