Ukraine in Crisis

 What can an artist do??

"KATERYNA"

As the date to do this portrait in acrylics class drew near I was moved to design something to go along with our world in crisis, mainly the Ukraine.  After researching facial features of Ukrainian women a face gradually emerged from my pencil of a woman in Ukrainian native dress and wearing a floral garland.  All designs were taken from historical photos on the internet and so are truly based on authentic Ukrainian attire.

The name "Kateryna" according to a list of Ukrainian names means "Pure." Pure and innocent are those who are being killed, maimed and driven from their free country.  The atrocities that Putin has inflicted upon the Ukrainian people will be revisited by all those who survived for the rest of their lives.

So what could an older, powerless, not-so-well-off artist do to help?  Well one was to recognize the Ukrainian people's plight by designing a work of art to represent their people.  And gradually I came up with the idea of donating the proceeds of this painting to them also.  And so the idea was born.  But wait--I thought, "How can I expand upon that idea?"  So then I came up with publishing it on the internet in hopes that other artists see it, paint it, sell it, and donate the proceeds.

So here is beautiful Kateryna, with instructions below it.  Feel free to improve it, change it, or be inspired by it to do something yourself that will help the people in the Ukraine.  

(Click on Kateryna to enlarge)

Note - Keep mind that these instructions were drafted for a classroom where I explained various techniques of painting in acrylics. Please look up on the internet "scumbling" as that was a common technique used in the final skin layers.  This portrait can also be created in oil, watercolor, pastels, colored pencils, etc.  I used a limited palette and did not name the actual colors as I provided all the supplies and some people in class are not familiar with the actual names of the colors. But following are colors I used or suggest: titanium white, cadmium yellow, cadmium orange, cadmium red light, alizarin crimson, dioxazene purple, ultramarine blue, permanent green light, sap green, burnt umber, burnt sienna, ivory black.

Also, I considered "Kateryna" finished enough for my class, however not finished enough to sell.  In spite of that a student insisted on purchasing it from the class "as is."  So the proceeds will be donated to:

                            Samaritan's Purse

                            P.O. Box 3000

                           Boone, North Carolina 28607

                          Phone - 828-262-1980

If you do decide to paint it yourself, I hope you will donate at least something to either Samaritan's Purse or another charity that is helping the Ukrainian people in their struggle to protect their citizens, help those who have survived, or help them in their fight for their freedom.

(Click on the below instructions to enlarge)

Portrait-ish works since last posting!

 Drama of the past 9 months ...

Covid came, went, and now is back again, with life's joys ebbing along with it.  Friends got it, and my family got it and we all survived, thank God.  And my artlife limped along with it.  With a few shows here and there, there wasn't much inspiration to paint, however posted herein are some portraits that I managed to complete over the long Covid season, and now art seems to be plugging along as we learn to live with this "Elephant in the Room!" 

I would love to share the Octopus I painted for my daughter Robin, however it was copied from someone else's painting and cannot be shown or published anywhere.  The beauty of becoming an artist is that I can copy any wonderful work of art and enjoy it for myself, or give it to family. To own a fairly good painted  copy of a "Master" work is such a privilege.  Any good artist can copy a master, but the composition--now that comes from the master himself!  To me, composition is 75% of a fine work, with draftsmanship being only 25%--although there is a great deal of mystery and magic to the handling of the brush and pigment, which you can only copy from first-hand viewing in a museum. So kindly scroll down and enjoy seeing some of my new portrait-ish works.

DRAGON FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER

"Dragon" Oil painting, 28"x36" by Judy Burgarella

"Dragon" took several months to paint because I hated doing it.  I blocked it in and left it out on our Lanai (porch) to dry and didn't pick up the brush to it for a couple of months.  This was a gift for my granddaughter, who gave me a crumpled-up faded picture of one to inspire me.  After two months her birthday was coming up soon so I HAD to finish it.  Well, when I took it up again and started layering in more detail I realized it was really fun painting from my head and using my own imagination. 

My granddaughter, who went from loving unicorns to overnight loving Harry Potter with all those witches and dragons, much to my chagrin.  She loved her birthday present, and it helped transform her "Unicorn decor" into "HarryPotterville."  I'll do more of these, they're such fun!

