Keeping Watch Through the Storm: Oil on 12″ x 16″ Panel

Keeping Watch Through the Storm: Oil on 12″ x 16″ Panel by artist V.W., 2021

This is a painting I began a couple of years ago. I did exhibit this at a few locations and decided to put it away in my personal collection. I liked how the textures came out as well as the movement of the water–there is so much going on! I was thinking of adding a boat or a ship in the distance and may still decide to this in the future. I have a couple of shows next year, so may decide to put this in one of them.

I wanted to challenge myself to paint more abstractly, but still remain representational. I also wanted to contrast beauty and chaos. In times like these, especially, I think it is always important to remember that things are constantly moving and shifting around us and not to get lost in the negative aspects of life or get caught up in the wave of politics and ideologies. There is beauty in accepting the impermanence of nature and our state of being, and there is freedom in letting go of our negative past, feelings, and thoughts. Although impermanence seems like a scary word, there is permanence and objectivity in ideas like beauty, which means that there is always a permanent light that can be found even in the midst of a storm.

I am currently in the process of painting another storm on canvas. This one will be slightly different. Will post the finished piece once completed.

See more: www.vanessawithun.com

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By The River: Oil on Canvas

By the River: Oil on 12″ x 16″ Canvas by artist V.W.

I wanted to paint something more impressionistic, sort of Monet-like with a touch of William Turner. I tried to keep things loose and flowy in this landscape.

See More: http://www.vanessawithun.com

Art Show and New Painting!

Hope everyone who celebrates had a happy Thanksgiving. Like many of you, I am looking forward to the continuation of the holidays! My solo show in Savannah was a success. Some of my paintings found homes.

Since I have not posted a painting in a while, I will post this one I am currently working on…

I didn’t know how realistic I wanted this to be, but I wanted to tease the viewer somewhat. Would love to hear your thoughts. What do you think of when you see a rose, specifically a yellow rose? Most people think of pink or red when you say the word rose.

Yellow Rose: Oil on 10″ x 8″ Canvas by Vanessa Withun

Keep Watch: Oil on 24″ x 24″ Wood Panel

Keep Watch: Oil on 24″ x 24″ Wood Panel, by V.W.

This is a painting a began about a year ago. I decided to put it away and sort of forgot about it until recently. I remember being unsure about it back then, but there were elements I really liked. I painted this from my imagination. Today, I decided to add some touches to it to bring out the contrast and color. I also used a different medium back then, so I don’t want to do too much to change the effect of the old medium which consisted of a special old masters blend. Wood panels have been one of my favorite surfaces, besides linen, to work on.

See more: www.vanessawithun.com

Standing Tall: Oil on 16″ x 14″ Canvas

Standing Tall: Oil on 16″ x 14″ Canvas by V.W.

www.vanessawithun.com

AOC Virtual Art Show and Throwback!

Happy to have some of my pieces displayed in this virtual art show with other talented artists:

Click here to view my selected pieces: https://artsonthecoast.org/withun

I also decided to feature one of my older paintings from 2018. I am very passionate about the ecosystem especially since I live in a coastal area. This one was displayed at the Garibaldi Museum in Oregon for an art show dedicated to the coastal areas around the United States.

Untouchable: Oil on 12″ x 9″ Linen Panel

Oil on 12″ x 9″ Linen

This painting is based on a beautiful photo taken by my husband. I was present when he took it, so I was able to absorb some of the scenery. I added my own touch, of course. I asked people on FB and Instagram to give me a name suggestion, and someone suggested the name “untouchable.” I really liked the touch of irony in the name as I attempt to draw you in with the textures.

My reflection for this painting is to continue to pursue what makes you happy!

I’ve gotten asked several times by people why do I paint given my background. Honestly, I don’t have a good answer. I was in the Army, have gone to nursing school, and hold two bachelor degrees, but I chose to pursue art out of the many things I could have done. I think art was always in me. I had several relatives that were artist, and my uncle is a well know graffiti artist (No it’s not Banksy!). I grew up in Bronx, NY in what you would consider a “rough” area with a single mom, and was able to get through college on my own. It wasn’t until later in life that I began to draw. It took a couple of years to call myself artist, but five years into my art journey, here I am doing this and with no compulsions to quit. I hope that my art and words inspire someone to not give up, and to pursue what makes them happy despite what others think.

This painting and a few others are now available for sale on my website. Simply click and scroll down to the painting: https://vanessawithun.com/

Through Hills in Tuscany (Commission) 20″ x 40″ Canvas

This painting took me over a month to complete and is one of the largest I have painted thus far! I was able to get some progress shots, which I frequently forget to do.

Progress shot 1: Here I applied a coat of Gesso and toned the canvas.

Progress 1

Progress Shot 2:

I did the initial block in and filled in the “overall” color, or main color of each sections. Here I made sure to keep the back light and cool. Of course this looks like it could be a painting on its own, but the person wanted more Realism.

Progress 2

Here is more work after adding in more details. I wanted to make sure that one could see where the sunlight was coming from. I also began focusing on the shadows and various textures of the vegetation.

Progress 3

Overall, I enjoyed painting this landscape and I am looking forward to this being in its future location at a school in my city.

Beholding: Oil on 16″ x 14″ Canvas

Happy to announce that this painting along with several others will be in Jacksonville’s Vision for Art show in Jacksonville, FL.

www.vanessawithun.com

Standing Still: Oil on 12″ x 9″ panel

I wanted to bring out the light coming from behind the distant cloud. I’ve been painting clouds, skies, and water for a while now, and I feel like I’m still learning. There is so much to explore when it comes to color.

www.vanessawithun.com

Insta: @v.w._art

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