Work samples

  • Open
    Open

    I pushed the classical technique of painting thick lights and thin darks to an extreme with this painting. In the light the brushwork is loose and textural. In the shadows the paint is almost non-existent. There is little room for error to achieve this look. For this portrait, all the steps came together and fell perfectly into place. I strive for this with all of my paintings.  

    Oil on Belgian linen on board, 11" X 14"

  • Fibonacci Skull
    Fibonacci Skull

    My current direction is towards more technical and monochromatic works with mathematical planning. "Fibonacci Skull" is the inspiration for my work moving forward. A lot of thought and measurements went into this piece, and then it was executed quickly and painterly.

    Oil on Belgian linen on board, 11" X 14"

  • Professor Payne
    Professor Payne

    Local professor, artist, and activist, Tamara Payne, graciously sat for this portrait. I took inspiration from her own textiles and art. It was exciting to meld her own contemporary style with traditional portrait techniques.

    Oil on Belgian linen, 36" X 24"

  • Aureate
    Aureate

    I have been pushing myself as an artist to be looser while employing classical techniques to achieve a realistic work with a more contemporary feel. "Aureate" uses the Fibonacci spiral with color theory during much advance planning. The actual painting is laid in quickly with juicy brushwork. The eye moves around and through the painting with the color and drawing.

    Oil on Belgian line, 18" X 24"

About Rebecca

Do traditional art methods have a place in contemporary art? My career as an artist has been devoted to answering this question. I have always had a love and appreciation for the skill of the Old Masters. I came to Baltimore to study their materials and techniques in the atelier program at the Schuler School of Fine Art. For me the future of art includes a return to beauty, draftsmanship, and classical concepts. 
In my own art I use traditional skills to portray contemporary themes. I… more

Portraits in Sculpture

Sculpture and portraiture are my two deep loves in art. Models and clients are always overjoyed to see themselves portrayed in such a timeless medium.  Everyone I meet instantly becomes a bust in my mind. I wish I could sculpt everyone I meet. My self portrait in terra cotta is my favorite self portrait to date.

  • Day
    Day

    Sculpture bust

    Study in clay

  • Brianni
    Brianni
    Terra cotta with patina
  • Goya
    Goya

    Terra cotta. A portrait bust of Francisco de Goya, melded with one of his own characters from "The Witchy Brew".

  • John Brown
    John Brown
    Terra Cotta with patina. Inspired by the portrait of John Brown by Ole Peter Hansen Balling at the National Portrait Gallery.
  • Mikelle
    Mikelle
    Terra cotta
  • Rosa
    Rosa
    Terra cotta with patina.
  • Samurai
    Samurai
    Terra cotta with patina
  • Self Portrait
    Self Portrait
    Terra cotta

Portraits in Oil

Art has made me fall in love with humanity again. Portraits are the main reason for this. Studying someone in depth, their features and expressions, is an incredibly intimate act. I can discover traits about someone from their features without them telling me. Often what someone likes least about themselves is what I love the most. 

The human form in oil is considered classically as one of the highest art forms. It involves the study of anatomy, composition, color, light, turning forms, all combined with telling the most fascinating stories. I have moved in my own art into a phase of working out bigger figurative compositions. 

  • Professor Payne
    Professor Payne

    Oil on Belgian Linen

  • Sabrina
    Sabrina

    Oil on Linen

  • Eggplant
    Eggplant

    Oil on Linen

  • Sunkissed
    Sunkissed

    Oil on Linen

  • Into the Light
    Into the Light
    30" X 24" oil on canvas
  • Mona Lisa Smile
    Mona Lisa Smile
    14" X 11" Oil on canvas

Vanitas

Vanitas paintings were often still lifes meant to portray the transience of life. The show the passage of time, and often mix symbols of death with wealth. The may include objects personal to the artist or client. We are reminded that life is short, but also fragile and precious. These vanitas paintings are all personal to myself. I often return to skull paintings when I have a specific story or feeling I want to capture.

  • IMG_6190.jpg
    IMG_6190.jpg

    Oil on Belgian Linen

  • IMG_6195.jpg
    IMG_6195.jpg

    Oil on Belgian Linen

  • Among the Lilies
    Among the Lilies

    Oil on Board

  • Artist’s Vanitas
    Artist’s Vanitas
    Oil on canvas
  • The Passage of Time
    The Passage of Time
    16" X 16" oil on board
  • Alight
    Alight
    12" X 12" oil on board
  • Oriole Cheats Death
    Oriole Cheats Death
    14" X 11" Oil on board
  • Epoch
    Epoch
    16" X 16" oil on board

Still Lifes in Oil

Still lifes were the traditional way artists learned to paint. This is where creating a concept are combined with mixing color and paint application. I have had a life long love for still lifes. They tell a story with objects by the artist using creative light, color, and technique. These still lifes are an exploration of my own journey in learning art, and have helped me to learn who I am as an artist.

  • Peach Harvest
    Peach Harvest

    Oil on Linen

  • Aureate
    Aureate

    Oil on Belgian Linen

  • Last Blossoms
    Last Blossoms

    Oil on Board

  • Crab Feast
    Crab Feast
    Oil on Linen
  • American Dutch
    American Dutch
    18" X 24" Oil on board
  • Dripping Peach
    Dripping Peach

    Oil on Linen

  • Artemis
    Artemis

    14" X 11" Oil on board

  • Queen's Gambit
    Queen's Gambit
    16" X 16" oil on board
  • Moscow Mule
    Moscow Mule

    8" X 8" oil on board

Figures in Sculpture

Sculpture has unexpectably become my true love. Creating in a 3D space has been incredibly liberating for me. There truly is no limit to encacting what is imagined. Sculpting rounded forms and the study of anatomy have helped all aspects of my art. With the figure science and beauty are uniquely combined.

  • Infinity
    Infinity
    Terra cotta with patina
  • Jamie
    Jamie
    Terra cotta
  • Nicole
    Nicole
    Terra cotta
  • Prometheus Bound
    Prometheus Bound
    Terra cotta with patina
  • Tethys
    Tethys
    Terra cotta
  • Yearning
    Yearning
    Terra cotta with patina

Pen and Ink Wash

Works of art in ink have always fascinated me. The sketches that the Old Masters made in ink on location that would later become masterpieces are dynamic and dramatic. I set out to imitate the feel of these drawings with the materials they would have used. For these I pieces I used mainly traditional hadmade walnut ink for all prima drawings. 
  • Draped
    Draped
    20" X 13" walnut ink on paper
  • Dry Docked
    Dry Docked
    9" X 12" Walnut ink and gouache on paper
  • Never Breaking
    Never Breaking
    8" X 8" Walnut ink and gouache on paper
  • The Copse
    The Copse
    11" X 15" walnut ink and gouache on paper
  • A Memory
    A Memory
    17" X 25" walnut ink on paper
  • Among the Birch
    Among the Birch
    8" X 8" Walnut ink and gouache on paper
  • The Fisherman
    The Fisherman
    12" X 9" Ink and gouache on paper
  • High Up
    High Up
    9" X 12" Walnut ink and gouache on paper