SPENSER

"Spenser" was a delight to paint, with that sad-sack cute face!  When I sent it to the client he said I really captured him, and when he came to pick the painting up I got to meet Spenser (and his whole family!) and by gosh it did look just like him.  Painted from a photo with a couple of other references.

"Spenser" Acrylic, 14"x11" (unframed) by Judy Burgarella

ALFRED (FREDDY) HAIR, HIGHWAYMAN ARTIST (1941-1971)

The "Alfred Hair" portrait is part of a series of Highwaymen Artists I plan on painting, a multi-layered project I am working on with my friend Camy DeMario.  We hope to launch this year, but who knows. Crazy times with many distractions.  

Alfred was a very talented Highwayman artist in the 60's who tragically was killed at the age of 30, as his "star" was rising in his type of art form.  "Freddy" lived most of his life in Fort Pierce, Florida, and studied under the famous A. E. (Beany) Backus, a museum of which is named for him and and where his (Beany's) work resides.  Many Highwaymen paintings are also housed in the A. E. Backus Museum and Gallery in Fort Pierce, Florida.  The Highwaymen were a loosely-organized group of black artists who mostly painted colorful Florida landscapes, painted images that depicted the beauty and drama that was Florida back then.  Their work is a visual compilation of the life and beauty of old Florida. 

"Alfred (Freddy) Hair," Highwayman, 14"x11", Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

"Osceola" Acrylic, 12"x12"x1-1/2" by Judy Burgarella

"OSCEOLA" and "OSCEOLA DEATH MASK"

I had been researching Chief Osceola, an historic Florida Indian, ever since moving to Florida 15 years ago.  I have painted him several times, in oil and pastel, sculpted him in clay to bronze, and now painted his image and death mask in acrylics, specifically for a show at Gallery 14 in Vero beach, Florida in the summer of 2021.  

Since he died before the advent of photography, there are scant images of him in sketch and paint, some by artists who hadn't ever met him or seen him.  However there were many written accounts of his appearance, "countenance," demeanor and dress.  He was actually only 1/8 Indian, the rest Scottish, so it is written, and therefor I based my rendition of him on all that I'd read and pictures I'd seen in books.  

Some years ago, at the time I was having a bronze of Osceola caste at the Vero Beach Museum, I came across a mention of his death mask in the New York City Historical Society.  Soon after while visiting relatives in Connecticut, I drove to New York to have a private showing of the death mask, which was in their archives and not on display.  The image of his mask looked different from all the other images I'd seen, however it was probably caste much after his death, after tissue had been drawn downward as liquids settled, possibly changing his appearance.  His death and the process of creating the death mask was very gruesome according to written recounts of his death and subsequent preparation for the cast. His life story, capture and death is a dramatic story, well worth reading.  An admirable, intelligent and powerful leader who deserves far more tribute than he has received to date.  Read the background print closely.

Hope you enjoyed my post.

Judy Burgarella

Blogger

Portrait of Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar

Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar
Painted in Acrylic by Judy Burgarella 14"x11"

Painted in October 2020 to present to Sheriff Loar at our Keeping the Arts Alive art show in Raw Space, Gallery, Vero Beach.   Also presented to the VB Fire Department was my acrylic painting, "Fire," shown below.

"Fire" Acrylic Painting by Judy Burgarella

Mr. Konopacky

A gift for our neighbor and friend
Our neighbor Mike Konopacky lost his dad last year and asked that I do a portrait of him for the family, and here it is ~

Mr. Konopacky, 14"x11", oil on canvas by Judy Burgarella

Mr. Konopacky made it to his 100th birthday, fishing right up until the end in his hometown of Steven's Point, Wisconsin.  He was sharp and feisty, with a good wit.  Rest in peace dear old man.

I only just remembered this painting, so it is out of the order in which it was painted.  During this Covid-19 pandemic, you'd think I would have done lots of paintings.  Don't know where the time went, but it wasn't so bad since we live on a beautiful canal in the sweet town of Sebastian, Florida. 

Will post again when I do something artsy portrait-wise.

Judy Burgarella
blogger

A Gift for H.A.L.O.

So I received an email from Amanda at HALO asking me if I would donate a quick portrait of a pet of one of their donors, as part of a program they have.  Nothing with me is quick, and I didn't know it was for such a small donation to them, however here it is, and perhaps it will bring a little more money in for them.  Here's Henry, a really cute dog.

