"The Bountiful Life" named finalist in The Artist's Magazine's 27th Annual Competition

My painting "The Bountiful Life - A Wedding Portrait" has been named a finalist in The Artist's Magazine's 27th Annual Competition, figure and portrait category.

This is a painting was a wedding present I did for my son and his new bride. They say that the models are half the finished piece and I agree. These two are a joy to work with, open, playful, theatrical, beautiful and willing! What more can an artist ask for in a model? I truly felt love bouncing around the studio the whole time I was working on this piece.

 

The painting is oil on canvas over panel, and is 32x41. I envisioned this as a forecast for the life I hope for them. I didn't want to do a traditional portrait but something with a more contemporary idea. I was surprised how much I enjoyed painting the fruit and flowers. 

The painting was composed by using different photographs that I had shot of the models in my studio. I then set up a still life with leaves from my garden and fruit and flowers from my local grocer and photographed it in the same lighting. Using photoshop I added the garland to the images I'd chosen of the models.

The figure category was judged this year by Sharon Sprung. Sharon is an accomplished figurative painter and instructor at the Art Students League in NY and is represented in NY by Gallery Henoch. Sharon Sprung Website, Gallery Henoch.

Terry's Website

"Voice of the Tiger", oil painting by Terry Strickland

Here's a video slide show of my new painting, it's 33x32, and oil on canvas over panel. The video includes close-ups and the work in progress. If you have a fast Internet connection check out the HD version just for fun.

  

This photo reference sat around in my studio for about two years, it was a favorite photo of my daughter. I loved her expression but wasn't sure what to do with the background. The composition gradually evolved with the idea of a circus poster, something about a tiger, and a storm approaching. 

Finally it came to me while watching Carnivale, the made for HBO series, that the poster should be on a canvas behind her. Isn't it interesting how we find inspiration in images, words and music from other media?

I originally took this photo when my daughter was in a vaudeville type show at a local theater, this was her costume. I had a difficult time choosing a title for this piece but when I discovered the meaning of the word "Vaudeville" it's french meaning "Voice of the City" somehow that clicked and she became "Voice of the Tiger".

Terry's Website

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