OK, so here is the absolute final version! I did a few tweaks.

I decided I wasn't quite finished with it. I worked more on the hair and eyes, etc. Here is a semi-decent picture of the hair close up:

Strands of Ember

"Strands of Ember"
24" x 30"
Oil on canvas
Amber L. Bailey

I wanted  a new piece to enter into the upcoming call for artists that will be on display at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. I'm very pleased with this one! I took this picture with my phone, ha. This was one of those pieces that just falls together - and this time in just 3 hours! These are the ones I love.

"That Guy" Detail

Last night I was too excited to wait for morning to post this. I just got a little bit better of a picture to show the detail in this piece and wanted to post it.

"That Guy"

"That Guy"

24" x 30"

oil on canvas

Amber L Bailey

I had an exciting break from painting women! There are some really great things going on in this paint and the subject was fun. His expression is intriguing and when I first started laying out his face, I actually laughed out loud - in a good way. I was reading an artist's statement recently, of a local painter I admire (Tony Wood). He was saying how there is a symbiotic relationship between the artist and his/her subject. I found the idea interesting ... and true. I find that every painting I do has its highs and lows... and I react accordingly to what "happens" on the canvas. This time...it was a funny reaction...and I think this is a really fun piece. The more I paint, the more I discover what my paintings are about. Some of them are more like little narratives - that's how I'll label this one. Others represent more abstract ideas. I have painted portraits but I wouldn't say the majority of my paintings are portraits. I paint people, sensuality, sexuality, emotion and objectification in the same way that a landscape artist paints valleys and plains. On the fun side of things, yes, I'm drawn to the contrast of a bright red lip against a blue background, the color fuchsia and fashion magazines - but there is a theme and voice to my work. Hmmm...

"Fire"

This is a very quick little study I did as a warm up because I just NEEDED to paint SOMETHING. lol.

"Fire"

8" x 10"

oil on canvas

Amber L Bailey

Black and white with fuchsia

With Fuchsia

I enjoyed my last black and white painting but this time I wanted to add a twist with just one color. This piece was a lot of fun and I'm happy with the outcome. Just a mix of raw umber, french ultramarine, white and permanent rose.

"With Fuchsia"

22" x 28"

Oil on canvas

Amber L. Bailey

closer up: