"Quietude"

"Quietude"  Mixed Media (18" x 24"),  C. Eastwood © 2017

Quietude -- the state of being quiet; tranquillity; calmness; stillness; quiet.

Sometimes you design a painting with a specific message or theme from the beginning sketches.  And other times there is a painting hidden within, waiting to be discovered.  You might be surprised to know that there are actually about 15 layers to this particular painting.  And it took all 15 before she was ready to make herself known.

Molly

"Molly"  (Watercolor  8"x10")  C. Eastwood, ©2016

I am so grateful to a friend's niece who gave me permission to use this photo she had taken.  Molly is a lovely young woman whose smile just radiates the joy and loveliness within.

Speak No Evil

"Speak No Evil"  (Acrylic Mixed Media, 12" x 12")  C. Eastwood, © 2015

For some time now, I've been increasingly dismayed (which might not be a strong enough word) at the level of vitriol we hear from our leaders, at the bullying we hear expressed on social media, and at the general loss of kindness in our dealings with one another.  And maybe that's why I've been so taken this week with the coverage of Pope Francis' visit to the United States.  For the last four days, we've been treated to stories centering around images of joy, acts of kindness, and people behaving well.  Whether or not you are a Catholic, there is something about this man of God -- and I believe it starts with love. He's urged us to be better versions of ourselves, and that is what's behind this painting -- Speak No Evil.

Small words, once uttered, are out there, and they grow.  As the painting came into being, and the face emerged, I realized there was no mouth -- thereby giving this painting its name.

So I offer this to you.  I hope you enjoy it.

Unexpected Angel

"Unexpected Angel"  (Acrylic Mixed Media)  C. Eastwood, ©2015

This is one of those paintings that was a surprise all the way around.  I was actually in the midst of painting another series when this one decided it needed to come forward.  I fought it for a couple of days, but then gave up and began the background.  Interestingly, I was intending to paint sunflowers—right up until I flipped the canvas onto a different edge and noticed that there was an angel in it.  The wings were left without an outline to represent the idea that angels are not always immediately visible or recognized as such.  

This painting made me realize that we generally don’t expect angels in our lives—even though I believe that God puts them around us.  Sometimes they’re disguised as friends, sometimes as strangers.  Upon occasion we will have the opportunity to be an angel to someone else.  I hope that each one of you meets your own Unexpected Angel from time-to-time, and that you are blessed in that encounter.

The Goddess Within

"The Goddess Within"  (Acrylic Mixed Media, 16" x 20")  C. Eastwood, © 2015

Still experimenting with the new techniques I learned in my last class.  This is an absolute departure from my usual style of painting and I found myself fighting it at first.  I could see the person trying to come out, but she was so stylized and unlike my usual portrait-work.  But the painting would not be denied, and once I decided to just let it go and see where it went, she came out of hiding.

I was thinking how -- much like this painting -- we hold preconceived ideas of how we should look. As women, we are so unkind to ourselves whether it be our looks or our accomplishments (or lack thereof).  We can be terribly harsh critics.  (You should have heard my internal dialog as I was struggling with this painting at the beginning!!) So this is in tribute to each woman -- whatever her stage of life -- and the hope that she will accept and know she is precious just as she is.

Woman in Scarf

"Woman in Scarf"  (Watercolor), C. Eastwood © 2014

I don't usually post a picture before I'm sure it's completed -- but I was so pleased with the results so far (and I haven't decided if I want to mess with it or not) that I wanted to put this one up.  (The poor lady doesn't even have a name yet.)  I just finished taking a three-day workshop with Fealing Lin @ Catalyst and this is from the class.  It's such a major departure in style for me.  I really like the effect and will try to incorporate more of what I learned as I go forward.  I hope you enjoy.

UPDATE:  So I decided she was done and she is simply, "Woman in Scarf."   And I still hope you enjoy!  Mar. 8, 2015

It Takes Two

"It Takes Two"  (Watercolor)  C. Eastwood, © 2014

For whatever reason -- maybe it's all the dancing shows on television -- I had a desire to try painting a couple dancing.  And if I'm going to paint two people, well, it almost has to be the tango, n'est-ce pas?  I'm trying some new techniques with this painting, allowing the shadows to have sharp edges (something I don't generally do).  It was definitely an interesting exercise since there were two people and I not only had to get each one sketched in a fashion that made sense and was recognizable, but they also had to relate to one another in size.  (It's good to challenge yourself!!)  I hope you enjoy it.

(detail)

Seeing Blue

Detail from "Seeing Blue" (Watercolor)   C. Eastwood  © 2014

Okay -- the final assignment -- and I do mean final.  We were charged with doing a self-portrait (eek!) and I decided that since I've been so liberal in adding odd colors to other portraits that I've done it was only fitting and proper that I treat myself the same way.  I'm not one of those people who naturally smiles when a camera is aimed at them, but I had no idea I would look sad.  I really wasn't, I was simply contemplating the fact that it's time for me to leap out of the nest and the safety of painting class and try doing something with all of this.  That's not to say that I won't take other classes...it's just time to "graduate" and move on.  So maybe what that look was is wistfulness.  It's been fun.  The best part has been the people with whom I've painted and become friends.  So here it is ... a self-portrait of the artist.

