"The Messenger" acrylic on masonite board 40 x 60 cm by Christina Lank

So she is complete! The Messenger is a rather dark painting once again of a green eyed lady with crows coming out of smoke around her. The original concept was meant to be off the sentence "When silenced, it is time to act."
I had this thought of women suppressed, coming out to speak and the woman who would speak for them. Crows have long been a symbol of bad tidings, and also symbolize misjudgement in that regard.

close up detail of The Messengers face

shot of the painting outside

So however dark and smokey and perhaps not fully formed our thoughts may be, they come into action through the crows.

I have some more work in progress shots for you to take a look at since the last time I posted so you can see the painting in more various stages :)

after a few redos on her face, and even an eye color change things started shaping up

I worked on the whole body as if it was to be naked, just because i didnt know how much would be covered in the end.

when the feather collar came on, i was really happy as it added the drama i wanted!

with the hair and the crows going on it really started becoming the painting i had wanted!

The Messenger complete!

Then with lots of smoke, and a bit of red, even on the wings which is unfortunately something so light and tinted its difficult to see in a picture....she was complete!

I hope you like this new rather dark painting I have made :) I really look forward to debuting her at the show in September :O!
For now there are archival prints available on my Etsy shop ^^ - https://www.etsy.com/listing/102623525/fine-art-print-crow-girl-with-feather

Have a good weekend everyone, and happy midsummer to all the Swedish folk out there :D

The painting mill keeps on turning

digital sketch of the crow girl done the other night

Just a quick post about my new project ^^
I am painting a crow inspired painting, lots of smoke and feathers :)
I didnt use just one model this time around, its a real mash up and work around of multiple people, an idea we've been chewing on for quite some time now.

There will be a lace veil over her eyes, and a symbolic meaning of "When silenced, it is time act."
At least thats how I have always felt and envisioned this painting to come across...

art therapy! feels gooood.

I had a bit of fun too with the background :P
We let paint drip, splattered it on everywhere without much of a care. Its possible only a tiny bit may show in the end, with what I have thought out for it, but its something I never do with my paintings, and it was fun to let loose!

my art studio, complete with artists prints and originals I admire

I cleaned up my art studio a bit today and posted this pic on facebook. I got frames at ikea for my little collection of art prints, minus two which I still need to sort out!
It's a truly inspirational corner I must say!

the crow girls face, work in progress shot

This evening, I spent some secluded time working on her face. It started off WAY wrong. As per usual. But I think its all shaping up nicely now. She's got a bit of that spark of life happening in her eyes...now I just need begin the tedious work on her skin and let the magic take place ;)

Hope everyones had a wonderful weekend! :D

"Waiting to Fly" - New Bird Girl is now all done!

"Waiting to Fly" acrylic on masonite board 42 x 60.5 cm by Christina Lank

So! After my late night post yesterday detailing the crazy journey of this young lady's face hehe, you can finally see the end result ^^
Not only am I happy I finally managed to take a good picture of one of my paintings - I am also pretty happy with how my first painting completely done in Golden Open colors turned out. They are definitely a much different way of painting with acrylics, for better and sometimes also causing mild frustration ;)

Close up of Eagle girls face, feathers in her hair and all

My dear model, Michelle, really captured the look of boredom, waiting till her wings could sprout and she could leave the nest, in her reference picture. I tried my best to relive that in paint the best I could.

The whole concept really came from her!
Before she modelled for Rebirth, she modelled for this painting, volunteering to be a Bird Girl.
Like all my bird girls, I see their face and I think of a bird spirit for them.
When I saw her I thought of this dry forest, a large bird of prey...but there was something more.
I felt anticipation. I got inspired by documentaries I saw on Nordic wildlife, and the giant nests eagles make in trees and thought it would be perfect having her sit up in one, with an eagle protector, just waiting for her chance to fly off into the horizon...

close up of the golden eagle

I really wanted to finish this painting to send to The Forgotten Goddess show in Hollywood because the theme is "Inner Self Portrait"...to me this is very symbolic of all the dreams I have had and collected, and the feeling of anticipation, longing just waiting for things to take off.
I think alot of women can feel this way, so I really wanted it to be complete for the show.

