New News

Wow! I just looked at the date of the last posting. Here we are, halfway through 2012 and my last post was in December 2011. 
Not that I haven't been painting. I've been painting, a lot! 
And now I have a new website, too!

If you get a minute, check it out:  www.DeborahAllisonStudio.com

Also, I have a new exhibit at www.CatchLightArtGallery.com

Busy, busy, busy!

Worth the wait.

Mother and daughter, commissioned piece in oil on linen.

Light at Night

Gosh, it has been a long time! I decided to go ahead and post a piece that I did earlier this month from a photo taken many years ago. This building has changed and is multicolored now. Fewer lights, too.
Oil on canvas.

Portrait Study

A piece done more quickly. Casual portrait. 10"x10" oil on canvas

My Flute and I are One

Oil on linen, 12"x24". Inspired by photos for commissioned piece.

Texas Rancher

Oil on linen, 16"x20"

Atmosphere

Always being challenged, I accepted a commission to do this portrait as a surprise gift. The client asked for a softer, more atmospheric quality than I usually have in my work. The client is happy! Hope the recipient will be, too.

Interior / still life

This piece was done very loosely and with the intention of capturing the sparkle in the silver and the warmth of the table. Oh and if I could pass on the fragrance of the freesia..... 12x12" oil on linen

Latest Project

Sometimes it is good to have multiple projects going at the same time. Well, it also might get a bit overwhelming, too. Right now, I'm juggling a few; I've got 3 commissions lining up and a project with my mentor.

This photo is from the project with my mentor. I'm stretching myself and doing a full length portrait with a complicated background. Wayne was the model for the reference photos. The painting still has a lot of work to be done on it, but I like where it is going. Huge, tho...at least for me. 36"x 48" oil on canvas, and barely fits on my easel.

Poster for new project

Color and light in the short days of winter

A bouquet of fresh tiny flowers inspired me to do a color rich study. I feel all better, now!

Merry Christmas!

Yes, I'm still painting portraits

I've been working with Jan for months on this piece. It is larger than I usually do (18"x18") and I was able to work on it at my own pace (with an agreable model).

Latest Still Life

I've been working on some small, simple pieces. Here is my latest still life.

Late summer sunflowers

I've been teaching some classes in pastels, so I thought I should be doing some work in them as well. At the same time, these sunflowers were blooming in our yard. So I had some fun with this lighthearted medium. About 18"x24" on sanded paper/card.

Just a sketch

What a tree! And a lovely day. Finally got outside for a bit. I'm working on a number of projects but no photos yet. So this will have to do for now. It is an enormous cottonwood tree at a rest area between Alpine and Ft. Davis. A favorite spot!

Back to real people!

Jan is a dear friend who agreed to model for me. Such patience! This is on 18x24 tinted paper, done in graphite and white charcoal. Sure enjoyed working from a live model again!

Horny Toad?

"The Poetry of Things" is a 9" x12" oil on linen board completed for a show celebrating the horny toad. Since I couldn't get one to sit for me, I decided to do a still life with the sculpture of the lizard. The title actually comes from the title of the book in the piece.

Art Opening

Not a human portrait...but....

My very first backhoe! 18"x24" colored pencil on paper. Portrait commission work takes odd turns.

New stuff

Since the last posting, I've worked on a sign painting (with preprinted paper border), an oil sketch of Wayne's son and I've rehung the gallery wall after feedback that it was too much stuff.

Now Showing

I have recently been accepted into the CatchLight Art Gallery in Alpine, TX. As this is a co-op gallery, I get a portion of the wall space and will be working a couple of days each month. I am in the company of the best of the Big Bend!

Saturday, January 9th, will be my first opening reception as a member of the gallery. So if you are in Alpine, stop by and see us! 5-8pm.

This photo shows the current display of my work.

Latest Commission Work

This painting of Paige was delivered to her grandmother before Christmas. It was originally supposed to be a gift, but "Oma" was considering keeping it. "Paige" 10"x 12" oil on linen canvas

Delivering

Ok, it wasn't nine months, but the delivery date is Thanksgiving. Probably could have worked on it for another year or so...but here it is.

A & A getting close

Making progress on the form painting. Changed the background orange to a slightly yellower color. Still refining and refining, but it is looking better.

Albert & Adam

Continuing the form painting. Still struggling with the jackets and shirts.

More on Raven

Found this drawing from the spring session at the Ryder Studio. Thought it would be a nice change from my current portrait work.

Graphite pencil and white charcoal on toned paper. 18" x 24"

Starting the form painting - challenge

I've started some of the form painting, chosing the large block areas first. Since the background is going to remain an unmodulated orange, I started there, then the clothes. I still need to work on the finer details of the fabric. Started work on the hair for both, so I could work a bit on the edges with the orange.

Challenge Wash-in

"Wash - in" of painting. A full color work using oil paint thinned with solvent. A bit like a loose watercolor. Albert (left) will have different glasses, so they are not really detailed. Adam chose the background and clothing for the father/son painting.

More on Challenge

"Inked" in over charcoal drawing with diluted oil paint. Then wiped charcoal off.

Continuing with the Challenge

Drawing in charcoal on canvas.