Ruth Bioletti Artist

It’s been a heavy couple of weeks with the passing of my brother n law Simon Bioletti and the constant worry for a sick friend. I get impatient and try to rush the painting but that’s not how it works! I know I have to get everything into position before I can finally do the final sweep. Paint it as one image. So this week I worked on Gabriel’s hands which are central on the canvas. And then I turned my attention to his freckles. I want to do justice to his Scandinavian skin. Almost everyone in our family has been teased for having mottled skin, but I have come to love it.

Once when the Bioletti children were young, we were sitting together at Mac Donald’s when a young man at a nearby table noticed us. His gaze flicked from one freckle covered face to the next. He just couldn’t contain himself and called out…Very loudly I might add. “They all look the same!” Did you know the word "freckle" is actually Viking and comes from the Old Norse word freknur? If I paint them too dark they look like spots and too soft they don’t show up at all. I think I will return to freckles and try to get them right in the final coats.

Cheesecake enjoying her portrait this wet Kings Bithday weekend.

Painting Update. The Mirror - Te Whakaata. A Detail of the portrait.

I've been busy living life which has taken me away from the painting but this morning, I thought to myself. "Let's have a slash at it!" I stumbled out of bed and I was so tired I thought just concentrate on portrait. I feel the physicist's soleful eyes are the key to the whole painting. I was happy when I pushed the portrait forward.

Painting Update: The Mirror - Te Whakaata

I often chat to the Philosopher who sits at the dining room table as I work. ”There‘s something about painting slowly. If I get impatient and push things it can slide all over the place!” He nodded “Yeah, Mum, it’s early days.” I added a puppy as Gabriel didn’t want to be on his own. I think the water is getting a mirror look.

Painting Update: The Mirror - Te Whakaata

I felt brave this week and tackled Gabriel portrait. Friday is my main painting day and it was a busy day. By the time I got to it the grand babies were home and needing attention, the dogs were waiting for their walk. I was able to return to it later after dinner and worked till 1am. I will tackle the hands next week, maybe doing a little each day as the hands are beautiful but demanding. I‘m still love the flying manta rays!

Painting Update: The Mirror - Te Whakaata

Manta Ray - Whai rahi in the shallows

I was up at a friend's batch when I came across a squadron of manta rays swimming in the shallows of the Whangārei Harbour.

I've always loved these mystical Oceanic fish, they actually swim through the Hauraki Gulf between October - March.

They are revered in Māori culture, representing grace, freedom and the ability to navigate life's challenges. It was like painting birds!

Painting Update: The Mirror - Te Whakaata

I spent the afternoon drawing in Gabriel’s portrait. It’s has a difficult angle, one very foreshortened side. It never ceases to amaze me how difficult it is. At one point I was loosing hope. A likeness is so precise, a little bit out and you have someone completely different on the canvas which defeats the whole purpose of a portrait! Buuutttt.…I’m pleased to announce that we got there in the end 🙌

Painting Update: The Mirror - Te Whakaata

I turned the photo I'm working from upside down and did the same with the painting on the wall to have a go at the mirror on the water. Volita walked in and said "Wow only someone dyslexic would do that" and I said "Well mathematical things should work in reverse!" Stay safe everyone

Another quiet morning painting before the family gets up...short stints are definitely better than long exhausting ones. I hope everyone is surviving the school holidays!

Painting Update: The Mirror - Te Whakaata

So far so good, the Easter holidays have turned into the school holidays and I’m getting some time to paint in the mornings. I’ve blocked in the main areas. The colour helps me see where I am and the perspective seems to be working.