Today, I hopefully will be leaving it at Martin's to get framed in the same beautiful wooden frame as Rebirth, and then packaging up and sending both of them on their way, fingers crossed to a grand new home in the land of the stars ;)

I hope you all like the final result of this painting!
I have about 2 or 3 small paintings to do before my local art show here in Skurup - but more grand things to come I can assure you :D

"Sunrise Lament: Swan" complete!

"Sunrise Lament: Swan" acrylic on reclaimed plywood 43.5 x 65.5 cm

So! She is finally complete. Ive been battling it out with this large heavy painting for a good few weeks now, and actually kept record of how long I spent on it! After 43 hours and 35 minutes of working on her I finally got to a place last night that I was happy with.

detail of the arch bridge with wisteria flowers in the background

This painting to be shows a certain emotion I was thinking of at the time.
I suppose its no surprise the thought of a white swan bears a bit of melancholy, but to me the look on her face reminded me of times where things have been so sad for so long you just have to smile, just a little bit...despite it all theres almost a sweet undertone to all the pain.

close up of the detail on the swans head

But instead of being the crazy girl at the bus stop chuckling to herself with tears in her eyes, finding the beauty in the misery, I painted it here in a more magical setting. Because we all are the white swan girl now and again...

the wishy willow tree over the pond in the background

a side view because it can always be a bit easier to see things from this angle

I hope you enjoy my swan girl and the meanings I find in it! We all must battle on, whether it be in grace and beauty or otherwise... I hope to myself I can do just that :)
Have a wonderful Sunday!

Continuous Work on Swan Girl Continues!

Its been a pretty productive weekend I think! Ive gotten some good work done on Swan Girl, which looks more or less like this now:

"Swan Girl" continues! Shes got some huge boobs *cough* and after 1 breast reduction surgery another one may be needed lool :P

Ive put alot of work getting her face and the upper half of her body to a good standard. Though I got to tell you her face is NOT  done and neither is her hair (im currently working on the dove wing nestled in there) and it has gone through some pretty funny changes.
I put together a small collage for you to show you the journey over the past few days.

jaw surgery, eye surgery, mouth surgery (still underway with that one) and the relaxing inclusion of hair and flowers

I added a large peony flower, lotus, tiger lily, and some unidentified purple flower ^^ next: pearls perhaps?

Shes been a long journey, and painting on the laminated plywood has been really smooth and nice, but still offers up some problems when blending stubborn acrylics.

Yesterday I saw the house where I will be showing my paintings over Easter and met the fellow artists who own it - it made me really excited but super nervous at the same time.
I have roughly 2 months to paint enough pictures for 3 walls, whilst working a full time job and having the kids about.
Its going to be stressful and never enough time in the day but I will try and light the fire under my butt and as Tim Gunn would say, "Make it work!!" hehehe

Hope everyones had a great weekend! :D

A Swan Work in Progress

Swan Girl work in progress on plywood

 Well its been a slow work in progress thats for sure :P I havent painted it since Friday where I got into a slight rage about my use of the color green and repainted all the grass and hills... You can sortve see the green it used to be from the closest lily pads by the girl herself.

I am not much of a landscape painter yet, I am taking it slow, one long step at a time so that I can make more dynamic expressive paintings in the end.
Its difficult here as this is a large and heavy piece of plywood I am painting on, and checking reference pics for guidance can be a challenge ;)

slow work on the willow tree, in a bit of a new style

Ive tried looking at artist Ive admire for some inspiration which helped make the tree (and thus spawned the green grass rage) and I will keep on working on the backgroun for quite some time I think before the poor Swan Girl gets any paint on her :(

Hope you like it to far, and please if you have any tips feel free to let me know!
I am open to new ideas! :D

There is no rest for the wicked! New sketch and concepts...

Swan Girl Sketch!

As the title suggest, there is no rest for me, the wicked artist :P Since the Dragon painting had begun I acquired 4 new Bird Girls, and that has meant alot of brain energy of mine has gone into concept drawing.

