Sales vs. Sales

I just heard from a dear friend. She told me she'd just purchased (we say "adopted") one of my Va-Va-Voom! Girls from Raw Style Gallery.
I was telling her how happy I am that "Vanessa" is going to live with her and be a part of her collection (If I'm not mistaken, this will be her 5th Gascot).

All sales are a good thing. They afford you the opportunity to continue doing what you love. The words "That'll look great over my couch. I'll take it!" or "I just painted my bedroom that color, it'll go perfect!" are music to just about any artist's ears.
But there are sales, that are particularly exciting for the mere fact that you know the person is purchasing because they have a true love, appreciation and unique personal connection to your work.

Have fun at your new Chicago home, Vanessa!

Va-Va-Voom! Girl "Vanessa"
Acrylic on canvas/10x30"

More Va-Va's

Va-Va-Voom! Girl (Bathing Beauties) "Tanya"


Va-Va-Voom! Girl "Vanity" (Re-worked)

Now that I'm narrowing the look for the Va-Va-Voom! Girls down, I'm re-visiting some of the earlier ones and making a few changes in order to harmonize the whole bunch.

Today's Painting Music:


Pussycat Dolls' "Doll Domination" (out yesterday)
Perfect for painting sassy curvy women!

Margaret Ann...and friends

Va-Va-Voom! Girl/Bathing Beauty: Margaret Ann
10x30"/Acrylic on canvas

The Va-Va's continue to evolve.
I think I'm settling on going heavier with the POP impact (more outlines than shading).

Here's a Cleavage Painting (I have another pet-name that might get me in trouble for this possible series). I will file this one under Va-Va-Voom! Girls for now.


"Two Strands"/10x10"


I've also had some fun in the studio today with some silly, purely-pop images I plan to develop.


Martian with blond ponytail/10x10"
I'm considering doing a series of Alien paintings as kid (or kid-at-heart) art.

And then there's Tini...


Tini says.../8x10"

I need to play around with this one. I'm not thrilled with the piece (it's not even a "piece") but I am pretty excited about the idea. I was basically playing/thinking right on the canvas. I think I might do a "Tini and Friends" series. So far I know there will be a champagne flute (filled of course) named Bubbles and of course a sassy gal named Margarita. There will be either a six-pack or pitcher of beer (my friend Nicole suggested I name him Bud). Obviously this one won't be aimed at the kiddies. LOL!

I won't reveal my plans for Bloody Mary yet...I'll just say this:
The deeply religious might not like it.
I'm sketching some out some possibilities (might scan and post later this week).
This silliness, literally, all just came to me this afternoon.

Bathing Beauties

My first attempt at Va-Va-Voom! Girls "Bathing Beauties".



"Betty"


"Bianca"


"Bea"



I'm thinking of doing some "beachy" scenes. Now that I've got vintage bathing suits and bathing caps on my mind, I'm also thinking about old-fashioned boardwalks and all the imagery that comes along with them.

No-so-Extreme Make Over

I'm not one to spread rumors...but it seems one of my girls (Varla) has gone under the brush and had a bit of work done. We called "her people", who declined to comment.

You be the judge:

Vanity

I know what you're thinking...
But this Vanity has never dated a rock star.
Not even an itsy-bitsy one.
And she doesn't own a little red corvette either.

She's just a fan who gets a little carried away from time to time.


Va-Va-Voom! Girl "Vanity"
Acrylic on canvas/10x30"

Varla

Remember that fabulous amazon supermodel Jerry Hall?
Varla kept a picture of her taped onto the mirror of her vanity all through high school. She just loved her! But who didn't?

I have no photographic proof, but I believe Varla's done a pageant or two.
Varla is from Tay-xas. She knows that her makeup is at times a bit too heavy for daytime. And she knows that sequins are not a requirement at every function. But she doesn't care. She's a heavy-makeup sequin-wearin' kinda gal!
Once or twice, Varla has been likened to a drag queen.

She loves drag queens.


Va-Va-Voom! Girl: "Varla"
10x30"

Violet

Va-Va-Voom! Girl: "Violet"
Acrylic on canvas/10x30"
SOLD

Vixen

Va-Va-Voom! Girl: "Vixen"
Acrylic on canvas/10x30"

Have a great weekend everyone.

Va-Va-Voom! Girls

As I mentioned I've been inspired by Fashion and Paper Dolls lately. Not necessarily the actual appearance of these dolls as we traditionally know them, but the concept of the same (or similar) body shape with interchangeable "looks". Out of this, the concept for the Va-Va-Voom! Girls was born.
The concept is fairly simple...but fun.
Paintings of similar sizes and compositions for create-your-own easy mix-n-match diptychs and triptychs (think Art Garanimals LOL!). Each Va-Va-Voom! Girl, much like a Bratz or Barbie comes with a name and back-story/line (starlet gowns, swim wear, fantasy wear...).

And of course, they are all full-figured and fabulous!

As I began to play with the concept, I stuck to basic body-hugging solid color gowns. I'm excited to see where this series takes me and how far I can take it.

The first four gals are each acrylic on canvas and 10x30" each.


"Veronica"


"Valerie"


"Vanessa"


"Victoria" (SOLD)

side by side: