Deanne Dixon Artworks

Sketching and the News

2012-01-19T15:24:00.000-07:00

"Asian Girl with Ruffled Blouse" was drawn on 9/11/01 while I was glued to the television watching reruns of the unbelievably shocking news reports. The notation says "World Trade Center 9-11-01. 9 (am) - first plane hit WTC. 10:28 (am) second tower collapsed." (The full sketch is found in an earlier post.)

As I sketched "A little Boy playing in a Stream" I took notes during President George Bush's Speech to a Joint Session of Congress on September20, 2001, which was about 17 days before theUS attacked Afghanistan.

Here are some quotes written in the margins: To the Armed Forces he said, "Thehour is coming when America will act, and you will make us proud." "An attack on one is an attack on all." "In the last ninedays the world has seen the state of our union, and it is strong." "We will rally the world to our cause." "Freedom and Fearare at war." To Americans he said, “Liveyour lives, hug your children. (Go shopping.) Be patient and have faith in the American economy and strength.” “Don’t single people out because of theirethnic background. Pray for us. Faith and fear at at war. We will rally the world to our cause. We will not tire, falter or fail. All countries must choose to be with us oragainst us. God is not neutral betweenfreedom and fear, cruelty and justice. To the Taliban: hand over the terrorists or suffer their fate. The emergency workers at the WTC who gavetheir lives probably saved 25,000 people…the greatest evacuation ever accomplished.”

Aboveyou will see my "The State of the Union Address given by President George Bush" on January 28, 2003, which was less than60 days before the United States attacked Iraq and began the 8 year Iraq War.

[First, please forgive my misspelledwords. I don't spell well, and if I am writing quickly, I spell even lesswell. ]

Inthis speech President Bush gave justification for going to war against Iraq, as well as some of his economicplans for the US. He said: “Trusting Saddam Hussein is not anoption.” “I have a message for thepeople of Iraq: the enemy of yourcountry is not surrounding your country. It is ruling your country! “(Anattack by us) will be your liberation.” “This nation fights reluctantly.” “The liberty we prize is not America’s giftto the world; it is God’s gift to humanity.” (Roger and I opposed the war atthe time for many reasons, but first of all, because it is against our religionto attack a country that did not attack us.)

Beautiful Sierra

2011-01-18T23:23:00.006-07:00

Three-color chalk drawing on toned paper after
the technique of the Old Masters. About 11"x 14".
1/11/11.

Today is Sierra's 14th birthday and she finally opened the gift (this drawing) she had sweetly asked me to make for her. It was so fun to do and I hoped she would like it. She did!
I explained to Sierra that a portrait doesn't have to look exactly like a person -- if that's what you want you should take a photo. Instead, a portrait is a record of what the artist sees and what the artist feels about the subject. It can be a picture of the inner spirit of the individual. I see Sierra as a pure, sweet, full of faith and loving young woman and that's what I attempted to capture in this portrait. To me she is beautiful inside and out.
I finished it last week, on 1-11-11 (such a fun date) but I dated it with her birthday (Jan. 18) -- a great day for our family because she joined it.

Pencil Sketches of Children

2010-12-22T12:47:00.002-07:00

One of my favorite subjects is Children. I have to draw from photos because kids usually stay in one place for a nanosecond and I'm not that fast! These are all family photos. Thea took the ones of the little Japanese girls, which I drew while watching the tragic and surreal events all day on 9-11-01.

The sketch of the girl standing in water is called "Getting Her Feet Wet." It's the preliminary study I did for the painting "Little Wader," which was posted earlier.

The little boy and girl are sketches of my grandchildren, Grant and Claire.

Sketches at a workshop

2010-12-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

I attended a wonderful portrait workshop run by Paul Davis in April 2008. Here are some sketches in oil and charcoal, drawn "from life" as opposed to drawn from photo references.

2010-09-18T00:39:00.001-06:00

"Watch This!"
pastel, 18"x24" on paper
9/17/2010

So here I am holding my "Quick Draw" sketch done at Thanksgiving Point today. It's of children playing at the base of a fantastic interactive water feature. The drawing was done in 1.5 hours, which wasn't nearly enough time. Roger sat with me and we had a wonderful time and lots of good laughs watching the kids getting soaked and squealing with delight. One boy yelled "Watch this!" and that became the title of the piece.

