QUEEN ELIZABETH I SPEECH

Even at her birth Elizabeth was second in line for the throne and when her father King Henry VIII died three people had to die before she would become queen, but against all odds she did ascend the British throne in 1559. Some say the greatest queen that ever lived.

Queen Elizabeth I was born on the September 7, 1533 in Greenwich England. She was a princess but declared illegitimate through political machinations. She eventually claimed the throne at the age of 25 and held it for 44 years, keeping England powerful through wars, political and religious turmoil. She died in 1603.

She was a truly great woman, hundreds of years ahead of her time. For every minute of whole life she stood proud in a world surrounded by powerful men, reasserting herself, fighting for her life and her supremacy. Imagine the confidence and energy that took. 400 years later, she is still setting a great example for women everywhere. Lead on Elizabeth!

On the morning of the expected invasion of England she dressed in armour and gave the “greatest preserved speech by a woman.’ The text below was found in a letter from Leonel Sharp to The Duke of Buckingham some time after 1624

My loving people
We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust.

I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.

I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you on a word of a prince, they shall be duly paid. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

Another version of the speech was recorded in 1612 by William Leigh

Come on now, my companions at arms, and fellow soldiers, in the field, now for the Lord, for your Queen, and for the Kingdom. For what are these proud Philistines, that they should revile the host of the living God? I have been your Prince in peace, so will I be in war; neither will I bid you go and fight, but come and let us fight the battle of the Lord. The enemy perhaps may challenge my sex for that I am a woman, so may I likewise charge their mould for that they are but men, whose breath is in their nostrils, and if God do not charge England with the sins of England, little do I fear their force… Si deus nobiscum quis contra nos? (if God is with us, who can be against us?)

In Elizabetha Triumphans, published in 1588, James Aske provides a version of the speech, reworked in verse:

Their loyal hearts to us their lawful Queen.

For sure we are that none beneath the heavens

Have readier subjects to defend their right:

Which happiness we count to us as chief.

And though of love their duties crave no less

Yet say to them that we in like regard

And estimate of this their dearest zeal

(In time of need shall ever call them forth

To dare in field their fierce and cruel foes)

Will be ourself their noted General

Ne dear at all to us shall be our life,

Ne palaces or Castles huge of stone

Shall hold as then our presence from their view:

But in the midst and very heart of them

Bellona-like we mean as them to march;

On common lot of gain or loss to both

They well shall see we recke shall then betide.

And as for honour with most large rewards,

Let them not care they common there shall be:

The meanest man who shall deserve a might,

A mountain shall for his desart receive.

And this our speech and this our solemn vow

In fervent love to those our subjects dear,

Say, seargeant-major, tell them from our self,

On kingly faith we will perform it there…

A great collection to hang on the wall to remind every female of the power they hold within.

Contemplating Portrait Backgrounds - Frida VI

There’s a call at my local gallery for August, so I’ve started thinking about a submission. The subject must be female and only one piece. I immediately thought of CLEOPATRA EYE, showcasing the wonderful eyes of Elizabeth Taylor, a striking vignette which hasn't had much exposure locally. I also have plans for a portrait of my mother and a whole family portrait, but I doubt either of those would be finished in time, especially with the beautiful spring like weather beckoning me to get out after the last few months captivity.

However, FRIDA VI is more representative of my recent work and more saleable, she is the better choice. So Frida it is. The portrait is finished and I love it, but until a painting is sold it is always a candidate for a bit of tweaking and I see a few opportunities to dabble.

Firstly, although turquoise is fashionable, I think the background is too intense for most buyers, so I’ve been reading up. I know from past experience that changing backgrounds is tricky and usually leads to retouching the whole portrait. This is because I integrate the background colour into the subject as reflected colour. Not wanting to do a complete repaint, I must therefore keep the background on the warm blue side; this adds complication as I also need to cool the colour to make it recede more.

More research required, but so far I’ve found this comprehensive article helpful in my decision making process.

Wet Canvas - Backgrounds and Depth

PETRINA

From and image taken of the Gallery Manager and volunteers at Lake Country Art Gallery. The first is a highly modified but totally digital version created with apps. The second image is a digital drawing from scratch, created with no underlying digital photo. The first one can be created by anyone with knowledge of the apps and is more of a craft, the second requires an artist’s eye and drawing skills and therefore qualifies as fine art. It is interesting that neither of these would be saleable on Daily Paintworks because they have a ban on digital art, a decision I think they need to revisit.

