Visiting Artist at the Putney Painters

The photos above are of me talking with Richard Schmid.

It was a joy to be in Putney, Vermont yesterday painting with the Putney Painters as a visiting artist. I have made trips to Putney over the past 5-6 years, including attending a lecture by Richard Schmid at Landmark College, and have painted in the famous barn several other times, but this time was particularly special.

I was able to talk with Nancy Guzik and Richard Schmid about my plans and progress for a new still life and watch Richard paint in person. Richard shared with us techniques he has perfected over the years as he worked on one of his new masterpieces. Richard {known as a Painter's painter and who has shaped the development of many of the leading artists today} and Nancy Guzik are at the pinnacle of artists painting today.

I will post my painting when it's complete.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Lila at the Belle Haven Country Club

Lila had great energy after a nap and was a radiant delight.

Lila
oil on linen
30" x 26"


www.soniahale.com

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

New formal woman's oil portrait

40" x 30"
oil on linen
Haley

I enjoyed working on this formal oil portrait. During the several sittings I got to know Haley, a lovely young woman.


www.soniahale.com

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Choosing your Medium for your Portrait

The art buyer often needs to make some decisions when commissioning a portrait. One of the first is the Medium. I discussed this in an earlier blog, but I thought it'd be nice to show the wider view of a pastel I did a few years ago. It shows the strokes in the pastel.

Pastels are a subtle, but glorious medium. Choosing pastel sticks for a little child's portrait is a marvel. You see the buttery skin tones in the pastel boxes, but it's also deceptive as there is always so much more going on that the artist is thinking about to capture the face. I was able to study over a few summers with Constance Flavell Pratt and learned so much about the medium.

Pastels are framed with glass to protect them. I think it's the fragile nature of them that captures our hearts. However, do not let the fragile aspect put you off from choosing this medium if you love it. Mary Cassatt's pastels need no introduction and they are from the late 1800's. Pastels from about 1770 by Jean-Baptiste Simeon Chardin hang at the Louvre, as well as those by Maurice-Quentin de La Tour. I was able to see works by those artists over the summer and they were exquisite. Just remember to hang your pastel out of the direct sunlight to avoid fading of the subtle tones and also try to keep it in a low-humidity environment (never in a basement for storage.)


www.soniahale.com

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

The Portrait Society of America members mourn the loss of Gordon Wetmore

" It takes an artist to make an artist."
Emilie Gruppe


A few weeks ago we learned that Gordon Wetmore, the Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Portrait Society of America was very ill. He experienced his first signs of illness in June and very sadly he succombed to a rare disease called Prion last week, shortly after being diagnosed.

Gordon was an artist and painted over 700 portraits of distinguished subjects including: President Richard M. Nixon, Jack Nicklaus, Fred Couples, Dr. and Mrs. Norman Vincent Peale, Leon Uris, Princess Grace, Prince Rainier and Prince Albert of Monaco.

Having attended five PSA conferences around the country I can attest to what a fine organization Gordon envisioned and created. The level of professionalism and organization of artists-helping-artists is a beautiful thing to experience. The PSA, created in 1998, now has over 3000 members internationally. It is not an overstatement to say that the PSA through it's annual conference and competition has raised the level of portraiture and figurative painting internationally. What a sparkling legacy Gordon has left.


Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Early morning plein air painting in Woodstock, Vermont

Early Morning at Billings Farm
6 x 9
oil on panel

I managed to squeeze in a quick early morning study while in Vermont over the weekend for a family party. I was thankful that the staff at Billings Farm didn't disturb me as I quickly worked to try to capture the delicate early light.

To see more of my landscape gallery paintings click here


Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Original Oil Paintings from Monet's Garden in Giverny

In late July I was able to visit Monet's Garden in Giverny, Paris. It was a spectacular day and the gardens were a joyous place to be. I was very inspired and have begun some paintings.

The PInk Rose Topiary in Giverny
14" x 18"
oil on linen

The Yellow Rose Arbor: Monet's Garden
14" x 18"
oil on linen

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.