Tag: inspire

Apples Study: Oil on 11″ x 14″ Panel

Posted on by Vanessa Withun
Apples Study: Oil on 11″ x 14″ Panel by Artist V.W., 2021

I hope everyone is enjoying their holidays! As the year is coming to a close, I wanted to reflect on the blessings experienced this year despite all of the negative things happening throughout the world. I am grateful for my health, family, and home. I also am thankful for all of the opportunities granted to me this year and the coming year. I think it is important to remind ourselves daily that many of the things we have are blessings and luxuries instead of focusing on what we don’t have and need. Having something as simple as clean water and food is a blessing.

This will be my last painting for the year and will be taking a break until next week or so. I painted this from life in alla prima (wet-on-wet). I will be posting a full demo of my still life in the near future. I wish everyone a safe and blessed Happy New Year!

www.vanessawithun.com

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

Posted on by Vanessa Withun

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

Fruits and Teapot: Acrylic on 16″ x 16″ Canvas

Posted on by Vanessa Withun

I have not painted with a acrylic for some time. I really like how expressive I can be because of the quick drying time. I also love the vivid colors. It is certainly different from oil which leaves a more delicate finish. I was wanting to do something bold and fun.

http://www.vanessawithun.com

Memories: Oil on 16″ x 20″ Linen

Posted on by Vanessa Withun
Recuerdos: Oil on 16″ x 20″ Linen

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.

For inquiries: http://www.vanessawithun.com

Peering Through the Trees: Oil on 18″ x 20″ Canvas

Posted on by Vanessa Withun
Peering Through the Trees: Oil on 18″ x 20″ Canvas

I’m fortunate enough to have a tiny preserve right behind my backyard. I decided to paint the wetland area. This is on 18″ x 20″ Canvas. I can’t wait to more studies like this. I feel as an artist we shouldn’t get lost painting what others want us to paint or what society tells us is appropriate to paint in order to get noticed. In a time where people’s ideas are so heavily influenced my social media and identity politics, it is important that we remain honest with ourselves. These are things that should inspire us naturally. It has always been about aesthetics first no matter who or what I paint. The rest is always left to interpretation.

Art Show and New Painting!

Posted on by Vanessa Withun

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

Posted on by Vanessa Withun
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