"Henry" 8" x 10" Watercolor by Judy Burgarella

I haven't done a pet portrait in watercolor in some time, and I really enjoyed this one, although there are so many mistakes in it, each time I went to attach it to send to Amanda I noticed something wrong, and repeated that 3 times.  I found that my fristket had dried up, and dappled sunlight without frisket is very difficult.

While the Covid 19 Corona Virus keeps us all at home, by now I have so many things on my todo list that I will need to be quarantined for another 6 years.  It's been great for my gardens and sewing and painting, but not for my housework.

Enjoy.

Judy Burgarella,
Blogger

Amelia, A Mystery

Every portrait is an adventure into someone else's life, living or dead.  Amelia Earhart was chosen for an Air show that is or was supposed to occur in April at the Vero Beach Airport, but who knows now that the Carona virus has ruined every public gathering from now till ??? But in researching her images online I began reading about her life, and then I started looking for books on her, to know about her experiences, family, thoughts, sins, etc. At first I knew nothing about her, just that she was a pioneer in aviation, and this year being the 100th anniversary of the Suffrage Movement's gaining the right to vote, I thought it would be the perfect time.  Running late as usual, the quickest and easiest medium for me (no drying time) is pastel.  so below is my creation, 14"x11" unframed, 18"x15" framed.

"Amelia" 14"x11" unframed pastel by Judy Burgarella

 What I forgot about was how difficult pastels are to frame.  A professional framer would charge a lot because it is so complicated.  Usually a pastel is framed with a double mat or a mat with a fillet, but I had on hand the perfect 14"x11" frame for it, with no room for a mat.  Very tricky keeping it away from the glass, but I have my tricks, and it looked lovely.  It now is on display at the airport where it's not being viewed anymore with scant travel these days.  Nice journey into her life I had though.


Carel Fabritius

Actually I painted this portrait thinking he was Johannes Vermeer!  However, I was rudely corrected by a curator in the Vero Beach Museum of Art where it hung in a show for months.  How embarrassing to make such a mistake, but this image was all over the internet as having been Vermeer. 

Carel Fabritius (1622-1654), ("Young Man in a Fur Cap, 1654,") was the most innovative of Rembrandt's pupils. He worked under him in Amsterdam during the period 1641-1643, and very few of his works survive.  Unfortunately he was killed at the age of 32 when the Delft municipal gunpowder magazine exploded in 1654. What a handsome fellow he was, and that's why I was moved to paint this image.  

Not finished with this one yet, but almost.  Many of the images on the internet were dark with vague definition, so it was a bit difficult to see the clothing, hair and hat, let alone the planes of the face, but I did my best.  This was supposed to be my teaching tool for my next portrait course at the Vero Beach Museum of Art, which was cancelled due to the Carona virus.  But I'm ready to go for whenever that class will be.  Lots for my students to learn with this one.

"Carel Fabritius" 16"x12" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

POSTNOTE: Correction update June 1, 2024 - Actually I painted this portrait thinking he was Johannes Vermeer!  However, I was corrected by a curator in the Vero Beach Museum of Art where it hung in a show for months.  How embarrassing to make such a mistake, but this image was all over the internet as having been Vermeer. 

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A Quick and Easy Way to Make A Mask
 Oh, and they're washable, re-usable, and small enough to carry a dozen with you.

I'm pushing the envelope on this next one as being a portrait, however there is a face in it there somewhere, and I hope some of you find it helpful during our war with the Carona virus.  Since my husband Bob and I will be running out of food soon I will have to venture out to the grocery store, and I had to invent some kind of mask to wear, so I came up with this--easy peasy.  I hoped to upload a video of it to make it easier, but after creating the video on my smart phone I wasn't smart enough to figure out how to zip it down and get it online.  Perhaps a 12-year-old can help me some day.  Anyway, here it is:

FIGURE (A)

1) FABRIC: T-shirt fabric works great, really stretchy, however any fabric will do. Keep in mind that a tighter weave will offer more protection.
1. Cut fabric into a 12" x 6" rectangle. (For a quick way to do it, jump to figure B below).
2. Round off the corners
3. Cut a 3" slit one inch from both ends

FIGURE (B)

 For a quicker way to produce a mask, or if making multiple masks this is much faster: Fold the fabric rectangle in half, then in half again the opposite way.  Round the raw corner edges as indicated, then cut a 1-1/2" slit one inch from the outside edge as instructed.  When you open it up you will have a completed mask.

