An Artist's Journal:Paintings by Felicia Marshall

5"x 7" acrylic on hardboard I used to shy away from painting glass. The reflective surface never seems to end. I can’t say that anymore. I am so excited about this painting. The actual berries take a second place to the glass vase and the shadow created behind. NFS

5”x7” acrylic on hardboard The toes say it all. This painting is actually the second half of the "Saturday Morning" painting. They connect to one another perfectly side by side. I thought I would try something I hadn't tried before after the obvious change in my painting size. SOLD

5"x 7" acrylic on hardboard Saturday mornings tend to be some of the calmest times at our home. This particular Saturday I came down stairs to find my kids sitting quietly on our big purple sofa and instead of watching television they were flipping through our family photo albums. I was so glad to be able to capture this moment….before they began to manhandle the pages and the magic moment was lost. SOLD

6"x6" acrylic on masonite This is my recipe for frustration. I should have stopped at the painting you are viewing. I must have sensed bad things where coming, because I actually scanned the painting before I began with my final touches. Hours, then days later my attempt to simply polish some of the details had resulted in an almost completely new painting, not better just new. Finally I did something I never do. I gave up on this one. The commitment that I make is usually rewarded eventually with success, except on these rare occasions when the magic just doesn't happen, no matter how much time I committed to the painting. So I'm posting this earlier happier version.

5"x 7" acrylic on hardboard This is the second of two red dress paintings that I had in mind. I love the color red and the mood that the painting creates. $75.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling

5"x 7" acrylic on masonite I love sunflowers! I love their color. Whenever I’m feeling blue, sunflowers always brighten my day. Forget a dozen roses. These I arranged for one of my kids birthday dinners. I usually don’t need a reason to purchase them, but I do feel just a little guilty when I do. SOLD

6"x 6" acrylic on masonite As I looked at my work I noticed that my most recent paintings were all of single figures. I thought this time I would try something different, so I focused on a painting that had two figures. I am working my way up to a crowd (not really). These two little girls were photographed at one of the many kids party‘s we attend. They stood waiting for their turn in a balloon racing game. I love the colors and the pattern in the girl’s clothing. They are what I refer to as cute and beautiful also know as “Cutiful.” SOLD

6"x 6" acrylic on masonite This has to be my all time favorite portrait, it really captures the model’s grand personality. She truly is larger than life, no inhibitions, happy, giggly, and always has a big smile on her face. She is as wild and expressive as the curls upon her head. This was really a treat to paint. $75.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling SOLD

6"x6" acrylic on masonite The end of September means it’s time to pull out all of those Halloween decorations.  Zora sat just high enough on the steps to catch some really nice reflections on and around her and the plastic pumpkin she was holding. SOLD

6"x6" acrylic on masonite Upon completing this painting I realized the painting was as much about the big pink ball as it was about Alex. When I was a little girl I always wanted a big giant ball. It was like a magnet in the store bulling me to it. My mother was the no nonsense type when it came to toys, so I can never remember ever having one. When I had children, I noticed the big giant ball was just as appealing to them as it was to me. We are currently on our third giant ball. Unlike my mother, I can’t say no when I get the request. This pink ball happens to be the last one we purchased. After several attempts at retrieving the ball, a nice gentleman helped me maneuver it from the bottom of the six foot cage. My hero. Did I mention I am barely over five feet tall. I am sure I looked totally ridiculous. Painting the image was calming, nostalgic, and maybe even a little therapeutic. I enjoyed discovering details that I might have over looked if I would have not painted this...

6"x6" acrylic on masonite One of my relatives brought back beads from his trip to Mardi Gras and shared them with the kids. What a prize! It was late evening, so the light created interesting patterns across every ones face and I was able to capture another great image in light. $75.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling

6"x6" acrylic on masonite This was a picture that I couldn’t wait to paint and I’m glad I finally got around to it. The painting turned out just as nice as I thought it would. We purchased this sea monster for our trip to the lake this past summer, so I guess I should have entitled it “Lake Monster". I thought the bright color and green pattern would make a great painting. My niece in the painting had a lot to do with the painting's success. You can’t stage cute. $75.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling

6"x6" acrylic on masonite My spirited daughter loves playing in the backyard in the afternoon. This was her second dress change, if only you could see her shoes, defiantly not for the great outdoors. “She’s a diva in the making.” I really enjoy capturing her spirit. I have committed myself to painting more images that have stronger light sources, I like the results. They feel a little more complex and moody than other images I paint. SOLD

8"x11" acrylic on cradled hardboard I was feeling grown up today, I guess this explains the subject. I should probably call this one the evolution of the red dress. Parts of the painting evolved from other images. It’s funny how I thought this was so different from some of the most recent posts, but as I glanced over my thumbnail paintings I realized that two of the last three paintings are of people in chairs. Hummmmm, what is that all about? I really don’t know. Keeping a blog is making me notice some things, for instance I tend to paint the same type of subject twice. I guess I just paint a subject until I get it out of my system. $120.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling

6"x6" acrylic on masonite Last night after I posted I thought about how hard I work to make my paintings consistent. This became the test before I considered a painting I’ve done complete and worthy of posting. In the same moment I thought how can I really evolve as a painter if I don’t take chances and paint a variety of images and styles. So today I challenged myself to try something a little different. “Going Home” focuses on several people as they walk out of the theme park just in front of us. My goal in this painting was to try to capture the atmospheric light and mood of the tourists exiting the park. $75.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling

6"x6" acrylic on masonite I originally wanted to use this painting as a demonstration for this month, but as I began to paint it quickly became clear that this was not going to be a simple three step painting. This is obviously a hotel room. I do believe somewhere in Missouri. I couldn't resist the drama that the light in the window created as it filtered through the curtains one morning before we packed up and left. The kids act as if stopping at the hotel is the real reason we've driven hundreds of miles from home. They have their little rituals when we walk into our room. First every light switch must be tested. Then every bed must be jumped upon, I think they're testing for comfort. Their most recent ritual is actually jumping from one bed to the other just to see if it's possible. After all tests are passed, they REALLY begin to claim the room by pulling every toy and stitch of clothing they can find out of the suitcase. Yes, those are my kids that you h...