PETRINA by Sea Dean

SHARON by Sea Dean

Finally Frida VII

I’ve been looking back over my posts last year and I realized that I gave a sneak peek at Frida VII while she was in studio, but never the completed version. She was as much a handful for me as the real life Frida, but after 6 months of work she was complete. I think this is my best painting to date, my Masterpiece, so if I died tomorrow I could say I achieved my 10 year goal.

On the back I quoted Frida Khalo “Feet, what do I need you for when I have wings to fly?” And I think that sums up how I feel about my work heading into 2020. I took time off to spend with my Mum in 2019, but I’m back and excited about what is yet to come!

Thank you all for your continued readership, it means the world to me.

Progress shots

Summer Breeze V?

If you’ve been following me for a while you may recognise this painting. It has gone through many versions and many color palettes over the last few years: I was never quite saisfied though.

In this version I like the fresh breezy feeling. I’m pleased with the impression of cloud shadows throughout the scene and the sparkle on the water. Some of our beaches have shallow water which encourages rippling waves from wake like these, and the shadow under the tee looks like a good place to read an e-book and enjoy some down time.

I have a submission coming up in a couple of months, which calls for pet paintings and I may add a dog here running along the shoreline. For now this painting can be purchased on Artfinder, sans dog, or I could even add your pet pal.

Frida Khalo Progress Collage

I think I forgot to post the progress shots for Frida VI. I wanted to nderpaint in yellow to see if it gave a brighter look to the finished painting. Without comparing it to a painting of the same subject and same palette but with no yellow undetpainting, its not scientific, but I do think the complexion of the finished Frida is rather lovely.

I’m happy I’ve run out of vintage unbleached cotton canvas, because it was so difficult to keep the beauty of the rare canvas and still create a good painting. I was constantly battling edges. I also wanted to try a portrait on 16” x 20” rather than 18” x 24”, but I found it too cramped, so I will probably go back to the latter.

Frida Khalo Series - #6

I see no reason to stop painting Frida Khalo just yet. Each portrait is a constant source of facination and learning. You will notice that the portraits are becoming less graphic and more like a real person. I observe closer and deeper, I am getting more in touch with Frida the person and further from Frida the icon.

I am also changing up different aspects of the creation: Changing the type of canvas, the color palette,  the means of preparation and texture. It’s impossible to be bored by the process or the series. I suppose I could accurately copy one of the earlier versions in the series, but where’s the fun in that?

My ultimate quest is not to make an accurate rendition, but to somehow capture the essence of her being. To add a certain something that cannot be described, but helps the viewer know her better, even without knowing who she is.

Presenting ... Frida VI - 16” x 20” on deep Gallery Wrap Canvas - available here

Frida V - Going, going, GONE!

You have received the following message:

She LOVES it! Thank you so much for the beautiful piece. Now we just have to find the perfect spot!

;

It’s always so gratifying to receive a message like that. I think artists always want to keep on adding bits and correcting, so that a painting is never really finished in their eyes. Therefore it is important to let them know that you love your purchase, just the way it is. This happy customer did just that and it was a wonderful start to the day.

Stay tuned for Frida VI ......

Do Not Use!

I’m slowly working my way towards completion of Frida V. She’s been a bit uncooperative, but as I have a deadline of 21 December, I have to keep going.

My favorite time of the day is early morning when I enjoy my one cup of coffee, work my way through emails and enjoy the light through the trees. Sometimes I race outside in just my nightie (brrrr!) to capture the scene even before I make my coffee. It’s been spectacular.

Lastly for my tidbit of the day, I have a warning about passwords. The Top 50 worst passords of 2018
have been released and it seems that sequential numbers or letters are prevalent. If yours are on this
list I recommend thinking again.

Love the gif!


via GIPHY

Winter has arrived

I was really pulling for my geraniums to last till Christmas, but sadly the frost got them yesterday. I probably could have put plastic over them to stretch it a few more days, but its time for my balcony to change seasons. The weather has turned crispy and last night there was black ice on the road, so it’s a good time to stay home. I’ve moved all the furniture and tidied up, so I can put pretty sparkly lights on the permanent trees and some holiday stars on the railing.

Yesterday at dawn while I was cleaning up, I discovered that I had a view of my favorite mountain, which had been hidden by the now fallen leaves on the park trees. So cool! I can even see it from my sofa in front of the gas fire. I’m loving winter in my new home.

As far as work is concerned, Frida IV is winging it’s way to the big city lights and I’m hoping to start on Frida V tomorrow. Although portraits take more time than landscapes, I’m really enjoying the challenge. I’ve had a portrait of my Mum on my bucket list for some years, so now my skills have been honed by the Frida series, I will probably work on that some time in 2019.

