It's May! It's Showtime!

Sunday May 19, 9am-5pm is a great day to go to the island!

I am so excited about exhibiting at the Balboa Island Artwalk. With over 100 fine artists and five music stages along a mile of beachfront sidewalk, what could be better? I walked through the show last year and made up my mind that I was going to participate in 2013, because there was a good group of people, great live music, and friendly artists with fantastic work. 

I'd love to see you there to help me kick off my first year! Plus, I will be offering fine prints and greeting cards along with my original paintings. And I will have my easel set up to paint animal portraits, so if you have a great picture of your furry friend, please send it to me. Oh, and you'll find me between Onyx Avenue and Amethyst Avenue on Sunday the 19th. Here's the link to the Balboa Island Artwalk for details like where to park.

You are the best!

Alice Leggett 

Couch Grouch

Mr. Tuxedo, suddenly awakened from his nap for a photo shoot! 8x10 original oil on panel, $250

There he was, all cozy on the back of the couch, and wham! There's a camera in his face. "Poor guy," my husband would say. He totally identifies with Tux. Hey, it's for art's sake!

All kidding aside, I was interested in creating a limited palette painting using four colors and white. I used Cadmium Orange, Alizarin Crimson, Phthalo Blue and Phthalo Green. It was really fun to see how the colors combined and created a split complementary color scheme.

Snuggly Kittens

"Snuggly Kittens" 5x7 original oil on panel $175

Love is a warm kitten! I couldn't resist these little cuties. I've been going through my photo archives, and these kittens lived with us quite a while ago. I'm thinking, this would be a good image for Valentine's Day (coming soon), so I will be offering greeting cards of this image as soon as the paint dries! It's also perfect for my business, Leggett Portraits "From Heart to Art." OK, don't get me started...

For now, it's back to the easel!

What's Black, White and Green?

"It's T-Bone the Cat" 6x6 original oil on canvas panel. $150.

A cat on the grass, of course! This is T-Bone, another pet of one of my students. I really enjoyed painting his portrait, and making the most contrast between foreground and background by controlling the values. Of course, I also like the challenge of making furry edges.

Thanks to all of you who have made nice comments on my blog. Feel free to share the link if you like any of my paintings. I love this 30 paintings in 30 days group challenge - it's a great variety of subjects and media, and browsing through the blogs is really inspirational. I've learned so much already.

Play With Me?

"Play with Me?" 6x6 original oil on panel $150

Just throw the ball, OK?

I enjoyed painting this shepherd with the strong light contrast. I started the painting as a demo for my art students this morning and finished it in the studio this afternoon. The dog had belonged to one of my students years ago, and she brought the photo in for my challenge.

I really like painting these quick little paintings as often as possible. Every day is a great challenge, but so far I can do three or four a week. Teaching four classes a week may have something to do with it!

Thanks for taking a look - with an artist's eye ...

The Calico Tree

"Calico Tree" 6"x6" original oil on panel $150.

Find a comfortable tree and take a catnap - sounds good to me! I enjoyed painting this relaxing scene, and I actually stayed awake (thanks to a hot cup of tea). I do paint better that way.

Trying new techniques and different color schemes is good exercise. I premixed the colors, although I found I did need more contrast halfway through. I didn't want the kitty to totally disappear in the tree, and the photo reference was all neutral colors. Starting with a big flat brush loaded with lots of paint, I worked from background to foreground, ending up with my small flat, filbert and round. I like Rosemary and Co's Ivory line of brushes.

I'd love to paint your favorite feline or canine in a cute pose (no obligation). Send me a photo!

Cats-in-the-Box

"Ebony and Ivory" 6x8 original oil on canvas panel, $175

These two cuddly kitties look so happy curled up in a box! I enjoyed painting them. It's been a cold day in southern California, so it was nice to curl up with my brushes and paints in my studio, plug the music in my ears, and get to work.

I haven't been keeping up with the painting every day thing very well, but I am learning a lot about my thought process and how I schedule my time. I am seeing where I need improvement - like, put the painting first and the computer second! Right?