FIGURE (C)

Grasp the mask in both openings (ear straps) and bring it up against your face, covering your nose and mouth and cupping your chin.

FIGURE (D)

Twist the ear straps and place them behind the ears, adjusting to fit.  Note: makes for a better fit if the strap coming from the chin is on top of the one coming from the cheek as shown in diagram.  If you wear glasses, tuck it underneath each lens.  Adjust for snugness and comfort. Dimensions of the actual size of mask and the slits may have to be slightly adjusted for larger/smaller faces, noses or ears.

Of course this mask is not of an accepted medical quality, but ifyou have no masks this one should stop airborn particles from directly entering your mouth and nose, and it will protect others from getting your own breathing spray.  It is not just the particles you can see, which fall to the ground over several feet, it is the particles that you cannot see that are airborne from normal breathing and which float in the air longer.

After putting on the mask, spritz the outside with lemon juice for a general extra protection, and you can also place a coffee filter under the mask for even more protection.  Consider using a colorful fabric to match your clothes, or something fun to lighten the mood.  Children can make this mask too and may feel "special" when wearing one they have made with fun fabrics or some extra "bling."
Unlike the commercial masks, these are way more comfortable and don't slip down or off.  There are  also no movable parts or strings to tie.
(CAUTION; Do not let children decorate them with permanent markers or anything with a strong odor. No sparkles or anything they can mistakenly inhale or choke on while putting on or wearing the mask.)

These masks are so quick and easy to make that one person could make dozens in a hour, throw them in a dryer to kill any bacteria, don your gloves and slip them from dryer to plastic bag and deliver them to anyone who needs them.  Throw in some coffee filters too.

Well, I never thought I would be designing--and wearing--a face mask for anything, let alone out in public, but I have some very fine examples I have made so far with wonderful fabrics I dug out of my "Donations to Thrift Shops" bag--lovely blouses with lively prints: tropical, stripes, bling, dots, etc.  I am anxious to show the best ones off--without risking my health.  Maybe I'll use TWO coffee filters.

I hope you enjoyed this posting, and if you are reading this during the Corona invasion, please practice all the cautionary procedures we have been instructed to do so that we all protect our loved ones and each other.

God Bless America.

Judy Burgarella, blogger

A Rush One!

"A Natural Beauty"

Pulled a miracle off this week.  For weeks I had planned to paint something for the Vero Beach Art Club's "Art By The Sea" show, but something always got in the way.  With time running out as the portrait had to be delivered this Thursday morning, and it was already Tuesday, I began this little beauty Tuesday.  Couldn't start it till 3:00, as I had a class from 10-1:00, then had to deliver 5 paintings to a group exhibition in Vero. So I squirreled myself away in my studio.

"A Natural Beauty" Acrylic, 20"x16, gallery wrapped by Judy Burgarella

First try I sketched the heron with diluted raw umber, then dripped, splashed and ran colors all around it as an abstract.  Bad decision.  Can' do abstract well.  And so started from scratch and painted over it, with ideas forming as I painted. No time now for planning.  Did the bird first from many photos I had and some other references--a head from here, a body from there, legs from somewhere else.  Then I tackled the background.  I slept well Wednesday night and woke up excited over my new creation, like I usually do whenever I paint something new.  Painting is a wonderful thing for the psyche, and I wish everyone could find that joy.  I have high hopes that this Heron portrait will sell at the show, but if not my daughter Robin really wants it.

Now onto the next paintings, which will be an octopus for Robin, then a large acrylic of an artist friend's colored pencil sketches.  Oh the joy!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Skipping a few years ahead!

A STOLEN OPPORTUNITY!

On Monday October 14th, 2019, my husband Bob had to have unexpected surgery and so we were in a pre-surgery room when the physician who was to administer his anesthesia walked in.  That's when I decided what I would paint for the Portrait Society of America's competition, which was due in just a few weeks.  I hadn't decided what to do and was procrastinating, until that day at the Cleveland Clinic in Vero Beach.  There was my subject!  So I got permission from him and started clicking while he tended to Bob.  No special lighting, no posing ... just as it was.  So anyway, here it is, and I had a wonderful time painting him.  I submitted it November 7th, and am waiting to hear if it was accepted.

