Tracey Costescu - Vancouver Portrait Artist

Christmas Watercolor Portrait Commission - Toddler Update #1

2009-11-10T22:52:00.003-08:00

This is an update of the toddler portrait I am working on. It is much larger but just tried to take a photo of the main area that I have worked on so far. The grass has been roughed in around her as I had masking fluid on the edges of her to protect her from the green background. Several layers of grass will be built up in varying tones of green and a few wildflowers will be lifted out near her feet.

Masking fluid is still on her teeth and the highlights in her eyes so looks a little funny right now but hopefully in the next update it will look better. I will leave the grass for now and focus on her more.

Christmas Watercolor Portrait Commission - Baby Sketch

2009-11-10T21:06:00.005-08:00

Luckily my client was able to get a clearer photo of the baby so I drew her again from the better quality image and I am much happier with the sketch. Although, I am impressed with how much I was able to guess from the shadows of the original :)

She looks a little older than her age in the sketch but once the big pudgy cheeks get their shape I think she will look more babyish. Her right eye looks a little larger at the top that it actually is due to the graphite being a little too dark but that will soften once I start painting as well and they will look more even. Aha onto the painting :)

Christmas Watercolor Portrait Commission - Toddler Sketch

2009-11-10T10:52:00.006-08:00

This is rough sketch of another little cutie that I am working on for a Christmas commission gift. Again, this is the rough sketch on cartridge paper that I will then transfer to the watercolor paper and finesse a bit more before starting on the actual painting process.

This portrait, with the background, will be 18x24 so she will be surrounded by grass and a few little wildflowers here and there that I will draw and paint directly onto the watercolor paper. I am waiting to hear back from my client to see if the plaid is to be included so sketched it in for now just in case!

I will be working on two portraits at the same time to allow each portrait drying time as I do not like to speed up the process with a dryer as I worry about the colors staying crisp and clean. For this portrait, click on the label below, annette to see only this portraits updates.

Christmas Watercolor Portrait Commission - Baby Rough Sketch

2009-11-09T22:25:00.004-08:00

This is the rough sketch of an adorable little girl that I have been commissioned to paint. As the photo is quite small and blurry, I decided to do a fuller sketch on paper first rather than just the usual sparse outline, hopefully to work out all the kinks prior to transferring the image to the good paper :)

I will be working on two portraits at the same time for drying reasons as mentioned above. For this portrait, click on the label below, suzanne to see only this portraits updates.

Watercolor Painting - Vancouver Inukshuk

2009-11-09T11:02:00.002-08:00

This is my latest painting of the inukshuk on Vancouver's waterfront. I am calling it On the Right Path which is close to the traditional meaning of the inukshuk which is "you are on the right path" or "someone was here".

Inukshuks are made for many reasons, navigational, to mark a location out of respect, mark a good fishing spot, for a memorial or to mark migration routes. Whatever the meaning they always get my attention when I am out walking or roller blading along the water

Favourite Painting Poll

2009-11-08T10:58:00.006-08:00

Ok so I need some help :) I can't decide which painting to submit for a very competitive exhibit so I thought I would ask for all your help :) I have put a poll on the side for voting, please chose your favorite painting from the list (the paintings can be viewed at the link below) or if you would like to chose one from my other originals at http://www.stateofartportraits.com/original-artwork.htm just add a comment & I will add to the poll. I have until Nov 11 to decide & would really appreciate any feedback as I keep going back & forth on my fav :)

Photos from the Art Focus Show

2009-11-07T17:37:00.005-08:00

It was a very rainy & windy night but despite the poor weather we had a great opening night for the Art Focus 15th Annual Fall show. As always there was alot of great artwork including miniatures, hand painted greeting cards and prints. I will be at the show again on Sunday from 3-5pm so hope to see more art lovers then :)

Art Focus Fall Show

2009-11-05T11:07:00.005-08:00

Well the show starts tomorrow night so I should be getting paintings packaged up, labeled and ready to hang but instead....I can't stop painting!

The hanging is tomorrow afternoon so I could package everything up until midnight or so tonight technically, why do it now when I still have time to put it off ;)

This is a photo of Wendy Milne and myself taken by Paul vanPeenen of us holding our paintings that will be in the show. John did a wonderful write up for us in the Coquitlam Now, check it out.

