HERBS AND SPICES By Cecelia Lyden

oil on stretched canvas
22x28

This brick building, bright red in the brilliant sunshine, is the home to The Rosemary House, a fresh herb and spice business that has been in Mechanicsburg, on the same street for decades. I painted this from a photo I took around the 80's. I loved the warm color of the brick and the arched passageway, which reminded me so much of the brick arched passageways in many Dutch genre paintings.

OTHER PAINTINGS DONE THIS SUMMER

HOT, HAZY VISTA

oil on stretched canvas

8x10

The weather forecast called for warm temperatures in the 90's. Our group was heading out for the Dickinson College Farm in Boiling Springs. I was a little relunctant to go because, I imagined myself sitting in a sun drenched field with no shade, inhaling ripe farm aromas and swatting buzzing insects. Thes are not the pleasures of plein air painting, but I had not been out much this month, so I dressed in white, light-weight clothing, and armed myself with a really high number sun lotion, a can of deep woods"bug spray and bottled water.

When I arrived, I noticed that Claire had on heavy jeans. I learned that she was trying to protect herself from ticks and poison ivy. I was tempted to bolt. I am highly susceptible to poison ivy and the thought of a tick boring itself in my leg grossed me out.

I stayed and we drove our cars up a bumpy, narrow tractor path to get a better view of the beautiful mountains, tilled fields and trees.

We found a perfect spot in the shade overlooking the fields and mountains. The serene setting coupled with a gentle breeze that kept us comfortable for nearly 3 hours made this a very pleasant paintout. I was working on a small canvas, so by the time the sun found me, I was ready to leave. I packed up everything, climbed in my air-condtioned car and drove home.

COMMISSIONED PORTRAIT

oil on linen

11x14

This is the first portrait I've been commissioned to do in forty years. It was done from an excellent photograph by the toddler's aunt. I enlarged the photo and "gridded" it. The enlarging and gridding distorted the photo a bit, but it still kept me on track and helped with placement of the features, colors, values, etc.

Besides rendering a decent likeness, I was concerned with depicting a soft, baby-like skin and complexion. I wanted to show some sculptural forms and planes without harsh lines or strong contrasts. I vividly recalled the paintings of early artists, whose children have elderly heads on childlike bodies.

I worked long and hard on achieving this baby look, making constant observations and corrections. Even when I thought I had finished, I kept looking at the painting on the easel, hoping I would not see another area for improvement. I kept noticing other faults. I even got up at 4 A.M. one morning to check on something and started painting again. I derided myself for obsessing and finally turned the easel around so I could not see the painting.

As soon as it dries, I'll bring it to the gallery, and hopefully, the aunt will like it.

6 Comments

Debra Kreiger said...
Awesome Cecelia! You've captured the wonderful innocence of youth.

June 18, 2011 10:11 AM

Taryn Day said...
You did a really nice job! Wonderful expression and very youthful!

June 18, 2011 11:54 AM

Bertie Brown said...
I think you have achieved your goals..your client should be well pleased!

June 18, 2011 3:24 PM

AutumnLeaves said...
This is absolutely stunning and that is one gorgeous little man!

June 19, 2011 8:11 AM

Claire Beadon Carnell said...
You've done a phenomenal job on this, Cecelia! Please let us know the response of your client - I know they are going to LOVE it.

June 19, 2011 8:36 PM

Ron Donoughe said...
Yes, very warm and sincere. Nice job. I liked how you described getting it right.

June 20, 2011 1:08 PM



[

STAGE THREE

I have added some acrylic underpainting--need to adjust the eyes

--am waiting for some new oils to arrive--

SECOND STAGE

I'm starting to add an acrylic underpainting. The painting will be finished in oils, but acrylics are more accommodating in these initial stages, because they dry rapidily and corrections can be made immediately. I still have drawing adjustments to make
.

THE BEGINNINGS

Today I started a commissioned portrait of an adorable 18 month old boy. I began by copying the photo I will be working from, printing and gridding it to ensure the right proportions and placement on the canvas. I always find things that need correcting when I photograph and view my work on the computer. It's all a part of studying your work in progress in different ways --looking at it upside down or in the mirror--just unusual ways to really see your work. There is still much correcting and drawing to do on this, before I begin painting it.