The Figure In Light

Governor Jennifer Granholm

2011-05-08T21:01:00.000-04:00

My portrait of Governor Jennifer Granholm was unveiled Friday at the Capitol Rotunda in Lansing, MI. It was a long, exciting day with lots of fanfare and media attention. I believe the Governor liked the portrait, and so far it has been well received by the public. I want to thank Governor Granholm’s staff, as well as David Klein, Jonathan Boos, my wife and family, and everyone else who contributed to the success of this project. I especially want to thank Jennifer Granholm for choosing me to paint her portrait. It was an honor.

Oil on linen, 84 x 52 inches, 2011

#72

Sorrow

2011-04-22T22:01:00.000-04:00

I posted a smaller version of this a year ago, though this was actually done first.

oil on linen panel, 9.75 x 7.75 inches, 2009
#71

Samantha Sleeping

2011-04-05T22:21:00.000-04:00

Now and then I enjoy taking on extreme foreshortening of the figure. She really did fall asleep. A fire alarm next door woke her up.

Finally, the portrait of Governor Jennifer Granholm is finished. It still needs to be varnished, put in its frame, and shipped to Lansing. The public unveiling is May 6, and after that I will post an image here of the painting. It has been a great experience for me from start to finish, and I really appreciate how well I was treated by the Governor and her staff.

oil on linen panel, 7.75 x 9.75 inches, 2009
#70

Model Fixing Bracelet

2011-03-03T22:28:00.000-05:00

I liked the obscurity of this, and the underdeveloped surface. I worked only once with this model.

oil on linen panel, 9.75 x 7.75 inches, 2009
#69

Mother and Daughter

2011-02-22T23:19:00.001-05:00

Clare's mother, Eileen, appeared serendipitously as I composed this. It seemed to fit with the theme of reflection.

oil on linen panel, 9.75 x 7.75, 2009
#68

Allison Reclining

2011-02-15T23:01:00.000-05:00

Allison is lying on a sheepskin I bought at Costco. I was interested in the angularity of the arms in relation to the lines of the drapery. Also, the bird's-eye view is rare for me.

oil on linen panel, 7.75 x 9.75, 2009
#67

Clare with Gold Mask

2011-02-08T21:47:00.000-05:00

As I continue to work on the Governor's portrait, I decided I would post a series of slightly older paintings which were done just before I began this blog. They are a bit larger than the blog paintings, and are mostly from 2009. The mask Clare is holding is actually a rather heavy plaster cast which I found at a yard sale.

oil on linen panel, 9.75 x 7.75 inches, 2009
#66

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T12:52:00.000-05:00

I had hoped to do another Christmas painting this year but I have been too occupied with the Governor's portrait. Instead I am posting our Christmas card which was designed and printed by my wife Lauri. For a number of years now she has been producing beautiful and very unique cards and it is always a pleasure to send them to friends and family.

I want to sincerely wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Near Year!

Kelsey in Dark Glasses

2010-09-23T20:13:00.000-04:00

I finally got around to finishing this small study of Kelsey. There is a similar version that was posted last November. In this one I enjoyed how the light washed out the color in the sleeves of her shirt.

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010
#65

Haley Roberts

2010-08-24T21:15:00.000-04:00

Haley is part of the team at the David Klein Gallery, and it is a pleasure to work with her. It was her idea to base this on Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring, and I think it was a good one. The clothing and headdress were also her inspiration. All I did was apply the paint.

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010
#64

Governor Jennifer Granholm

2010-08-13T09:32:00.000-04:00

I am happy to announce that I have been commissioned to paint the official portrait of Michigan's Governor Jennifer Granholm. This is a major project that will demand most of my time for the rest of the year. Therefore, blog postings will be sparse. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has followed and supported this blog since its inception. It has been a very rewarding project for me and I expect to continue it in some form well into the future.