Of course it got me in a bit of trouble as I don't think I said that art and my kids are my two fav things....I am SURE I said they are two of my fav things...ok I probably said they are my 2 fav things because my hubby is so obviously my fav thing....geez when it is in writing on the screen even I don't buy it ;) He always calls my art my lover so I guess he saw it coming ;)

Art Focus 15th Annual Fall Show

2009-10-31T10:02:00.004-07:00

It is that time of year again and we are getting ready for next weekends 15th Annual Fall show with Art Focus. Myself, Wendy Milne and Louise Smith (front) are displaying some of the pieces that will be in the show.

Check out the full article by Sarah Payne from the Tri-City News Please join us at the Outlook for the opening reception on Friday night Nov 6 from 7-9pm. The will be wine and nibbles and many of the artists and friends will be at the show to visit.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Gauthier

Watercolor Wildlife Painting - Ruffled Feathers

2009-10-30T10:31:00.008-07:00

This is the latest painting I have been working on for a bit and I think it is done. I just loved the feathers on the top bird and the sideways glance and angled stance of the bird below! You can almost feel the tension as soon as the images were combined ;) In my mind the bottom goose is female and the top is male, insert your own scenario for the tiff ;)

The top Canadian goose is taken with permission from a wonderful photo from Dan Star I love his photos, must be his engineering eye ;)

The goose from the bottom is taken with permission also from a photo from Yersinia's photos on Flicker. She also takes amazing photos and has a huge variety of photos ranging from architectural to nature.

I photo shopped the images together and call it "Ruffled Feathers". It can also be viewed on my website for my original artwork.

Positively Petite at Place des Arts November 19 - December 19, 2009

2009-10-26T16:07:00.003-07:00

I have been accepted into the Positively Petite exhibit at Place des Arts this year. There will be many artists 2D and 3D artwork on display which will make great Christmas gifts I am sure.

The opening reception will be held November 19 from 7-9pm. Wine and cheese will be served and many of the artists and friends will be there to chat. Check out Place des Arts website for hourse and address.

More Photos from Art Visions 2009

2009-10-24T10:22:00.008-07:00

I finally got around to uploading photos from the Art Visions 2009 opening ceremonies.

The last photo is Mayor Sharon Shepherd looking at my painting on the big screen, ok, so she was probably looking at the speaker who is just to the right of the screen, but I prefer to think she was admiring my painting.

The show officially ended today but I believe the paintings will remain online for some time. Several paintings sold during the show and hopefully more will continue to sell as the Christmas season approaches.

Art Visions 2009 Opening Night Photos

2009-10-14T10:11:00.005-07:00

We drove up to Kelowna over the weekend to check out the opening and awards ceremony for the Art Visions 2009 show and it was totally worth the drive, although the cold weather was a little much, -10, yikes!

This photo was takend by photographer Maryann Hendriks AFCA at the Turtle Island Gallerywhere my painting is hanging, just above the painting we are looking at ;) I will upload photos below of my painting that my hubby took. It is a really cool gallery with aboriginal art and sculptures.

Annual Art Focus Show - Nov 6 - 8

2009-10-11T09:30:00.009-07:00

My watercolor paintings Corinthian, Give & Take, Room for Two & Shell Dance will be on display at the Outlet for the Annual Art Focus Fall Show.

I will be displaying several miniatures of flowers and seascapes as well. Please join myself and my fellow artists for the opening reception on Friday Nov 6 from 7:30 - 9:30pm and/or from 11am - 5pm Saturday & Sunday. There is always a great selection of artwork in all mediums and styles and lots of friendly artists on hand to chat.

Watercolor Native Salmon Painting - Journey's End

2009-10-05T18:19:00.002-07:00

This is a painting I just finished of a spawning salmon jumping out of the water. I wanted it to have a definite aboriginal feel so I added a few of the native symbols and the bright red which is often used in native art which also represents the spawning of the salmon.

I have scanned this painting as I have been unable to get a decent photo and even the scan does not do it justice for some reason. I need to bite the bullet and set up a decent photo area in my studio so that I can just set paintings up with decent lighting and take consistent photos...next project ;)

The salmon is actually a greenish tone with very light iridescent sparkles which looks pretty cool in daylight but totally caused my photos of the fish to go wonky :)

Northwest Watercolor Society Waterworks 2009 Exhibition October 23 - November 23

2009-09-27T21:41:00.011-07:00

I am so excited to say that my painting "Ready or Not" was accepted into my first international exhibit, the Northwest Watercolor Society's Waterworks 2009 Exhibition!

