Painting Jesus

When I just started painting I saw my granny in the dream. I used to spend my summer school holidays at her house. She passed when I was 14. I still remember that I was washing dishes when my parents told me. In the dream I asked my granny if she needs anything. She said "No. But I would love you to paint Jesus for me".

Since then about 7 years have passed. And I finally have courage to fulfill my granny's wish. It's not that I have not thought about it before. I just couldnt decide on the reference photo.

Then one day new were full with Leanardo da Vinci painting Salvator Mundi. I also heard somewhere that it's the painting on which all the other artists based their Jesus paintings on. So I decided to do it as well.

I have adjusted some details, but kept the general look of the Da Vinci painting.

The frame was made by my dad out of an old oak tree. My grandparents house now belongs to a local municipality and I hope they will agree to display this painting in it.

Attempt at Trevor

We just got back from a 5 weeks holiday in Europe where I did not touch a brush. So yesterday I decided to check if I can still do it. The hardest thing is always to choose the subject. This time I chose Trevor Noah as he is now a very popular South African comedian in the States heading the Daily show.

The painting is on oil and in ala prima (wet on wet, finished in one srsion) technique, since I have to go to work the next morning and I am too impatient to leave the painting for longer.

The painting took me about 2 hours, but I am not happy with it. I know 2 hours is quite quick, but Trevor does not look like Trevor. There are some similarities, but I missed something.

I see many artists do daily paintings, I will have to do that too, to get my game up. There are only 2 problems- when to find time and what to do with those paintings afterwards?

African Rhino painting

For a while I had this idea of painting on shwe-shwe fabric instead of canvas. I have now tried it and am very happy with the result. The shwe-shwe is 100% cotton.

Oil on shwe-shwe SOLD

Oil painting time lapse portrait

My laptop is not doing so well lately and I have been using my phone to check the reference photo when painting, which is not ideal- the screen is tiny and I need to keep unlocking the phone all the time.

But then I decided to attempt a time lapse / speed painting video:

Here is the finished painting. SOLD.

Inspired by Game of Thrones

The new season of the cult series just started. I can't say that I am a huge fan of Game of Thrones, but I do glance at the screen now and then, when GOT is on. Look, I even used the abbreviation  like a pro :D

One of my biggest challenges in painting is to choose a subject. That probably is the reason why I like doing commission work ;) - the subject is provided beforehand!

Alla prima painting of Khaleesi.
16 x 16 cm
Oil on canvas.

You might notice that this portrait is some what similar to the one in the previous post. First- it's the same size and second - I used the same color palette. This size is very unusual for me actually, but I am enjoying it- as painting can be finished in one session within 3h.

Here is a time lapse video of first part of the painting process: https://youtu.be/hZrAQRxVZbA

Oil portrait of girls

I can finally reveal this portrait of my sisters girls. I painted it for our parents as a Xmas gift. Although it was posted from South Africa to Europe on 14th December, may parents received the painting only the beginning of March. I am unsure who to blame- the SA post office or holiday season for the delay, but clearly am happy that the painting reached the target unharmed:)

Here they are:

The process of painting them was somewhat challenging since it is hard to get two kids of that age to look into the camera and pose at the same time. So I had to do some adjustments to the final setup, putting the parts of the different pictures into one. I am quite happy with the result.

Here are some progress photos:

Horse & human portrait

I am happy to announce that another of my paintings is making his owner happy. This was commissioned by Daiga as a birthday gift for a friend. Since then I have received a email from the birthday girl with loads of happy emotions:)

Oil on canvas board, 12x16 inch

Alla Prima whale painting

I had some oil paint left after finishing the latest portrait painting. There was some paint left on my palette. I am generally a stingy person and could not let the paint go to waste.

One of my friends really loves whales and I had a small, plain canvas that I keep at home for those "just in case" moments.

So this is the result 10x10inch Alla Prima (wet-on-wet) oil painting of a Southern Right Whale.

Family portrait commission in oil

This beautiful family commissioned a portrait for Christmas. It was delivered to them on 23.December, 2015 :)

I was smiling through the whole process of painting... well most of it:)

Size: 70x91cm (30x36inch)

what is she thinking?

I had so much fun painting this fresh portrait. Oil on canvas.

I love this portrait a lot! this is none of the unclaimed portraits that was ordered from overseas. It was posted to Europe and sent back as it was not collected from the post office. It cost me some money, since I never took deposit on it. Since then I am always asking for deposit on the commission work.

Portrait artist in Cape Town - whats new

Hi!

Wow, it has been quite a bit of time since my last entry in this blog. I have since taken permanent employment position that implies 8 hours working days and leaves much less "painting time" than I would like to have and what I was used to. My bank account however feels a bit better :P


We also have moved to Milnerton as we bought a property here- loads of work!


I do still paint though:)

kids portraits, Cape Town

Portrait of Prof. Jāzeps Vītols goes home

Professor J.Vitols established the first Latvian Conservatory of Music, which was later renamed the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music in his honor, and he ran the composition classes there between 1919 and 1944.