6"x6" acrylic on masonite Naps are always better in grandpaw's fluffy comfy chair. $75.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling

6"x6" acrylic on masonite This is my last bumble bee painting. I have finally gotten them out of my system, I think. This one, like the rest was a joy to paint. I am glad I was able to take a different perspective for each in the series. This one happens to be my favorite. $75.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling

6"x6" acrylic on masonite This particular carousel was at a carnal that I attended recently, but I do remember the first time I saw this style of carousel. I was in college and had taken a trip to the San Antonio Zoo during summer vacation. I thought the carousel was so beautiful and ornate that I took several photographs even then. This image was of the same model I’d seen so long ago, but this carousel was from a carnival here in Houston. I wanted to paint the carousel from a nontraditional way of interacting with or seeing a carousel. $75.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling

6"x6" acrylic on masonite This is my second bee painting. I love the Bumble Bee ride so much that I couldn’t just paint it once. Funny, as I was painting this picture I could remember the humming noise that the mechanical arms made just as vividly as if I were there. $75.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling

6"x6" acrylic on masonite When I surf the web I constantly find paintings of swimmers splashing in pristine blue water. I live on the gulf coast so this has never been my experience when we’d venture out to the beach, or our favorite lake. If I could quote my students I am “keeping it real” with this painting of the little boy in the sea of green lake water. He doesn’t seem to mind the color. This little painting symbolizes the end of summer for me. I go back to teaching in two days. No more painting late into the night and sleeping in the next day. No more freedom. Back to consistency and order. SOLD

6"x6" acrylic on masonite I couldn’t wait to get started on this painting. As an artist and a teacher I have learned and taught my students to stay away from the color yellow or at least use it with caution. That pretty little color will quickly turn into olive green when you mix it with black or any color that has black in it, knowing this, I was still up for the challenge when I began painting. It took longer than usual to finish this one, mainly because I got caught up in all of the details in the crowd and tents, but it was well worth it in the end. I love these bumble bees, the ride and the painting. $75.00 + $5.00 shipping and handling

6"x6" acrylic on masonite If at first you don’t succeed, try again… right? Maybe I am just a glutton for punishment because I found my second attempt at painting the Majestic Metro just as frustrating as the first time I painted it.

6"x6" acrylic on masonite This was my first attempt at painting architecture and signs. I am struggling to write something about this painting. It’s not that I don’t consider it memorable, believe me I will remember my experience for a long time. I guess it was what I would call, something different and I found the experience well…. Frustrating! I had to constantly reminded myself that stepping out of my comfort zone is how you learn.

6"x6" acrylic on masonite My daughter is a whiner, and defiantly a force to be reckoned with, she usually won’t take “no” for an answer. The first time anyway. This particular time she stood at my feet making demands. Instead of a long “meaningless” conversation with her, I calmly took my camera and photographed her at this very interesting angle. At least one of us walked away happy. I never really thought how different children must see our world having to always looking up at us from their small three foot perspective. SOLD

You can’t have a great painting without a good drawing. I prefer a contour line drawing, it’s clean and simple, just the basics. I have noticed that the more confident I am about producing an image the fewer details I will draw before beginning a painting. I then block in colors as broadly as possible. Later I refine areas with additional colors, details, and texture. Finally, you'll notice in the final painting bellow I add smaller details in the eyes and the brightest highlights.

6"x6" acrylic on masonite This cutie pie had just emerged from the little wooden house and I loved the way the sun lit her face and the ground around her. It has been awhile since I have gotten to work with earth tones and I really missed it. This painting came together so easily. I really had a great time from start to finish.

9"x11" acrylic on bristol Sometimes when I am working on a children's book I end up taking an awesome photograph that I can't find a place for in the book. This is one such image. The painting captures some of my childhood memories of climbing the big live oak tree in my grandmothers back yard. I will always remember the first day I was able to climb the massive tree.

6”x 6” acrylic on masonite The model’s eyes are so expressive. I remember when she was a just a baby. Now she has grown into such a lovely young lady. This painting evolved from several ideas. I have been wanting to work with extreme lighting again and I found my chance with this one. I have to admit, “I hate painting white tee shirts!” This was a grand challenge for me. I am glad I can scratch that off of my rather long list of “Things I Hate Painting but Should Probably Try.” I actually do have this list and I can honestly say I have scratched three things off since I began daily painting.

6”x 6” acrylic on masonite I fell in love with the movement of this horse. I decided to create a little painting that focused only on the horse. Unlike my previously posted image I was able to focus as much attention as possible on all of the reflective details.

6”x 6” acrylic on masonite Having children means that I have ridden on my fair share of carousels. I love the colors and ornamentation on the animals, but there is one horse in particular that I see too often. This model happens to be the one carousel horse I like least I call him the The Beast. I find this model of carousel horse so over the top with it’s mane sitting outrageously higher than any of the others. It should have not surprised me when my daughter went straight to this one to ride. Then she turned to me and demanded that I not touch her horse. They deserve each other, had this not have happened, I would have never been able to take the image that you are now viewing. Oh, and after painting this horse, I have a new found appreciation for it’s design.