I think she's finished!

I find it very hard with paintings and drawings to know when something is finished. I suppose it's possible to keep adding and never be finished but I think my version of Lillian Bassman's photograph of a woman by the window is complete.  I'm really quite pleased with it as I wasn't sure of my ability to do this, especially just using one colour - pure white.  It was a real study of tones.

All the details are much more subtle when you see it from a proper distance but here it is from a couple of metres.  Once I've got it up I'll take a proper photo of it in situ.

I bought an ornate vintage frame and replaced the canvas with a home made chalkboard.  Then using chalk and white pastel I drew my version of the vintage black and white photograph (taken by Lillian Bassman in the 1950s).  I've always loved this photograph. The model is so very elegant and I love the muted greys and folds of her dress and her beautiful hair.

her head

waist and folds of dress

the chair and light from window

And here is a close up of the ornate frame.  I love the cracks and vintage detail of it. When ever I find an ornate vintage frame or mirrors s for a good price I snap them up as they just don't make them like they used to and a vintage frame has so many uses.  I'm not sure where this painting will hang so at the moment it's just leaning against the wall in the lounge room.

and this is the frame and painting when I bought it:

And here's a sneak peak below of the furniture I've been painting lately.  Below is only the primer and first coat and I'll actually distress this set to bring out the detail and make all that carving really pop.  It's a vintage ornate bedroom set. With a lick (actually a lot of licks) of white paint, it's turning out beautifully.  

The magic of white paint never ceases to please me.  

The white sideboard that I painted a few months ago sold on the weekend to a lovely girl, Emma. It's been in our lounge room for a few months - with Mum being so sick and then the funeral etc, I hadn't listed it for sale until last week. Phil had got very used to it there and after I sold it told me how much he loved it, how beautiful he thought it was and how sad he was that I'd sold it. He then said "now you'll have to find something else to put there".  Hey mister there's no need to ask twice!! I'll be off to the auctions today! love it when I'm given a mission...

So what do you think of my drawing? 

have a lovely day.

cheers

Fiona xx