WIP Work in Progress! Original Big Eye Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Fantasy Painting Underpainting...

 

Here is where I am on my 16"x20" duo oils Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead painting.  I've loosely underpainted the entire painting and need to begin finessing additional layers.  So very many feathers and so much more to come... 

WIP Work in Progress! Original Big Eye Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Fantasy Painting...

 

Still plugging away at this 16"x20" duo oils Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead painting.  I'm just blocking in some basics, much more remains to go for just the underpainting itself, but I hold that some progress is better than no progress at all...  

Feliz Dia de los Muertos / Happy Day of the Dead ! Original Big Eye Sugar Skull Monarch Butterfly Fantasy Calavera Maiden Painting...

 "Unremembered Title" painting 16x20 inches, acrylics on panel, framed 

This one has a title, but I can't remember it right now and I don't want to take it off of the wall at the moment to check...  I painted her for the Ontario Museum of Art exhibit JOURNEY OF THE BUTTERFLIES a while back.  I missed sharing this somehow, but now I can share her here for the first time today!  We hope you have a wonderous Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead.

WIP Work in Progress! Original Big Eye Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Fantasy Painting...

 

I've concluded that there's no way I'm finishing this painting in time for Dia de los Muertos.  I've started to block in the feathers, hair, and neck for this 16"x20" duo oils Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead painting, but this is all just underpainting and I still have her face, headress, and dress to block in before I even begin overpainting.  I wish I could finish it in the time allotted, but I know that even if I had my schedule entirely clear, which I do not, I'm just too slow of a painter to manage.  Fortunately I do have another one that's on the wall that I'll try to share with you in celebration on that day...  

WIP Work in Progress! Original Big Eye Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead Fantasy Painting...

 Feathers, feathers, and more feathers...  I'm starting to block in the feathers for this 16"x20" duo oils Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead painting.  The lineart is difficult to see in the photograph, but I can assure you, there are more feathers, many more feathers...

"Xochitl Study" for the Dia de los Muertos/ Day of the Dead Mujeres Valientes Show

 

This is my "Xochitl Study" that I did for the Dia de los Muertos/ Day of the Dead Mujeres Valientes Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of History & Art in 2021.  It was a year when I didn't feel I'd be able to finish the full sized painting that I started for them so I submitted this colored pencil drawing on toned paper.  I bring it up this year because my schedule was too complicated to even ask them to consider me this year for their show, but I'm hoping to complete this year the painting that this drawing was a study for that I started for them so many years ago...

I'll try to post a wip work in progress image of my Xochitl painting in the not too distant future.  Please look forward to it.

Sketch Line Art Drawing for my Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead Piece

 

This is the sketch I submitted for the Ontario Museum of Art Show Día de los Muertos: Recuerdos de Sabores/Flavorful Memories Exhibit.  The theme was memories and food and I decided on a whimsical headress of pan dulce that was composed of sweet bread that I shared with my grandparents on the head of a maiden kissed by her ancestor.

I plan on sharing some work in progress views of the piece as well as the finished piece on Dia de los Muertos, but if you'd like to see the original completed painting in person, it's up at the museum.  The information is below.

Día de los Muertos: Recuerdos de Sabores/Flavorful Memories

Ontario Museum of History & Art in the Museum's North Wing

225 South Euclid Avenue

Ontario, California 91762

Thursday October 5 - November 19, 2023

Regular Open Hours

Thursday/Friday, 12 PM – 4 PM, Saturday/Sunday, 11 AM – 5 PM

Admission is free

General Information or to make a reservation call: (909) 395-2510

Upcoming Event Information, Día de los Muertos: Recuerdos de Sabores/Flavorful Memories Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of Art

 

Día de los Muertos: Recuerdos de Sabores/Flavorful Memories

Ontario Museum of History & Art in the Museum's North Wing

225 South Euclid Avenue

Ontario, California 91762

Thursday October 5 - November 19, 2023

Regular Open Hours

Thursday/Friday, 12 PM – 4 PM, Saturday/Sunday, 11 AM – 5 PM

Admission is free

General Information or to make a reservation call: (909) 395-2510

Community Reception – Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 12 PM – 3 PM

I have an art piece up at the Día de los Muertos: Recuerdos de Sabores/Flavorful Memories Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of Art.  I love creating Day of the Dead art and I hope you will love this piece.  I will be sharing my sketch and some of my works in progress shots of the piece soon.  I'm not planning to attend the opening, but I'm hoping to visit the show at some point.  I don't know when though.  I will try to take some photographs to share while I'm there...