Where have I been?

I’ve been right here all along, but I’m busy and stressed and too tired to blog. It’s not all bad though. 

One of the things I’ve been doing is working on a commission. Frida III went to my favorite private gallery when my solo closed. The gallery owner loved her and they say you should only sell what you love. I had her slated for another exhibition in November, but just as I was making arrangements to pick her up, she was sold. Then another person came in to buy her and I was asked to take a commission, so I’ve been working on Frida IV. She’s not quite done, but just a few small tweaks may happen before I deliver at the end of the week.

Here is a progress collage. My favorite is #1, which I would have kept and started another canvas, but it was the last of my vintage raw canvases, so I had to keep going. Which one do you like best?

Judges Pick for Daily Paintworks Monthly Contest - Yay!

MILES Pal Portrait by Sea Dean

Well, I finally made it! I’ve occasionally entered the monthly contest at Daily Paintworks and just recently I announced that I intended to do more in 2018. However, tonight I was told I was a contest winner for December. Wow! I won with one of my favorite Pal Paintings, MILES above.

The challenge is that any new works I create as of this moment will be published at the top of the email that goes out daily to 4,200 subscribers and I also receive a one month subscription for February, when I’m taking part in the Leslie Saeta daily challenge. I had better get my skates on.

Click on the link above to see MILES and all my available paintings.

Stay tuned.........

ADVENT GIFT - Intimacy

Available at Daily Paintworks

I read an article recently showcasing the work of artist Ashley Cassens. Ashley paints extraordinarily intimate portraits in large format. See her work at ashleycassens.com  At one point she says 

“In my own studio practice I need to make paintings that feel like writing a letter. As a millennial that is constantly connected, I long for spaces where I can disconnect and have a sensory experience.”

I don’t have much to do with millennials as my neice and nephew live away, so I find this statement an interesting insight into their world. Since the beginning of the internet age I’ve been concerned about the void in personal contact it creates. I watch as young people go for lunch or drinks and spend the whole time texting, they dont even speak to their companions. This applies to dates as well, in fact I have a theory they are texting each other. When they figure out how to have sex and babies without any intimacy I reckon they will be overjoyed. 


Metaphysically I’ve heard that spirits visit because they no longer have a physical body and crave the contact. As a touchy feely person, I gain great comfort and intimacy from a simple hug or even linking arms when crossing a street. In sales training I learned that human beings crave intimacy and a simple smile or even touching their hand while giving change, increases their pleasure in the purchase and they will return for more of that experience. So I’m fascinated by this tiny glimpse of how it feels to live in a totally cyber social world.

Luckily in our local Art community we socialise regularly at demos, classes and openings. Artists are solitary animals and I think we all enjoy getting out and getting out of ourselves for a while. This is me with Artist Cherie Hanson at an art auction. In my building we are also a friendly bunch, we keep an eye out for each other, often chat in the corridors and wave when we pass in the parking lot: We are largely single people, but it’s a community.

So, your Advent challenge today is to make a point of creating an intimate moment with a stranger. Smile at an old lady, help someone with their groceries, open a door for someone with packages, speak to someone in an elevator. Heck why stop at one day, lets aim for doing it the rest of the month, it could become a habit!

Kitty Kat - One Finger Drawing - 26/30

KITTY KAT
iPad drawing by Sea Dean
6" x 8" Canvas Print ready to mount
$59 + shipping

My Limited Editions are available in a variety of sizes  and surfaces up to 8" x 10"
Contact Here

I've always known that if I put some concentration into it, I could draw pet portraits on my iPad. I have access to many techniques in this app and I'm gradually discovering more of its capabilities. I've experimented with limited line drawing, quick sketches,full color and now rich layering; by far my favorite for pet portraits is this full bodied method. What do you think?

It's the season for making gift lists and wouldn't a pet portrait be great? A fully rendered and mounted 8" x 10" portrait from a cherished photo would be $99 plus shipping but don't dally because my commission schedule fills up fast at this time of year.

I'm one of the artists taking part in the Leslie Saeta 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. This is the ninth time Leslie has held this event and I've taken part in each one. This is # twenty four of the thirty iPad drawings I plan to complete by September 30th.

I'm pleased to be part of the challenge once again and look forward to adding 30 new drawings to my Limited Edition Collection.