"The Healer" oil, 17"x20" by Judy Burgarella

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART  FALL CLASS 2019 - MICHELANGELO

Arguably the most famous artist of all time.  Not too many images of him on the internet though, and the best one at the best age presented happened to have him in a turban.  It has been said that some artists wrapped their head in a turban to protect it from paint.  True? Maybe, but who knows.  Anyhow, I gave my students the option of painting him with turban or with hair.  Students were given step-by-step illustrated instructions.

"Michelangelo" (In Turban) Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

"Michelangelo" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART WINTER CLASS 2019 - PROSERPINE

Featured at the Museum, the American Pre-Raphaelites: Radical Realists, "Rroserpine" by Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART 2018 FALL CLASS - "PURITAN WOMAN"

Found this original painting falling out of its frame in a flea market and purchased it for almost nothing.  The only skillfully-painted part was her portrait.  Cut off the rest of her dress and legs (ouich!) Put it in the most perfect frame which I also purchased at the flea market, and it now sits on an easel on a decorative high shelf in my kitchen.  She was lovely to copy in acrylics, however I made her a little more attractive.  I hit the jackpot that day at the sale!

"Puritan Woman" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART 2018 SPRING CLASS - "CHILD BRIDE OF CEYLON"

My  journey to paint this little girl was an interesting one.  While visiting my sister in Connecticut, she took me to a "Junk" store, where I purchased books by the pound.  The book "Child Bride of Ceylon" probably cost me 10 cents or so.  It was very old, and each page was filled with adventure and interesting information about a long-ago and faraway culture.  While reading the book, I Googled Ceylon, an island country in South Asia, not far from India.  In 1972 its name was changed to Sri Lanka.  I perused the photos posted about Sri Lanka, and began to communicate with one of the photographers, who grew up there and spent most of his childhood barefoot playing with the natives, in a wonderful fairy-tale life.  Sadly, now there are profound political, environmental and human rights crises within the country, and that idyllic lifestyle of the photographer no longer exists.  The "Child" bride part of yore were commonly because of arranged marriages.  Such a small price I paid for hours and hours of entertainment and creative brushwork.  Who needs millions to have a wonderful time?

"Child Bride of Ceylon" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

"MONA LISA ON A PALETTE" - VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART WINTER PORTRAIT CLASS

I have painted Da Vinci's Mona Lisa several times, but I thought it would be interesting to offer it on a palette as substrate.  The most complicated part of this painting is actually the landscape, for me at least.  I cannot pinpoint what her expression is, and perhaps that is why people find her so mysterious.  However I always enjoy painting her.

"Mona Lisa" on palette, acrylic by Judy Burgarella

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART FALL 2017 PORTRAIT CLASS - LADY OF ELCHE

I came across an image of this mysterious woman in an old sculpture book wherein all images were in black and white.  The photo was not clear, and was just the upper torso, but the side-temple rosettes intrigued me.  I rather thought I had discovered a wonderful unknown artifact that I could bring to life!  However, I later found lots of information on it--some of it just theorized--but I had already planned to paint it.  A few people over time had done drawings or paintings of it, but all was guesswork as to color and actual fine detail, as the statue itself was deteriorated.  One guess was it was a funerary urn.   Made of limestone, the bust was discovered in 1897 at La Alcudia, an archaeological site on a private estate in Spain.  It is currently exhibited in the National Archaeological Museum of Spain in Madrid. The abundant ornamentation made me apprehansive to have my students tackle it, but tackle it they did ... and all dd very well I might add.  The mysteries of painting this subject was made easier by presenting students with step-by-step illustrated instructions (below), which I include with all my portrait classes except for the model workshops. The instructions also enables students to jump ahead if they want to start another portrait before the end of the semester.

"Lady of Elche" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

VERO BEACH MUSEUM OF ART PORTRAIT CLASS, SPRING 2017 - GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING

This famous painting can compete in popularity to the Mona Lisa.  I have painted her many times, large and small.  Never tire of painting that lovely face, originally painted by Johannes Vermeer.

"Girl with a Perl Earring" from Vermeer, Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

More information will be posted about the below portraits when time permits.

"Maddona" Oil with 15K Gold Leaf by Judy Burgarella

"Waldo Sexton" Oil by Judy Burgarella

"Osceola" Pastel by Judy Burgarella

"Kate" Oil by Judy Burgarella

"Mandolin Player" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

TOO BUSY TO POST ...