"Seeing Blue"  (Watercolor)  C, Eastwood © 2014

Little Red Riding Hood

"Little Red Riding Hood" (Watercolor),  C. Eastwood, © 2014

L

ittle Red Riding Hood hurried through the woods toward her grandmother’s house.  She was frightened by the villagers’ stories of the big bad wolf who lived in the dark forest. 

More experimenting in our class to learn how we might use watercolor in applications other than simply a painting to be hung on a wall.  This time we were to take a children's story and work through concept sketches and color scheme experimentation, with a final product of an illustration and the text it might accompany.  We were also challenged to so something "different" with the story -- to provide a "twist."  I decided to use the negative space painting technique to create the suggestion of a forest with Grandma's house in the distance.  And my "twist?" --  Little Red Riding Hood is no longer blond-haired and blue-eyed like the illustrations I remember from my childhood, but a young woman of color.  I wanted to try updating this story to a "modern" version that might appeal to children of all ethnicities.

Sourdough

"Sourdough"  (Watercolor),  C. Eastwood  © 2013

It's "finals" week and this is my last painting -- excluding the one I'll probably start in class after the critique is over.  At least that's the plan.  We were given the option to paint a still life or to choose our own subject.  I just loved this guy's face -- so much character.  So I decided that since I hadn't done any portraits this semester, it might be fun to try one and make sure I hadn't forgotten how.  I really don't know for certain that he's a prospector -- but he looked like he just might be.

Giving Thanks

"Giving Thanks"  (Mixed Media)  © C. Eastwood, 2013

This has literally been a labor of love as it was painted for a member of my new extended family.  These are her boys and she's the photographer.  It was lots of fun layering in color and texture.  She wanted "mixed media" and boy did she get it with this one.  I've never tried layering canvases before, but it worked and it was really fun to see this come together and match what I had visualized as a completed piece.

Innocence II

"Innocence II"  (Mixed Media)  C. Eastwood, 2013

Well, as promised when I posted "Innocence" (watercolor), I've tried the same painting in mixed media.  The results (especially in the texture) are quite different and it's been an interesting process.  I've never duplicated one of my paintings before -- so this was an experiment on several levels.  I'm not sure which one I like better because they're so very different.  But seeing them side-by-side on the easel is fascinating (at least to me!).

Innocence

"Innocence"  (Watercolor)  C. Eastwood, ©2013

Well, class is out (all except for the final critique) and I'm still painting!  Actually, this is the first half of a two-part experiment in which I will paint the same subject in a mixed media.  I thought it would be interesting to compare the two results, and I just love the subject matter.  So stay tuned for the second half.

Aboriginal Mother and Child

"Aboriginal Mother and Child"  (Watercolor)  C. Eastwood

Decided to try something really different with this painting, moving away from just the face to the entire body.  I'm not sure I did justice to the skin tones, but it was an interesting exercise and I stretched myself with this one...which, when all is said and done, is the point of being in a class.

Le Jazz

"Le Jazz"  (Watercolor)  C. Eastwood, © 2013

Still playing around with people, although this time I decided to go for more than just faces.  I found a marvelous photo of a group of musicians playing at night at an outdoor cafe in Paris and decided to adapt it.  And of course, you just know that they're playing jazz.

Guadalupe

"Guadalupe"  (Watercolor)  © C. Eastwood, 2013

This painting is based on a small black and white photo of a friend's grandmother as a young woman.  In the original photo, Guadalupe is surrounded by four beautiful children.  When I saw it, I asked if I might use the photo as a basis for a painting.  Permission was graciously granted...and here she is.  She's just so regal looking.

Girl in White Blouse

"Girl in White Blouse"  (Watercolor)   C. Eastwood, ©2013

Continuing on in my quest to improve painting faces during this Spring semester.  I'm hopeful we'll get to stay with the portraits, although the instructor was making some noises about painting sandwiches next.  (?!?)  Something to do with textural changes and what have you.  We just think she's hungry and is focusing on food since class starts during the lunch hour -- but who knows; I guess we'll find out.

Washington Weary

"Washington Weary"  (Watercolor)  C. Eastwood, 2013

I thought it was about time to try doing another male face.  It's interesting to see the differences in facial structure and proportions compared to painting a woman's face.  Anyway -- here it is. 

Ethel as a Young Woman

"Ethel as a Young Woman"  (Watercolor)  C. Eastwood, 2013

This one is special for me.  It's my grandmother, Ethel Turner (the original ET!).  My instructor suggested I go ahead and try for a monochromatic sepia-tone since it's an old photo.  I'll probably need to revisit this at some point and try to get the likeness better, but it was fun to work on.  Since I never knew her other than as my sweet (but very old) grandmother, I like to think she'd be pleased that the first picture I've tried is a significantly younger version. 

Shared Sorrow

"Shared Sorrow"  (Watercolor)  C. Eastwood, 2013

This is the second painting I did in class the other day after completing "Blue Eyes."  It's based on a tiny photo that I found in a magazine and it just really captured my imagination.  I call it "Shared Sorrow," and for me it celebrates wonderful friends who come along side for support when the going gets tough.