Day 1 of 30 Paintings in 30 days

January 1, 2014

So I've joined Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge starting today January 1st. I've decided to practice portraits (and other themes you'll hear about later) this month. Here is my second portrait in oil pastels--a Rasta boy--based on a photo by Li Newfrom the website http://www.paintmyphoto.ning.com). It is 9x12 inches on terracota Canson Mi-Teintes paper.

Below is my very first oil pastel portrait of a girl also from PMP.

Rasta Boy - oil pastel on Canson Mi-Teintes paper (9x12 inches)

Dancer - oil pastel on Canson Mi-Teintes paper (9x12 inches)

Artwork now available for purchase on society6

November 13, 2013

Just in time for Christmas Holidays, I am now selling giclee prints and canvas prints of some of my work on the website society6.

For a limited time you can get FREE shipping on select products including giclee prints by using this link:
http://society6.com/miriza?promo=23f0ed
Promotion expires Nov 17, 2013 at midnight.

COMING SOON! Throw pillows, mugs, phone skins/cases, t-shirts and tote bags.
If you like any of my paintings and do not see it on the website, please let me know and I can make it available for sale.

Here's a little postcard I made

October 25, 2013

So here's a little postcard I made for "A Good Day for Mail" Facebook Group Halloween Exchange. I used the Gelli Arts plate with a couple of handmade masks. Then painted the pumpkin on top.

Good news - First place in two art contests

October 25, 2013

It has been a while since I have updated my blog, but I thought the recent news deserve some mentioning. I have recently been notified that two of my paintings have won first place at art contests.

My watercolor painting of an accordion player in Old San Juan won First Place at the Martin F./Weber Summer Facebook art contest. The prize consists of $500 in art materials from the company, which is awesome since I use their water-soluble oils woils.

My oil pastel painting "Mangoes" won First Place in the Associate category of the Oil Pastel Society "Journey 2013" online show. The prize is a check for $150.

A portrait and a peacock

June 23, 2013

Here are two recent watercolors on 9x12 inch 140 lb. CP paper from Strathmore 400 series. I was pleasantly surprised at how well this paper behaves for the price. I will definitely be using it more for sketches and practice.

For Valeria's portrait I added some whimsical elements based on reference photos from the PMP. The peacock's reference is also from PMP. In the peacock I used some watercolor pencils and some white gouache as well, so it's basically a mixed media piece.

Hope you like them!

Portrait of baby Alanna in watercolors

June 19, 2013

So, I did it again and did another portrait of baby Alanna (at approx. 1 yr old) in watercolors. I couldn't resist this picture of hers especially those eyes. This one is 8x10 inches on 140 lb. Arches watercolor paper. Hope you like it!

Alanna - watercolor on watercolor paper (8x10 inches)

Pomegranate in oil pastels

June 17, 2013

So I went back into the reject pile and found this old watercolor which I didn't like and decided to gesso it and paint over it in oil pastels. I'm glad I did because I like how this pomegranate looks in oil pastels, kind of painterly and 3D. Hope you like it too!

Pomegranate - oil pastel on gessoed watercolor paper (9x12 inches)

Alanna Nicole - watercolor in watercolor paper (8x10 inches)

Another portrait in watercolors

June 12, 2013

Here is Alanna Nicole in watercolors - 8 x 10 inches watercolor paper. I'm on a roll! My 3rd ever watercolor portrait. I think I went a little too harsh with some of the lines. Next time will try a softer treatment.

For skintones I used: Mars Yellow, Quin Rose and Ultramarine Blue (with a bit of Burnt Sienna for the darkest darks).

For the hair I used: Mars Yellow, Ultramarine Blue, Burnt Sienna and Indigo for the darkest darks.

Finally a portrait

June 11, 2013

I finally took the plunge and completed a small watercolor portrait of my oldest daughter Valeria Sofia. I made the painting by glazing very light washes on top of each other using the following colors primarily: Quinacridone Rose, Mars Yellow and Ultramarine Blue. The hair uses Quinacridone Burnt Orange mixed with Indigo and the background is mostly Indigo. I wish I had gone a little darker with the hair and skintones but too "chicken" at this stage. I think overall it captures her personality and facial features. I'm so excited and can't wait to try a larger portrait of her and my youngest too.

Valeria Sofia - Watercolor on watercolor paper (8x10 inches)

A few recent figure sketches - mixed media

June 9, 2013

Lately, I've been working on honing in my figure drawing skills. It's a lot more difficult than I thought. I found some nice pictures in the website wetcanvas and I've attempted them in mixed media (mostly watercolor but also some ink, pastel pencils and white gel pencils). For now I think I'll keep working in monochrome but eventually I want to work on skintones.