See all the Challenge Artists Work here

I'm at #10

Self Portrait at 24 iPad Drawing - 7/30

SELF PORTRAIT AT 24
iPad Drawing Print
Available in various sizes up to 8" x 10"
And various surfaces including canvas prints

e.g. A 3.5" x 5" photographic print
mounted on a 5" x 6.5" art card with envelope
$5 + shipping

Contact me for selection

A little off piste today with this self portrait. 

One of my favorite Gallery Managers gave me a heads up that there was a portrait exhibition on the horizon, so I thought I'd get some practise in.

This is a brave step for me, because I've wanted to start a series of self portraits every 5 years or so and I've always chickened out. Artist that have done this say its very revealing. I took this from a black and white image on government ID circa 1979.  Scary!

The joy of working with the simple draw app in Notes on my iPad is that I'm constantly learning how to expand the capabilities. This is the first drawing where I've started to use the colored pencil tool. I've always admired per portraits in colored pencil, so perhaps in time I will be able to create some myself within iPad Notes.

See work from all the Challenge artists here
Mine is #68

FAMOUS ARTIST BIRTHDAY - FRIDA KAHLO

FRIDA
Acrylic on Deep Wrap Canvas
18" x 24"
(Unfinished)

This painting is nearly finished but not quite. It started life as a practise piece for Art Battle and I enjoyed painting it so much that I kept going past the 20 mins and 10 mins touch up. I'm not sure portraits are good candidates for my fast paintings because its so important to get the features right.
Nevertheless she will be available and if you love the painting contact me to have first refusal when it is complete.

FRIDA KAHLO
Frida Kahlo de Rivera
born Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo y Calderón
(July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954)

Today we honor Frieda Kahlo, a Mexican artist and a lady of great strength and character. Since her death in 1954 at the age of 47, Frieda has become something of a cult heroine. She was married to one of Mexicos greatest stars, Diego Rivera and she was also an artist in her own right, specializing in extraordinary self-portraits. She overcame many difficulties and is a great example for any female artist struggling to succeed.

Read more about Frida here

FRIDA II

Limited Edition Print of iPad Drawing

6" x 8"
$39

FRIDA I

Limited Edition Print of iPad Drawing

6" x 8"
$39

Travelling AKA Traveling Chicken in Residence

Ms. Chicken has arrived in the Okanagan and is recouperating with her traveling companion Snr. Azule. For those of you that are unfamiliar with Ms Chicken, she has been traveling the world for over 5 years visiting artists who paint her portrait. She has had many amazing adventures including getting lost several times and being smashed at a party (literally). You can follow her escapades from the beginning on her blog here.

The worldwide artists have amassed nearly 100 visits and paintings so far and it gets laborious to see all the paintings via the blog: I decided I would like to see all those portraits in one place, so I've compiled a collection on "The Traveling Chicken" Pinterest Board click here. All the links take you back to the original entries on the blog and for all the stories images and adventures you really need to visit the blog.

So back to Ms Chickens current trip. After a good sleep the couple headed out to the balcony to inspect the brightly colored geraniums which had just come into bloom. The weather was lovely and warm, the sun was out and spring was in the air. They frolicked among the leaves for a while playing hide and seek. Then Azule, always protective of Ms Chicken, saw she was getting tired and suggested
 a rock massage. The only problem is he got it all wrong, insisting that this was the way it was done.

The friends have requested to stay for the Art Battle on June 16th, which  their hostess, Sea Dean is participating in. Then they will be on their way to the east. In the meantime they will be busy seeing the sights and posing for portraits.  They are particularly interested in trying to spot the lake monster Ogopogo, depicted here in a collaboration between Sea and her nephew Spencer. I believe it's the reward for capturing Ogopogos image that most interests Snr Azule, but Ms Chicken wants to swim with Ogopogo and ask for a ride.

OGOPOGOS LUNCH BY Sea Dean and Spencer Arguedas

More about the past traveling adventures of Ms Chicken and her companions here.

http://travel-chicken.blogspot.ca

In case you're wondering, although there are various gramatical rules, basically traveling is spelled with one 'l' in the USA and two 'll's in The UK. As the chicken started her journey in the USA, her title uses the American spelling, although that is not set in stone. :)

Venus - Progress shots

VENUS
Acrylic on 40cm x 60cm Canvas
Masterpiece Commission
Botticelli "Birth of Venus" detail

I usually just launch into an acrylic painting freehand, but with a masterpiece commission I'm a little more cautious. First I mark the canvas into about 16 squares along the edge with a neutral mid tone color like raw sienna or yellow ochre. Then I paint a main outline using the sections as a guide and paying attention to negative spaces.

