What can an artist do??

"KATERYNA"

As the date to do this portrait in acrylics class drew near I was moved to design something to go along with our world in crisis, mainly the Ukraine.  After researching facial features of Ukrainian women a face gradually emerged from my pencil of a woman in Ukrainian native dress and wearing a floral garland.  All designs were taken from historical photos on the internet and so are truly based on authentic Ukrainian attire.

The name "Kateryna" according to a list of Ukrainian names means "Pure." Pure and innocent are those who are being killed, maimed and driven from their free country.  The atrocities that Putin has inflicted upon the Ukrainian people will be revisited by all those who survived for the rest of their lives.

So what could an older, powerless, not-so-well-off artist do to help?  Well one was to recognize the Ukrainian people's plight by designing a work of art to represent their people.  And gradually I came up with the idea of donating the proceeds of this painting to them also.  And so the idea was born.  But wait--I thought, "How can I expand upon that idea?"  So then I came up with publishing it on the internet in hopes that other artists see it, paint it, sell it, and donate the proceeds.

So here is beautiful Kateryna, with instructions below it.  Feel free to improve it, change it, or be inspired by it to do something yourself that will help the people in the Ukraine.  

(Click on Kateryna to enlarge)

Note - Keep mind that these instructions were drafted for a classroom where I explained various techniques of painting in acrylics. Please look up on the internet "scumbling" as that was a common technique used in the final skin layers.  This portrait can also be created in oil, watercolor, pastels, colored pencils, etc.  I used a limited palette and did not name the actual colors as I provided all the supplies and some people in class are not familiar with the actual names of the colors. But following are colors I used or suggest: titanium white, cadmium yellow, cadmium orange, cadmium red light, alizarin crimson, dioxazene purple, ultramarine blue, permanent green light, sap green, burnt umber, burnt sienna, ivory black.

Also, I considered "Kateryna" finished enough for my class, however not finished enough to sell.  In spite of that a student insisted on purchasing it from the class "as is."  So the proceeds will be donated to:

                            Samaritan's Purse

                            P.O. Box 3000

                           Boone, North Carolina 28607

                          Phone - 828-262-1980

If you do decide to paint it yourself, I hope you will donate at least something to either Samaritan's Purse or another charity that is helping the Ukrainian people in their struggle to protect their citizens, help those who have survivied, or help them in their fight for their freedom.

(Click on the below instructions to enlarge)

Visit again soon, as I will be uploading more paintings for you to try!

Judy Burgarella

Blogger

Little Lucy Finished!

Finished this oil portrait of "Lucy," Ruth Steer's great granddaughter.  Ruth had started the portrait even though she had limited time left on this planet.  She tried her best to get it done but her time just ran out.  She was a great lady, an accomplished artist, and I felt privileged to be her art instructor and friend.  She gave me much wise advice on many topics over the years, and I admired her strength, courage and upbeat attitude in spite of her condition.  I hope she would be happy with what I've done to the remains of her painting, which is posted below.

"Lucy" Oil painting by Judy Burgarella

  Another one of Ruth's old wooden paintboxes is on the easel, the design of which I'm very excited about--something really different, but I think it will take a long time.  Also, I recently purchased an old wooden ironing board which will be converted to a wonderful conversation piece--can't wait to work on that one too.  Life's a banquet when you paint--full of adventure, color, and new ideas that just keep rolling around in your head just waiting to come out through your paintbrush!

Friday night I attended Gallery 14's "Our Beautiful Waters" and took 3rd place prize for my "Waiting to Sail" below.  It's always nice to add to my string of ribbons, but it was also nice to receive some gift certificates to places where I don't normally shop. Gallery 14 also featured my "What Lies Beneath" prominently on their front wall.  Finally someone appreciates that whacky manikin creation of mine.

"Waiting to Sail" oil by Judy Burgarella

Last week I finished this tiny painting for the Sebastian River Art Club's ornament tree.  All proceeds from the sale of these little jewels go towards our Scholarship Fund.

"Orchid" tiny oil painting by Judy Burgarella

Got to get crackin' on projects I'm working on for Bob and daughter Tracy right away for Christmas.  They both involve painting on something, which is always great therapy for me to have a goal that involves brushes and paint.

If you're reading this, I hope this inspires you to pick up the brush if you hadn't already.

Judy Burgarella
Blogger

My First Blog

Hello friends, neighbors, relatives, duaghters, and anyone who wants a peek into my world.

I have no idea what's going to happen with this blog, not being very familiar with the whole process, but here goes.

I guess I'll start by using it as a kind of diary to begin with, then see where it takes me or where it evolves to.

First of all, I am an artist, albeit a starving one, trying not to throw too much money down that big hole that is called "art supplies, shows, and trips." My husband Bob tags along, helping with shows and tents, occasionally acting as bartender when needed, cheering me on when I win a prize or when something gets sold. So it makes for a busy, happy life in Florida in our retirement.

Friday was the opening of "The Body Beautiful" at the Garden of Art Fine Art Gallery in Wabasso, of which I am one of the artists. Posted is "Nude with Drape," one of five oils and one pastel I did for the show.

Not that anyone would care, but another love of mine is working with stone. In my former home (3 years since) of Clinton, CT I set many a stone wall on our property, and thought that I left that art form I loved behind. Well, here in Florida, on our small plot of land, I have built 2 small terraces for vegetables and herbs, and now am working on a patio off our lanai (back porch). It consists of about 70 16" blocks and I have lots of leveling to do with it yet, put in about 50 hours so far piecemeal. It will be a wonderful place to sit at night with a glass of wine and watch the sunset over the palm trees here in paradise. My brother-in-law Richard was the inspiration for it, as he loves to sit outside the lanai and watch what's going on at the water's edge. It'll be waiting for him on his next visit.

Well, that's all for now. Have to see if this all worked.

Judy