Helen Mar Kimball 'Shy of 15'

This is an acrylic painting on a handmade wood canvas 21"x21", crafted by my son Tracey Folau, of Helen Mar Kimball.  She was probably the prophet Joseph Smiths's youngest wife. She was just shy of 15. 

Sonja

This is a good friend who recently came into my life and I'm not sure how I got along without her. Thank you Gary and Ernie for the introduction. Sonja is brilliant ( she teaches feminism at a University, she teaches other classes as well) and has a very witty sense of humor and  is also very sweet and nice. I did her portrait in the same style as my forgotten wives. I have her cute cropped hair, her glasses and her outfit, the rest of her features  I pay no attention to, if I try and get them accurate I spend hours and hours fussing, and I waste paper and time and I want to kill myself. 

I had a very interesting conversation with a gallery owner who told me my distortions were charming and to distort my portraits even more. I am taking his advice seriously! 

Ashley's commission

Watercolor 8x10 for a couple who got engaged in a hot air balloon 

Jennifer's commission

This is for a very special person, I hope she likes it.  Watercolor 5x7

Fanny Alger 'The Barn'

 This is Fanny Alger, the first plural wife of Joseph Smith, or his mistress, depending on which historian you are following. I put flowers around her, to symbolize she was alive and real, and part of our history . This was the beginning of our journey into polygamy. This was painted on a 16x20 canvas in acrylic. I painted this for the Beehive Bazaar.

Texas Commission

 I did this painting this morning. There was not a lot of detail on the photo I used which was great. It allowed me to keep it lose.  I love all the color and the happy feeling I get from this piece.

Sisters in Zion

  I think my ladies are done! This was a fun painting, I love all the expressions and the picture of Joseph hanging on the wall. Can't wait to frame it!

Sisters in Zion - progress

Coming along, I am having fun watching the sisters unfold. I won't post again until I am done.

Sisters in Zion in progress

Here's the first stage, I am really having fun with this, it's something I've had on my mind since I finished the forgotten wives. It's interesting to me how you have an idea in your mind, but the painting takes a life of its own, I love to see the surprise at the end.

Sisters in Zion sketch

Thought I would share a sketch I have done for my next painting.  I think I will post my progress, something new for me.

Rethinking the Church Ladies

This new project is about honoring LDS women today, and celebrating their diversity. My other reason was to work on my skills as a new artist and up my game. I have now done 10 ladies and have been reasonably happy with them, but  it has been much more stressful. I have had two artists tell me to be careful not to lose my style that I used on my "Forgotten Wives".  My brother Steve gave me some great advice, he said to journal the process and share the creative process.  So here is Kalani in both styles. I like them both, I like the second one enough to go back and redo another church lady and do some more ponderizing ( did really just use that word?)  

Kalani - Church lady #10

This is Kalani, she lives in Texas. She is a single mother who does it ALL! She is a teacher, beautiful writer, Mormon feminist activist, volleyball coach, avid reader and question asker. I have had the pleasure of listening to her speak, she is a woman who is loved and respected by many, and a great role model to young women of color.  She also has the cutest little kids on the planet and always uses the hashtag #lifeofazookeeper when posting pictures of her children. I am a huge fan of this woman.

Portrait study

I did another painting inspired by Bev's book. It's such a great source of inspiration. Now I need to get on to my other paintings and try and incorporate some of the lessons I have learned. Thank you Bev and I will see you in May!

Ballerina#2

This is my 4th painting I have done from Bev's painting  book, I am learning so much! I absolutely love her style! 

Bo

Decided to do a watercolor of Bo. Watercolor is without a doubt my favorite medium.

Chef - study

Another piece I did while studying and practicing Bev's tips in her amazing book. I am hooked.

Ballerina- study

I can't get enough of Bev's art book, I absolutely love her style. This was a quick painting I did while Harold was  at church doing his financial work. This came together in less than an hour. This is how I image my little Zoe in another year.