I have been remiss in posting portrait works since 2015, and I have done plenty since then, many of which are not finished.  However I hope to post any finished ones I have done soon.

ORCA MURAL

Below is a mural I did for ORCA (Oceanic Research and Conservation Association) in Vero Beach during the summer of 2019.  It was a collaborative project with 5 other people doing their own murals.  It's not exactly a portrait, however there are many portraits of animals and one person in there so I am adding it to my blog.

"Florida Uplands" 4"x4" Acrylic mural by Judy Burgarella

The six murals look fabulous together, each depicting a different habitat of Florida.  Needs to be seen by more of the public, as it's tucked away in a laboratory by the Vero Beach Airport.  Click on the image to enlarge it and view some of the critters therein.

Hope to post more later.  In the meantime, enjoy this and my older posts.

Regards,
Judy Burgarella,
Blogger

Pastel Portrait at the Sebastian River Art Club

On Saturday, August 15th I was having such a good time with my granddaughter Salem, that I forgot I was supposed to be painting a live model at the Sebastian River Art Club!  So arriving late, I took the only position left, which was a 3/4 profile.  It ended up being the most interesting angle and I had a great time painting Anthony Smith, a young black gent.

Brett Pigon, a Melbourne artist, was instructing many of the artists present, who were sketching in mostly pencil and charcoal.  I love color, so after a brief drawing of burnt umber pastel over vine charcoal, I dug into my colors.  Reds, greens, oranges, purples and ochre, layering and tweaking, from dark to light, on old smooth buff paper bound in a book.  So in about 2 hours I had a pretty good image going, with lots of color.  Couldn't wait to get back to it so when I got home I put another hour or so into it.  My plan is to dress him in an ethnic shirt, very colorful, and put additional color on his face.  Hair dreds also need work.

Anthony Smith, Pastel by Judy Burgarella

I usually do a demo for my Thursday class at the Sebastian River Art Club, and I saw this beautiful painting (actually it's a mixed media drawing) by Leonardo DaVinci--or so the experts think--and was so enamored by it that I decided to paint it, hoping I could create it fast enough to use it as a demo.  It was fun, and I brought it to class and demoed how to start and create many elements of this painting.

Painted copy by Judy Burgarella of "Profile of a Woman in Renaissance Dress" by Leonardo DaVinci

This painting is also not finished, as I must wait until it is dry to increase its color values, but I am very happy with the outcome of 3-1/2 hour's work, painted in oil on a 12" x 16" canvas board. I prefer canvas board because it takes up so little room in my studio, is easy to store, and will not get holes or dents poked into it.

My acrylic portrait class in the Vero Beach Museum is scheduled in September and this is in the running for what I may choose to get my students started.  She is beautiful, and her clothing is so interesting.  They'll love it.  What a Master ... DaVinci.

I'm excited to start my next portrait, which I believe will be a very interesting one for a very interesting competition.  It will be posted here as soon as it's done, so stay tuned!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Quick Post to get started again!

Hi folks,
Haven't posted in some time, my older computer died which messed me up until I got up to snuff on this new one.  It's 3 am and I woke from a sound sleep with an idea on how to get back on and it worked!  And so I will make a quick posting from recent events.

Below is "Girl with Wild Hair," and oil "Wipe-Out" painting I demoed at the Sebastian River Art Club.  Process is, I put dollops of sap green and alizarin crimson all over the canvas, then brush them together, slightly mixing them, leaving a rich red-brown covering with variations of greens and reds.  Then with a rag wrapped over my finger I pull the image out, refining it at the end with Q-tips, turpentine, and little touches of other color here and there.  It's fast and fun, and the audience loves it.  This is the second time I've done this one, the face of which was inspired by one of Rembrandt's ladies.

"Woman with Wild Hair" Oil Wipe-Out by Judy Burgarella

Another "sort of" portrait was part of a mural project Christine Thomas was doing on the exterior of a school.  She was nearing deadline and just ran out of time, so I pitched in and painted the principle parachuting, with a boat underneath, pictured.  Used acrylic, and it was tricky painting on the rough bricks, but ok for a quickie.

Detail from Mural at Vero Beach school, acrylic

I also added one of the teachers poised sitting on a turtle.  Christine painted the turtle, which is her forte.

