Well…I was asked to. Now I probably know every song by him. Pretty much my whole life this man was in the spotlight and a household name. Love him, or hate him you can not deny he was very talented and changed the entire music industry, next to Elvis. I must admit some songs I enjoy, I never cared for his personal life, always thought he was very strange, maybe that much talent makes someone that way.

Michael - ©2010 ChrisVodnik.com

So I was asked to do a portrait for a friend’s child who really loves his music and him.

I thought black and white would fit the mood in this portrait. So I worked with a palette of 5 basic colors. I am not sure why but I love to paint in black and white. I had to work with photos which was a challenge because photos never give you what real life can. I prefer either live or photos I take so I can have the lighting and pose the way I want it. I took no money for the portrait, it was a gift and I hope the owner will enjoy it while listening to her favorite singer.

So I noticed that it is now the end of June and I have not touched a paint brush in several months. I am writing this down to remind me the next time I visit my site and wonder…. wow still no new art.

I have been taking lots of photos during this time of non painting. Hoping that something will inspire me to pick up a brush other than for my teeth. My daughter on the other hand has been inspired to create in the bathtub. She is showing me that creating is a joyful event and shouldn’t be daunting. Maybe I should take a bath…

Finally.

I have finished this painting. Took a lot of work from where it started, but the painting turned out how I wanted.

Now I just need to let it dry and choose a frame. A larger image is available in the Portraits gallery.

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Not because of all the gifts, but the one gift that we can truly never repay. Since we are called to be thankful, I am thankful for that gift above all things. I am also thankful for my family and their health.

I am also very thankful for my wife, whom puts up with me 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. She also knows I love my art and encourages me to do so.

This year she gave to me a Jullian Easel, a wonderful gift for any artist. I have never painted outside, unless you count finger paints when I was a kid. So since I love to paint the outdoors, it will be great to actually paint outside! Of course at 9 degrees, I think I will wait until spring.

After the birth of my daughter in July, I came across a picture that was taken of my sister and I sitting on the couch that looked very similar to a picture that I took my two daughters. I always enjoyed that picture and I discovered it 11 years ago at my sister’s house. I guess she must have liked the image as well.

So what better thing to do than to paint the picture and surprise my mother for her birthday with it. I thought I could complete this small 8″x8″ painting in a few days. I forgot how picky I am so that did not happen. So my mother was presented with an almost finished painting for her birthday. She understands, she knows me very well.

But I have finally finished and I can not wait to present it to her. You can view a larger version in the Portraits Gallery above.

Words do not do justice in what this day has meant. There are no more tears of pain and sorrow, but of joy and hope. I am always, amazed at God’s grace and mercy. I looked to the cross in that dark moment years ago and tried to remember that Jesus went through pain and death and that He also conquered it that day so all could live in light.

Today has shown me again the wonders of God and His eternal love.

Now I have another one of God’s creation to paint on canvas! Amen!

Such as life. Things get busy, and then there is no time to finish a painting. I am close to completing this painting, however since my eye surgery I have not been able to finish. I hope to start up in the next week or so when I have time. For now here is where the painting is at visually. Still need to work on the boat and her feet and legs. I am very happy with the water and the rest of the girl.

Now I would have preferred Jesus’ method of curing eyesight. A little spit from the Savior and two question would have been wonderful. Probably a lot less pain and irritation. I have been using eye drops like an addict and I want to rub my eyes so bad that… well you know, I could scratch them. But you can’t. So you tough it out and learn to perfect the eye dropping technique.

So even though I want to paint I know I shouldn’t. Oil painting probably is not the best thing to be doing while recovering from eye surgery. Not that you ever want to get any oils in your eyes, but always having to hydrate the eyes I figure there is a greater chance of getting something in them.

So for now no painting until my check up next week. I will just enjoy seeing God’s creation with a new perspective.