Jack

2010-06-16T22:21:00.000-04:00

This is Jack, Sofia's brother. It was fun to have them both in the studio, and it was remarkable how attentive they were to what we were trying to do. Having their father there helped, of course. If you are interested in commissioning a portrait, you may contact me at cpompilius@sbcglobal.net for pricing and other information.

oil on linen panel, 7.75 x 5.75 inches, 2010
#63

Sarah

2010-05-27T16:27:00.003-04:00

Sarah is another new model that I hope to work more with this summer. I'm still trying to capture the effects of a live flame. It's not an easy thing to do.

oil on canvas panel, 6 x 8 inches, 2010
#62

Sofia

2010-05-15T21:00:00.000-04:00

This is a recent commissioned portrait, a Mother's Day surprise. I also painted Sofia's twin brother, Jack, which I will post in the near future.

oil on linen panel, 7.75 x 5.75 inches, 2010
#61

Apryl

2010-05-03T21:40:00.002-04:00

This painting is from Apryl's first modeling session with me and I was very happy with how it went. She is a natural with an imaginative wardrobe and I look forward to working with her again.

oil on canvas panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010
#60

Mirror of Melancholy

2010-04-24T15:57:00.002-04:00

This is derived from an earlier, larger painting. I continue to be interested in how paint might suggest a reflected image as opposed to an actual one. It's a subtle difference that I want to continue to explore.

oil on canvas panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010
#59

Green Hat

2010-04-10T16:58:00.003-04:00

In a recent painting I was mildly criticized for depicting a redhead in a red hat, a fashion blunder it seems. On Amber's next visit to the studio she presented me with this green hat, which she kindly donated to my collection.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010
#58

Happy Easter

2010-04-03T00:14:00.001-04:00

NFS
oil on canvas panel, 6 x 8 inches, 2010
#57

Figure with Vanitas

2010-03-27T14:05:00.002-04:00

I am still toying with multiple light sources and was somewhat pleased with this result. Currently I am trying to learn to effectively illuminate a scene entirely by candlelight. It requires lots of candles, but fortunately the fire department is just down the street.

SOLD

oil on canvas panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010
#56

Gabriel

2010-03-19T22:42:00.000-04:00

This is a portrait of my son Gabriel, who just graduated from college. He is a very talented artist himself, though he decided to major in linguistics. Please contact me at cpompilius@sbcglobal.net if you would like information about commissioning a similar portrait.
NFS
oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010
#55

Second Light

2010-03-12T18:30:00.003-05:00

Here I was interested in the dichotomy of sunlight and candlelight. The wide brim straw hat and Amber's shroud of hair serve to separate these two worlds of light.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 6 x 6 inches, 2010
#54

Ben's Trains

2010-03-09T21:24:00.001-05:00

This painting was for a little boy who loves trains, and whose father is a distinguished art collector. Trains seem timeless in their fascination for children, even as their role has declined, at least in America.
SOLD
oil on linen panel, 6 x 8 inches, 2010
#53

Magnolia

2010-03-05T23:14:00.000-05:00

This flower painting went to a little girl who admired it in my studio one day. I like to think of her growing up and blossoming with it.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010

#52

Kristin in Red

2010-03-01T20:52:00.003-05:00

It's difficult to achieve a full value range with a true red, at least for me. It wants to turn brown in the shadows and pink in the highlights. I added the light on the wall in an effort to balance the composition.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 6 x 6 inches, 2010
#51

Julia

2010-02-25T20:30:00.000-05:00

This is a portrait of my daughter Julia. I have drawn and painted my family members a number of times over the years, but now I wish I had done so even more. They are treasures to look back on and I know too that they will be passed on to future generations. If you are interested in having a portrait painted of yourself or another, please email me at cpompilius@sbcglobal.net and we can discuss details.
NFS
oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010
#50

Portrait Commissions

2010-02-24T21:31:00.001-05:00

I am now accepting commissions for portraits. The commissioned work will be similar to the small paintings I have been featuring on this blog, and tomorrow I will post an example. For more information please email me at cpompilius@sbcglobal.net.

The Millinery

2010-02-20T21:27:00.002-05:00

Amber brought in this striking green crushed velvet dress, and I immediately thought of the red hat that my wife found recently at a thrift store. I don't know if the composition really conveys the sense of a shop, but I went with the title anyway.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010

#49

Amber Sipping Tea

2010-02-17T20:46:00.002-05:00

There wasn't really anything in the cup. I was going to add steam rising from it, but thought better of it. However, something is missing in this painting. What is it?