Feliz dia de los Muertos! Happy Day of the Dead! Original Big Eye Marigold Calavera Oil Painting....

 

Feliz dia de los Muertos!  Happy Day of the Dead! This is my painting for the Cempasuchil : Instruments of the Wind Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of art.  I haven't made it to the show yet, but I am still hoping to.

This Dia de los Muertos / Day of the Dead  show runs from October 6th to November 27th.

Ontario Museum of History & Art

225 S Euclid Ave, Ontario, CA 91762

Gallery hours are Thursday, noon to 8 PM, and Friday through Sunday, noon to 4 PM.

For more information, please call (909)395-2510 or visit OntarioMuseum.org  to plan your upcoming visit.

Feliz Dia de los Muertos / Happy Day of the Dead! Mujeres Valientes Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of History & Art

 Feliz Dia de los Muertos / Happy Day  of the Dead! Mujeres Valientes Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of History & Art

Alex Ledante and I had the honor of exhibiting and attending this show.  Here are some of the pieces that most caught my eye, including ours!

Exhibit Closes November 7th 2021

225 S. Euclid Ave.

Ontario, CA. 91762

909-395-2504

ontariomuseum.org

Gallery Hours 12pm-4pm Thursday through Sunday

"Xochitl Study" by Lisabella Russo #withtheart #lisabellarusso

"Xochitl Study" by Lisabella Russo #lisabellarusso

"Mi 30-30 Canana y Mi Amor" by Saul Aguilera

"Gain of Thrones" by Christopher Wesley

"Madonna and Child" by Georgina Flores

"Fearless Woman of the Revolution" by Monica Thaller

"Madre de Dios" by Kathleen Reeves

"Who Rules This Roost" by Monica Thaller

"Be Free, My Heart" by Jessica Cruz

"Adelita" by Mario Gutierrez

"Woman of the Heart" by Monica Thaller

"Siete Huitzilopochitl" by Arhyen Ibanez

"Venganza" by Alex Ledante #withtheart #alexledante

"Perdón" by Alex Ledante #alexledante 

Just Me #LisabellaRusso

Feliz Día de los Muertos / Happy Day of the Dead! Big Eye Eyed Sugar Skull Calavera Original Painting...

Feliz Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead from this big eye sugar skull calavera and from me at lisabellarusso.com! 

"La Sonrisa" Original 8"x10" Painting, Open Edition 8"x10" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

This is "La Sonrisa," an original big eye fantasy painting of a sugar skull inspired calavera.  There is some texture in the background. DDLD / DOTD is a celebration, initially of Mexican origin, that remembers those who are gone from us that we still hold in our hearts.  She has big brown eyes and long brown hair streaked with purple.  The art has a lowbrow surreal feel...

Most of my art is also available on my website at lisabellarusso.com; however, on the first Tuesday of the month, I like to put some art prints and LE ACEO prints on ebay at a lower promotional rate for the duration of the auctions... This month, my theme is mixed with fall, Día de los Muertos, and Halloween art; you may see them here.

Featured Image "La Sonrisa"

8"x10" Open Edition print on Sale here

ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Limited Edition LE 1st of 25 on Sale here

WIP Work in Progress Sugar Skull with Monarch Butterfly for DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: JOURNEY OF THE BUTTERFLIES Day of the Dead Show at the Ontario Museum of Art

 

In this original wip work in progress acrylic painting of a sugar skull with a monarch butterfly.  I have finished the background and the skull.  I have yet to complete the butterfly, although I have started.  The panel that I'm painting on is 5"x7" and my intention was for it to be a study for the larger piece I did for the show.  However, I didn't quite make it to all of the skull details on the larger piece, I will probably add them in at a later time.  

This is a work in progress, but I also post finished pieces here as well if you'd like to come to visit!  Most of my art is also available on my website at lisabellarusso.com; however, on the first Tuesday of the month, I like to put some art prints and LE ACEO prints on ebay at a lower promotional rate for the duration of the auctions...  This month, my theme is Halloween and Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead art plus some more; you may see them here.