"Madison"

2009-12-03T23:32:00.000-07:00

Detail of a pastel portrait on paper. July 2009.
In the private collection of Spencer & Heather Hess.

Showing the unique personalities of beautiful 8-year-old identical twins was an exciting challenge. The full version of this drawing shows Madison holding a book to represent her reading hobby and her thoughtful nature. BTW, Madison has one prominent freckle on her nose!

"MacKensie"

2009-12-03T23:29:00.000-07:00

Detail of a pastel portrait on paper. July 2009.
In the private collection of Spencer & Heather Hess.

To represent MacKensie's gentle and nurturing nature, I include a doll cradled in her arms. MacKensie's forehead is just slightly rounder than Madison's.

"Princess Louise"

2008-11-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

2008, oil on canvas, 16”x 20”

This is a study with variations of the masterpiece “Vicomtesse Othenin d’Haussonville, nee Louise-Albertine de Broglie” by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, (1780-1867) of France. (Don't ask me to repeat that without looking!) I took liberties with the image and background. I loved the delicate features, especially the light eyelashes.

This study was done in the Verdaccio method, a technique used by many of the old masters.

Above is a photo of the original painting upon which I based my study.

"The Dona"

2008-11-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

2008, oil on canvas, 16”x20”

A study with variations after: “Dona Isabel Cobos de Porcel” by Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes, 1746-1828. Spain. (See photo of the original I used for this study below.)

This was another study using the verdaccio technique. I freely make "improvements" to the image and enjoyed using vibrant colors accented by black lace.

"A Blue-Haired Girl"

2008-11-12T14:43:00.001-07:00

2007, acrylic on canvas, 18”x24”

She is named “A Blue-Haired Girl” since there could be others!
This was a playful painting where I let the acrylic paint wash and run like a watercolor. The chair was whimsical and the cat and girl were rendered with minimal strokes. The girl is based on my oldest daughter, Jennifer.

"Sunset Glow"

2008-11-12T14:40:00.000-07:00

1995, acrylic on canvas, 11" x 14".
In the private collection of Dawn & Kerry Harding, Maryland.

As sunset neared I dashed to a nearby park to capture the hazy colors of the Maryland country side. I've enjoyed the results of this impressionistic moment.

"Forgotton Lane" (Forest Glen, Silver Spring, Maryland. Walter Reed Annex)

2008-11-12T14:39:00.000-07:00

1996, oil on canvas. 24”x20”.

Deep in the overgrown forest in Silver Spring, Maryland, a wonderful hidden treasure laid just beyond view from the busy beltway. Known as Forest Glen, the property has a history going back into the 1600’s. In 1894 it became a seminary for girls who attended classes in a pagoda, a castle, a ballroom, some other unique buildings and this European-styled lane without their ever having to leave the premises.

Eventually the Walter Reed Naval Annex occupied some buildings and the LDS Temple was built on part of the original property. As I painted this scene on location in 1996, the remarkable buildings were crumbling with neglect. You may be able to read about the fascinating history and current efforts to preserve this treasure on the web.

"Dogwoods at the DC Temple"

2008-11-12T14:36:00.001-07:00

1997, oil on canvas, 22”x28”.
In the private collection of Marilyn & Robert Brinton, Utah.

Painting this scene resembled a dance. The strokes leapt, tapped and glided across the red under-painting floor. This painting took about four hours to complete: an unusually short time for me.

"Morning Calm" (Bethany Beach--7a.m.)

2008-11-12T14:34:00.001-07:00

1995, oil and sand, 12”x15”
In the collection of Ralph and Barbara Mecham, Potomac, Maryland

At 7am my sister Shara and I began painting the surf in Bethany Beach, Maryland, as the sun peeked above the horizon. The breeze gently gathered fine sand and deposited it on our paints and canvas, giving extra authenticity to the product. This artistic moment together became an unforgettable event for my sister and me.

