Saturday, December 27, 2008

Alice of the Tigers

Size: 6 x 6 inches
Medium: Acrylic
Support: Ampersand Gessobord


This is my dear friend Alice as the queen of tigers. She asked me to turn her into a cat. Since she was born in the year of the tiger, I decided to give her tiger eyes, coat, and tiger-eye earring. However, my first attempt did not turn out to be cat enough for Alice. So this is the final version of the painting. I think it is very cool especially for a realism painter like me.


This is Alice's "Don't mess with the tigers" look. I painted this on the Christmas day. It is so appropriate because it was the one year anniversary of the death of young Siberian tiger named Tatiana. She was killed in the tragic incident on December 25, 2007 at the San Francisco Zoo.

22 comments:

Alice Thompson said...

I love this Akiko. I was thinking about how Adebanji said your portrait had a calmimg effect even on the red background all ablaze, then I thought of all the patience you had with me today roaring fire at you. You were very poised. I noticed the two extra markings I truly am a sad Tiger.

The composition is dynamic now and the markings and whiskers add so much interest to the painting. It's not ordinary at all... One day I'm going to take you out for dinner looking just like this!
Love you Akiko. You are the best!

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

Wonderful Akiko! Alice is very lucky to have you as a dear friend! Very cool portrait and yes I noticed the symbols of the markings!

dominique eichi said...

Alice represented here has all the "passion" that a feline has. What a wonderful portrait. Her pose with the earring was great but you pushed it further. You have shown eyes that see beyond what most humans see they see like a cat sees in the darkness. IT IS ALICE.
SPECTACULAR.

artbyakiko said...

Alice, I'm happy to hear that you love this portrait of yours. It was kind of scary to paint those dark markings on the face because there was almost no return if it did not work. Glad that you pushed me to step outside the realism.

Maybe you would put this tiger marking on your face for your next Halloween party. I would love to see the picture then!

artbyakiko said...

Gail, thank you so much! It was a fun project. I might do more of these. You might look awesome with a tabby cat marking (just joking).

artbyakiko said...

Dominique thank you so much for your wonderful comments! Actually it was Alice who pushed me further, and I'm glad she did. Now the result really represents her.

Kathleen Coy said...

I love this, what a wonderful idea! Tiger has always been very special to me as well - when I was a kid I used to cry because I wasn't born as a tiger...I really felt cheated about that...

Also, thanks for the kind comment you left on my blog (yes, Cloud is cute and he sure knows it!) and happy holidays to you and blessings for the New Year!

artbyakiko said...

Kathleen, thank you for your visit! Maybe you should consider doing your self-portrait with tiger markings.

Happy new year!

Kathleen Coy said...

That is a great idea! :-)

Art By Erika said...

Was it a 3-way portrait? :) This is STUNNING Akiko! I feel as if you've revealed Alice's feline qualities with her wise confidence that I detect via Internet :) A powerful image and skillfully done! YIKES my rendition will pale!!! I'm so dying to paint my DSDF and Alice and you! Got company at home it's not looking like I can get started before New Year's sigh. But you girls have totally inspired me!

artbyakiko said...

Erika thanks for your compliments! I'm happy to do a portrait swap with you if you want. It seems you will be busy for a while. Let me know when you have time. There is no deadline for this. :)

Anonymous said...

Akiko,

Definitely a cool concept and painting!

-MEB

artbyakiko said...

MEB, thanks for visiting my blog! I also like the idea. Just have to get better with people portraits first. ;)

Mona Diane Conner said...

Akiko, lovely work! And thank you so much for your compliments on mine.

Danielle Barlow said...

Akiko, this is amazing!Lucky Friend!
Hope you have a good New Year.

artbyakiko said...

Danielle, thanks for your visit. Happy New Year!

adebanji said...

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!

artbyakiko said...

Adebanji, thank you so much for your visit and wonderful comments!

Stewart said...

I have always tried to paint and draw people, but i just can't get it right. How do you start out on a painting like yours? Like the animals how do you get all the little detail so defined and perfect? And the people. Seriously please tell me how you get started on a painting like this?
Your artwork is amazing!!!!

Carolee said...

Drop-jaw GORGEOUS! Your work is absolutely amazing....

~ Carolee

artbyakiko said...

Stewart, thank you so much for your visit and wonderful comments! I am always trying to learn and improve my painting skills from books and other artists' works. If you are interested, you can check my Works in Progress shown on my website (www.akiko-watanabe.com); click "Works in Progress" on the menu in the left-hand column.
Happy New Year!

artbyakiko said...

Carolee, thanks for your visit!
Happy New Year!

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