1st give away portrait painting

Heiya!!!

Here we go! the first give away portrait is done. I'm so excited and eager to see what the reaction of the receiver will be... I really hope she likes it. I titled this painting "In moms arms":)

oil portrait, A3

The portrait will be a surprise gift from an amazing friend to the receiver. I have never met or spoken to the people in this portrait... I hope that this post is not going to spoil the surprise... well, what are the chances that someone that knows the person in the picture accidentally stumbles upon my blog? In case it actually happens, please let me know:)))
 
 Read more about give-away project: http://ritmart.blogspot.com/2014/03/painting-give-away.html

To order a portrait, please visit www.portraitartist.com for more info:)

What it costs to be an artist - business plan:D

I recently see the posts about artists being asked to give away their art- be it paintings, music, written etc... so I found myself "playing with the numbers in my head".

This is a very primitive estimate about what is needed if You would like to take up painting:)

1. Computer, lets say we can pick up a basic laptop at R5000.  Computer is an essential as it is used to communicate with the clients and to see the reference photos. One can argue that it is possible to do all of that in internet cafe- well, it is, but I find laptop much more handy. And lets face it- printing in color these days cost quite a bit... especially if You need the same reference photo in different varieties. I tend to increase/ decrease color value quite a bit through the process- to understand the picture better;
2. Internet- again, can be used in internet cafe, but much easier to focus when one is at home. And if you are like me who like to paint at night- it is irreplaceable! I use about R150 a month in internet; 
3. Camera/ cell phone- to take photos and share your work. I would guess that R2000 shall do, if You don't have one already;
4. Paints - I would guess that about 20 colors should be enough to start with. I have about 35 tubes of acrylic paint and about 30 tubes of oil paint. Let's imagine you want to paint in oil paint. On avarage a tube of 50ml oil paint would cost you between R 45-70. You would by 20xR45= about R900
5. Brushes - the price on brushes is very variable, starting from as little as R5 for the small ones. 10 brushes would be a good start, R20 per brush = about R200;
6. Other materials like: as turpentine, linseed oil, detail, drying mediums, glazing, palette paper - just the basics would come to R600;
7. Canvas - of course the art will have to be painted on something... now this is hard to predict as it really depends on each individuals choices... An A3 stretched canvas costs about R50 (this is the one that does not need framing and can be hung as is). lets say You would use 2 in a months= R100
8. Easel- one should be able to find a free standing easel or easel-box for about R600
9. Website- well, this is not essential, but is nice to have:) self designed and private domain would can be found from as little as R100. 
10. Talent and painting classes- this really depends on each individual and can not be priced. 
11. Space and time- if You really wnat to paint, You will find it!:)

SO, what do we have here?

This all comes to R9650 + TALENT + Space & Time:)

The nice thing is - some of the items all of us already have at home and others can be bought one by one:) LET'S PAINT!!!

What do I need to start painting?
PS The cat and coffee optional :P

YAY!

All 3 give-away-paintings have found their homes! I'm so EXCITED!!! Well, I still have to paint them :) More info will follow on the blog.

But for now- my latest painting:

oil on canvas, A3

Painting Give Away!

Dear family, friends, colleagues, readers and all beautiful people!

I would like to give away 3 portrait paintings for free to people who are hurting - with hope that the painting would bring some happiness to their life. 

Details of the painting: 

1. Subject - chosen by receiver (can be arranged as a surprise present);
2. Support- plain canvas, no stretcher bars or frame;
3. Medium - oil paint;
4. Size -28x38cm
5. Pick up, posting - painting to be picked up in Somerset West or posting to be arranged by the beneficiary, if receiver lives outside Cape Town (South Africa). 

Criteria of choosing the receiver- please send me a short story and a reference photo (or a few photos if difficult to choose one) to rgrizane@gmail.com. I hope to choose the paintings-to-be within this week.

What's in it for me? Apart from experience, NOTHING! It's a pure act of kindness. Of course I might get some exposure, but not banking on it. I simply would like to make someones life a bit better. I have no money to give away, but I have my skill, talent, time and ready to invest it. There are way too many people hurting out there. Why do I ask for the story- so people don't abuse the opportunity. 

Please help to find people who would benefit the most from this project and let's share happiness!!!

*The idea is inspired by those dealing with cancer, but is not limited to cancer. Please also share the previous project, that is still on: http://ritmart.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-painting-for-cancer-support.html

The results of this project will be shared here and on social media platforms. 

Away from home

Do You ever miss your parents home?

I have been living out of my home country for about 5 years now and in those years the outlook has changed quite a bit...

This is the painting I call Latvia. the girl in it is wearing a traditional clothing (one of them to be exact), the monument at the background is the Freedom monument in Riga, the horse symbolizes the elegance and strength and the field and forest in the background is that shows the strong bond to nature.

A painting for the cancer support

Today I had to take my mother-in-law to the hospital for her cancer treatment. It is not a happy place... So, I was thinking- how can I help. I also attended a great conference past weekend where it was said that we should give more! So adding this all together, I have decided to donate half of the proceeds from this painting to Cancer Association. I do also hope to get at least the cost of material back, so I can continue with painting...

Painting for SALE
Cancer support Horse
Acrylic, 76x91cm

Let's see How it goes!

The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away!
- Pablo Picasso

SOLD!!! 

Thank You Alicia! More info in this site:

http://ritmart.blogspot.com/2014/04/horse-painting-for-cansa-donations.html

Demo at La Diva Sallon, Friday 28 Feb

We had another fun demo session at La Diva hair salon in Strand (South Africa) last Friday 28th February, 2014.

Don't get mislead, Lana is a great hairdresser:)

Posing for a portrait demo session :P

Two work stations side by side

Tristan, oil portrait

Feel free to join the fun next Friday! :)