In 2024 I did a few classes of the Art Soul Gathering. One of them was by Melanie Rivers, an Indigenous mixed media artist from the Squamish First Nation in Vancouver, Canada. Many of you probably know her and her beautiful art. This class was called "Dance of the Dragonfly" where she showed how to create the portrait you can see above.
She used this photo as a reference:
I tried to create a textured background on a wood panel, using some paper package filling and also scribbled in the gesso. Then I traced the woman and painted with acrylic paints. I'm not super happy with it, but also not unhappy. Kind of neutral. Since I didn't have a dragonfly image and I really like hummingbirds, I decided to use the image of a hummingbird that I had found in a magazine. Instead of "Dance of the Dragonfly" I called her "Hummingbird Woman".
This is for Nicole's Friday Face Off.
I apologize for not commenting very much on your blogs at the moment. I got another big order that I hope to wrap up this weekend. Hopefully, after that I will have more time.
23 comments:
...I always said that business came first. Be well.
Take good care of yourself, dear Carola. ❤️
Your Hummingbird Woman is great! I'm not familiar with Melanie Rivers or her art, so I will look her up on Google. On the other hand, I HAVE in the past been to Squamish, BC. It's a beautiful place.
Ich finde sie wunderschön - und, toll dass so viele Anfragen kommen! So viel zu "Rentendasein" ;-)
Dear Carola, I wish you all the best and successful work!
What a great job you did, Carola. Surely one of the benefits of art is the ability to improvise. It is the very essence of creativity. Well done! Many hugs - David
I love your Hummingbird woman Carola! Love how peaceful she looks and also i love all the texture and layers you made. Wonderful piece. Truly beautiful! Have a wonderful Friday and a lovely weekend!
Nice job Carola. Your version of the hummingbird woman is super. I actually like the colors you used and the hummingbird is a great addition. I also has a face for Face Off too. (More of a viable face than the dragonfly in the original.) Have a super Friday and weekend ahead. hugs-Erika
Nice work. Complete that order, business comes first.
Ohhhh Carola your painting is beautiful. You have the tilt of her head exact, which then allows all of her features to lay perfectly. This is a difficult position for a portrait and you achieved it. I also love the texture. Very clever with the paper package filling. Humming birds or dragonflies I will go for either of them. Well done my friend. As for you question on why I started my portrait with the ear. I have no rhyme or reason about where I start on a face. I think maybe because the ear is prominent and I like drawing ears? I don't have a formula like some artist too. Perhaps it comes from being self taught. Thank you for sharing with FFO during your busy time and have a great day.
Beautiful work!
Your interpretation of the photo is lovely, Carola.
Well done, my friend. She is beautiful and I love the white hair. Hummingbirds are a favorite of mine (as are dragonflies), and your painting of the Hummingbird is exquisite. I love your choice of colors in her face and neck. You never cease to amaze, Carola ...
Andrea @ From the Sol
Very powerful
Nicely done!
Yours is a lovely piece, Carola! Good luck getting all your orders out!
Your version of the portrait is amazing too!
These are really incredible. Bravo.
Beautiful work ... and now to complete that order you have!
All the best Jan
A mí me parecen muy bonitos. Besos.
Liebe Carola, mir gefällt deine Neuinterpretation von "Dance of the Dragonfly" als "Hummingbird Woman" ausgesprochen gut! Du hast es geschafft, trotz einer sehr verlockend wirkenden "Vorlage" etwas ganz Eigenes zu schaffen. Das gelingt mir zumeist nicht, wenn ich Interpretationsbeispiele gesehen habe, die mir gefallen - ich versuche dann üblicherweise, nah am Vorbild zu bleiben ... und scheitere meistens (mehr oder weniger). Ähnlich ergeht es mir auch mit Zeichnen nach Fotos - ich möchte dann etwas möglichst Fotorealistisches erstellen und bin letztendlich unzufrieden, weil ich es nicht kann. Ich mag es sehr, wie du das Gesicht schattiert hast (auch das Farbenspiel!) - und ich freue mich, dass du die Libelle mit meinem Lieblingsvogel ersetzt hast.
In deinem früheren Beitrag habe ich gelesen, dass du Geburtstag hattest - deshalb: Happy belated birthday!
Alles Gute aus Österreich, Traude
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2026/01/reisebericht-2025-drei-parks-am.html
Beautiful work, Carola.
Love the textures and the gentle strength in her expression.
And the hummingbird is a perfect touch.
Wishing you all the best with your big order! 💙
I find the hummingbird very satisfying in your image, an improvement over the dragonfly. Lovely art work!
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