This is one of four illustrations I made for my grandmother’s and uncle’s book, The Word Painted, just published through WestBow Press this year. Their names are Eleanor and Charles DeLorme and in this book they explore the first five Books of Moses through the lens of art history. I highly recommend this book, not just because I have illustrations in it or because they are my relatives. You can find their book here: http://bookstore.westbowpress.com/Products/SKU-001019011/The-Word-Painted.aspx
This was the first ‘real’ self portrait I tried after beginning a serious drawing class with Robert Armetta at the Long Island Academy of Fine Art in 2007. It was my first formal training in art. I felt that after learning the necessary tools–and gaining the confidence that I sorely needed–I was able to attempt more realistic and nuanced drawings like this.
This painting was done over the course of about 8 to 10 weeks, but worked on only one day a week for 3 hours at a time. This was because it was for a painting class at LIAFA (Long Island Academy of Fine Art). The painting is unfinished, as the class was over before I could tie up loose ends and besides, the gourds were pretty withered by then.
This lovely scene was hard NOT to paint. I like how the shiny rinds of the lemons turned out, especially against the sheen of the ceramic bowl (shaped and painted to look like a large lettuce leaf). Geraniums are always a favorite as well.
Letizia Morley - ARTIST 