88 http://www.artistsmagazine.com
competition spotlight
2015
The Artist’s Magazine’sThe Artist’s Magazine’s
ANNU
ART COMPETITIONART COMPETITIONAL
Finalist
I’m inspired by what catches my
eye.In this case, I had access to this
lovely Picasso etching—thus his sig-
nature in reverse. I imagined some-
one studying his exquisite drawing
at length while slowly sipping a
martini.
Staging a still life is both a joy and
a challenge for me. Sometimes the
composition comes together very
quickly and easily; other times I
arrange and rearrange over a period
of days before I’m satisi ed. Cocktails
with Picasso came together easily.
I toned my canvas with a midrange
raw umberso both lights and darks
would be discernible. I loosely
painted the objects and then gradu-
ally rei ned them until I was satisi ed
with the accuracy and composition.
I used a grisaille of raw umber and
titanium white.
Finally, I began applying the color,
which always brings the painting to
life. I added layers of glazes to fur-
ther intensify the colors of the pome-
granates, olives, cigar box and book.
Value your
particular
talentsand
create what
you really want to create: that is my
advice to other artists. It will show
in your work. ■
Learn More ONLINE
Competition Spotlight artists are chosen
from competition fi nalists. Visit artists
network.com/learnmore2016 to view win-
ning entries from our 2015 Annual Art
Competition.
Mimi Jensen
San Francisco, California • mimijensen.com
ABOVE:Cocktails
with Picasso(oil
on canvas, 18x24)