WIP Work in Progress Calavera Big Eye Maiden with Skulls & Monarch Butterflies for DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: JOURNEY OF THE BUTTERFLIES Day of the Dead Show at the Ontario Museum of Art

 

In this original wip work in progress acrylic painting of a big eyed calavera maiden with a crown of skull and monarch butterflies I have finished her background and most of her.  I have yet to complete the skulls, the butterflies, or the highlights in her eyes.  The panel that I'm painting on is 16"x20"  

This is a work in progress, but I also post finished pieces here as well if you'd like to come to visit!  Most of my art is also available on my website at lisabellarusso.com; however, on the first Tuesday of the month, I like to put some art prints and LE ACEO prints on ebay at a lower promotional rate for the duration of the auctions...  This month, my theme is Halloween and Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead art plus some more; you may see them here.

Upcoming DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS: JOURNEY OF THE BUTTERFLIES Day of the Dead Show at the Ontario Museum of Art

 

So as of yet, the images of the art has yet to appear, but my painting from a previous year is featured in the upcoming art section here!  I've been meaning to share some work in progress shots of the paintings as they were painted, so I will endeavor to do so.  I had to simplify some of my ideas on the larger piece to meet the deadline, so I may do more with it when I get it back...

I hope October is treating you and those you love well.  Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, but it will be an at home one for us this year and we'll have to forego passing out goodies to little trick or treaters.  It is unfortunate, but I think safety comes first.  I'm working on a Halloween themed drawing and painting this month and also hope to finish a small yoda painting that I did the drawing for a while back.  We'll see how those go though, I'm not very far along yet.  

Anyway, I'm rambling on a bit...  I wish you well.

Here is a link to the featured painting "Amongst the Ancestors (Entre los Antepasados)" Original 11"x14" Painting, Open Edition 8"x10" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

I also have a print of her on ebay here and a LE ACEO print of her on ebay here.

Rough Sketches of Monarch Butterflies Butterfly for Big Eye Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead Maiden/ Art Sketches Daily #dailysketch #draweveryday...

 

This is one page of three pages of rough sketches that I did of monarch butterflies.  The theme this year for the Ontario Museum of Art show is Journey of the Butterflies.  I may have gone a little overboard with the butterfly sketches, but I really love butterflies... 

It has been a while since you've heard from me as I have been almost entirely focused on meeting the deadline for the show.  There will be two paintings, one maiden will have a crown of skulls with monarch butterflies hovering around the skulls and a smaller piece with just a skull and a butterfly.  I look forward to sharing with you some of my progress pictures of the pieces as well as the pieces submitted to the show when it opens.  Due to COVID, it will be an online show.  Alex Ledante also has some splendid pieces in the show and I look forward to you seeing them as well.  

Most of my art is also available on my website at lisabellarusso.com; however, on the first Tuesday of the month, I like to put some art prints and LE ACEO prints on ebay at a lower promotional rate for the duration of the auctions...  This month, my theme is a selection of zodiac animals art plus more; you may see them here.

Rough Sketch of a Big Eye Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead Maiden/ Art Sketches Daily...

 

It probably seems a bit early for Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead; however, I am participating in the Ontario Museum of Art show and for me the deadline seems looming.  I'm a bit slow, so aways we go...  

The theme this year is Journey of the Butterflies.  This is a rough sketch of one of the paintings that I will be doing.  My maiden will have a crown of skulls with monarch butterflies atop the skulls.  I will also be doing a smaller piece with just a skull and a butterfly or two.  I have not yet decided if she will have the traditional makeup or not or if the tiny skulls atop her head will be adorned or not and this sketch of her needs improvement as well, so, oh so many decisions ahead before I start the paintings themselves...  Here is my starting point for this one though.  

Most of my art is also available on my website at lisabellarusso.com; however, on the first Tuesday of the month, I like to put some art prints and LE ACEO prints on ebay at a lower promotional rate for the duration of the auctions...  This month, my theme is mermaid art plus some more; you may see them here.

Feliz Día de los Muertos / Happy Day of the Dead! Big Eye Eyed Sugar Skull Calavera Original Painting / Eternal Roots Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of Art

Feliz Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead from this big eye sugar skull calavera and from me at lisabellarusso.com!

"La Sonrisa" Original 8"x10" Painting, Open Edition 8"x10" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

This is "La Sonrisa," an original big eye fantasy painting of a sugar skull inspired calavera.  There is some texture in the background. DDLD / DOTD is a celebration, initially of Mexican origin, that remembers those who are gone from us that we still hold in our hearts.  She has big brown eyes and long brown hair streaked with purple.  The art has a lowbrow surreal feel...

