Alice Jo in progress

Got the eyes and lips in for initial washes.  Anxious to decide on the background.  Once I do the initial wash on that, I will be able to tell more about the other.  So far, I'm liking the way the newspaper is bleeding through to provide some shadow and depth.  Still don't know about the baton.  I think I will continue with it, and at the end, if it doesn't look right, I'll paint over it.  I love doing these.  This one is 22"x20" on canvas.  Very mixed media.

Alice Jo in progress

     I've gotten the first layer of handmade collage papers down, and the initial wash of gauche for the skin tones.  Trying to decide whether the baton is going to be a distraction.

Alice Jo

"Alice Jo"

Watercolor on 140# Arches Paper

SOLD

     As you know, this was the second version of this beautiful woman, done in watercolor.  After experiencing much frustration with a new paper that just absorbed the color and would not move, I went back to my favorite, Arches, 140#.  This was pure joy.  As I painted I reflected on so many good times as we grew up together.  I thought about the summer swims, the times together at the ranch, all the many, many hours of laughter that we had!  There is one thing about this girl:  she has an ability to see the funny in any situation and keeps you in stitches all the time.  I also look back at the gaping holes in the years that we were disconnected for reason of life happening all around us.  I am thrilled to be connected again, and thrilled that she's my cousin!