Commissioned Painting Update

Changed the blue sky to a colored sky, commissioned painting.
Dillon and Dexter Chilling at Bell Rock, 18 x 36 inches,
Acrylic on canvas. Copyright 2014 Mary Rush Gravelle.

Ummm.... well.... I delivered the painting. The sky was blue and that was a problem. Come to find out the buyer does not care for blue skies. When she takes photos, she puts a filter on her camera to keep the sky from being blue. My bad for not being or getting super clear on her expectations.

In reality, I very rarely paint blue skies in my paintings. The painting she purchased from me prior to the commission had a mauve and beige sky. She expected more of the same. She explained that she has no blue in her house, therefore, it doesn't really go with her decor. "Okay, no problem," I told her, "I'll put a color glaze over it... I want you to be ecstatically happy over this painting!"

So, back to the drawing board (painting easel) today. I tried the color glaze. It just didn't cut it. So, I took bold action and painted the sky the same colors as the rest of the painting, Sedona red-orange. I have to admit that I like it! It feels much more like my style. I was apprehensive in painting this work. I guess I was more nervous than I realized, trying to paint what I thought she would like. I wanted Bell Rock to look like Bell Rock. I wanted her cats to look like her cats. I guess I went a little too far in that direction.

I will let the painting sit overnight and see what it looks like in the morning. Perhaps I'll add some yellow and fuchsia to the sky. We'll see.

Original Painting. Dillon and Dexter Chilling at Bell Rock, 18 x 36 inches,
Acrylic on canvas. Copyright 2014 Mary Rush Gravelle.

So, what do you think? Do you like the colored sky? Did you like the blue sky? Have you had similar experiences with commissioned paintings?

Until Next Week

• Create art
• Appreciate art
• Buy art

Mary Rush
(Mary Gravelle)

About the Author

Mary Rush is an artist who resides in Sedona, Arizona with her beloved cat, Sir Kitty. More about her art and paintings can be found on her website.

Copyright 2014 Mary Rush (Gravelle). All rights reserved.

Sir Kitty

Sir Kitty at Home -- Painting in process -- July 24, 2010

I'm still painting .... I am happier than I was the last time I posted about this painting. I'm still not happy that I painted Sir Kitty over with Black. The painting was almost finished. Painting him black threw the entire color scheme off. So, now I'm busy recreating the color scheme. Or should I try to paint him blue again?

Sir Kitty Painting -- Still in Process

I just restarted this painting again yesterday. This is why I like to finish paintings in the time period when I begin them. My energy and painting style changes over time.

I have been through six months of life experience, painting other paintings, and looking at other people's art. This changes the energetics of painting.

I'm not sure if I have killed this painting at this point (top photo).

As you can see I have toned down the foreground color. I repainted the two mountains on the left and toned down the orange mountain in the mid-ground on the left. And I painted Sir Kitty over with black, since he is a black cat. I took the path away underneath Sir Kitty in favor of making the entire foreground his playground.

From looking at these two paintings on the screen now, it appears that the current version of this painting places the emphasis on Sir Kitty and kind of holds the eye there. I think I should paint the path back in.

I will keep painting and hopefully resolve this painting without totally changing its dynamics, which I most likely have already done.

New to the "Cats" Gallery: Sir Kitty with Hibiscus Painting

If you like cat stuff, you'll love this new image in the "Cats" gallery. Order the greeting card, canvas print, framed print, or just plain print. You will be delighted.

Sir Kitty with Hibiscus Painting -- Buy Now!

Sir Kitty at Home -- Process 6

Well ..... I do not usually let a painting be painted over such a long length of time. I just seem to have so much to do lately.

Anyway, this painting has a ways to go yet, but it's getting there.

Sir Kitty at Home -- Process 5

This painting is moving along. A few more sessions should suffice. A friend told me that she thought I did a good job on capturing Sir Kitty.

Sir Kitty at Home -- Process 4

Paint, paint, and more painting! Will I ever get Sir Kitty's look right -- eyes, thought I had them, then changed them.... nose and mouth are looking strange here....aye! What a challenge. I'll just keep painting until I get it right!

Sir Kitty at Home -- Process 3

This painting is progressing along. Painting a cat in the landscape is new territory for me. I think he is turning out okay so far. Have more work to do. Enjoy!

New Painting in Progress -- Sir Kitty at Home

Sir Kitty at Home, 36" x 60", acrylic on canvas
Process photos

I'm excited to be painting on this canvas finally! The image is a scene outside my studio window. Sir Kitty sits in front of the landscape. He actually sits inside the studio window looking out wishing he was there!