Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Tea Party





"The Bluebird of Happiness #2", 1"x 1", egg tempera on vellum


                "Ona and Corin with Bluebird", 11" x 7", graphite portrait drawing



                                                                                                                                                              Last week I was invited to tea with my friends Martiina, and her daughters, Ona and Corin, who also used to be my neighbors. They have moved to another spot in the area, so on this occasion we had some great fun catching up, eating cake and cookies with hot chocolate and tea, practicing our yoga and dance moves, and playing with pet gerbils! 

Some of you who follow my blog will recall how I made a second miniature painting of my lucky glass bluebird, "The Bluebird of Happiness (#2)" for them to have in their new home. It's an honor that it is posted in a special spot right in between the girls' rooms, and since they posed for a few pictures how could I resist making a drawing of them?!

8 comments:

Altoon Sultan said...

A charming double portrait; I love the gently impish expression on the girl's faces, so full of life.

Kathleen Coy said...

This is fabulous, Mona! I agree, the expression on the girls faces is wonderful, you captured the moment perfectly. And I always love the way you draw and paint fabrics and hair. Love it!!!

Unknown said...

How lovely Mona - I bet the girls and their Mother were thrilled to bits!!!!

Mona Diane Conner said...

Thanks Altoon, Kathleen, and Karen. The girls inspire it just by being themselves.

Karen, it is partly some of your fine work with pencil portraiture that has inspired me to draw more often!

Barbara A. Freeman said...

What a great piece Mona. They make me smile. That bluebird must spread happiness where ever it goes!

Is this on film? The skin tones are so fine!

Mona Diane Conner said...

Thanks Barbara. It does give a similar appearance, but this is an acid-free medium weight vellum trace (Borden and Riley brand). I like using it for many purposes related to building my sketches for paintings. Might not be as archival as mylar or drafting film, but it's also just a nice smooth drawing surface, that is more forgiving of errors and erasures than drafting film or mylar.

artbyakiko said...

What a great drawing! The girls' expressions are so sweet, and I can see how small this blue bird painting actually is!!

Edward Burton said...

Very sweet, Mona.