SOLD

oil on linen, 8 x 6 inches, 2010

#48

Parasol

2010-02-11T20:11:00.004-05:00

Finally I'm back in the studio and today I was able to finish this study of Kristin in pale pink. I was somewhat uncertain about how to handle the background color, but ended up going with a slate blue that was neither indoors nor out, and I left it at that. It reads a little lighter and bluer than it reproduces here.

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010

#47

Shoulder Injury

2010-02-06T20:32:00.000-05:00

I have not been able to paint for a few days due to a shoulder inflammation. I expect to post again later this week. Thank you all for your continued support.

Amber in Red

2010-02-02T23:00:00.003-05:00

I cropped the figure more than I thought I would at first, but I still think that the conch shell serves to restate the femininity of the form. The chair is one that I have used many times because its subtle curvilinear design always seems to rhyme with my subject. Someone once said that the problem for modern painting was what to do with the background. I think they were on to something, but in this instance I can live with all the open space. If anyone can attribute that quote I would appreciate hearing from you.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 6 x 8 inches, 2010

#46

Repose

2010-01-28T21:52:00.002-05:00

I enjoy working with more than one light source. It's challenging, but it creates a more complex mood that suggests multiple readings. Here Amber is indeed at rest, but her expression is perhaps not so tranquil. I like to think that the cool and warm light sustain this ambiguity.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010
#45

Tea with Kristin

2010-01-22T21:20:00.002-05:00

The scarlet hat and lipstick are attention grabbers in this painting, but what I enjoyed painting most was the delicate lacework of Kristin's blouse. The intricacy of her fingers and the warm light coming from the right also added interest for me.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010

#44

Equanimous

2010-01-19T23:10:00.002-05:00

I know the title is a ten dollar word, but I think it describes her best. She was remarkably poised and self-assured from day one. Everything she did was elegant. We even tried some poses where she climbed into an old trunk, and it seemed to fit her like a glove. For all her presence however, she remains a mystery. All I have is this painting.

oil on canvas panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010
#43

Ennui

2010-01-16T22:30:00.005-05:00

The idea for this painting came from an old Vogue magazine. I added the mirror however. The hands belong to my son, Gabriel. Regarding the theme, I think the title says enough. We've all been there.

SOLD

oil on canvas panel, 6 x 8 inches, 2010

#42

Haeley Huddled

2010-01-13T21:58:00.005-05:00

This pose seems to be characterized by a drawn, even a tense quality. Haeley's raven hair and dark top frame her disquieted face, and her body is compressed by the expansive background. Absorbed as she is, she remains alluring.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 7 x 5 inches, 2008
#41

Kimono

2010-01-09T20:49:00.002-05:00

The thing I enjoyed most about doing this painting was picking out the intricate pattern on the blue robe. I can have difficulty generalizing complexity in parts of a composition, but in this case it was necessary. I wanted to bring attention to her face and torso, and not so much to what she was wearing. I used a variety of brushes and hues, and just flicked or dabbed the marks to represent the floral motif, and it seemed to be enough. I also liked how her leg fell abruptly into shadow, forcing attention on her well lit torso. Sometimes these strong contrasts can be distracting, but in this case there was something intriguing about it.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2010

#40

Morning Light

2010-01-06T20:29:00.002-05:00

It wasn't really morning light, but the pale pink sheet I draped over the window cast a rosy glow on the figure, and I liked the effect. It was a challenge to render its translucency, along with the watery sheerness of her blouse. My studio windows face west, so I am always dealing with changing light, and always looking for ways to control it. In this instance the sheet did the trick.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 6 x 6 inches, 2009

#39

Samantha in Red

2010-01-03T23:20:00.002-05:00

This painting continues my interest in the tension between the formal/symmetrical and the natural/worldly aspects of posing the figure. I discussed this in an earlier post entitled Kristin Criss-Crossed. Here the tension resides in the angle of her head, exposed leg, and the palm branch. I imagine Samantha stepping into a pool of water, but instead of the traditional white garb she is wearing red.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#38

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T18:58:00.002-05:00

I thought this would be a good painting to ring in the new year. Kelsey stands in near darkness and opens the window blinds, washing herself in sunlight. I'd like to wish everyone a safe and prosperous 2010. I look forward to sharing with you many more figures in light.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 7 x 5 inches, 2008

