Rachael Rossman: Watercolor Portraits of Man and Beast

Just Because

Rachael — Fri, 18 May 2012 00:07:16 +0000

It’s funny how Ron Weasley’s routine changes in the summer. He spends more time outdoors. Practically all his time. And as the Oregon weather slowly heats up, one of his favorite spots is in this, the coolest corner of the yard, beneath a willow. He’s taken over this mini park bench that the kids have outgrown and frankly, it’s been out in the elements for so long I am sure it wouldn’t hold more than Ron’s puny nine pounds.

Ron’s bench is in the overgrown part of the yard that marks the graves of the two long-time cats we lost last summer. I wonder if he sits there so he can talk to them.

Orange

Rachael — Thu, 17 May 2012 11:00:14 +0000

Colors play an important part in not only the success of a Dia de Los Muertos portrait, but also in the traditional symbolism of the celebration. And while I am taking many liberties in this series, I do try to sprinkle in some traditional aspects where I can, and as I learn more about them.

For instance, roses are represented in a lot of modern Day of the Dead art like tattoos and face-painting (I like them too!) but marigolds are the traditional flower and orange is such a great color to work with, I’ve been using it a lot.

An article on Mexconnect.com is a really good primer for learning about Dia de Los Muertos, and describes the important colors and symbolism:

Black for the Prehispanic religions and land of the dead
Purple from the Catholic calendar to signify pain, suffering, grief, mourning
Pink for celebration
White for purity and hope
Yellow and Orange for the marigold, the sun, light
Red representing for Christians, the blood of Jesus; and for the indigenous, the life blood of humans and animals

You really do learn something new every day.

Upgrade

Rachael — Wed, 16 May 2012 18:09:05 +0000

My website received a facelift! Thanks to the magical Nikki of Design Coyote, I think you’ll find the experience here just a little more enjoyable.

New blog posts are now front and center on the home page.

And there are quick links to the last few posts as well. Just in case you missed something.

Each blog post is followed by related posts from the archives:

And here are eight quick ways to find me.

There are a few more updates on the way. Hope you like it!

Serendipity

Rachael — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:49 +0000

I seem to have a knack for good timing. I sent a Kickstarter client a snapshot of her finished painting (of her and her husband) and she told me that coincidentally, it was their anniversary that day.

It wasn’t the first time this has happened.

Inspiration

Rachael — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:00:44 +0000

When I look at a client’s photo, right away I know three things – how I’m going to crop it, what color the background will be, and what the most compelling feature is. Every photo has a compelling feature, and I’m quite sure it’s very subjective – it can be dramatic lighting, it can be the pose, it can be a physical feature of the subject or, anything really.

For me, the first thing that struck me about this photo was her hair and the gorgeous shape of her eyes. I was inspired to do something a little more whimsical with her hair, and I love how it kind of ended up with a mermaid-like quality.

(Mini) Schnauzer

Rachael — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:20:09 +0000

Just a little something I whipped up:

Lovely Ladies

Rachael — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:03:28 +0000

The last few days have been the kind weather that Oregonians remember for years. Like, I remember one Easter it was 80 degrees. I remember one week it was down in the teens and we cancelled riding lessons. I remember a snow so big that we skied right down our street for eight hours.

This Mother’s Day weekend was so gorgeous that I literally woke up to bluebirds singing.

And then I stayed indoors and painted all day. But that’s how I roll.

Tradition

Rachael — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:28:04 +0000

Lo, these many years we’ve been driving up to Timberline Lodge for Mother’s Day. I don’t know why it started, but it probably had something to do with it being the most awesome place in the world. And maybe a little bit because it was used as the exterior in The Shining.

Anyway, today we continued the tradition. Do you know how difficult it is to get one good picture with two kids who are constantly fighting?

Nine. It takes nine tries.

The best part of the whole day, besides the omelette at Government Camp, was when Dr. Rossman said he’d watch our inappropriately attired children pummel each other with snowballs while I hiked around the lodge and snapped photos.

I never get tired of that place.

We did have one small disagreement. Timberline Lodge was created as a WPA project in the 1930s. As such, it is loaded with hand-carved artistry including these busts. My husband says this one is a polar bear and I think it is a hoary marmot. These are the kinds of things we argue about. Tell me I’m right.

UPDATED: I found this great photo set of the lodge and its interior if you want to see why I think its so amazing and pretty much want to live there.

New And Different

Rachael — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:59:44 +0000

My Dia de Los Muertos portait series has been amazing for a number of reasons. First, I realized what truly stunning clients I have. I mean beautiful. Second, I’ve realized that it’s kind of gutsy to send your photo off to a complete stranger, not knowing how the portrait is going to turn out. And third, I’m slowly learning to move outside my painterly comfort zone to try new things.

As the series has progressed, I’ve noticed my style changing. I sometimes skip backgrounds all together. I take liberties with hair and eye color. I use my small brushes more.

I’ve even thought about dabbling in acrylics again, which I haven’t done for years.

While I still have a way to go with this series, keep an eye open for my next Kickstarter: Roller Derby Portraits!

Lookalikes

Rachael — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:51:33 +0000

When I opened the email from this client, at first I thought she’d sent me several photos of the same dog. At first glance, many dogs of the same breed look alike, but let me tell you – after you spend many hours painting their little faces you will never get them confused again.