Portraitgirl Paints

4 years to the day: The last post

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:39:00 +0000

On this date 4 years ago, I decided to start a blog to document a body of work called "8 portrait peaces." It was a diary, a documentary, a career change. Art therapy maybe? Whatever it was or is, I accomplished a lot and I'm grateful for everyone around me that cheered me on.

So now what?

I am shutting down this blog to spend more time painting. I am at a turning point in my career and the "8 portrait peaces" project is finished. I am moving forward, creating new work and excited with all the possibilities that the present and future holds for me.

Below, is a book I created using "Sharedbook" that documents every post I've made for 4 years (189 pages). A book of 4 years of my life as an artist. One book as unique as each of my 8 portraits. Signed and dated. A fitting end. Perfect!

Hope to see you around on Facebook :)

Latest new portrait from the "messy" studio

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:08:00 +0000

Self portrait painting: layer one

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:23:00 +0000

A self portrait to work on in class

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:39:00 +0000

A self portrait (In my younger thinner days) I'm going to paint in my class with Paul McCormack

And so another Portrait Painting begins :)

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:43:00 +0000

And so another Portrait Painting begins and I'm continuing to let my sense of humor develop. Painted a quick grisaille (definition) which makes the white canvas much less intimidating. 36"x 36" . Stay tuned.

Portrait Painting Bragging Rights

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:17:00 +0000

Bragging rights! "Molly and Zoe" 72" x 48" Oil on Linen (You can vote for it if you like) is a finalist in the highly-regarded AMERICA CHINA OIL PAINTING ARTISTS LEAGUE national competition juried by Peter Trippi, Paul W. McCormack and David Jon Kassan. Pretty psyched that my portrait is displayed along with some of the best in the business!

Portrait Painting of Owen Rinaldi

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:34:00 +0000

The portrait I donated to the Rhinebeck Science Foundation auction (and Wendi Rinaldi won) is finished.

Below are some illuminating photos of the stages, before and after the workshop.

It's always good to go back to basics and learn

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:37:00 +0000

Exhausted, but I just finished a 5 day workshop "Portrait in Oil from Photo Reference" taught by world renowned portrait painter Paul McCormack. I am so lucky to have him in my back yard.

He gave me so many tips on painting but also best studio practices. Best of all, he has introduced me to a whole new color palette so I can paint more realistic and warm fleshtones! Who knew that I totally didn't see my green colors? Paul is a funny and likeable guy who made it easy and exciting to learn. Well done Paul!

I recommend to any of you portrait painter wannabees to take his class! Here are some pix of my "not yet finished" painting I worked on for 5 days.

I'm lucky

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:01:00 +0000

As an artist and a modern mom in this economic climate, I struggle financially and personally. It's frustrating to want to paint but when no money comes from my efforts, I admit that I am less motivated. It's frustrating to want to paint but as a mom I put my son first. It's frustrating to want to paint but as a wife I need to support my husband who has a stressful job and the grave yard shift to boot. Call me selfish, but some days I don't feel I will ever attain success as a painter because of all of these frustrating interruptions.

But I'm lucky.

Lucky to have recently been reminded by one friend that my struggles with making a living as an artist are not unique but that I should consider myself successful to be able to paint full-time. Lucky to have a 10-year old who is kind and understanding when I am frustrated and encourages me (or gives me his constructive criticism... of my art HA!). Lucky to have money to pay my bills.

And I'm stupid and spoiled.

Why? Because am already successful. I just have to look around me. I have talented artists, fabulous moms, great family and trusted friends. I have a ton of support from twitter and Facebook friends. Most importantly, I have the time to help others who aren't so lucky and, for that, I'm grateful to be reminded of it.
So this humbled "portraitgirl" wants to know: How do you define success?

Nowhere near done (slow going wink wink) but here a shot of Owen's portrait progress:

Thanks Fine Art America

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:33:00 +0000

Fine Art America has made it easy to show off my work and sell it too :)

New portrait commission underway. Watch out Yankees!

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:44:00 +0000

In 2011, The Rhinebeck Science Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to enhance the Rhinebeck Central School District's curriculum for grades K-12, had a fundraising gala which I attended. Pre gala, I decided to donate a portrait painting to their auction and was delighted to hear that Wendi Rinaldi made a generous bid and won the painting! Post gala, after the flip of a coin, her son "Owen" would be my subject and over the summer we did the photo shoot and chose an image to work with.

So today I started :) It may not look like much but just wait...

Please no comments from Mets fans unless you want to commission a painting ;)

Manic depression and a portrait career

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:29:00 +0000

I make it no secret that in late 2007 I suffered a meltdown after years of undiagnosed manic depression. For those of you unfamiliar with the disease, it's an exhausting flux of emotional highs and lows and very little in between. So why do I bring this up on this blog about painting? Because this blog and my 8 paintings is where my post breakdown journey began.

During 4 months of convalescent, I thought back to 1982 when I started college and wanted to be a portrait painter. Young, naive and pragmatic, I was guided to go into a more financially rewarding and creative career as a graphic designer. It wasn't a bad choice. I was very successful but I was a print designer. I loved designing for paper, the concepts, the photography, the smell of ink from the press and the coveted first sample to enjoy and present to my clients. But the web changed all that and I concluded that I was on the road to extinction like the dinosaurs or a typewriter. It was at that moment of realization that I was in a field that was dying out, that I set out to start anew by doing a series of portraits to rediscover a few things about myself and what to do next.

