work by Leslie White I could not believe my good fortune when I found a photo of Grandpa Elliot posted to the wet canvas photo reference library for artists. It was a must-do for me..Several bloggers have made mention of underpaintings; the most recent being Amy from Souldipper found here. She asked me about an artist’s use of an underpainting. I responded something like it is the foundation that we build our final work on. That made me think more on the subject as we were also talking about underpainting our lives with love and kindness. Then I came across the photo of Grandpa Elliot who has actually underpainted his life with sharing music to millions in New Orleans and becoming part of the project, “Playing for Change”, a CD whose proceeds go to helping others.The other connection I can make about an underpainting is that it always, for me, sets the tone for where the light will fall in it. BINGO! I see the same in life with passing on kindness. Light is passed on through our kindness to others. The above stage of my painting illustrates how I carved out areas where I wanted the light to fall.
The above image is the finished result.
I can not think of a better way to start the weekend than this:
Video posted to YouTube by universalmusicbrasil.
– Leslie White
LESLIE WHITE (lesliepaints) ~ is a guest writer here and an artist, teacher, book illustrator, and blogger. She’s been blogging since March 2009 and appreciated for the skill and beauty she shares. Her gifts to us are mini-lessons in a artistic technique. Often there is value added with life lessons, such as the one presented here. Leslie shares information on new art products and techniques and enriches our understanding of and appreciation for art. Her blog-posts go a long way toward encouraging others. She often enchantes us by sharing the work of her granddaughter and her students.
The video was so moving that I sent an e-mail off to my 4 children right away. My son used to sing a solo in “Stand By Me” with his high school jazz choir. The song is so much bigger, though, than one interpretation. I wrote: “It reminds me of all the ways I’m glad to be part of this mysterious concoction call humanity: music and feeling and rhythm and harmony and expression and fear and imperfection and diversity and talent and ability and charisma and interaction and technology and memories…and I resonate and feel like I could jump right in and be part of it. And that you all would be there, too, and that would make my smile even bigger – to the point of tears, even. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I love you all, and I’m eager to be at A Wedding with you and everyone else in all their colors. It’s beautiful, and I’m very lucky.” My oldest is getting married next month. We will stand by her and extend the family, intentionally, compassionately, joyously. Thanks for this post!
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