It's a Party!

The happy little girl in this painting is my favorite model. Her name is Jessica Obonna. Her parents are from Nigeria. I first painted Jessica in 2008, once when she was nine months, and a second time when she was fifteen months. Those paintings can be seen in the May, 2008, post.

Jessica is shown once again at a party. It is her little brother's first birthday. The party room is filled with active children, but it is the mylar balloons that capture Jessica's attention. The shiny mylar surface catches her profile and some of the action in the room. Mylar balloons were a challenge to paint, but I had fun with this.

Candy Cane Ninja

Merry Christmas Everyone!

This is the Christmas card for 2009. I have used images of my cat, Ninja, on my Christmas cards for eleven years. My black diva will celebrate her eleventh birthday on Valentine's day 2010. Each year it is a challenge to come up with a different idea for the card. If you are curious, you may scroll down to the December 4, 2008, post called "Introducing Ninja". You will see two paintings of the black girl and ALL of the previous Ninja cards.

Although a true demanding diva, Ninja has been a very loyal and loving companion. I just recovered from a brief bout with the flu. Ninja would not leave my side. She watched every move I made and loudly meowed her concern.