These are a series of paintings inspired by photographs cut out from magazines. All are in acrylics. Note too that the colors may not be as true as reality because of the photography and scanning.

The idea of the painting exercise is to substantially abstract the original inspiration by blocking in the main color shapes rather than drawing the subject first, paying attention to the composition, mixing the right colors. But then I tend to continue on with the details.

Though I was inspired by the photo and clearly used it as a reference, all along this was to teach myself more about how to paint, not to make an exact copy. You’ll see. Next time I start one of these, I’ll take photos of the progress.

On the left is the photo from The Sunday New York Times. On the right is my painting (11×14). Believe me, it started really loosely–just large shapes. I was pleased with some bits right away and knew not to touch them again–like the end table on the left and the painting on the back wall.

From an interior design magazine, probably Architectural Digest. My painting is 10×10.

And from another magazine, original photo on the left and my painting on the right (8×10). Hmmm, not bad composing. Honestly, I didn’t trace it.

And from a May 1999 issue of Bon Appetit magazine… the photo is on the left and my painting on the right (11×14). I can paint people but chose to emphasize the interior without the handsome chef.