Charmaine-What's Your Story?

"Charmaine"

"Charmaine"- Tell us your story

1920's Girls at the Beach

She began from the picture above.  Looking for African American women of the 1920's, I found this photo.  The girl in the middle struck me as just the right "Lady" for my FIRST woman of color.

Paper Sketch - I planned on adding the umbrella with flowers on it

Here is the first rendering on canvas.  As with all my women, I begin with the face.  See how her features changed from the paper sketch? Also, the umbrella didn't work for me. Many layers of different shades of brown were laid down until they gelled into the appropriate color.  Her hair grew into a more contemporary style.

Once her face was pretty well established, I worked on the hair adding fly away pieces and light colors to achieve contrast.   The next challenge was what to put behind her.  Two arcs surrounded her head and flowers and large leaves were added. The light part of the big leaves is a green metallic.  You can see the beginning of one on the top right.  I also added a mustard background.

More flowers and vines, details to her coat and hat (some of which I copied from the photo), makeup, and more metallic to the mustard background plus veins of green.

She will soon be debuting on my website along with her very own note card.  I'll keep you posted and thanks for allowing me to introduce you to "Charmaine"! 

Daisy, How Did You Grow?

"Daisy"

"Daisy",  tell us your beginnings...

THE SKETCH-notice, "Daisy out and about"  Even in the beginning she was exploring.

Louise Brooks

Several of my "Ladies" are infuenced by the adorable Louise Brooks, pictured above.  She was a 1920's dancer and silent film star.  Read more about her at  http://pandorasbox.com/

I love British mystery books.  "Daisy" was influenced by the character Daisy from the Daisy Dalrymple mysteries written by Carola Dunn.http://caroladunn.weebly.com/daisy-dalrymple-mysteries.html.  The character has a friend named Sakira who gives her a scarf as a present.  Hence, my "Daisy" gets one to wrap up in.

It can be quite a jump from the sketch to the canvas.  "Daisy" took a good long jump from commanding the paper in the sketch to shrinking (poor girl) when she landed onto the canvas.  So, what would be around her?

Rolling hills, sky and clouds, farmhouse, road, and trees.   The flowers were the last to be painted.  I needed new colors at the bottom and ones that would POP!  I don't always know what colors will work, but thankfully with acrylic paint (which dries quickly), I can always make a correction.  I am happy with the selection and they fill in quite nicely giving more depth to the painting.

Here is the finished "Daisy" 

As I am sure you would like to know the story behind the woman,  please amble on over to my website.  Click on "Portfolios" "Note Cards" and you will find "Daisy" and her prose. http://artistfascia.com.  Her blank note card is lovely to send to a friend-know anyone who "Daisy" reminds you of? She's also available on the original canvas and in print (plug, plug).