"Getting Her Feet Wet"

2008-11-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

2007, oil on canvas, 16”x 20”

The little flower girl headed straight to the creek after my nephew’s wedding on a cattle ranch in Montana. Since I always have camera--will travel, I kept snapping until a look I wanted presented itself. I would paint children from life but they only stay still a nanosecond. In this painting I had to decide where I wanted her to look: at the bank--suggesting unsureness; far ahead--possibly suggesting dangerous risk-taking; or just ahead of her feet--implying that she would be careful and steady as she tests the waters.

"Little White House"

2008-11-12T11:33:00.000-07:00

1994, acrylic on canvas; 11”x 14”.
In the private collection of Joy Torelli, Maryland.

The Little White House was painted on location in the charming town of Glen Echo, Maryland. The sunny porch, open door and three plastic chairs suggest a homey, welcoming atmosphere to this humble home. Simple lines, rock steps and untended flowers and shrubs reveal that you have found a retreat from glamour and expectations. A window within proves the three-dimensionality of a cozy home where you might enjoy the smells of a wood fire or homemade bread. Come sit a spell with me. Put your feet up on the railing and relax.

"Simple Desires"

2008-11-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

2000, Oil on canvas, 16” x 20”.

After my nephew’s wedding on a ranch in Montana, Danielle decided the balloon should be hers.

"The Leaf Gatherer"

2008-11-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

1999, oil on canvas, 18”x 24”

The inspiration for this painting was a snapshot of my little granddaughter, Sierra. I enjoyed the challenge of rotating the pose and putting her in a more magical environment.

"Hsiu Li" (Little Girl With Cherry Blossoms)

2008-11-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

2004, oil on canvas, 22”x28”.
In a private collection, Maryland.

The little girl in the painting was strolling with her family among the breath-taking cherry trees in full bloom in the Kenmore area of Maryland. I obtained permission to photograph this pretty little girl but I never got her name. I named the picture after Audrey, the daughter of my good friend. Audrey's Chinese name is "Hsiu Li", which means delicate and beautiful.

"Cassy Ann at Two"

2008-11-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

2008, using watercolor pencils, water applied with Q-tips on watercolor paper. About 11"x14". Why Q-tips? I was settled in our van while on a very long road trip and ready to do a little art to pass the time in Nevada when I realized I had forgotten to bring the paint brushes! Fortunately I had a few Q-tips in the art supplies and voila! They worked.
In the private collection of Jeff and Kate Dixon, Utah.

"Winter Lights"

2008-11-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

1997, watercolor, 12” x 17”

Although each Christmas nearly 100,000 visitors view the scene upon which this painting is based, I chose to suggest a solitary moment – quiet and calm in the presence of the House of the Lord in which one can contemplate the condescension of God on a starry night. The lights in Heaven and on earth join to solemnly proclaim the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The painting, Winter Lights, was created at the request of the International and Government Affairs Office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for use as the official image of the 1997 Festival of Lights. It appeared on tens of thousands of invitations and programs at the Washington DC Temple Visitors’ Center. The image has also been used by the D.C. Temple, local wards and friends for Christmas cards.

(Available as a lithographic print on paper for $25 each plus $5 postage.)

"Genevieve"

2008-11-12T11:07:00.000-07:00

2000, mixed media, including pastel on paper, 18" x 24"

I thought about drawing Genevieve for a long time as her looks fascinated me. Sometime I could see her as a schoolmarm, other times--an angel. She had the singing voice of an angel so that is the direction I chose. Genevieve and I sat in the warm autumn sunshine in my backyard. Pastel brings out the scribble in me and I relished every minute as I vigorously suggested foliage in the background then delicately described her face.
My friend Lori cried (with tenderness) when she saw this portrait because she thinks so highly of the young woman who posed for me and who volunteered to help provide Lori's frail mother company as she wiled away her last few weeks. Genevieve was an angel.

"Gitty Up!" (Alex on a Rocking Horse)

2008-11-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

1999, graphite on paper, 8" x 10"
In the private collection of Laurie H. Stein, Washington.

While on vacation, I looked over my sister's cherished photos of her grandchildren. One of little Alex climbing onto a rocking horse intrigued me so that I made this sketch of it.

"Quiet Moment"

2008-11-10T23:22:00.001-07:00

Oil on canvas, 18"x24", 2008.
This painting was done of Julie, a favorite model for our Alpine Art Group.
(Original painting: $1500, unframed.)