Cecil Irving - American Artist

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

DVD from Michael Siegel - Painting the Self-Portrait

One of my favorite artists--Michael Siegel--just released an incredible instructional DVD on Painting the Self-Portrait in oils. It blew my mind, and it opened me up to a new way of looking at painting. Mr. Siegel is so insightful and inspirational. I recommend it to anyone who paints!

Check it out at www.siegelfineart.com/htmlSite/video.htm
Here is the painting he does from start to finish on the DVD:

Saturday, June 4, 2011

"Wabi-Sabi" 5x7

"Wabi-Sabi"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2011

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Thursday, June 2, 2011

"In Season" 6x6

"In Season"
Oil on Masonite Panel
6"x 6"
2011

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Wednesday, June 1, 2011

"May Flowers" 5x7

"May Flowers"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2011

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Monday, May 30, 2011

"In Bloom" 5x7

"In Bloom"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2011

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Thursday, May 26, 2011

"Spring Bouquet" 5x7

"Spring Bouquet"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2011

SOLD

"Streaks of Light" 5x7

"Streaks of Light"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2011

$99.95 (Plus $5 Shipping)

"The Eyes Have It" 5x7

"The Eyes Have It"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2011

$99.95 (Plus $5 Shipping)

"At Peace" 5x7

"At Peace"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2011

"Flag Bearer" 5x7

Hello, everyone! After an unfortunate hiatus, I'm back at the easel at last! I'm sorry I have been away, but I'm ready to make a new start of it and make the most beautiful paintings I can.

The first:

"Flag Bearer"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2011

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Country #12: PAPAU NEW GUINEA "Huli Wigman" 5x7

"Huli Wigman"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2010

Country #12: Papua New Guinea

Huli Wigman, Batman! These Wigmen from Papua New Guinea are known for their elaborate makeup and, of course, wigs. Each Wigman creates his own get-up and it takes hours to assemble the visual creation before important events. This particular Huli Wigman has used an image of a local Bird of Paradise in the front/center of his headdress.

SOLD

Country #11: FRANCE "Celtic Maiden" 5x7

"Celtic Maiden"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2010

Country #11: France

The Breton culture in the northwest of the country is home to some of the oldest traditions in Europe. This graceful woman from the town of Quimper shows off the beauty of that culture while wearing the old Celtic costumes of centuries past.

$89.95
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Country #10: UKRAINE "A Glance Back" 5x7

"A Glance Back"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2010

Country #10: UKRAINE

Some images are worth a thousand words, and I think this one qualifies. The strong light and dark concept has design, the rich color gives mood, and the rest is in the girl's expression.

SOLD

Country #9: CZECH REPUBLIC "All Aglow" 5x7

"All Aglow"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2010

Country #9: Czech Republic

This radiant strawberry-blonde child from the Czech
Republic looks like she belongs in an old European
Cuckoo Clock! The angelic face and flowered dress
inspired a colorful and brightly lit painting to dazzle the
eye and soul. Czech, please!

SOLD

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Country #8: THAILAND "Of Thailand" 5x7

"Of Thailand"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2010
Country #8: Thailand

This elaborate headdress and traditional costume are
common among the northern village dwellers in the
mountainous Chiang Rai province of Thailand.
The regal color of the costume is something I like
to call Thai eggplant :-)

SOLD

Country #7: ECUADOR "El Torerito" 5x7

"El Torerito"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2010

Country #7: Ecuador

If I know anything about Ecuador, it's that you are
never too young to be a Matador!...or at least to
dress like one. In this charming image of a young boy
dressed for battle, I used bold light and color to
intimate the valor of youth.

SOLD

Country #6: BELARUS "Bella of Belarus" 5x7

"Bella of Belarus"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2010

Country #6: Belarus

Belarus is also called White Russia. However,
I resisted the urge to put vodka, Kahlua, and cream
in this painting. I instead focused on the glowing
"white" light on this wonderful fair-skinned woman.
Na Zdorovje!

$89.95
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Country #5: NEPAL "Immortal Beloved" 5x7

"Immortal Beloved"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2010

Country #5: Nepal

This beautiful Newar girl of Nepal is clad
in a shimmering gold bridal dress. This is the day
of her first marriage, the Ihi ceremony, where she
will be wed to an immortal god. This way, she can
never lose her marital status, as her first "husband" is
eternal. The essence of the paitning is therefore
it's timeless and spiritual qualities.

SOLD

Friday, March 12, 2010

Country #4 MYANMAR: "Thingyan" 5x7

"Thingyan"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2010

Country # 4: BURMA (Myanmar)

Every year the Burmese celebrate their New Year as the
Sun enters Aries. Known as "Thingyan" in Myanmar,
the festival is known mostly for the water dousing that
takes place. This portrait depicts a woman dressed
for the occassion (but of course BEFORE the dousing!).

SOLD

Country #3: INDIA "Masala" 6x6

"Masala"
Oil on Masonite Panel
6" x 6"
2010

Country # 3: INDIA

All the colors and spices of India were the
source of inspiration for this painting of a
young boy at the market. Silk brocades
of orange and deep purples set off the
wonderful skin tones of the face and hand.
Such a rich land deserves a rich color scheme!

SOLD

Country #2: CROATIA "Passport to Croatia" 5x7

"Passport to Croatia"
Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2010

Country # 2: CROATIA

If you know my blog, you've probably
noticed that I don't paint many landscapes.
I'm usually drawn to people's faces, but
this beautiful country could turn anyone
into a landscape painter. A few years ago
I traveled to Croatia and I've had this
painting in my head ever since.
Unfortunately, I've also had the memory
of losing my Passport in Zagreb during
Easter. I didn't realize it was missing until
I was unceremoniously kicked off the bus
by a couple of very suspicious Croatian
border police. Luckily someone found
it at a movie theatre and returned it to the
embassy. I knew I shouldn't have watched
"The Cat in the Hat" in Croatian!

Sold

Country #1: NORWAY "Colors of Norway" 5x7

"Colors of Norway"

Oil on Masonite Panel
5" x 7"
2010

Country # 1: NORWAY

Perhaps when we think of Norway and art, the
first thing that comes to mind is Edvard Munch's hellish
nightmare "The Scream." Well, my inspiration from this
beautiful country couldn't be a farther 'cry' (no pun intended)
from that! On my travels, I have always been drawn to
the fantastic traditional costumes from various cultures
and Norway is no exception. Here depicted is a perfect
angel of a girl, clad in a Norwegian bonnet with all
the colors of the spectrum. What a sight!

SOLD

"Around the World": 50 Countries, 50 Paintings

Hello, all! Over the last months, while setting up my new studio in Los Angeles, an idea came to me for an exciting new project. What if I could take my audience around the world without asking them to do so much as leave their living rooms? Can Art accomplish such a thing?

I say, YES! Starting today, I am displaying on my blog my brand new 'Around the World' series.
The Object: To create stirring images from around the world with the paint brush.
The Mission: To make 50 paintings, one each of 50 different countries!

Each painting will be available for auction on eBay.
I am so excited to be starting on this endeavor! Please see the first 4 paintings in the series coming right up!
ENJOY!
Cecil Irving