I’ve always been attracted to the Chiaroscuro style, implementing the use of contrast and atmosphere to capture emotion. It is hard to tell from the picture, but the candle is highly textured to create a 3D -like affect.
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A commission portrait done with charcoal. This will be shipped off next week to a new mom! She is very excited to be receiving this. Capturing innocence is always a challenge.
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/
This painting is based on a recent walk my family and I took to the Jacksonville Arboretum and Gardens. I love the challenge of capturing the algae in the water and was attracted to the way the sunlight hit the various sections of the wetland.
Yesterday evening, my husband and I watched the news and observed how different parts of the world were dealing with the pandemic. I decided, with the spare time we now have, to do this one hour sketch of him with Derwent’s XL Blocks and Generals charcoal pencil. I hope that everyone is safe! Remaining hopeful and positive is the best way to get through this time, and we will!
Spring is just around the corner! 🙂 I know things are looking pretty scary out there with the virus going around! I hope and pray that everyone who is effected by this stays safe! I painted this a few weeks ago, but decided to post it to spread a little joy and hope in a time when there is a lot of negativity going around. Finding joy in the little things around us can keep us focused on what is truly important in life!
I decided to experiment with a palette knife, so lots of heavy textures and bold brush work. I tend work in a very refined and controlled manner, but for this piece, I decided to let go a little bit. This painting, as well as my other pieces will be displayed in a solo-exhibition in Savannah, GA in November! I will post more information about that soon.
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“Look Down,” for me, is about exploring and discovery. It takes on a playful perspective and calls us to see the world in child-like manner. Sometimes we become distracted with our own thoughts and fail to notice the beauty around us. The model for this painting is my daughter, and, of course, she was delighted to hear that it will be featured in a selected group exhibition at Sulfur Studios in Savannah, GA from March 21st to April 6th.
I love working on highly textured surfaces. Lots of scraping and laying on of thick paint involved. I enjoy creating a mural-like scene. I guess a part of me thinks back to my upbringing in Bronx, New York. Since I was a child, I was always interested in murals and the textures around me–bricks, cement, and walls. I loved watching the way old buildings decayed to reveal interesting colors and patterns beneath the surface.
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