The one above for Swan I had been thinking of since December when I asked my boyfriends sister, Jenny, to pose for my Swan girl!
The pose itself I was so determined on, and I knew how bold she would have to be to go along with it lol, but she is a gorgeous lady and followed my instructions beautifully!
I am really excited about my sketch - it carries on with my hopes for fuller backgrounds, more details and more thoughts included.

As it was one of my New Years Resolutions I am also going to be painting on something new!

see the strong man at work!! :D

Richard dug out an old piece of laminated plywood which was super thick and heavy :P it had gotten a bit dinged up so he filled the holes in for me and even gessoed it sweet thing!
Its pretty massive, and should make for a wonderful painting surface.

The other 3 bird girls are nearly done with their basic rough sketches. I am still awaiting on reference pics for 2 and brain space for the third.
I really wish I could be a full time artist so I could do all of this in a much more timely manner lol!! Someday right ;)

"Blossom's Promise: Blue Bird" Painting is complete!

"Blossom's Promise: Blue Bird" acrylic on canvas featuring cherry blossoms, branches and lots of hair 46x38 cm

Shes done!! I have been painting this on and off all week, and its always been a very pleasant bright painting to have around during these grey foggy days leading up until 2012.
I think her hair was a real treat to paint, though intimidating at first...I think its what makes me happiest at this point ^^
Her hands were the next greatest challenge... I spent a good 4 hours or so working and reworking them. But gosh the time goes by so fast when youre painting, I barely even noticed! In the end I think I am getting better and better at painting hands...but I cant wait for Mariannes anatomy classes in January so I can do a better job of drawing them straight from imagination.

close up of the little blue bird in flight

close of up the Bird Girl's face, with all of her flowers and twirly hair :D oh oh and freckles!

This makes 5/12 Bird Girls complete! I am pretty chuffed! Next project up will be Dragon Lore for Echanted Visions Project...and I also managed to snag a model at McDonalds yesterday night LOL! So I am hoping to use her for  many and varied projects as she has an excellent face *woot for being bold!*

I hope everyone has an ammaazing New Year and a great and grand start to 2012!!!

And the New Bird Girl is...

Blue Bird!!

My new model is my sweet friend Susie, who made me think of these cute, bright little birds. Its nice going back into a more light painting again after doing a few blackish ones :P

Blue Bird Girl Sketch

From the reference pic I wanted to make her hair quite elaborate as in real life Susie has really long wavy hair - I had to make it more of a center piece! And add lots of little birds and flowers around ^^

WIP of Blue Bird Girl...need a proper name for the painting :P

Its going to be a very blue and pink painting in the end :P
Ive been hashing out issues with her face shape, eye shape, lip shape, every shape! But I think I got alot done yesterday ...
And I am on VACATION! Woot! So plenty of free time to spend painting and having a good time ^^

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas this year and will have an equally awesome time ringing in the New Year :D!

Winter's Prayer: Cardinal Complete!

"Winter's Prayer: Cardinal" acrylic painting 41 x 33 cm

She is complete ^^ Just in time for Christmas :D
This is my older sister Alex, whom I have painted with her spirit bird the Cardinal dressed with the traditional St. Lucia crown of candles.

Though no Swedish person could tell me themselves why they celebrate her death on December 13th every year - I looked it up myself! *cough* Ive taken this from Wikipedia so bare with me :P:
Basically she was a Christian who vowed herself to God back in the day where Pagans were the majority. Her Pagan husband denounced her for her faith sentenced her to be burned, however no flame could consume her.

The candles on her crown symbolize that fire that couldnt touch her. I believe her eyes were stabbed out by her husband, and she was stabbed in the throat by a soldier (very bloody, hence the red ribbons lucia girls wear) but she was only able to die once she recieved the Christian sacrament.

Now this is a really choppy version of her story.
In modern day Sweden one girl from each town is picked to portray Lucia - and parade around in her crown for a day (always the most beautiful of course!)
Which is why my beautiful older sister was perfect for this :D

Hope you all enjoyed that history lesson lol.
Here are some close up photos and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! :D!!

