An Artist's Journal:Paintings by Felicia Marshall

“11 x 14” acrylic on hardboard This painting’s from a girl’s line.  Each little girl was standing in a line at a party waiting for their chance to play pop the balloon.  I couldn't resist all of the unique expressions on each of the children’s faces as they anxiously awaited for their turn. 

8”x10” acrylic on hardboard What can I say, how cute are two little girls taking a break after picking strawberries?   I usually try to avoid painting foliage.   It’s never ending grasses and sticks and branches going every which way. But I took it on as a challenge. SOLD

8"x10" acrylic on hardboard I first thought I would create a single painting of each young lady. After playing around with several possible compositions I settled on this one. I always enjoyed visiting this particular school that taught violin to very young students, some as young as first grade. I was always impressed with their ability to not just play the violin but play it very well. As soon as they began playing I couldn't help but wonder how much time was spent practicing daily to get to this point in their performance. $120 + $5 shipping

8"x10" acrylic on hardboard This little scene took place on our patio. The sidewalk chalk has been almost worth the mess it makes. My daughter stays occupied for hours making her drawings. Too bad she walks right through the chalk and tracks it into the house when she's finished. I didn't mean to us such a limited palette but when I finished painting, it felt right.

8"x 8" acrylic on hardboard This year we visited an old friend and his family. We all had a great time as always. At one point he pulled out fireworks and for the next two hours we stood in the cold popping firecrackers, shooting bottle rockets, and lighting sparklers . Good times. This is the first night scene that I think I've ever painted. I was shocked by how easily it all came together. SOLD

5"x 7" acrylic on hardboard I have had this image for sometime now. I always knew I’d paint the portraits, but I never really saw their real energy until recently when I took another look at these to young ladies. They were standing in line waiting for their turn in the game at a birthday party. I cropped the image considerably and focused on what I thought was really important. To quote a friend, “Keep the main thing, the main thing.” When I was a little girl my mother would adorn my hair with bows, ball ties, and rubber bands just like these two cutie pies. As a painter I am fascinated with the way the light filters through the transparent plastic balls I guess I was drawn to the color contrast of the little girl and the white dress she wore as well. The background was a challenge. I used several color options before I settled with green even at one point deciding that I should paint the background in full detail before I remembered I was focusing in on what was important. ...

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

3 x 5 Acrylic on Bristol Board This painting I just finished for a illustrator’s annual. I purchased an ad for next year and like always I have waited until the last minute to decide which image I will send to represent my work. I actually did begin working on the image about two months ago but I pushed it aside and figuring I’ll finish it later. Well… it’s later. Can you tell I am really ready for Summer, this is my second image on the subject? Zora stands on the sand playing alone without a care in the world. Zora was the first to show any form of independence. Her hair is always in a mass of curls exploding from any type of enclosure applied earlier to contain them. She has hair that matches her personality. She’s independent, with her own ideas even at this early age. I hope I have captured this in the painting.