#37

Ashley in a Red Top

2009-12-28T21:05:00.003-05:00

One thing I enjoy about realistic painting is taking liberties of exaggeration in small ways. Here I stretched out the profile of the face. It's not exactly flattering to Ashley, whose face is quite pleasing and near perfect, but I felt it brought an added dimension of interest to the painting. I hope she doesn't mind.

oil on gesso panel, 7 x 5 inches, 2008

#36

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T10:40:00.002-05:00

Season's Greetings to all that have visited my blog, left comments, and purchased paintings. This is still a relatively new venture but I feel it has gotten off to a good start, thanks to your support. Happy Holidays to you and your families, and my best wishes for the New Year.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 6 x 6 inches, 2009

#35

In Her Garden

2009-12-21T20:53:00.000-05:00

The inspiration for this painting goes back about ten years. I had an art calendar then and one of the reproductions was a watercolor by the German Expressionist Erich Heckel. I remember it as depicting a male and female couple obscured partly by a vase of tulips in the foreground. It was a captivating image but I don't know what happened to it and I have not been able to find another reproduction. Today's painting, based on this distant memory, is more of a portrait, yet it has some of the same obfuscation. I find the dark under her eyes a little unsettling, but I like to think the blossoms offset whatever dim thoughts she might be harboring.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 6 x 6 inches, 2009

#34

Kristin in Gold

2009-12-18T22:03:00.000-05:00

I like the challenge of posing a reclining figure and avoiding awkwardness, especially when it involves a lot of foreshortening. Usually this means distorting some of the proportions. In this case I made the legs smaller, and slightly exaggerated the upper body, hopefully achieving more naturalism. On the right I added the metal patch to the wood floor boards as a counterpoint to the angle of her hip.

SOLD

oil on canvas panel, 6 x 8 inches, 2009

#33

Deposed

2009-12-15T21:32:00.003-05:00

I liked how the figure seemed to just topple over onto the table. Her hair looks as if it might be wet, and the blue sheet is just thrown across her naked body. Although I am the author, I am at a loss for an interpretation. I just like how it came together.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 5 x 7 inches, 2008

#32

Amber's Image

2009-12-12T23:38:00.005-05:00

We just returned from the Dearborn Holiday Choral Festival and it was wonderful. Christmas music always evokes a sense of magic and awe, and as I sat there listening I thought about how painting might do the same. I thought about tonight's painting, and how Amber is seen once and then once again "through a glass darkly". I don't feel that I have achieved all that I would like with my work. Perhaps the mirror is my signature metaphor, as it offers a mere reflection of reality. Yet there are some great works in music and art that seem to shatter the illusion and show us the world as it is. For me these tend to be works that are joyful and hopeful, like what we heard tonight.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 6 x 8 inches, 2009

#31

Ashley in Sunlight

2009-12-09T22:12:00.002-05:00

Ashley is very self-contained in this huddled pose. Only her over-the shoulder glance at the viewer is inviting, except perhaps the light on the wall behind her, which opens up the composition a bit. I enjoyed mixing the dusty rose hue of her top, which is trapped between the denim shorts and her striking blue eyes.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#30

Shelbie Veiled

2009-12-06T23:06:00.002-05:00

There is something defiant, or maybe just self assured, about Shelbie as she looks askance out of the space of the picture. Mostly though this was just fun to paint. I love rendering delicate materials like her veil, as well as the sheer trim and small pearls that adorn her gown.

