Two Gems

This blog is just a quick show and tell, to share with you two commissions completed recently.

I am showing you the reference photo given to me, next to the artwork I created for a friend.

Notice all the things that are removed (background and shirt logo) and the things added (bottom of shoe and ball), the cropping, and the slight changes in color. I gave it an abstract background that micmics some of the angles and shapes in the figure. Notice the quilt stitching too, showing the upward swing of the kicking leg.

The client knew that I prefer candid outdoor photos to work from. Each of these reference photos was just right. I really like the reflection of the girl’s legs in the wet sand.

Purple Chicken Salad: Combine these ingredients in a big bowl: 15 oz. can of black beans (rinsed, drained, and spread on a towel to dry a bit), one cooked chicken thigh diced, handful of raisins, a little chopped parseley or cilantro, 2 c. chopped purple cabbage (or more), 3 – 4 thick slices of jack cheese cut into small cubes, optional 1/3 c. cooked brown rice or quinoa or leftover pasta. Toss salad with olive oil, juice of one lemon, and salt to taste.