Now that I've finally stopped muttering 'kids these days...' and learned to use Instagram, it's become the best place to follow my work in progress (although I'll still post occasional updates here). Most of what I post is artwork in progress, although sometimes photos from my wanderings around Oslo make their way in too.
Use the Instagram icon at the bottom right of any page on my site, or follow @kiraofthesea.
I've been painting up a storm during spring break this past week...it feels good! I've been focusing on these small wood panel portraits lately; after discovering the magic of the wood panel while doing the hand studies (see below, still unfinished), I'm not sure whether I'll ever go back to working on canvas. I'll have to try a large-scale panel piece sometime soon to see whether that's feasible...
These are three of the wee portraits I'm currently working on, in three different stages of completion, with more coming soon.
It's now possible to commission a portrait directly through this site (thanks for adding commerce options, Squarespace!), so if you've been waiting for the right time to ask for a portrait, go for it! I've been assured that people enjoy getting them as gifts, too...
The commissions page will help you get started and learn more about the process.
A preview of my new series of hand studies...
I have a love/hate relationship with painting hands. They're the most difficult part of the body to get right, but also the most beautiful and interesting to work on. It's been fun to work in a softer palette after finishing several of the more dark/vivid pieces in the mythography series.
Once they're finished, I'm hoping to submit these to a local gallery that has shown some of my work before. After that, they'll be available for sale here. More photos to come soon!
I've been working on three more quick studies--my first baby portraits, and my first time painting on wood panels--and they've been so much fun! I was surprised at how differently the wood panel takes the paint as compared to canvas. It's simultaneously more absorbent and quicker-drying, which means that I can get better results in fewer hours. And it's so smooth! I don't think I'll ever go back to canvas, at least not for portraits at this (tiny, 5x7") scale.
I also love the depth of these panels, which provides a nice flat surface for titling and also allows the portraits to stand alone on a desk or shelf.
I've added a new category for these small studies, so if you're interested in commissioning one of your own, please head over to the commissions page for more information!