I've been traveling with watercolors and the only acrylics I could obtain locally were thinly pigmented, so In this case I chose to build up the image in acrylic washes. For the sky I used two light washes of Ultramarine and Phthalo Blue.

I don't work top to bottom or background to foreground in any particular order as you need to in oil, because acrylics dry so fast. Here I laid in the darkest dark in a thin wash of Ivory Black, then went to the lightest light of the face, starting with a light wash of Vermillion, then a little Titanium White which was so thinly pigmented that it was almost mixing white. Lastly I painted a very light wash of Cadmium Yellow Light, adding some detail in the hair and eyes in Ivory Black.

Next I worked on the hair with layers of wash and line in Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Yellow Light and Burnt Umber. For the fine lines I used a fan brush. I made a few corrections to the face and eyes, whiting out dark spots with Titanium White and acrylic gesso and then adding corrections.

Lastly I worked on the right hand side of the hair using the same wash methods as the left side.

More tweaking to the all important right side of the hair.

Now the fine tuning of the features and hair. This is the part that takes time. I used a small round brush for the lines and an angle flat brush for the modelling washes. These were a bit of a nightmare because with acrylic paint a wet layer over a drying layer lifts the paint below. The only acrylic paint that works like oil in this respect seems to be Atelier Interactive, which is European, but available on the internet. If I had some of that I could have made one even light wash and it's longer drying time and reactivating quality would have helped with the hot climate here. I ended up using a stippling stroke, basically adding a light wash only to the dips in the canvas weave. This was very time consuming, but it gave a sort of weathered look to the painting. I have to admit that this made me feel like I was communing with Leonardo da Vinci and I certainly learned a lot about portraiture.

The final step was to coat the hair and features with a thin wash of my low pigment Titanium White. This softened all the Cadmium and gave the painting a slightly aged and faded look. Lots of work, but I really love how it turned out.

Voila!

Sea Dean Large paintings

The other day I was contacted by a patron asking about large paintings. It got me thinking.

When I was a daily painter, the heart of the movement was to complete a painting every day, plus the tasks involved in running an art business, which leaves little time to paint large. Therefore, in the past I've only painted large on commission or for a specific exhibition, which Results in a very varied collection.

A Commissioned 24" square pet portrait

I consider "large" as over $500, 850 sq ins, or 24" x 36". Chances are that as I work on my bucket list projects and move away from daily painting, I will be producing larger works, but I thought it would be a good idea to show what I currently have on hand. Each link takes you to the listing in my Daily Paintworks Gallery.

La Vie en Rose 

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/sea-dean/5030-la-vie-en-rose-ii-exhibition-size/337129

Trans Canada Air Pageant

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/sea-dean/5036-trans-canada-air-pageant-1931-exhibition-size/364762

Beyond the Stars

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/sea-dean/5013-beyond-the-stars-exhibition-size/330385

Misty Walk on Long Beach

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/sea-dean/1018-misty-walk-on-long-beach-premium/86288

Light and Shadow

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/sea-dean/2069-light-and-shadow-view-from-my-window-series/85244d

Wild Companions

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/fineart/sea-dean/4151-the-river-flows-raw-edge-painting/259917

Link to my XL Gallery Annex
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/artists/sea-dean-2797/artwork/#/category=XL&mode=search

FAMOUS ARTIST BIRTHDAY - PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR - IMPRESSIONIST

I will probably be criticized for this, but Renoir is not one of my favourite painters. I can't quite put my finger on it, but his style seems a bit too sweet, perhaps reminiscent of the overly romantic Baroque style. Nonetheless, I did enjoy studying his style.

PIERRE AUGUSTE RENOIR

Born in Limoges, France, 25 February 1841

He was the son of poor tailor and at an early age he was sent to a porcelain factory to learn a trade. So he started work as a Limoges porcelain painter, and there may be Limoges plates or candy dishes out in the world that bear his brushwork.

As an artist, his early work was influenced by Gustav Courbet. He was freinds with Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley and Frederick Bazille and he even painted with Monet in Bougival in 1869. He exhibited alongside the Impressionists in 1874,1876, 1877 and 1882.

In 1870 Renoir became a Cuirassier in the Franco-Prussian War and perhaps that inspired a certain wander lust, because he painted in many locations including Bougival, Argenteuil, Cagnes, Algeria, and Italy. In 1888, he began spending his winters in the south of France.

HE EXHIBITED AT THE FIRST IMPRESSIONIST EXHIBITION

Died 3 December 1919 in Cagnes, France