I had five goals. First, I wanted to know if I could start painting where I left off after college. Second, would I like to paint after finishing 8 life size paintings? Third, was I good at portraiture? Fourth, did I want to paint for a living? Fifth, was this the healthier career that my disease needed?

Fast forward 3.5 years later, the "8 portrait peaces" project is finished and in the process, as I had hoped from the beginning, I rediscovered my "peace" of mind one painting at a time. With the support of family and friends, new and old, my goals where slowly achieved and great lessons were learned. My life has taken a new direction and I have 8 beautiful portraits to show for my hard work. Each one of them, brighter and more expressive, just like I've become.

But most importantly, I have time to nourish myself better than I had in the past, do what I love and have quality time with my family and friends. A girl can't ask for more. Well maybe I can, but for now, I savor both what I have accomplished and this fresh journey I am better suited for.

Now that the fall is nipping at my heals, I start a new chapter which hopefully brings exciting adventures and commissions. I hope you'll continue to follow my blog which will once again document my escapades as a painter and maybe offer a tip or 2 for all you budding self employed folks.

It's important to say thank you to the most important person in all of this transition. Justin. My husband of almost 20 years worked very hard to become a nurse to support what I needed to do for my health. I am lucky. Very lucky to have this remarkable in my life ;)

Below are the 8 paintings. Which is your favorite?

The new american gothic, 72" x 48", Oil on Linen

Who would have thought, 72" x 48", Oil on Linen

A beautiful pair of socks, 72" x 48", Oil on Linen

My boxers, 72" x 48", Oil on Linen

The Rolling Buns, 72" x 48", Oil on Linen

Included in 2010 Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Show

The bright lights of broadway, 72" x 48", Oil on Linen

Acacia and the bowman, 72" x 48", Oil on Linen

Included in 2011 Royal Society of Portrait Painters Annual Show

Molly and Zoe, 72" x 48", Oil on Linen

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:37:00 +0000

A few pictures of my latest portrait which I delivered to The Brill Gallery, who now represents my gay couples portraits :)

"Molly and Zoe" 72" x 48", Oil on Belgian Linen. Not a great shot of the final portrait but once the photographer shoots a high rez, I'll post it :)

"Zoe" detail of final portrait.

"Molly" detail of final portrait.

The final portrait delivered :)

Ralph Brill from The Brill Gallery in North Adams Massachusetts. If you are interested in having a portrait commissioned, contact Ralph Brill at 413-664-4353.

New Portrait Painting: Entitled "Bad Habit"

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:12:00 +0000

I have a sense of humor, do you?

“Bad Habit ” 36" x 36” Oil on Linen
@2011 Namaro Studios / Nadine Robbins

New Portrait: The boy with the dragon sweatshirt

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Tue, 31 May 2011 13:24:00 +0000

Here is the latest portrait in high-resolution.

New Portrait Painting: 50% of life size is hard to paint

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Mon, 23 May 2011 19:04:00 +0000

I started another painting and decided that working small is very hard (36" x 36") Why? The brushes are too small, the detail is anxiety provoking and it's just doesn't have the same power that a larger painting does. However, I have challenged myself to work at this size to see if I liked it. Did not :)

I am almost done with my husbands face and I am pretty pleased. Now to paint my sons face!

New Portrait Painting: Face mission accomplis

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:52:00 +0000

Today, I finished the hard part of my next portrait painting. Although he's not quite smirking as much as I would like, I'm very happy with his face. Next week I start the controversial background. Stay tuned and please share with your friends. Happy Easter.

New portrait painting: Still In progress

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:19:00 +0000

New portrait painting (can you guess who?). In progress.

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:10:00 +0000

This just in: Royal Portrait Society accepts another portrait

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 22:52:00 +0000

I am beyond excited to announce that for the second year in a row, a second painting “Acacia and the Bowman” from the “8 Portrait Peaces” project has been accepted into the prestigious 2011 annual competition of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. It will be on view in London this May. More details to come. To see the portrait click here. You can also check out the Mall Galleries and The RPS site for more information.

Ms. Acacia and Jason Bowman and their new video

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:00:00 +0000

Jason and Acacia's Band "Five Points Band" have a great new video out called "Old Man River". Support our local musicians and share this with all your friends.

Another painting for Hudson Valley Restaurant week

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:49:00 +0000

Still eating at restaurants that are participating in the Hudson Valley Restaurant week.
This weeks painting is from Boitstons in Kingston NY. Cocktails anyone?

If you go don't forget to tell them that portraitgirl sent ya ;)

Painting some food for Hudson Valley Restaurant Week

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 01:07:00 +0000

My friend Suzanne Stevens thought it would be a cool idea if I painted food I ate from the restaurants that are participating in the Hudson Valley Restaurant week and then post them to promote these wonderful eateries before the event. So I put on my fat jeans and started visiting restaurants last week.

Bull and Buddha was first on my list with some delicious sushi. Stissing House was next with some melt in your mouth snails.

I highly recommend that you try both of these restaurants. Keep a look out for other paintings from Hudson Valley Restaurant week in the next few weeks. Oh, and don't forget to tell them that portraitgirl sent ya ;)

"Loosen up" video of Paul Abrams

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:29:00 +0000

Super quick portrait painting fun in the studio

noreply@blogger.com (Nadine Robbins) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:38:00 +0000

Me, my knife, tubes of paint and 45 minutes. Fun to play sometimes. N'est ce pas?