The Lincoln Portrait: An In-Depth Look at the Artist's Process

"The Second Inaugural Address" by Anna Rose Bain 48 x 38 inches Oil on linen 2018 Collection of Goldenview Classical Academy Golden, CO Commissioned by Hillsdale College On May 24, 2018, Goldenview Classical Academy celebrated the unveiling of an original work of art by Denver artist Anna Rose Bain, commissioned for the school by Hillsdale College. The 48x38” oil painting is a portrait of president Abraham Lincoln drafting his Second Inaugural Address. The unveiling was accompanied by some excellent remarks by Goldenview’s principal, Dr. Robert Garrow, and a narration of the entire address from memory by a group of the school’s 5th graders. Dr. Larry Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, was in attendance that evening and assisted with the unveiling.  The following contains the ar… Read more »

The Lincoln Portrait: An In-Depth Look at the Artist's Process

Approaching the Canvas with Confidence

Last weekend was the much-anticipated "Art of the Portrait" conference in Reston, VA, and this year the Portrait Society celebrated its 20th anniversary. I'm so honored to have been a part of it, as a faculty member and a competition finalist. Thursday night's "Face Off" demo kicked off the event with all the energy and excitement it's become known for. Fifteen artists gather around live models and paint for three hours, while attendees can encircle the room and watch and learn, visit with each other, and ask the artists questions during breaks. I absolutely love being part of the Face-Off, and this year I was in a prime spot, painting famous artist/author Virgil Elliott, alongside two of my favorite badass women artists, Rose Frantzen and Elizabeth Zanzing… Read more »

Approaching the Canvas with Confidence

Dirty Brushes & Dirty Diapers: Finding Balance in Painting & Parenting

As promised, I will continue answering some of the questions I received a few weeks ago when I posted about my upcoming demo at the Portrait Society of America. Since some of you will not be attending the conference, I thought I would address the questions here on my blog and social media.  Today’s question is from @suzizef. She asked, “How do you juggle painting and motherhood?”  I have written extensively about this, especially in  2014  and  2015  when I was a brand new mom. If you’d like you can search my blog archives for some of those posts. However, since my daughter is now almost four years old and we have another little one due in August, our family dynamic is changing and I can answer this question from a slightly different perspective than what I had four years ago.  "Motherhood&… Read more »

Dirty Brushes & Dirty Diapers: Finding Balance in Painting & Parenting