Below is a beautiful portrait from a student, Eugene Dail, who was in the Vero Beach Museum class.  He finished it up in my studio under my direction, and did a fabulous job of his wife.

Eugene Dail with his acrylic portrait of "Kathy"

 Yesterday I pitched in at the Museum in a children's class, "Kidz Art" with Christine Thomas, and dropped off  the prospectus for my fall acrylic portrait class.  And so I will begin another session when the weather cools down.

Now that I have found the formula to update all my blogs, I will do so when time permits.  Hope you enjoyed this one.

Judy Burgarella,
Blogger

Lucy Finished!

"Lucy" oil portrait by Judy Burgarella

Finished this oil portrait of "Lucy," Ruth Steer's great granddaughter.  Ruth, my student and friend from Grand Harbor in Vero Beach, had started the portrait even though she had limited time left on this planet.  She tried her best to get it done but her time just ran out.  I helped her paint from her sickbed, she loved to paint.  She was no longer able to finish "Lucy," but I put the brush in her hand and she painted a lovely rose in a vase, which was exhibited at her memorial service.

Ruth was a great lady, an accomplished artist, and I felt privileged to be her art instructor and friend.  She gave me much wise advice on many topics over the years, and I admired her strength, courage and upbeat attitude in spite of her condition.  And she sure did love her family, and chatted about them often while painting.  I hope she would be happy with what I've done to the remains of her painting.  I sent it to her family just before Christmas.

One of Ruth's old wooden paintboxes is on the easel, with the Mona Lisa's beginnings on it.  Since Leonardo took over 4 years to complete his Mona Lisa, I think it will take me a while to finish mine.  On one other of Ruth's wood paintboxes I painted a rooster and donated towards the Sebastian River Art Club's scholarship fund.  Also, I recently purchased an old wooden ironing board which I will soon paint a portrait of an old black woman hanging clothes on a clothesline, leaving much of the wood untouched.  What a wonderful conversation piece--can't wait to work on that one too.  The design is drawn out, now to paint it.  Perhaps I'll paint coordinating wine glasses to set on it as a cocktail table.  Life's a banquet when you paint--full of adventure, color, interesting people, and new ideas that just keep rolling around in your head just waiting to come out through your paintbrush!

Looking forward to new creations and art experiences in 2015!  Happy New Year to all!

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

New Rag Reduction Oil Portrait

In the last couple of hours of the Sebastian River Art Club's show in Riverview Park I decided to start a painting ... silly me.  But I must follow my "muse" whever it calls me, otherwise it may not come back again soon after.  So I slopped some alizarin crimson and sap green all over the unprimed canvas with a palette knife putting globs here and there at random.  Then I took a big brsh and squished it all over the canvas, allowing the colors to be somewhat separate in spots.

Then I looked for a rag, and found I had none in my bag, and I was stuck.  So I took a paper towel and some Q-tips I had packed and went to it, wiping the highlights away, leaving the shadowed areas intact.  Looked pretty bad at first, but within about a half hour it started looking like a face.  I lightly glazed alizarin on the cheeks, prussian blue on the iris, orange at the bottom of the eyeball for the glow under the sparkle at the top.  It was such fun to begin to see that face looking out at me--that's the part I love.  I think she's beautiful, and can't wait to frame her, although I looked and looked today and could't find a 9"x12" frame.  Not a common size.  I will be demonstrating this technique tomorrow at the Sebastian River Art Club during my class.  Enjoy.

Two New Portraits Started Out As Demonstrations

Finished the African woman in acrylic which start out as a demo, put hair on her based on Ethiopian hair designs, lipstick, and an ear adornment.  I think she's beautiful.  It will be hard to find an appropriate frame for this lovely little 9"x12 portrait on canvas.

Below is another acrylic of mine, starting out as a demo at the Sebastian River Art Club.  I'm quite happy with this one too, although I got too into detail.  Don't need a frame for this one, it's a gallery-wrapped stretched canvas, 12"x16"x1-1/2", continuous painting on all sides.

That's it for now, this blogger has to get ready for an art show at Riverview Park, Sebastian, for the Sebastian River Art Club.  Framing, packing, etc.

