"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

Eyes of Glass

"Eyes of Glass"

11'" x 17"

oil on canvas

Amber L Bailey


This turned out to be a great value study. I must say I am very pleased with it and had fun painting it.

"Confetti Cake"

Another fun little piece that allowed me to play with paint. Next it's back to painting people and faces! I have several good ideas.

"Confetti Cake"

11" x 17"

Oil on canvas

"City Sketch"

I went to NYC on a very quick trip for work in October. I promised myself I'd paint at least one picture I took while I was there. This is a just a quick study but I'm glad I honored my commitment to paint something from New York. I'm working on another piece right now for fun. I will be posting that soon.

I have Art Walk this week (Wed, Jan 4) at TSI in downtown Jax and another little show on Friday the 6th at Square One in San Marco. (For my local friends.)

Happy New Year!

Portrait

This is a portrait of my aunt Bernie and uncle Donnie. He commissioned me to paint it as a gift to her for their 37th anniversary. It was painted from a picture that was taken of them in the early 80s.

It went over well :)

"In Red"

"In Red"

24" x 36"

Oil on Canvas

Amber L Bailey

$400.00

I've recently become interested in the idea of cropped figures, like those of Laura Lacambra Shubert. Many of her cropped figures are even far more cropped than mine shown above. The idea that a portion of a figure can be the subject of a compelling piece of art excites me. Her work has given new meaning to photos I had tucked away. I picked up and began clipping them into pieces, and this is how I came up with "In Red." I will continue to play with this idea and I have several more clippings prepared for new pieces.

Updates on RAM:

I have my display tent! I ordered in online and it came within 2 days. I still have some things to prepare for RAM on March 12th. One of the most important things - weights for my tent. Wouldn't it be fun to go chasing my tent and art work down after one of these March gusts takes it away? lol.

Anyway, I'll be there, under the bridge!

Figure Painting

Untitled

6" x 6"

Oil on canvas panel

$100.00

I am really happy with the way this one turned out. It's the third piece I've painted in just a few days, a great record for me these days. I also used a new color on this. I've been meaning to buy Cadmium Red Light for a while now and I bought it yesterday. This is the first piece I've used it on. Not sure it made a huge difference in my skin tones, but it did inspire me to get up and paint on a Sunday morning. :)

Night Out

"Night Out"

6" x 6"

Oil on canvas

$100.00

I took two pictures to try and capture this painting. This is why I'll love being able to show and sell my work in person...less reason to rely on my camera. haha. In this one, I obviously stayed really loose. I wanted to capture the fun and movement of the two girls. It's fun painting several figures in one piece, so putting in the background figures added depth and a fun depiction of what's going on - a dance party! lol

Half Dressed

"Half Dressed"

12" x 12"

Oil on canvas

$200.00

I had some fun painting the jeans on this half clothed figure, haha. I am still waiting on the new applications for Riverside Arts Market 2011. I'm collecting all the things I'll need to apply: pictures of my art, pictures of my work space, and biggest of all - my business license. Now for writing up a description of my process and how I make my products - my art. I am excited to get out there and have the opportunity to show and sell my works in person at RAM.

Step 1 for Riverside Arts Market

Step 1 - Done! I have my business license. Step 2 will applying to Riverside Arts Market, which I have started on already. Hooray! I am officially called Amber Bailey Art Works. The lady behind the counter didn't ask me what I'd like to call myself, but I actually like what she picked. More to come soon...

Glam

"Glam"

6" x 12"

Oil on canvas

Amber L Bailey

$190.00

I am having fun with this new dimension, and I bought a new color - permanent rose. I've been thinking more lately about putting what I enjoy in life into my paintings, and I'd say it's working on the inspiration front. I think if I tried to explain my thought process and "meaning" it would be watered down and wouldn't make much sense. In this piece I wanted to experiment with more abstract color and shape, which is where the color blocks come in. Other inspiration - pin up girls, fashion, pink, portraits, pop art...

At my last show people kept asking "who is that?" in the "Flawless" painting below. I just say "every woman." That is sort of my theme - people, women, life; not always individuals.

Jamie

"Jamie"

6" x 6"

Oil on Canvas Panel

Amber L Bailey

This is Jamie, who I haven't talked to in ages but decided to paint as part of my project. I think this is the sexiest portrait I've done yet. I have decided that eyes are the biggest part of this project. I have been drawn to subjects with great eyes. I am having fun watching these paintings come alive through the eyes. It's funny, at the beginning stages I'll become frustrated that the portrait isn't looking much like the subject...and then I work on the eyes...and it's like magic how much the piece looks like the person. Please bear with me on the quality of the pictures of my work.

John, I need your services soon to photograph my work! :)

Paintings from the Carol Marine workshop

"Plum Perfect"

8" x 10"

Oil on Canvas Panel

Amber L Bailey

I couldn't resist that name, I realize I could have just named this painting "red plums" or something equally uninspiring. ha.

"Opposites Attract"

8" x 10"

Oil on Canvas panel

Opposites attract - you know, red and green? Hey, it was a fun name to me.

"Sideways Squash"

8" x 10"

Oil on canvas panel

These are a couple of studies from the workshop with Carol Marine.

"Plum Squash"

8" x 10"

Oil on canvas panel

These are a series of small studies from the workshop. These were great exercises and turned out to be a fun little piece. The objective in this study was to make every brush stroke count - to be "deliberate" in each stroke. We had 5 minutes for each little painting, then it was on to the next timed study.

I have more to post soon!