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009
#29

Tiffany in Ermine

2009-12-03T23:06:00.002-05:00

Tiffany is from a small town in northern Michigan, but she showed up at the studio with the most amazing collection of vintage clothing and accessories, mostly borrowed from a nearby community theater. I couldn't resist working with the stole, even though she was a little queasy about it herself. It turns out she's quite an animal lover, but she soldiered on. I love how her chestnut locks tumble into the similarly colored fur of the unfortunate ermine trio.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#28

Clare in a Hoop

2009-11-30T23:15:00.004-05:00

One can't help but think of Leonardo's Vitruvian Man here. Polykleitos' Kanon also comes to mind. I am indeed preoccupied with proportion, the relation of the parts to the whole, numbers, perfection, and man's relationship to nature. Thankfully though, Clare is not a man. The philosophy of idealism has its limits.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#27

Elly

2009-11-28T22:25:00.003-05:00

This is a slightly smaller painting from 2008. It is 4 x 6 inches, and it is on stretched canvas. It was the first painting I did when I was toying with the idea of small, quickly executed works. Since then the work has become a little bigger, and a good deal more resolved. However, what I enjoy about this one is the briskness of execution and the relative flatness of the shapes. I am always striving for a balance between the illusion of space (realism) and surface pattern (abstraction). It's a struggle that never ends.

oil on stretched canvas, 6 x 4 inches, 2008

#26

Lauri Arranging Flowers

2009-11-26T21:24:00.002-05:00

Today is Thanksgiving, and this painting couldn't be more fitting. The model is my wife Lauri. Without her enduring support none of these paintings would be possible. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have a wonderful family and do what they love. I'm thankful that I have both.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#25

Haeley in White Fur

2009-11-25T00:11:00.002-05:00

Here is a dichotomy. Do the bars of the chair keep the viewer from this beautiful woman, or do they imprison her? The white of her fur coat opposes the black of the bars, restating this theme of duality. I'm happy also that I was able to limit my palette, as too much color would have detracted from the concept.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#24

Caught in Reflection

2009-11-22T21:46:00.003-05:00

This is a slightly older painting of Kelsey, a model I worked with a lot before she went to college. The somber mood left me with some ambivalence, but a number of people have commented on it in the studio so I decided to post it. I have always been interested in pictures within pictures, because it seems to be a built-in way to reflect upon the process of image making and how images function in our world. This seems especially true when the secondary image itself is a reflected one, as it is in a mirror. We are all familiar with Velazquez' Las Meninas, and its examination of the nature of perception. Manet's A Bar at the Folies-Bergere is another enigmatic work that has had an influence on me.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 5.75 x 5.75 inches, 2009

#23

Shelbie

2009-11-21T01:16:00.002-05:00

Shelbie came in with an astounding collection of vintage dresses and accessories. She is a unique person who seems to emanate an air of wholesomeness. However, in this painting the mood is rather dark. I need to think about why I chose to represent her thus. I hope to work with her again, and seek her brighter side.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#22

Kristin Criss-Crossed

2009-11-18T21:41:00.003-05:00

I have long been interested in the fundamental ways in which the figure has been represented in Western art. One way has been to represent it in a frontal, vertical, and somewhat symmetrical manner. This was typical of the Geometric period of ancient Greek art. It was also typical of medieval art. Another way has been to represent the figure more naturally, as in the Classical period of Greek art and again in the Renaissance. These two approaches express ideas about how the respective cultures understood their world. One approach suggests other-worldliness, the other approach suggests rationality and an engagement with the world. I often weigh both approaches when I pose the model. Here Kristin raises and crosses her arms directly above her head in a formal gesture. At the same time, we see her in three-quarter view, as opposed to frontally, thereby bringing both world views into dialogue.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009
#21

Sub Rosa

2009-11-16T21:11:00.004-05:00

The opening of the blouse forms an X-shape, which both hides and reveals the figure within. The muted light illuminates what little we know about her.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#20

Jordyn in a Straw Hat

2009-11-14T19:18:00.006-05:00

There is an impish quality to this gesture that seems to befit Jordyn. The straw hat, which I found at the Salvation Army, adds to the comical feel of the piece. I'm not sure if the string of pearls fits the theme, but I liked how they worked into that space and rhymed with the shape of her arms.

SOLD

oil on linen, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#19

Naomi with a Rope

2009-11-12T22:59:00.004-05:00

The inspiration for today's painting came from a magazine photo where a woman was pulling back a curtain to look out a window. In the studio, for some unknown reason, I decided to hang a rope from the ceiling and have the model hold it rather than a curtain. I suppose the rope lent a certain mystery, which turned out to be apropos to Naomi. She modeled for me only once. She was smart, enthusiastic, and fun to work with. I looked forward to more sessions with her, but unfortunately I could never get her to return. I'm still hoping I'll have another chance someday.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#18

Ashley in Red

2009-11-10T19:05:00.003-05:00

Ashley is lying back in an old recliner. Her striking red dress would have been compromised by the maroon color of the chair had I not placed the white lambskin between them. The view is from slightly above. A more level view would have again offered too much red chair in a painting that is very red already. I used to take studio naps in that recliner until one day it collapsed with me in it. I'm still looking for a replacement.