"Ethiopian"

Not quite finished with this one, but it started out today as a quick acrylic demo at the Sebastian River Art Club, in my class, and I just couldn't let it alone.  What a face on this native African, strong cheekbones, great cut of his chin ... except when I got it home and looked at it in another light, he looked a bit feminine ...  and beautiful.  Consequently, he may turn out to be a she.  Besides, there were some wonderful female ear adornments and headdresses and hairdos that I would just love to paint in.  Just have to soften the cut of the chin, make the lips a little redder, and put some eyelashes in and she'll be stunning.  I love the way she's looking straight at you with such strength, courage and conviction.  An intelligent and agile mind behind those eyes I would say.  . . . What a bunch of dribble because she's not real--and she's not even a she yet.  But people will entertain themselves reading her face and her eyes long after she is launched into a frame.

This photo doesn't do it justice, as there are so many colors mixed into his lights and shadows that can't be seen except in person.  Can't wait to work on this one again ... hope I can keep my inspiration with it.

"Ethiopian" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella, 8"x10"

Osceola, From His DEATH MASK

Had to pull a couple of all-nighters, but finally finished "Osceola, From His Death Mask," a 12"x18" pastel portrait.  Cut the mat, have the frame, and it's ready to be put together.  However, I will have it digitally scanned and professionally printed before entering it into the Vero Beach Art Club's "Art By The Sea" at the Vero Beach Museum of Art in VB, Florida.

I first sculpted a bust of Osceola from the photos I took of the plaster casting of his death mask in NYC.  Using the sculpted bust, I positioned him exactly profiled for the portrait.  I now can repaint him in any light and position I want, and it will be from his original image.  How exciting is that?  Stay tuned for many more paintings of this famous Seminole Warrior.  The below is copyrighted, and cannot legally be copied. 

"Osceola, From His Death Mask" 12"x18" Pastel by Judy Burgarella

I have been fascinated with the story of Osceola since moving to Florida in 2005.  His is an exciting, dramatic, and tragic story ... one which would make a terrific movie or documentary.  Look around, you Floridians, his name is everywhere, and so his legacy lives on.

Hope you enjoyed this posting.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

Portrait of an Artist

Below is a painting I created for my show in the Artists Guild Gallery in November.  It is now January 4th so overdue for posting.  I had a great time painting him, however some thought he was Santa, so I may just change the color of his beret in the near future.

"An Artist at Work" oil by Judy Burgarella

 Below is not a human portrait, but a portrait just the same ... of the aviary kind.

"Cardinal" Acrylic by Judy Burgarella

I'll be working on a pastel of Osceola this month for the Art By The Sea show in the Vero Beach Museum of Art, for the Vero Beach Art Club.  A great show in a fantastic venue.  A must-see for anyone who loves art.

Please - If you love art, support it by attending local art venues, and possibly taking one home with you--you won't regret it and you'll be supporting the many struggling artists.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

July 2013 - Portrait of a Boy

In July I finished a portrait of a beautiful little toddler, grandson of Sebastian River Art Club colleague Joan Piazza.  It was a small one, 9"x12" I think (it's gone now), but fun to do.  I got jump-started by using it as a demo so I could at least get the brush to canvas.  A few more sessions and it was finished.

 Nothing sitting on my easel at the present time, but I have some terrific ideas on portraits coming up.  Check back when you can.

Judy Burgarella

Blogger

More recent portraits

Been neglecting this blog for some time now, as portraits are done in drips and drabs.  The below portrait on the easel was done earlier in the year, and I was retty happy with the way it turned out.

"Rembrandt" was a happy experiment in oils.  Just for fun and as a Sebastian River Art Club demo, I slathered on a mixture of sap green and alizarin crimson with a big brush, actually squeezing the color in blobs out of the tube, and smeared it all on really thick.  Then with a rag I wiped out the highlightd parts of the face, and in the end working on details with a Q-tip.  Later at home I added scant whites and blues to the eye, and cad red to the lips.  The rest of the color was there, embedded into the canvas from squeezing raw color out of the tube.  This one is sold, but now I wish I had kept it.

Rembrandt "Rag Reduction" oil by Judy Burgarella

More to come soon ... I'm overdue to paint a "Self-Portrait" which is due June 1st at the Artists Guild Gallery, and it is now May 28th.  Guess I'll have to do it in acrylic or watercolor, and paint really fast.

Judy Burgarella

Blogger