Kim Blair Artist

Mrs. M. (14"x11" pastel on gessoed wc paper) When I saw the reference photo for this portrait on her daughter's instagram account I said to myself, "Here is a woman who exudes joie de vivre,  it would be so much fun to paint her portrait!" From start to finish it was pure joy... I was smiling the whole time. Mrs. M. is the first adult portrait I have painted with teeth showing, so you can imagine I was a bit nervous. But her lovely warm smile made me feel confident that the portrait would turn out just fine. My sister had the same unique feature of a space between her teeth, which could be one of the reasons I felt comfortable trying to replicate Mrs. M.'s beautiful smile. ;0) (*If you received this blog post via email subscription the video will not be visible in your email. Please go directly to my art blog by clicking on the following link for   kimblairartist.blogspot.com  in order to view the short 2 minute video of the

Matt and Jasper posing with their portraits Instead of a curb side drop off I masked up and delivered Matt and The Cat  to Matt and Jasper, staying long enough to help him hang the painting...a gift from his Aunt. When Matt opened his door, there, in all his fluffy splendour was Jasper, who's size did not disappoint! Jasper didn't need any coaxing to be included in the shot. Jumping onto Matt's lap he quickly arranging himself into a relaxed pose giving me a regal, confident gaze. ;0) (As I mentioned in my previous posting of Matt and The Cat, selfies photos often create foreshortening issues which are translated into the portrait when one paints true to the reference photo. Selfies are rich reference sources for artists and offer the painter a fun perspective.)

Deann Stein Hasinoff (14"x11" pastel on gessoed paper) I first met Deann, a fellow artist, in an abstract drawing class at the University of Alberta. Her artistic practice continues to focus on exploring abstraction through the use of digital technology. Using black and white digital drawings, along with photography, Deann creates thought provoking expressive art. Each image  is delicately rendered evoking the look and feel of a charcoal drawing. The power in each piece is subtle yet palpable, giving depth and strength to the work.  Deann's upcoming exhibition, Catching Smoke , is a series of digital drawings working to give visual form to the anxiety she says she has experienced for most of her life. The theme of Deann's show is especially poignant during these unsettled times.  The show will be held at Harcourt House , here in Edmonton. (If the gallery is unable to open due to Covid 19 the exhibition will be virtual.) Catchi

Loren Marsden (14"x11" pastel on paper) Loren is a poet who has the ability to capture and hold your attention as soon as she starts delivering a poem. I felt myself being drawn into many of the experiences she shared at the open mic evenings at the Stroll of Poets, where she has been a regular since 2018. Her poetry about riding on public transit offered up a fresh honest perspective and I often found myself cheering, laughing out loud, or both, by the end of her readings. Recently, while catching up on her haiku poetry on FB, I came across a selfie she posted wearing a fabulous toque embellished with equally fabulous oversized metal button (I definitely have button envy) ;0)... and asked permission to paint her. *If you received this blog post via email subscription the video will not be visible in your email. Please go directly to my art blog by clicking on the following link for   kimblairartist.blogspot.com  in order to view th