An opening reception and awards ceremony will be held on October 29 from 6-8 pm at the Kaewyn Gallery. The gallery is located at 10101 Main Street Bothell, WA. For more information check out the info on the Northwest Watercolor Society website.

A Bird, A Stone, A Letter Exhibit

2009-09-22T15:53:00.004-07:00

I just checked out this exhibit online, my painting is featured on the second page at their online gallery There is some really great art and quite the variety. If you are at Granville Island between now until Oct 4th check it out :)

Group of Miniature Watercolor Paintings

2009-09-21T09:28:00.003-07:00

Here is a shot of all my miniature paintings to date framed and ready for the market (see photo below). I love the little black frames, I think I am hooked on the black frames and white matts for my art, it really sets off the colors.

I took the photo on my window ledge at night so it is a little dark but gives an idea about how they look all done up :)

Farmers Market

2009-09-20T20:06:00.004-07:00

What a beautiful day it was to take part in the farmers market! Cam Anderson from MyArtClub set up a great plan to help promote local artists as well as the Farmers Market. He invites a local artist to participate each Sunday and they offer raffle tickets to be drawn at the end of the month.

Each prize is a gift certificate in increasing amounts to purchase art from local artists directly from the artist. The winner can purchase from one or more artists until the value of the ticket is spent...I bought several tickets :) Check it out at http://www.myartclub.com/market.php

Miniature Watercolor Painting - Seascape 2

2009-09-19T09:55:00.003-07:00

This is my second miniature watercolor seascape of which I plan to paint several more using the same color palette but exploring different compositions and wave/rock formations. I am keeping them rather loose without a huge amount of detail, very different for me, for a change of pace and to see how much I can capture with just simple brushstrokes.

Of course I should be framing some pieces and getting ready for the Farmer's Market tomorrow as I have to be there at 8:30am (yikes) but who wants to pack up stuff when you can be painting?!??!!? Oh well, there is always tonight :)

Watercolor Seascape Miniature

2009-09-14T20:13:00.005-07:00

I thought I would take a break from the flowers for a bit and try my hand, or should I say my brush at a seascape :) The colors are a bit subdued online as the warm sunset is much richer in life but it is close.

I loved painting all the texture on the rocks and I am quite happy with how they set off the sky and the water.

This is another miniature measuring 3x4" for the actual painting on a 5x7" piece of Arches watercolor paper.

I will have to frame some of these miniatures and take a group photo as they will look really cool all in a grouping. I plan on taking several of these to the Farmer's Market next Sunday so I guess I better get busy!

Miniature Watercolor Flower Painting - Blue Bells

2009-09-13T14:15:00.003-07:00

This is a miniture watercolor painting of bluebells that I just completed (imagine it not slanted and greyed out from the photograph ;))

All the paintings in the series measure 3x4" on a 5x7" paper so that they fit into a standard 8x10" frame. Next up, some red flowers!

Miniature Watercolor Flower - Yellow Twist

2009-09-10T20:56:00.004-07:00

This is another flower in the series of miniature watercolor paintings I am working on. Again the photo is quite poor, I will have to try to take a scan of it or play with the white balance on my camera as I think all the white is throwing the colors off.

I thought about doing a few leaves on this one but wanted to keep it very simple to emphasize the twisty shape in the flower.

Miniature Watercolor Flower - Yellow Pansy

2009-09-08T21:06:00.004-07:00

This is my latest painting of a yellow flower painted in watercolor for a series of minature flower paintings that I started this week. The image size is only 3x4" which for me is pretty small and the green border is painted with the same colors used for the stems. The colors are much more vibrant in real life, I am still camera challenged after all this time...or should I say lighting challenged!

Each flower in the series will have the same green border painted on and will be matted with a white matt set in a black frame so they can be mixed and matched or displayed on their own.

Oct 9 - Oct 23 - Art Visions 2009

2009-09-03T18:56:00.008-07:00

My painting, Better Days, has been selected for the Art Visions 2009 Exhibit. Art Visions is a juried national Federation of Canadian Arists exhibit with awards and prizes awarded.

The opening reception and award ceremonies will be held on Friday, October 9 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. The show will continue until October 23, 2009.

The Kelowna Fall Wine Festival will be running at the same time as the art show so it should be alot of fun.