I am thrilled to announce that my artwork, "Sun-Kissed Morning" has been selected by the jury for the International Guild of Realism's Fall Salon International Online Exhibition. It is a great honor to be included among such talented artists from around the world. I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the jury for this incredible opportunity. I would also like to congratulate all the other finalists on their outstanding achievements.
A Privileged Journey: Painting for the Louisiana Department of Military
As an artist, there are certain opportunities that come along, that I cherish. One such opportunity presented itself to me when I was given the chance to paint a portrait of CMS Dennis Sapp for the Louisiana National Guard’s Hall of Fame. I consider it a humbling honor to capture the essence of any individual deserving of such a recognition.
From the moment I received the invitation to create this portrait, I knew I was embarking on a special endeavor. The Louisiana Department of Military's Hall of Fame is a place where the bravery, dedication, and achievements of remarkable individuals are commemorated. To be entrusted with the responsibility of immortalizing one such individual through art is a tremendous privilege.
Throughout the entire process, from initial discussions to the final brushstroke, I relished every moment. This opportunity allowed me to dive deep into the subject's story, gathering insights and understanding their unique essence, his character, his service to our country. My hope was to capture the spirit and nature of the person being honored.
As an artist, my goal is to always create a portrait that goes beyond mere technical replication. I’d like portray the character of each individual in a unique way. Every brushstroke was executed with utmost care. It was an endeavor that demanded attention to detail, thoughts were given to how bold a color’s hue and chroma should be, what areas should receive more dominance and what places should not.
As the portrait took shape, I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride in contributing to the well-deserved recognition of CMS Sapp. The Hall of Fame serves as a testament to the dedication and sacrifice of extraordinary individuals who have made a lasting impact on the military community. It is an honor to be part of this legacy, using my artistic skills to ensure that their stories are celebrated for generations to come.
As an artist, I am grateful for the trust bestowed upon me and for the chance to play a small role in preserving the stories of those who have dedicated their lives to the service of others.
To learn more about CMS Dennis Sapp
click here: CMS SAPP
Unveiling the Timeless Beauty: Capturing Realism in Oil Painted Portraits
Welcome to the enchanting world of realism in oil painted portraits! There's something truly mesmerizing about the way these masterpieces capture the essence of their subjects, bringing them to life on canvas. In this article, we'll embark on a casual and friendly exploration of the techniques, allure, and timeless beauty that realism in oil painted portraits holds. So, grab your favorite brush and let's dive into this artistic journey together.
The Art of Realism: A Brief Overview
Realism in art is all about representing subjects in a truthful and lifelike manner. It aims to capture the intricate details, textures, and nuances that make the subject come alive on canvas. When it comes to portraits, realism allows the artist to depict the subject in a way that feels tangible and authentic. From the gentle wrinkles around the eyes to the play of light on the skin, each element contributes to the overall realism of the portrait.
The Allure of Oil Paint: Enhancing Realism
One of the reasons why oil paint is widely favored for realistic portraits is its unique ability to capture texture and depth. The slow-drying nature of oil paint allows artists to blend and layer colors, achieving a smooth and seamless transition of tones. The richness and luminosity of oil paint add a captivating vibrancy to the portraits, enhancing the realism and making them truly come to life.
I still remember the first time I dipped my brush into a palette of oil paint. The creamy consistency glided effortlessly across the canvas, allowing me to build up layers and capture the subtle nuances of the subject's features. The richness of the colors and the depth I could achieve with oil paint ignited a passion within me for creating realistic portraits.
Technique Matters: Mastering Realistic Portraits
To create realistic portraits, artists need to master various techniques. Observation and attention to detail play a vital role in capturing the subject's likeness accurately. Studying the subtle variations in skin tones, the way light falls on the face, and the delicate interplay of shadows helps to create a convincing portrayal.
Layering is another technique that artists use to achieve realism. By building up multiple thin layers of paint, they can create depth and texture, replicating the intricacies of the subject's skin, hair, and clothing. It requires patience and precision, but the result is a portrait that feels almost three-dimensional.
I vividly recall the challenges I faced when I started my journey into realism. Trying to capture the delicate lines and tiny details was no easy feat. However, with practice and perseverance, I discovered that each stroke brought me closer to my goal of creating lifelike portraits that resonated with viewers.
Connecting with the Subject: Portraying Emotion
Beyond capturing physical likeness, realism in portraits strives to convey the subject's emotions and inner essence. A genuine emotional connection with the subject is crucial for infusing the artwork with life and personality. The subtle facial expressions, the sparkle in the eyes, and the posture of the body all contribute to portraying the subject's unique character.
I remember a portrait I painted of an elderly woman. As I spent time with her, listening to her stories and getting to know her, a bond formed. In every brushstroke, I aimed to capture not just her physical features but also the wisdom and strength that radiated from her. The result was a portrait that went beyond a mere likeness—it conveyed the essence of her spirit.
Light and Shadow: Enhancing Realism through Contrast
The interplay of light and shadow is crucial in achieving a realistic portrayal. Understanding how light falls on different surfaces and creates highlights and shadows brings depth and dimension to the portrait. With contrast of values, the illusion of depth begins to take place. The goal is to transform a two dimensional canvas into something that seems to have a 3 dimensional character.
