Revealing myself

Eileen Claire · 05-31-2004, 10:25 PM

Hi! Allan posted asking new members to step forward, so here I am! I'm 42 years old, married with 3 daughters. I've come somewhat late in life to the art world. I started doing portraits in graphite 6 years ago. Prior to that, I was a stick figure drawer. Six months ago, I started with oil pastels and love them. So far I have done portraits of my children and friends' children. I work mostly from photographs, but the older children have been able to sit for me for short periods towards the end. I've been lurking here and learning a lot! Attached is one of my oil pastel portraits (mind you, this is before I learned how to take good reference photos!).

Garth Herrick · 05-31-2004, 10:36 PM

Eileen,

Welcome! You certainly have some mastery of the medium. I had to read down to the end of your post before I realized that I wasn't looking at the original photograph here!

Please share more of your work when you get the chance.

Thanks,

Garth

By the way, is Pennsylvania somewhere near Philadelphia?

Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco · 06-01-2004, 04:53 AM

Welcome, Eileen.

This is a very good work; even if the photo wasn't that good, still you managed such a big smile without it looking grotesque or weird, which sometimes happens when the facial expressions are very accentuated.

I hope we'll see more from you,
Ilaria (also newcomer)

Allan Rahbek · 06-01-2004, 11:14 AM

Welcome Eileen.

Thank you for responding on the appeal. It was not that hard, was it?

The next steps are easier. You just comment on something the way you feel like, and you will find that it is a fantastic way of learning, because when you have posted, you will think it over again and again, and get to a deeper understanding of the things you work with.

I like your oil pastel. Your handling of volume and drawing is superb, and I believe that you will benefit a lot by getting involved in this forum.

Allan

Eileen Claire · 06-01-2004, 09:23 PM

Thanks for the welcome Garth, Ilaria and Allan!

Garth, I live about 30 minutes from Philadelphia. I was born and raised there, and taught elementary school with the Philadelphia School District for six years. It's good to see another Philadelphian here!

I'm trying to get away from the photo realistic look. For me, this is not easy to do, but I'm working on it.

Ilaria, thanks for your kind words. I believe I have seen some of your lovely portraits on WetCanvas. I'm glad to see you here as well!

Allan, thanks for starting your thread asking newcomers to introduce themselves. I believe I would still be an invisible lurker if not for that. Thanks for your encouraging words!