'Unawares'
6" x 6" watercolor SOLD
$100 plus $7 US shipping or $15 International
One thing that always draws me to paint children is their completely unguarded expressions. You look at a child and you see exactly who they are and how they feel about you and everything else around them.
I've yet to find an adult model who has this same candid expression when looking at me straight on. Which is not a bad thing, it's just. . . different. And different is good. My adult models give me lots of other good expressions that children haven't mastered yet. :)
In other news, we took a family trip to the zoo this last weekend and I found a very willing model for something I've wanted to paint for a looong time. Check him out!
I've always wanted to paint a boa, and this guy is green too! An Emerald Tree Boa is what he's called. Pretty sweet right? He's added to my TBP list (to-be-painted).
Me and the boys by the giraffes. :) Hubby's behind the camera.
And here's littlest Cook boy being our 'crocodile.'
What? You didn't know that's another word for navigator? Well it is, at least according to littlest Cook boy. He heard us calling him the navigator (see him holding the zoo map?), which he thought was 'alligator' and from then on proclaimed himself as the crocodile. :)))) Cutest. Thing. Ever.
And one last thing before I go. Tomorrow morning at 9 AM PST I will be a guest, along with the awesome Carrie Waller, on Artists Helping Artists radio show. If you want to listen in then you can, but it's also available on iTunes later on in the day. Click here to listen in.
If I start rambling random things about Huzzah, or cupcakes, or HARRY POTTER, and I make absolutely no sense then please just tell me I was awesome anyway okay? *gulp* I'm not nervous. Nope not a bit. ;)
Special thanks to Lauren Nelson for the use of her reference photo. Thank you!
Special thanks to Lauren Nelson for the use of her reference photo. Thank you!
I get so excited when I see a new painting of yours on my Reading List...
ReplyDeleteAmazing the innocent expression here!
You painted this little girl SO beautifully, Crystal!! Perfect skin tones and those EYES!!! You are so incredibly talented..and you have such a beautiful family..the boys are so handsome...how proud you must be..!
ReplyDeleteJ'admire le travail... La candeur et la naïveté de cette merveilleuse petite fille sont superbement capturées. Vous travaillez l'aquarelle avec une telle limpidité, c'est juste magique. Bravo !
ReplyDeleteUne très jolie photo de vous et de vos beaux garçons... Elle me rappelle le temps où nous allions au zoo avec mes 4 enfants... Doux moments...
Gros bisous à vous. Je vous souhaite plein de choses merveilleuses pour vous à l'occasion de votre interview et un gros bisou de ma part à Carrie.
Absolutely stunning, Crystal! Oh my gosh! Such emotion, it's a beautiful painting. Good luck tomorrow, you will do a fabulous job! I'm looking forward to the show"
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to your radio debut with Carrie. Looks like it was a wonderful day at the zoo. Like your music widget.
ReplyDeleteGood luck tomorrow (maybe today, by the time you read this) on the interview with Carrie. You'll do great! I'm excited to hear you both.
ReplyDeleteYour painting is great . . . and that photo of you and your kids -- BEAUTIFUL! "Huzzah!" :)
Absolutely beautiful! love your portraits, Congrat!
ReplyDeleteCheers! :)
Perfection! Those eyes, another amazing portrait.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the radio interview, you know I'll be checking it out and you get the 'brave girl' badge for doing it!
That painting is just awesome. That totally uninhibited expression is just so good. But I loved the littlest cook's crocodile pic even more. He is such a fantastic guide. And the Boa pic scraed me. I am scared of snakes. really..
ReplyDeleteI think you'll do GREAT at the radio interview. I know just what you mean about kid's expressions- and you captured that quality perfectly. Also, that snake would make a great Challenge subject over at DPW, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteLove the painting. You have captured the innocence very well. The boa doesnt look like your routine subject matter. Would be intersting to see how you paint it.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Hope you have a wonderful time at the AHA radio show.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, your model has the most wonderful blue eyes! Good luck with your interview ... and the snake!
ReplyDeleteReally wonderful painting of this young girl! I think the quality you describe about children's expressions in photos passes over to their attitude about life in general - back in my earlier life as a DPM, I was surprised to discover that I really enjoyed treating children.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see the boa painting - what a handsome chap he is!
Another amazing portrait. Would be interesting to see how you approach a subject.
ReplyDeleteOh my Giddy Aunt!! That is incredible, the touch of blue is a master stroke, Crystal. ... for once I'm lost for words!
ReplyDeleteGreat zoo day! The last time we went to a zoo we took our eldest granddaughter (she's now 27 ) ... there was a girls marching band figure marching on the green. Before we knew it, Jade was among them, marching - she brought them to a chaotic standstill! Great zoo day!
Oh wow! I could never talk on the radio! I would be totally tongue-tied! You have my admiration for that! And I bet it was really exciting for you. Think about how many people know who you are now! How did it go? The portrait is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI listened to your interview last night when I went to bed. It was so lovely to hear you both! And what's odd is that I'd already heard your voices in my head as I have got to know you through your blog and you both sounded exactly as I'd imagined! How weird is that? It really was a great interview and so informative too! Do I really need to tell you what I think of your latest portrait? Of course I don't - you already know I think it is beautiful. I just love that expression. And I have noticed those touches of cool blue too - exquisite! But, sorry but I have to disagree with you on one thing... There really is nothing cute AT ALL about the snake, oh no! He is creeeeepy! Even so, I am excited to see how you go about painting it!
ReplyDeleteIt's always so lovely to see your photographs too. Your boys are adorable! :0D
WoW, Wow, Wow, and Wow for the painting, the boa, your 'crocodile' and the radio-show!!!! I have to catch the show on itunes since I am obviously a day late !
ReplyDeleteI listened live and tried to call in to ask you a ton of questions, but no one picked up :-( It's a great show though! Very informative and I learned quite a few things about you and Carrie ;-) The studio discussion make my heart fluffy and warm (yeah, the part that you said that you'd like to remain in the center of the house while everyone is fast asleep... That's so sweet!!!) When you talked about finishing a "simple" portrait in 3-4 hours, I want to yell at you and say that portraits are never never never SIMPLE (to me)!!! LOL I am so jealous of you to be able to whip them out with lightening speed, and make them look so fresh and easy and lively! I know that comes with years of practices and frustrations, so I'm just counting the miles underneath my brush and hoping one day I could do the same...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, a great show and you both sound really savvy! Great work!
The interview was perfect, so professional, no sign of nerves, dry mouth or any hesitation. I was totally impressed, one could be forgiven for believing that you made broadcasts everyday.
ReplyDeleteThe explanations of technical points were made so clear that even I could understand :0)I thought you and Carrie complimented each others performance: each supporting the other.
Really brilliantly done, Crystal. Congratulations!! HUZZAH!
Gorgeous painting, what an expression! xx
ReplyDeleteI really like this portrait of open innocence, Crystal!
ReplyDeleteGreat tale about your "crocodile"!
Your work is amazing! I enjoyed hearing your interview on AHA. You and Carrie were very interesting guests!
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous post. The painting is what we always expect from you ... awesome. The 'crocodile' story is exquisite. But I think painting that Boa is going to be a real challenge ... your brushes will be so tickly I can't see him laying still long enough. ;-)
ReplyDeleteCrystal, you are right about the expression of children, and you really captured it here!
ReplyDeleteLoved your interview on AHA and really appreciated your honest story.
Look at you, selling these wonderful watercolors! Way to go Crystal. I'm going to have to listen to your AHA interview while I paint. It's so great to see your hard work pay off. So encouraging too.
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