"Claudio Bravo's Eggplants" (oil on linen on panel; 8" x 10") sold

sold

The painting is the copy of a still life painting by Claudio Bravo (1936 - 2011), a Chilean hyperrealist painter. He was greatly influenced by Renaissance and Baroque artists, as well as Surrealist painters such as Salvador Dalí. He lived and worked in Tangier, Morocco, beginning in 1972. Bravo also lived in Chile, New York and Spain. He was known mainly for his paintings of still lifes, portraits and packages.

The painting is a reminder of how beauty resides in everyday things.

"Peanut" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") gift

gift

"Peanut" is for Maggie who won my third Instagram pet portrait giveaway. Congratulations! This happy dog is about 4 years old and a mix of toy poodle, French bulldog, bichon frise, chow chow, and Staffordshire terrier. She enjoys doing agility and going on hikes.

If you are on Instagram, please follow me (@kimstenbergart) for beautiful art and giveaways. The next giveaway is the custom portrait of your child!

"Engagement" (oil on stretched linen; 20" x 16") sold

sold

"Engagement" was commissioned by Sean for his fiancee. They are getting married next week and the portrait is going to be offered to his bride as the surprise gift on the day after the big day. How cool is that! I got the commission three weeks ago; it was a rush job to get it done in two weeks. From start to finish, Sean was the ideal client; I bet he will be the ideal husband too!

The English ivies in the background were in the reference photo and Sean asked me to include them for their symbolism of faith, fidelity, and longevity. I noticed two vague birch trees in the far right corner, which I thought echoed the subjects, so I suggested them. All in all, I am pleased with how the portrait turned out. My hearty congratulations to the couple!

"White Lilies in a White Vase" (oil on stretched canvas; 12" x 12")

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The white oriental lilies in a white porcelain vase with rose trim glow against the soft yellow and violet background. Can you smell their intoxicating perfume?

"Hearts and Roses" (oil on stretched linen; 10" x 10")

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How would you like to receive from your sweetheart a heart-shaped chocolate cake frosted with three colors of rosy swirls of icing on a golden plate? That is what happened to me on my birthday in February. Aren't I lucky? I would like to add that eating the cake was A LOT EASIER than painting it!

"Easter Eggnest Cupcake" (oil on linen; 5" x 4") sold

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An Easter egg nest made of coconut flakes and jelly beans, then piled on top of an frosted cupcake. That's what I call an ideal Easter treat!

"Penny" (oil on linen; 8" x 10") sold

sold

"Penny" is for Samantha, who commissioned the portrait for her friend as a surprise gift. Her aging cat loves being in the sun, so Samantha thought a portrait of the cat lying in the sun would be particularly fitting. I chose such a reference photo, but curled the tail so that it would fit in the picture and, at the same time, wouldn't lead the viewer's eye out of it. I love the way light plays on the plush leather seat on which Penny is lounging!

"Hannah and Jackson" (oil on stretched linen; 24" x 30") sold

sold

The mother of two gorgeous kids found my portraiture on the internet and commissioned me to paint a large double portrait to hang over her mantle. I felt honored and worked on the painting for a couple of months to get it just right. She seems pleased and so am I!

"Carter and Daddy" (oil on stretched linen; 8" x 10") sold

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"Carter and Daddy" is for Jessica.  Carter (yes it is a boy!) was two at his birthday party with the circus theme. I love the affectionate gaze of the father toward his son.

"The Bennetts" (oil on stretched canvas; 20" x 16") gift

gift

I have been working on this important double portrait for three months.  It has been an emotional experience as I was saying goodbye to both the former US Senator Bob Bennett and Mrs. Bennett, whom I have known for almost ten years.

Senator Bob passed away this spring after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.  Mrs. Bennett is moving back to Utah to be near her family.  The portrait is a farewell gift to express my deepest condolences and gratitude for her friendship and loving musical education for my only child.  Having lost her grandparents as a baby, my daughter became attached to Mrs. Bennett, not just as a flute teacher, but as a surrogate grandmother.  We will miss her very much.

"Dark Kisses and Hugs Swirl" (oil on stretched linen; 10" x 10") sold

sold

I am on a roll.  For the latest Hershey's Kisses painting, I went back to the violet glass tile for the ground.  Look at the confusing and marvelous reflections!  If you have seen the dark chocolate Kisses, you may realize their foils are actually violet, not magenta as in my rendition.  I had to push their color toward reds to have them stand out in the cool violet negative space.

"Dark Kisses and Hugs" (oil on stretched canvas; 8" x 10")

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I am becoming ambitious with my Kisses series.  This new painting is the largest so far, but I have bigger plans.  I've also added the stripy Hugs chocolate to the mix.  Now I can paint till the end of the world!