Blue Sari - painting process

Tessa Guzé, Blue Sari 2012, 16"x20"

This is a painting of a young girl from Mumbai wearing a blue sari. This painting is currently on display at the Durham Arts Council. 

I took a few photos as I worked on this painting to show my painting process. 

I started by toning the canvas with a thin layer of blue oil paint because I knew I wanted this painting to have blue undertones. 

toned canvas

After the canvas was toned and dried I drew a rough charcoal sketch on the canvas. I like to do a sketch in charcoal instead of an underpainting because it is quicker, but it still helps to map out the painting and determine values.

charcoal sketch

After the sketch was completed I sprayed it with workable fixative, this stops the charcoal from running and muddying the oil paint. Then I did the painting in oil paint, using turpentine and linseed oil.

Finished painting

If you would like to see more of my work please visit my painting portfolio or my fine art blog.

Kiva - make a $25 loan for free!

Tessa Guzé, My Umbrella 2012, oil on canvas

Kiva, an organization that allows people to make loans to people in need throughout the world, is having a promotional offer. Give a loan for free for a limited time. Follow this link and help someone at no expense to yourself. It only takes a couple of minutes and you could really help to chance someone's life for the better. http://www.kiva.org/invitedby/tessa9363

Ceremony

Ceremony, Tessa Guzé, oil on canvas, 2012

In Korea Buddha’s birthday is celebrated with Lotus Lantern festivals and the apprenticeship of young monks. One of the ceremonies is marking the child’s arm with burning incense.

This painting is currently on display in an exhibition at the Durham Arts Council in NC. It is part of a solo show of my work called "Beginners Mind: Painting with an Open Heart".

If you are interested in see more of my work please visit my artists portfolio website or my fine arts paintings blog.

Sheepdog Paintings

Tessa Guzé, Noble Sheepdog 2012, Oil on canvas, 16"x20",

Tessa Guzé, Working Dog 2012, Oil on canvas, 16"x 20"

These are two paintings of a sheepdog I did for the Meeker Sheepdog exhibition that runs from Sept. 5-Sept. 9th. It is an art auctions and fundraiser for the Meeker Sheepdog trails in Meeker, CO.

If you are interested in seeing more of my work please visit my pet portrait portfolio website or my pet painting blog.

Beginners Mind: Painting with an Open Heart

Local Artist with a Global Perspective

Tessa Guzé, Painting featured in Painting with an Open Heart Exhibit, 2012

An exhibition of oil paintings by emerging artist, and Durham native, Tessa Guzé, will open at the Durham Arts Council on July 31. Entitled Beginner’s Mind: Painting with an Open Heart the show consists of 25 paintings portraying people from a wide range of countries and cultures, all presented in a way that address the themes of diversity, adversity, and humanity. Ms. Guzé’s objective is to communicate with as wide a range of people as possible, reaching across differences in culture, age, personality and knowledge. Her intention is to help viewers understand, and thus accept, people who seem different from themselves.

Tessa Guzé, Painting with an Open Heart Exhibition wall 1, 2012

The phrase “Beginner’s Mind” refers to the Buddhist concept of Shoshin or “non-judging.” It means having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when perceiving the world or studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level. Living internationally, Ms. Guzé has found this attitude essential when studying different cultures and forming friendships and working relationships in various countries.

Tessa Guzé, Painting from Jugar, 2012

Ms. Guzé grew up in Durham and graduated from Durham School of the Arts in 2007. She won a scholarship to study at Moore College of Art & Design in Philadelphia, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2011. Four of her paintings were chosen for an exhibition at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia in the summer of 2011. Her work has also appeared in numerous other galleries in the United States, as well as in galleries in South Korea and Thailand.

Tessa Guzé, Painting with an Open Heart wall 2, 2012

The exhibit will run through September 9th in the Allenton Gallery on the first floor of the Durham Arts Council Building, 120 Morris Street. The opening reception is Friday, August 17th from 5-7pm.

Tessa Guzé, Painting featured in Painting with an Open Heart Exhibit, 2012

More information about Tessa Guzé can be found on her website: www.tessaguze.com.