The story of a portrait

Leena McCall January 17, 2019

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Instagram @leenamccallartist

Am delighted to have this little head study through to the next round of judging for the Royal Society of Portrait Painters’ annual exhibition. No guarantees it will be selected in the next round, but still pretty excited to make this one. This was painted from life at a workshop with @henrikaau hosted by @workshopsinyorkshire in 2022. I was experimenting with a new palette and technique and loved working on this particular head study. #royalsocietyofportraitpainters #opencallforartists #oilpainting #figurativepainting #portraitpainting #portraitartist #womenartistsofinstagram #womenartists #kunst

This one is called ‘The Impostor’ - a #self-portrait. New year, new start. After a two year break from painting, two house moves and multiple school and studio moves, I am finally back at the easel. #firstpaintinginyears #impostorsyndrome #delphianopencall @delphiangallery #figurativepainting #femaleartist #leenamccallartist

A bit of Christmas painting with the boys to celebrate start of holidays. #artiststudio #kidsmakingart #christmasholidays

More work in progress - continuation of flesh colour studies, this time working on a larger scale. I always find it liberating to work on a big canvas. Just wish I had better heating in my studio! #wip #oilpainting #figurativeart #figurativeartist #lifepainting #femaleform #flesh #fleshpainting #artiststudio

Final day @workhall.uk Sedici artist residency and it is interesting to look at the numerous flesh studies I have started (not finished!) over the last two weeks. I set out to experiment with new colors, surfaces and painting techniques. And I have learned a hell of a lot about all of the above and myself. Taking time away from the day to day, I.e. being a mother to three young boys has been so incredibly beneficial from an art practice as well as a mental health perspective. I am sad to leave this little haven of creativity, but I also feel rejuvenated and can’t wait to see the little rascals again later today. A huge thank you to @marion_piper @gillgregory_ @lindallpearce @dannyrolph14 #artistresidency #artistresidencyinmotherhood #fleshpainting #artexperimentation #artasmeditation #figurativeart #wip

Second week of my artist residency and here are a couple of works in progress. Love painting on brushed aluminum, gives an incredibly smooth and absorbent surface to work on. Also started experimenting with white background to see how it changes the values of the painting. #artistresidency #workinprogress #wip #figurativepainting #figurativeart #artasmeditation

Day 4 of residency and trying to squeeze as much out of the daylight as I can…. What a privilege it is to have time to paint and no one else to worry about. #artistresidencyinmotherhood #artistresidency #figurativepainting #paintingexperiments

Day 3 of my artist residency @workhall.uk and I am immersed in experimenting with new color palette, new surfaces and I have TIME! ##artistresidency #artistresidencyinmotherhood #wipwednesday

I am absolutely delighted that my painting ‘Ms Ruby May, standing’ has arrived at #imaginartgallerybarcelona to become part of their permanent #censored_collection - it is 7 years since my painting was removed by #mallgalleries for being ‘pornographic and disgusting’. Watch this space for further information about when their permanent collection will be on display. #leenamccallartist #eroticcensorship

It’s been a long time coming…. But I am finally done building my own #artstudio. COVID put an end to my #mafineart last year. Looking after and homeschooling three young boys was challenging enough and my own #artcareer was put on hold. Now I feel like the luckiest #womanartist as I sit in my #brandnewstudio smelling the oil paints and turpentine, contemplating #newbeginnings and where I will take my #painting. #artiststudio #downpipefarrowandball #metime #ilovepainting #fuckyoucovid #guerrillagirls