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)

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

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