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Not the best photos here. I ran out and shot these really quick today when I had a moment of sunshine.

Kettle bell dos. Not much to say, just wanted a companion piece for the other kettle bell.

This one I started a while ago, just before finishing the last one with the bricks and the abstract painting in the background. Another set-and-go, with not much thought to narrative. With this one, I started with the intent of casting out any textural concerns, just paying attention to shape of color, as you can see with the cloth. As the painting tediously moved on, I lost interest, and was unable (or unwilling) to maintain that language, moving back to the way I usually paint - from the glass downward. I don't like this painting, mainly because of the experience I had with it.

There you go.

final portrait

I'll have a better pic soon

Qwikie

Taking a cue from Geoff, I wanted to do a quick character sketch to build my chops. This was a little over 2 hours. I used just burnt umber and burnt sienna; I got the idea after watching a Rob Liberace grisaille sketch.

Still Life with Abstract Patinting

I put aside any narrative pretension and just set stuff up to paint. I'm continuing with the egg shell thing (I think I'm getting better at them) and may do another one of these. As some of you know, Steven Stradley used to be in my old studio; the backdrop is one of his old paintings he left behind.

How does it read?

The Finished Product

This is the finished product. Tyler, I agree with your comments on hierarchy, but a lot of this was already glued down by the time I read your comment (you know I'm impatient). However, I think I have created a main focal point and overall solid comp. I realized that I was creating kind of a reflection in earlier stages of this, so I decided to go with that idea. Although it is done, I am open to critique that might be helpful for further collages. P.S. Geoff, I responded to your comment but blogger was down for a day and they were gone when it came back.

Last Night's Experiments

So I think everyone on here is caught up with my recent collage work except for Geoff, so if you would like to see what I've been doing for the past year, go to www.picasaweb.google.com/michellelarsenart.
These are some possible compositions I was working out last night. I had settled on the one with the girl at the top and all the stuff falling below her, but when I uploaded the pics on my computer, I saw it upside down and thought it was a nice composition, so now I am open to that. I haven't glued anything down yet so I am open to any suggestions. I wish I had some more questions to ask you to direct your feedback, but just tell me what you think.

Moonlight Over Ganymede

At least that's what I'm tentatively calling this first one. I started a few of these little 9x12's on impulse, and if I can get it right I might do a few bigger ones. Any criticism is welcome.

I toned down the blue reflected light a lot in this one as per suggested. Not sure where to go next; I was maybe thinking to go redder (glaze maybe) for the hard light. ???