A new painting, and a very rainy week

Well Ive been really slow to start and post about this new painting... I had guests over the weekend and its been a real heavy work week with lots of rain, ice, and a nasty chill in the air.
But! Despite all that I have gotten some good progress done on my new Bird Girl!
And the model is....my sister!

And the bird I gave her was the beautiful red cardinal

which I think suits her so well and will make a great holiday-esque painting in the end I believe :)

Here are some WIP shots for you!

i always pictured a white and blue fluffy background, little did i know due to her pose it would make her so small :O

okay so i broke the flash on my camera for a day but this is where i was putting on the base colors. always an ugly time :P but ill skip the worst of it lol!

thanks sis for helping me appreciate just how intricate the human neck is!! still working on that...

and just a bit of a close up on her face. i am still not completely happy but. i guess thats just part of being a painter.

Its a long way off done hehe, but it should come together nicely later on. Longest and hardest part will be the rest of her skin thats for sure. Only another 40 hours of work right ;)

Hunters Run: Pheasant Girl

Hunters Run - Pheasant acrylic on canvas 41 x 33 cm

So! I finished this painting 1 or 2 days ago but was having a horrible time trying to photograph it. The background being so black, and the varnish being so shiney...I just couldnt get a shot without shine!
I brought it into work as we had a professional photographer in shooting some bikes - and he went all out trying to get it perfect :P
He even built an enormous hut around the picture, tripod and himself (yes pictures later :P) trying to make sure no light could hit it...but alas no luck. Its like a disco ball.
So! You have my slightly blurry, slightly reflective photo - which I will try to correct soon I promise.
But I hope you like the painting anyway ^^

close up of the pheasant

close up of my dear friend Ciwis face!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend to looking forward to and are praising the Friday gods as much as me :D

Because I Love a Good WIP Post

Today I was home sick from work and inbetween being half dead on the couch I continued work on my Pheasant Girl.
I loves me some good old fashioned WIP photos so I just had to share (I can get a bit obsessive with the camera throughout the painting progress - so theres basically a picture for every time I take a 5 minute break..Ill spare you all of that though :P)
Lets start!

Pheasant Girl - the tedious task of skin

I began work on her body skin today. Doing her face is always a complicated long process, which I love and feel determines the rest of the painting...the skin on the body? A very long tedious task of the same colors over and over again for hours...

basic of it complete!

But I got to a basic good place earlier, with only some minor tidbits I need to work on

yes, i sit on the floor when i paint. my poor back.

This is me - the sicky working on her hair slowly as I just couldnt stand to nitpick at her skin any longer. You can see my super strong light over the top of my painting always makes her hair look like such a stop light.

close of Pheasant Girls face this evening

But I got alot of the basics of her hair done. It is very hard to photograph at night! This is without flash, but with or without it didnt capture the colors the way they are in real life, with subtle oranges and such. But I added in alot of the wispy bits of floating hair which makes me happy as its one of my favorite details to add ^^

Thats all from me this evening! Its back to work tomorrow but hopefully will be able to start work on that bird soon O_o now THAT will be fun ;)

New Bird Girl - New Face - New Setting

Well I was lucky enough to have my dear friend Ciwi offer to model for one of my bird girls. The moment I thought of her I knew just what bird I wanted to paint her with...however it did take me awhile to remember what the name of the bird was :P
A Pheasant!
When I lived in England I used to go for long drives through the southern countryside and now and again we would see the most beautiful birds go skirting across the hills.
I think they are really beautiful and would suit her so well.

I made a rather dark background first, I wanted it to be simple and ambient to go with the bright red of her hair and the beautiful patterns on the pheasants feathers.

Now the ugly part of the painting lol! I was just saying to my sister it feels like every new face I paint tries to test me, and I wind up having to beat the pretty into it :P
My paint brush and I dont always agree, but we get there eventually

After a few more hours of work I finally got to a place I was happy with and wanted to share with you ^^

I have alot of sorting out to do - some adjustments to her eyes and teeth etc...and the stop light red hair definitly draws a bit of attention right now lol :P
But I look forward to beating some more beauty into this painting hehe!
More time, more work and Ill be back soon ;)