Big 400 #3 - Pinwheel


Here is my next one for the upcoming holiday art show the Big 400.  I have been sort of obsessed with painting portraits lately and have been getting the face images from Busted.  So if you have gotten in trouble with the law- your mug shot is public record. yikes! I just think it's really funny looking at the pictures and some of the people are smiling! I've never been arrested but I would probably be crying my eyes out if I did.  I did called for jury duty once and I didn't get picked for the jury but it still freaked me out just being in the building.  I am afraid of danger :) lol.  It is also interesting to me the people who look just bored and that they look like they have a little bit of guilt in their eyes but they have to put on this bored exterior to survive it all.  I think that's like a lot of people- even the ones who haven't gotten into trouble.

It's gorgeous weather here today and we are getting out of the studio to enjoy some of that beautiful fall weather.   I think there might be some pumpkin donuts in our future. What are you up to today?

Oil Painting on 8X8 wood board.
  
Want to see previous work for this show? Big400/Big 300/Big 200/Big 100

Details:
Date: December 14th- 2 p.m. and runs until January 21st.
Location:  Peoples Art of Portland Gallery
700 SW Fifth (3rd floor) People's is Suite 4005, Portland, Oregon
There are over 400 artists participating in the 6th Annual Big 400 Show and all art is $50.  It is a cash a carry show- which means you purchase the painting right then and there and you go home with the work.!

14 comments

Jessica (Coco/Mingo) said...

This is really beautiful! You are so talented! I could never paint people - they are so difficult to even draw! I like to you paint people who have been arrested. I'm sure they'd be really flattered :) Love this!

tinajo said...

Well done, great talent you´ve got!

To The River said...

I can relate so much to u being sensitive to the conflict situation. I can't get out from my head when something bad happens, even being trivial, some verbal arguing or similar. Being arrested I can't even imagine. But being too much sensitive is not an easy place to be. I wish so many times that I am more firm and insensitive. Still working on it;-)

kelley said...

this is incredible! you are fantastic :)

Jane said...

great painting! and i'm with you - i am scared of danger! and so interesting how you describe their face expressions. love reading that part.

Lauren said...

So gorgeous! And I can NOT tell you how much I love it that you are using MUG SHOTS! LOVE.

Shy said...

What an interesting was to get subjects for your portraits! I had to so a photo line up once for a shoplifter and while I would recognized him easy in the store (he was a repeat offender) it was so hard to pick him out! It was strange being in a little interrogation room looking at photos! Anyways! your paintings are beautiful!

Christine D. | The Plumed Nest said...

i adore your mugshot story. i think it's really insightful. i usually don't look at those papers because i feel like even criminal need their privacy (though i totally approve your usage, and i think it's genius!). but i do glance at the front page and i know what you are saying. some people also look really comfortable like it's just another day. but i love your bored analysis - that's great. so true.

Some Korean Website Highjacker said...

such an interesting observation about guilt behind bored eyes. i've never thought of it like that before. the insights you have definitely infuse into your art work and create a whole entire still spirit. this painting is incredible Erika. bravo! ♥

Ashley @TheCreamToMyCoffee said...

Mmm pumpkin donuts!

Absolutely gorgeous piece. You are so talented. And I honestly I had no idea that you could look up people's mug shots - that's so crazy to think about people smiling in them!

The Olive Tree Blog said...

ohhhh! love this!! I was an art major...I haven't painted in years!! off to look at your other works :)

Outcast said...

Amazing job as usual Erika, I just adore what's currently going on in this!

Sian said...

So great! and I am afraid of danger too ;)

Jennifer Allison said...

okay...this is hilarious. i was perusing your portrait paintings on instagram and was like, 'dang...all these people look angry...or something???'. mug shots...got it. stellar idea.