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009
#17

Kristin

2009-11-08T17:26:00.004-05:00

Here I was interested in the complexity of the interlocking arms. I saw a photograph somewhere with a similar gesture, made some sketches from memory, and thought it would be straightforward enough to get the model into that pose. However, it wasn't so easy. I tried with several models and couldn't achieve the elegant complexity I was after. Not everyone is a contortionist, I guess. Kristin, though, made it work. She also has some very beautiful dresses. This one was metallic and sleek, yet sophisticated.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 7.75 x 5.75 inches, 2009

#16

Figure from the Back

2009-11-06T19:46:00.004-05:00

There was an oddness about this pose that caught my interest. I thought the interior modeling of the back was especially lovely, but initially found the arms somehow unsettling. I finally realized that they made me think of the Greek and Roman marbles from antiquity that somehow lost various appendages over the centuries. I decided I liked it just the way it was. I also liked how her blouse fell on the table upon which she sits, particularly where the sheer fabric passes over the red velour drape. This particular model is especially graceful and I anticipate working with her again soon.

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#15

Kelsey

2009-11-04T19:06:00.003-05:00

Kelsey is a wonderful model with whom I've worked quite a bit. Her wardrobe was always simple but classy. I liked the little touches of red within the green shirt, and she looked great in the white frame sunglasses. She is away at school now but I hope to work with her again at some point.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 6 x 6 inches, 2009

#14

Haley

2009-11-02T22:53:00.009-05:00

Haley is a very young model, but she is a natural. Every pose she takes is worth painting. Here I was attracted to the rhythmic shapes of the arms, offset by her innocent face with its dreamy gaze. Her charming bracelet was the right touch to break up what otherwise might have been a too insistent forearm. The vivid magenta of her shirt was a challenge to capture, but I think I came close.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 6 x 6 inches, 2009

#13

Ashley in Oval Mirror

2009-10-31T17:28:00.003-04:00

It's Halloween and while I wouldn't call this painting scary, I like to think it is a little haunting. In the mirror Ashley seems to be casting a sidelong glance, quite different from what one would expect from her profile view. The corner of the old trunk in the lower left is a repoussoir device that leads the viewer deeper into the space of the picture. Ashley is another model that I would like to work more with but she has moved away.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 6 x 6 inches, 2009

#12

Amber in Profile

2009-10-29T22:09:00.002-04:00

Amber has the most incredible long red hair, and I really wish I could work with her more often. Her career makes that difficult, but I think there might be an opportunity coming soon. Here I was mostly interested in her delicate profile. I slightly exaggerated the contours of her shoulder for interest. I also like the series of parallel diagonal lines created by the locks of her hair, the strap of the dress, and the arm on the right. In simple compositions like this I enjoy looking for these kinds of structural elements to make the design hold together.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 6 x 6 inches, 2009

#11

Sara in the Window

2009-10-27T21:37:00.001-04:00

In this painting I was interested in the silhouette of the figure against the midday light of the window. After the initial impact of this strong contrast, some of the details of the figure begin to emerge. In addition, I have always been interested in sheer fabric draped over the figure. Here the sunlight breaks forcefully through her flowing blouse. In the window I tried to use some stippled brush work to indicate that it was in need of cleaning. The building behind is the Ferndale post office.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009

#10

Clare with Arrow

2009-10-25T22:36:00.001-04:00

I've worked with Clare a lot over the last couple of years. She has modeled for a number of my larger compositions. She has a remarkable ability to understand and imaginatively interpret my intentions for a given pose, even when I don't fully understand them myself. Perhaps it's because of her stage experience. Clare somehow brings a unique body language and facial expression to each idea I present her with. Here she forcefully thrusts her arm out perpendicular to her body, while keeping the clutched arrow parallel to it. Her gesture captures perfectly the aggressive theme of the painting. I felt that the treatment of the background also fit the theme. The arrow predates recorded history and is rich with meaning in many cultures.

