One of my old & dear friends from Alberta, Mike, sent me a package last week. When I opened the box I discovered another smaller box inside with a hole marked “AIR HOLE – DO NOT COVER!”. I could have made a thousand guesses & never would have come close to guessing that my shaved head, motorcycle driving buddy had busted out his mom’s sewing machine to create a 3D softie version of Henry. Aren’t they cute?!

Included in the package were photos & a detailed description of the trials & tribulations Mike endured to bring Henry to life. Creating a vector diagram of my original painting to base a pattern off? No problem. Figuring out how to use a sewing machine, then realizing this project would require hand stitching? Bit of a problem, but he kept going. Flipping Henry inside out through a teeny tiny opening after said stitching? Problem! (Apparently the adorable guy above is actually Henry 2.0).

A big thank you goes out to Mike for making me such a sweet gift. I hope you’ve got your sewing fingers ready mister, because I’ll be taking orders for more Henry dolls right away!

Audrey
8″ x 10″, acrylic on canvas
original is sold, prints for sale in my Etsy shop

Inspired by one of the ultimate style icons, Audrey Hepburn, I wanted to paint a portrait that brought her to life as one of my own girls, in my own big-eyed, pop art kgb style.

It was a tough painting because the photo that really grabbed me was one with her head tilted down, looking up at the camera. Great photo, very difficult pose to paint. There are things you just can’t replicate in paintings without looking…well, terrible. There was a harsh shadow under her nose, for example, and when I painted it in, it looked like I’d given her a mustache! No good. The shadow had to go.

I really like the way it turned out, much darker than my usual girls, but still smiling sweetly. I have no desire to become a photo-realistic painter, so adding a bit of my own style & changing up expressions & poses suits me just fine. If you want an exact replica, why wouldn’t you just snap a photo? I have a huge amount of respect for the technical skill that goes into ultra realistic paintings, but I just don’t see the point. Paint is so much fun to play with! I *want* to see the brushstrokes, raised texture, the inherent painterlyness!!!

Before I get too rambly here, I’m going to turn off the computer & head outside. I see a bit of sun peeking out & I’ve been rushing to get everything wrapped up in time to catch it. Happy Monday!