Korrine's mom
 

Hi,

It's been a while since I posted anything. I've been moving very slow with the pastels. I can't get a flow going with them, I'm working with no confidence. Being stressed all the time isn't helping any.

Anyway, I realized I had'nt finished anything this year, so I decided to do a drawing with carbons. The Rubens show at the Met helped this decision along with David Draime's last post. It's 20x14" on gray Magnani Pescia, a paper I've never tried before. I like using it and it's color, but the fibers tear. Not terribly, but it's heavier than Stonehenge, so it should take somewhat of a beating. I hope.

I don't know the model's name which is why it's currently called "Korrine's Mom". I went to take pictures of Korrine, but her mom and I started talking and I learned she has a great appreciation for art. I asked her to pose also and she jumped at the chance immediately. She was very cool about the whole thing.

Thanks for looking.

WOW. This is really fine. I do believe your work is getting stronger and stronger. The whole piece is rendered with such confidence and such exquisite sensitivity, especially the woman's clothing and how it all fades into the tone of the paper. Your judicious use of white is just right. Beautiful.

Don't give up on pastels. I'm working on my first two now and, like you, I'm having "issues" with this medium. I can see it's potential, though, and understand how people can get addicted to it. I also think, for people like you and I, it can be a good segue into the realm of painting. Keep working at color. All of your frustrations, disappointments, stresses are important - necessary - and will pay off - in your case, handsomely - down the road.

David

Wow!
 

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: !

Garth

Jimmie, I think every woman in the world should be drawn by you at some time in her life. I was thinking while looking at this drawing that I would really love to see an entire room filled floor to ceiling with your intense and sensitive portraits. What an incredible experience that would be!

Never lose confidence in your talent! We need to cheer you up. :) This is an art marketing problem, not a talent problem.

I agree with everything Linda says here 100% ! I am still planning on having you do one of me as soon as I can. And I mean it when I say I have never had the urge to have a portrait of myself done - not ever. There are some wonderful artists out there, but the way you draw women is just - sensitive, sexy, subtle, etc...

Hi Jimmie-- This is beautiful. I really like how you've incorporated a bit more of the setting/environment into the drawing. Have you put aside the paints that you're working in pastels? or are you trying them both out?

Linda, have you been to Jimmie's web site? You get a sense of that on his drawing page!

Thanks all for the nice words. I needed them.

David, I won't give up on them, although I don't have as many pastels as I wish, they were still too expensive to give up!!! Time is my worst enemy. I was only able to finish this piece so quickly because I took it to work and did it during tattoo breaks.

Wow back at ya Garth.

Ok, so when did you say you were coming back out to NY?

Maybe you and Linda can arrange to meet here together. I've never done two people in a drawing. I have been dying to get twins to do it. You better hurry up tho, Kim. My immediate plans are to become really good with color, famous (maybe even rich) within the next 20-30 years, then raise my prices. I'm telling you, the year 2025 is right around the corner!

Terri, I've always wanted to add background, but am always nervous to do so. She had this Japanese print framed sitting on the floor because she did'nt have the space for it. I thought the leaves in it would look good, but was not sure about so many mats and borders. I think it looks ok. I think she even decided to leave the picture up where I placed it.

I'll eventually get back to the oils and more pastels, it's just a bad time for me right now.

Thanks again.

That's something I've got to get over too. . . especially with indoor portraits!

Jimmie - good to see another (need I say it) excellent drawing from you. I think we all suffer a little withdrawal when we don't see works from you over an extended period.

Check out the background element! I'm liking this a lot! It's one thing to throw in a background "just because" - you may as well not do it in that case. Here, however, it creates a pleasing design and (even if the viewer doesn't know for sure) a personal relationship to the sitter (or artist). A good addition, in my opinion.

I'm going to put on my cheerleader outfit as well (okay, not the skirt :o ) and cheer for you to keep going with the color! Unlike many of my students, you obviously don't have the draftsmanship part of it to worry about. It WILL come - trust me. I think all of us here on the forum can agree on this when it comes to Jimmie Arroyo.

Ah Jimmie, you do have such a way with the ladies!

This is wonderful!

Jimmie,
What a great impromptu study.
I

Thanks guys for the recent comments.

I liked the way the background elements came out myself in this one. It's one of the few pieces that I have that actually puts the model in a place. I had been giving thought to adding personal items to my work. I consider most of my work to be a reflection of the person, so adding something meaningful to them, I think, would be more appropriate than something of mine. I did not want to show the whole print because I felt it would raise questions about the relationship of a japanese print to the subject, and felt it would have been distracting. I was'nt even paying much attention to the shadow when I was taking the pics, so I'm glad it had a pleasent shape to it.

Just don't tell my wife.

Thanks again.

Sounds like a good plan to me Jimmie! Another reason to hurry is that I am not getting any younger. Actually, I just heard I may have to wear an eye patch for a long time. I was thinking a 'cowgirl pirate' drawing might be interesting.

Another beauty Jimmie,
I just love your drawings - they are so honest. If fame and fortune is what you seek, then you are well on your way.

Sorry to hear that Kim, I thought you were kidding about the patch. Lazy eyes are VERY interesting, but I guess it's more serious than that. Hope you feel better.

Heidi, thanks, but I'm not really seeking fame and fortune. Just enough money in the beginning to pay off these incredible bills which won't go away. Then enough later to live happy, paint full time and be able to send my daughter to the school of her choice. OK, maybe I will need a fortune. ;C Stress-free would be perfect.

Thanks Jimmie, but I am fine! Eyesight-wise that is. I think it's just the eyelid drooping for some reason, but they are going to test me first. Maybe a patch, maybe not - doesn't matter - it's not a biggie. It could be a 'look'.

Maybe I'll have to consider having you draw me too. This is wonderful, Jimmie.

Jean

I remember seeing Christy Turlington's picture for the first time and thinking "There's something very pretty about her" It was definitely her lazy eye. My wife has one also, not as noticeable tho. More noticeable when she's smiling and other emotions.

Jean, I 'd be honored.