SOLD

oil on linen panel, 8 x 6 inches, 2009
#9

Jordyn with Pearls

2009-10-20T15:09:00.001-04:00

Jordyn has a wonderful vintage clothing collection, as evidenced by this fur stole. The hat, however, is contemporary. I thought it was perfect for this over-the-shoulder, Vermeer like composition. When this painting was dry I applied a thin glaze of crimson to her lips to slightly pronounce their color. I also used a touch of cobalt to hint at her deep blue eyes. Jordyn, by the way, is herself quite a talented artist.

SOLD

oil on panel, 6x6" inches, 2009
#8

Elly in Stripes

2009-10-18T20:41:00.001-04:00

I couldn't resist the stripes. This is actually a dress, and she looks quite striking in it, but I felt that all those stripes in a painting might be too much. The cropping allowed for a zigzag movement through the arms that finally focuses on the face. If you study the pattern of her dress you will notice that it is subtly complex, consisting of not just black and white, but also two shades of gray. Elly is a gifted model, in part because she requires little direction. She seems to naturally find inventive yet elegant gestures.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 6x6 inches, 2009
#7

Tiffany's Reflection

2009-10-18T12:59:00.001-04:00

The idea for this painting occurred unexpectedly near the end of a modeling session. Tiffany was starting to gather up her things when she happened to pass by the mirror. It was one I had just picked up at a yard sale, and looked like it might have come from Pottery Barn. I enjoy looking over her shoulder at her warmly lit face. With the clutter of the studio in the background, this composition is less controlled than others. The two light spots to the left of her head are metal brackets that support wooden shelves. I noticed how they were reading with the unfurling of the buttons on her blouse, and felt that together these two elements helped focus the composition.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 6x6 inches, 2009

Sara in a Round Mirror

2009-10-17T13:14:00.001-04:00

I've worked with Sara a lot, and she is very good at taking a pose suggestion and bringing ideas to it. I liked how she clutched the drape behind her back, putting herself between this somewhat ominous gesture, and her reflected image, which is of course an illusion. I thought the roundness of her bob hairstyle worked well with the round mirror.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 6x6 inches, 2009

Bayley's Mood

2009-10-17T12:59:00.001-04:00

Bayley's face is always expressive. Here she takes on an irresistible melancholy. I'm reminded of Raphael's Cherubini, overexposed as they are. But this pose was inspired by another source, the origins of which I don't recall. I often see an interesting image in a magazine or some other source, make a quick sketch or mental note, then develop it back in the studio with further sketches. When I have a model come, we cycle through a lot of these ideas. Then I do the same thing with different models until I find something that I want to paint.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 7x5 inches, 2009
#4

Ashley Holding a Carnation

2009-10-17T12:40:00.001-04:00

Ashley has a great sense of style and always brings wonderful wardrobe and accessories selections to the studio. I liked the simple brown dress and the complementary wristband. I used the horizontal of the floor and baseboard in this composition to anchor the vertical mass of the figure and at the same time echo the outstretched arm. The sunlight shapes on the wall help integrate the figure to what would otherwise be too much empty space.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 6x6 inches, 2009

Haeley Prone

2009-10-16T16:43:00.003-04:00

Another pose with Haeley, again concentrating on the play of negative spaces, especially between the arms, in the shadow area. I was also interested in the undulation of the contours of the figure in relation to the horizontal line behind her.

SOLD

oil on gesso panel, 5x7 inches, 2009
#2

Haeley Sitting

2009-10-16T15:20:00.009-04:00

This is one of two paintings from a recent modeling session with Haeley. In this one I was mostly interested in the negative spaces within the pose. Please email cpompilius@sbcglobal.net for purchase for purchase information.
SOLD
oil on gesso panel, 6x6 inches, 2009
#1

Welcome To My New Blog

2009-09-26T17:38:00.000-04:00

Soon I will begin posting new paintings of the human figure. They will be small, mostly oil on linen. I hope to post a new painting every other day. I'm excited about this new venture and I look forward to your comments. Please check back soon!