Brenda Stichter, artist

Oldest Granddaughter This is a copy cat blog post from my last post. Gotta keep at this project while I feel the inspiration for it! This time, though, I am posting a work in progress. (WIP) I have photos of each of my siblings in easy chairs with their oldest grandchildren sleeping. I LOVE these photos! And since next month's challenge for an art association I am part of is to paint a portrait, I decided it is a great time to get started on Christmas gifts... don't you agree?    This painting is, of course, not for sale, but it is 22" x 30" on 300 lb. Fabriano watercolor paper that has been gesso-ed with lots of texture. I knew that my portraits would not look at all like the one from the demo, which was beautiful, lifelike, and very recognizable. 

Bruce & Liam I have photos of each of my siblings in easy chairs with their oldest grandchildren sleeping. I LOVE these photos! And since next month's challenge for an art association I am part of is to paint a portrait, I decided it is a great time to get started on Christmas gifts... don't you agree?  I think maybe this is the perfect way to end the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge from Leslie Saeta.  This painting is, of course, not for sale, but it is 22" x 30" on 300 lb. Fabriano watercolor paper that has been gesso-ed with lots of texture. I knew that my portraits would not look at all like the one from the demo, which was beautiful, lifelike, and very recognizable.  I will attach a photo of my brother and his grandson so you can see how I did. :) 

Though I am working in my studio today, I cannot help but feel for the brokenhearted people who lost loved ones in yesterday's shooting in Florida. And for our broken country. Today I am posting a detail from a work in progress instead of a finished painting that is for sale.  Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted        and saves the crushed in spirit.

Press On Having been asked to do a sketch for a bulletin board at church, I decided to use the sketch as today's challenge painting. Actually, the theme and verse fit right in with what I have been doing - although the genre and medium are different!  Philippians 3:12 (New American Standard Bible) Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. NFS 5" x 7" marker on marker paper

Bruce & Pups Today I just wanted to post a 'throw back' sketch I did in 1991! This is my husband, and he was playing with pups from our boxer's litter of 11. I have always loved this sketch - and Bruce does too. It hangs in his office.  NFS

'Selfie' With the chance, once again, to spend a bit more time in my studio, I have found myself with several things in the works (so to speak.) One thing I have been doing is preparing the substrates I will be painting on with textured gesso, acrylic additives,  and sometimes background paint. It has been a learning curve, and very enjoyable too.  I had textured this little 6" x 6" canvas with Golden Light Molding Paste, and was uncertain of what I wanted to do with it. WHY I thought I should try a self portrait, I do not know... but I think I like how it is turning out. (I think it might be done, but I am reserving the right to more touch-up... )

Be Mine As you can probably see, I am working ahead a bit. Well, sort of anyway! These will probably be hung either slightly 'mis-aligned' or mixed around. I hope to use them as Valentines for some people I love!  4 acrylic abstracts 6" x 6" panels NFS

Happy Birthday, Lord Jesus!

Workshop 1 Today I am celebrating my birthday (thanks to my WONDERFUL husband) at Art of the Carolinas, and here is a workshop painting. I will be doing 4 workshops, and today was kind of breaking into the workshop genre for me - I have never really done this before! I learned a lot already, and can hardly wait to get home and put it to work! I hope to have things from which I can remember concepts, and techniques, and come up with new works. What a treat it has been! Sorry about the photo quality...  NFS 11" x 16" acrylic on watercolor paper

Jer. 29:11 My post for today is a little painting I did for my daughter... and actually it is a great reminder for all of us.  My daughter has always been the one to try new things, jump in to big challenges, travel to scary places - she loves adventure.  As she is about to graduate from college this year, I want to remind her that it is still a great time to dream big and trust GOD with the details! Jeremiah 29:11  (NASB)  For I know the  plans that I have for you,’ declares the  Lord , ‘plans for  welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a  hope. NFS