Wrapped in roses

[Sharon Knettell]

Just lovely, Ardith

After seeing this and the other entries in Boston, what I can't understand is how that ugly black thing beat this?

[Ardith Starostka]

Sharon,

What do you mean "ugly black thing"--please explain??? I was disappointed that I got an Honorable mention but I guess it was an honor just to have made it to the finals. I think this is the best oil I've done so far and I had great hopes for it. I would love to hear what the judges said! It would be nice if the PSA judges would jot down a few notes on each piece as they're judging and let each artist know what remarks were made about each piece. That could really help.

Allan,

I tone my canvas with thin burnt umber. I draw in thinned burnt umber directly on the canvas. I work from dark to light blocking in the darkest values, middle values and then light values. I just keep repainting each layer until I have achieved the opacity, correct values and colors that I am wanting. It usually takes three to four layers to correct all of my mistakes! I spray retouch varnish in between layers if my paint starts to look sunken in. That's about it in a nutshell...

Ardith

[Sharon Knettell]

Ardith,

I meant the first prize winner, the lady in black with a crooked mouth. I nearly fell off my chair when I heard that had taken the top prize.

I was trying to be subtle in my comment, something rare for me.

Honorable mention still does not detract from the beauty of your painting, but I must say I was horrified by the judges decision.

[Jean Kelly]

Thank you for the close-ups, Ardith. They are beautiful! There are so many different areas that I really like that I can't just comment on one, the straps of her dress, the roses and vines, her eyes, shoulder, and the dress as a whole. I guess I just really love the whole thing. Oh, and her mouth!

Jean

[Mike McCarty]

Ardith,

Congratulations, this is a wonderfully compelling piece of art.

I am always curious about how an artist comes to a particular composition. Was the complete composition in your mind from the start, or did you progress into the roses?

I can appreciate the uniqueness of this, having a daughter myself and having posed her hundreds of times in every conceivable position. Your mind struggles with trying to do it differently somehow. You really succeeded here.

[Ardith Starostka]

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

Ardith,

Congratulations, this is a wonderfully compelling piece of art.

I am always curious about how an artist comes to a particular composition. Was the complete composition in your mind from the start, or did you progress into the roses?

I can appreciate the uniqueness of this, having a daughter myself and having posed her hundreds of times in every conceivable position. Your mind struggles with trying to do it differently somehow. You really succeeded here.

I just envisioned this painting in my head--the pose, the roses, the lighting...
I have so many paintings in my head it's frustrating because I don't have enough time to get them all on canvas. It's strange, but ideas for paintings just pop into my head. I guess my creative "mind" never rests--no wonder I'm an insomniac!

And thanks again to everyone for the positive comments.

Ardith