Kimberly's Eye #2, completed

"Kimberly's Eye #2", 1/2" diameter (shown actual size), egg tempera on vellum in sterling silver and pewter frame

enlargement for detail

Painting my eyes on a piano key

my sketch for the painting of my eyes on a piano key

piano key ivory (shown at it's actual size)

In earlier times, the ideal painting surface for many miniature painters was ivory. As most people know, it's no long allowable to market new ivory. One legal source of old ivory is old piano keys which have been stripped off the wooden keys of a piano, so today's miniaturists sometimes like to try painting on 'piano key ivories'.

I wanted to come up with an interesting profile image for my Facebook art fan page, and I thought it would be fun to try painting my own eyes in oil on a piano key ivory, so today I plotted out this sketch.

More soon on this, but first I'll be posting the framed, finished version of "Kimberly's Eye #2".

The second of two portraits of the same eye in progress

Kimberly's left eye, Version 2, in progress, 1/2" diameter (enlarged)

I've made this start on the second eye portrait of Kimberly's left eye. This portrait expresses a different mood from the first one in the jeweled brooch, and I found a lovely little frame for this one also, which I'll show you with the finished painting later this week.

I'm returning to blogging soon, but am in the midst of a two-week break for re-organizing and hosting several special guests. I'm looking forward to catching up with some old friends and my Florida cousin who are coming into town.