Redhead - study

I just got a new art book from my latest favorite artist, Bev Jozwiak.  I love her lose work, use of color, and how her pencil markings are part of the design. I am taking a workshop from her in May. I love how this painting turned out, the drips and splatters really are a huge plus for me.

Church Lady

Another beautiful woman to be included in my series, more info to come.

Church Lady

I will update this post when I get more info. 

People watching

This was a quick watercolor sketch to plan out a painting for a lady. I love what happens when you have no expectations. I showed this to the gal and she loved it too! Jackpot! 

Susie - Church Lady #7

Susie  is the mother of a real rock star and has an addiction to traveling the world. Every day on her lunch break she walks from downtown Salt Lake City to the U of U. She is a dear friend. 

Page - church lady

This is Page, an artist from Virginia. She collects remnants from our history and creates beautiful art to honor our pioneer women. I am honored to include her in my project.

Mosianna

Mosianna is the closest thing there is to an angel. She raised 10 wonderful children while sewing garments at the Beehive Clothing Mill.  She was always smiling and always had her grandchildren near by . She passed away 2 years ago, but she will always be remembered.

Maggie

A Saturday watercolor sketch, playing with portrait styles. I used the Daniel Smith Thomas Schaller palette.

BO

 Painted this little guy for a friend

Self portrait

I painted a self portrait in the same style as my forgotten wives to use when I show my collection. 

Church lady Quinn

Quinn, sailing instructor, skier and college student

Church Lady - Micki

This is Micki, an author and a friend. 

 

Vicki -Church Lady #2

Vicki is my art friend. We have taken watercolor classes together and had a girl trip down to Kayenta to do a workshop. Vicki practically paid for my trip to Tonga for me to help my daughter adopt her twins, by purchasing many of my paintings.Her charming little Sugarhouse bungalow is full of my art. She is definitely my biggest fan. She also is a big animal lover, she could never turn away a stray cat. Vicki is one of the nicest people I know. 

Marilyn

This is Marilyn. She is full of love and joy. I have the pleasure of doing her hair every week. She served a mission in India and has the coolest, most interesting children that have lived all over the world and own jets and have their own hangers, she always has a cool story to tell. She is my first painting for new project called "Church Ladies" where I will paint and honor women I love. I hope to show lots of diversity. Mormon women are beautiful and unique. I love them all.

Happy Birthday and Father's Day to my love

This is a quick little watercolor sketch for my hubby! He is the love of my life for so many reasons, he is my biggest supporter and cheerleader when it comes to my art! He is always so positive, and he has the tact and kindness to make suggestions that always improve my art! He is my sweet, kind, hard working man and he takes such good care of me. My life is perfect with him by my side.

Transition

 A fun piece for Sunstone! 

Figure drawing at Writ&Vision

 I absolutely love figure drawing, half the fun is meeting such incredible artists!

Jonsey #2

  I painted Jonsey again to practice this new pouring method, not sure which one I like best.

Jonsey

This was a class project on the pouring  method. I did 3 pours, very fun and different

Brook's wedding watercolor sketch

 Sundays are my sketch days, this was my afternoon project. I love that it is loose and that the faces and figures almost fade away in the back

My first live figure drawing

I was invited to join a group of artists who do figure drawing on Sat morning. I was surprised how much I loved it. The model was amazing and I met some great artists. The 3 hours flew by, we did about 7 or 8 poses. I am hooked

Another painting for the Castlerock Coffee Shop

Paintings for the Castlerock Coffee Shop in Torrey Ut

Forgotten Wives of Joseph Smith

I  finally completed all of J.S.'s wives and my daughter Julie designed a poster. I was asked to show this project in the Writ&Vision gallery last Friday during the Provo gallery stroll. I was thrilled with the turn out and the interest in my art. I was honored to be showing my work with Matt Page, Cassandra Barney and Kirk Richards.

8x10 red truck