J. Vītols loved to spend his summer holidays in Gaujiena- a small, picturesque village where my parents reside. Gaujiena also hosts a yearly music festival known as J.Vītola music days- this is one of the biggest events in the local calendar:) So we used to hear about him. 

Portrait of Prof.J.Vitols has been presented as a present to Jazeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music on 18th June, 2014 by my father:) So proud of myself:)

Fathers Day special - child portraits

International Fathers Day is just around the corner - 15.June' 2014. We seem to put more emphasis on mothers, rather than dads, which I think is not always fair. Kids probably have a stronger bond with mom, because she is there more, but then again, in most cases that is possible because the father is working hard to afford the mom be home...

Let's this year make it special for dads!

I offer a special Fathers Day price R399 for an A3, single child portrait. Oil on canvas.

Fathers day special example:)

Offer valid till 15.June (included).
Deposit of R100 payable on order.
All portraits to be finished using a digital reference photo.

Happy paintings for cancer support

This is a follow up project from "Horse painting for cancer support" - I would like to have it as an ongoing project. Don't You think that would be awesome!

The paintings that can be seen on this page are the ones, that are available for purchase through the project. From every sold painting I would donate 50% of sales price to CANSA - The Cancer Association of South Africa (http://www.cansa.org.za/).

Why cancer support?

Since my family has been battling the cancer, I hear more and more people fighting or fought cancer- everyone knows someone that has cancer!? This clearly is a big issue in today- if we work together we can make a difference. Donating to cancer cause is my choice, if You would like to donate from a purchased painting to a different charity, please let me know :) I donate through http://www.givengain.com/. Info on previous project & donations.

Why call these "Happy paintings"? 

1. Painting them made me happy,

2. they hopefully will make the person purchasing the painting happy and

3. the donated funds will make whole lot of people dealing with cancer happier

Just thought its a nice reason to call them "happy paintings":)

LET'S SHARE THE HAPPINESS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!

• All paintings are fully hand painted in acrylic or oil on canvas;
• All prices are provisional and negotiable. Provisional price can be seen below the painting, 50% of the paid price will be donated. Price excludes shipping and delivery costs. 
• If You would like to buy a painting or have any questions, please contact me on email or phone. 

Large horse 3,
Acrylic boxed canvas, 91x76cm,
R3000

Bob Marley
Acrylic on stretched canvas, 100x80cm
R2000 

Happy
Acrylic on boxed canvas, 91x76cm
R2000

White horse
Oil on canvas board, 40x50cm
R700

Angel
Oil on canvas board, 50x40cm
R800

Baby girl
Oil on canvas, A3
R700

Profile
Oil on canvas board, A3
R500

Little girl
Acrylic on canvas, A3
R300 

Arabian
Acrylic on canvas, 60x50cm, framed in white frame
R700

Happy birthday - Juliet

Happy birthday Juliet!

Stay as fun and awesome as You are!

Me and Juliet
After a 6-day hike and amazing birthday party:)

House in penguin territory :)

Art Lessons in Somerset West

So, it was decided- I will be available for art lessons as off May 5, 2014.

 If You are new to art, come and explore under a supervision of experienced artist and if you are an established artist- come paint with me! :)

The lessons will be held in informal setting, Limited number of students, due to space restrictions.

Studio space- come join me.

Location: Victoria Park, Somerset West, Western Cape, RSA

Times: Please contact for available times, 0611776609

Cost: 

• only R100 per 3 hour lesson during the week
• R150 per 3 hour lesson on weekends.

Bookings essential! Min 2 students. 

The lessons will be addressing following subjects: 

• Form & shading (pencil and acrylic)
• Color wheel and mixing;
• Different materials (glass with water, fabric etc)
• Composition
• Differences between acrylic and oil color
• Still life
• Portraiture

Students are able to choose their preferred subject for the lesson. 

Materials not supplied, please bring your own. Tee and coffee provided. 

Lessons have no age limit, children welcome - to learn with or accompany an adult who is attending the class. (Child-minding service available @R100 per lesson).

We all have different style in art, come and discover Yours!!!

2nd Give away painting went home

This is a very special painting for my amazing friends mom. I have never met her mom, but she definitely must be the most amazing woman to have such an amazing daughter. The whole family is in fact AMAZING - the things they do for others are unbelievable! Unfortunately, mom has been going through some rough time in life and we really hope that this painting will bring some more smiles to her and families life!:) 

Cousins/ grandchildren, oil on canvas

More info on the Give away project: http://ritmart.blogspot.com/2014/03/painting-give-away.html

This painting is bigger than the other give away paintings. My friend send me a few photos of the kids and I just thought that I'm not going to leave any of the children out of the portrait- so had to increase the size of the painting to accommodate their beautiful smiles:) 

The baby was a little challenge, as she was not smiling in the photos- and I had to guess the muscle movements etc. Happy to report, that family confirms the smile to be correct :)

SMILE!!!

Your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn:)

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