Keys to lasting connections
Good human relationships are built on a foundation of love, trust, and understanding. In this article, we explore the key elements that contribute to strong and lasting connections between individuals.
Communication: Effective communication forms the bedrock of healthy relationships. It involves active listening, expressing oneself honestly, and fostering open dialogue to build understanding and resolve conflicts.
Trust and Respect: Good relationships thrive on mutual trust and respect. It means honoring boundaries, being reliable, and showing genuine care and support for one another.
Empathy and Compassion: Understanding and empathy create an atmosphere of compassion and emotional support. Being able to empathize with the experiences and emotions of others fosters deeper connections and strengthens bonds.
Good human relationships are nurtured through effective communication, trust, respect, empathy, and compassion. By cultivating these qualities, we create a foundation for meaningful and fulfilling connections that enrich our lives and bring joy and support to both parties involved. Let us cherish and invest in the elements that make good relationships thrive.
Murphy and Linda's Portrait
Murphy is a kind, easy going guy. I met with him several times at coffee shops as we inspired each other to come up with a portrait that would represent a journey together for him and his wife. The couple have been married since their youth, and they have always had pets that were a part of the family. So it was decided to incorporate of few of these little guys into the image. Typically a portrait will have a much more simplistic background but this painting needed to be more than just their images, it was to represent their story of togetherness.
This was always one of their favorite pictures, so the plan was to make it the central theme of the portrait.
After the painting was about halfway completed, Camille made the decision to use a different photo for Linda because this photograph was challenging to work with, especially when it came to the “details” (they say that the devil can be in the details, yep…art joke)
here are a few images of the progression
drawing and underpainting stage
Putting on a new face
The underpainting helps in determining the values needed in each area.
After spending an enormous amount of time on their portrait, our home caught fire. I waited outdoors for the firemen to arrive. Our entire street was filled with white smoke. Our neighbor said it was so thick she couldn’t see across the street. Several fire trucks came, a few police cars, and the paramedics. You know what they say “if your home was to catch on fire, what would you run in to get?” Yep, I actually had that thought. “MURPHY’S PAINTING!” Then in I ran, but I didn’t have to run through fire, just plenty of smoke. I darted up the stairs when I heard a fireman shout at me. “What do you think you are doing?” I shouted back “I’m trying to save something”. He then yelled out “get out NOW!” So I left (after getting the painting to a safe place.)
Our son and daughter-inlove we so kind to take us in to stay with them while we transitioned into a rental house. I had a makeshift studio in their sunroom. When my grand-darling would get home from daycare, she’d sit on my lap and pretend to paint. (Her brushes did not have paint 😁)
Because of hurricane Ida, the fire and the first and few other hurdles I had to cross…this portrait took longer than usual to deliver to Murphy, but he was graciously patient with me.
I have a video that shows the progression here from beginning to end:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmjJiTXtMsc&t=22s
Hope you enjoy!
Landry Portrait
Commissioned by a son for his Mom. (that makes this one really special)
Girl with the Mardi Gras Beads
Mardi Gras #parades are canceled but #mardigras2021 Nola art is NOT!
I’m keeping the spirit alive with some Vermeer Inspiration.
Nola Arts District Show
Hey everyone, I’m gearing up for a spring show at Gallery 600 on Julia Street, New Orleans in March.
The ART WALK is Saturday, March 6th 4:00-6:00, I hope you can come.
Here’s a sneak peek at a few of the paintings that will be there…
The Soul Awakening
Progression of a painting.
Oil on panel
About this artwork:
The Soul Awakening is about a place that you come to where you become enlightened in some unexplainable way. There is a connection between your spirit and a great force that works for the good in your life and imparts a light in your heart and mind that can not be explained in mere words. Each person goes through a dark time in life, the darkness can engulf you like being sucked into a black hole, but in the midst of the darkness comes a place of growth where your soul is awakened by light. This light could seem very small like a faraway star but nevertheless the light illuminates the darkness around you and brings hope for a brighter tomorrow.
A gift from the heart
I was contacted about creating a very special Christmas gift from Angela to her boyfriend. This famous New Orleans store is on Canal Street, Rubensteins. Canal street has been a hub for shops and markets for over a hundred years. Angel’s boyfriend buys his suits there, as his father did and his grandfather. It’s now a family tradition.
This was a very customized painting, adding in his porsche, a street car & many Christmas decorations.
Progression shown of custom oil painting.
La Department of Military
Oil on a linen canvas
James H Mays
Command Sergeant Major
Louisiana Army National Gaurd
Size 24" x 30"
It can be challenging to show the work in progress. Over two months of work has been condensed into about 2 minutes.
Kylie's Portrait
Minor changes are being made to Kylie, and major changes will be in the background.
Signed, sealed, delivered.
Kylie's photoshoot was done over a year ago, she grew a lot since I last saw her.
Seeing the faces of the family when I deliver a painting is so much fun. I would like my art and my life to brighten the corner of a small place in this world each day. I love painting children, they inspire me with their sweet spirits & purity of heart. May we all become like children with a heart that is pure and full of love to share with others around us.