Most of my art is also available on my website at lisabellarusso.com; however, on the first Tuesday of the month, I like to put some art prints and LE ACEO prints on ebay at a lower promotional rate for the duration of the auctions... This month, my theme is mixed with fall, Día de los Muertos, and Halloween art; you may see them here.

Featured Image "La Sonrisa"

8"x10" Open Edition print on Sale here

ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Limited Edition LE 1st of 25 on Sale here

===============================================

Día de los Muertos: Eternal Roots Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of Art

Día de los Muertos: Eternal Roots 

Ontario Museum of History & Art in the Museum's North Wing

225 South Euclid Avenue

Ontario, California 91762

Open Until Sunday November 10, 2019

Regular Open Hours

Thursday through Sunday 12 PM to 4 PM

Admission is free

General Information or to make a reservation call: (909) 395-2510

Alex Ledante and I have some art pieces up at the Día de los Muertos: Eternal Roots Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of Art.  We love creating Day of the Dead art and it is an honor to be contributing to this show.  The show is running until Sunday November 10th 2019; here are some of my favorites from the show...

"Amongst the Ancestors (Entre Los Antepasados)" with and by Lisabella Russo (me :), Alex Ledante had me pose in his favorite Memento style...)

"Amongst the Ancestors (Entre Los Antepasados)" by Lisabella Russo

Three pieces with and by Alex Ledante

"Quetzacotl" / "La Ofrenda" / "Mictlantecuhtli" by Alex Ledante

"Aunt Orah" with and by Riea Owens

"Aunt Orah" by Riea Owens

"Mariposa (Butterfly)" with and by Lisabella Russo (me :), photo by Alex Ledante

"Mariposa (Butterfly)" by Lisabella Russo

The wonderful Christopharo and lovely  Samantha who joined us for the show in front of my piece "Amongst the Ancestors (Entre Los Antepasados)"

"Visit My Bones" by James Armendariz

"Eternal Reunion of Spirits" by June Ramirez

"Forever" by Joe Armas (top) and "This Heart Doesn't Beat as Fast Without You" by James Armendariz

"La Princess a Muerta" by Cuitlahuac Palacios

"Pidiendo" by Pablo Damas

"Community Altar (Ofrenda) by Oscar Leal-Lopez

Mariachi Band in the Courtyard

Adios from Día de los Muertos: Eternal Roots 2019 at the Ontario Museum of History & Art

I didn't want to overload my blog with too many images in one post, to see more of my favorites from this show, please visit here.

Original Big Eye Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Painting! 1st Tuesday Art Prints & ACEO Prints! CLOSED Show 2018 Remember Me Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of History & Art

"Remembrance" Original 11"x14" Painting on Panel Here

This week my featured painting is "Remembrance."  She was my first Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) painting.  She has blue black hair, big brown eyes, and red roses in her hair.  She is adorned with calavera sugar skull makeup.  The original big eye painting is available for purchase on my website as are art prints and LE ACEO prints!  

Most of my art is also available on my website at lisabellarusso.com; however, on the first Tuesday of the month, I like to put some art prints and LE ACEO prints on ebay at a lower promotional rate for the duration of the auctions...  This month, my theme is mixed with fall, Día de los Muertos, and Halloween art; you may see them here.

Featured Image "Remembrance"

8"x10" Open Edition print on Sale here

ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Limited Edition LE 1st of 25 on Sale here

=============================================

CLOSED Show 2018 Día de los Muertos: Remember Me Exhibit at the Ontario Museum of History & Art

Thursday, October 11, 2018 to Saturday, November 10, 2018

Return to Me (Vuelve a Mi) by and with Artist (Me :)) Lisabella Russo (Photo by Craig Satori)

Return to Me (Vuelve a Mi) by Lisabella Russo

Guiding Light (Luz de Guía)  by Lisabella Russo

Renacimiento by and with Artist Alex Ledante

Caryatid and Nunca Mas by Alex Ledante

Our Lovely Friends Craig Satori and Amy Garner with Familia by David Flores

Familia by David Flores

Desvanecimiento by David Palacios

Reincarnation by Isaac Pelayo

Estrella by Chris Wesley

Adios from Día de los Muertos: Remember Me 2018 at the Ontario Museum of History & Art

I didn't want to overload my blog with too many images in one post, to see more of my favorites from this show, please visit here.

Día de los Muertos: Eternal Roots 2019 Exhibit Up Now!

Upcoming Event Information, Día de los Muertos: Eternal Roots Exhibit 2019 at the Ontario Museum of Art Here...