JAMIE L. LUOTO
  • Home
  • about
    • About
    • CV
    • Work in Spaces
    • Blog
  • Paintings
    • I Believe in Ghosts
    • Animal Portraits
    • Portraits of Society
  • Commissions
  • Shop
  • Upcoming
  • Press
  • Contact
  • open studio — June 4-5 & 11-12, 2022
  • Home
  • about
    • About
    • CV
    • Work in Spaces
    • Blog
  • Paintings
    • I Believe in Ghosts
    • Animal Portraits
    • Portraits of Society
  • Commissions
  • Shop
  • Upcoming
  • Press
  • Contact
  • open studio — June 4-5 & 11-12, 2022

New Portrait - Tiger

3/31/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Tiger, gouache on paper, 14x11 inches, 2022
I am very pleased to introduce my latest animal portrait, Tiger. She is a Siberian tiger, with an independent and creative spirit, created in this year of the Tiger. The original painting will debut and be available for acquisition during Art At the Source, 2022. 

Art at the Source - Join myself, Bill Theis (photographer) and Michelle Hoting (jewelry artist) for a two weekend exhibition at Michelle's studio in Santa Rosa, California. 

This is an in-person event. Up-to-date covid-safe practices will be in place. 

June 4-5 & 11-12 
10am-5pm
​
Studio #9
​321 Buena Vista Drive
Santa Rosa, California
0 Comments

Feature in Marin Living Magazine

3/5/2021

0 Comments

 
I couldn't agree more with the folks at Marin Living that commissioning a one-of-kind portrait is the way to spoil oneself and our furry friends! I take great pleasure collaborating on animal portraits with collectors to reflect the special bond shared with their furry family members. You can learn more about commissioning an animal portrait on my Commission FAQ page. Thank you to Casey Gillespie and Marin Living for featuring my painting of the marvelous Mr. Freddie in the 2021 March Sip & Savor print issue.  View digital copy here.

Love Freddie? You can shop Freddie prints here.
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Introducing Melvin - New Work :-)

2/21/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
© Jamie L. Luoto, "Melvin," gouache on paper, 24 x 20 inches, 2021, commissioned for private collection.
0 Comments

Bald Eagle on Election Day

11/3/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
(c) Jamie L. Luoto, "Bald Eagle," gouache on paper, 14 x 1 1inches (35x28 cm), 2018, private collection. Prints available.

Today I wanted to share my painting Bald Eagle which I made to be representative of women taking stronger and more prominent roles in politics -- Notice the feather quills on her blouse -- She's rewriting history! I'm with Kamala Harris and wish her and Joe Biden every success. 
0 Comments

Free Printable Coloring Pages

3/19/2020

0 Comments

 
Like so many others, I am currently under orders to shelter-in-place due to Covid 19. As an artist and introvert, this practice doesn't greatly impact my typical day-to-day, but I am aware that as much as I am content being alone, others are not. These are strange and uncertain times and it's in my heart to help lift spirits and alleviate some of the stress faced during this time of extreme change. With that, I would like to share an activity I made for you and the children in your life.
 
I've made two of my animal portraits into coloring pages 
that can be printed at home, colored and enjoyed. I hope these provide a little joy and entertainment. And I'd love to see what you create! Please share with me on instagram @jamie_luoto or use #ColoringWithJamie.
Picture
0 Comments

A photographic peek at my open studio

10/20/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Introducing Emma

9/15/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
© Jamie L. Luoto, "Emma," gouache on paper, 24 x 20 in., August 2019
Emma is a strong and fiercely independent feline with an adventurous spirit. She  hostesses for TWA on direct flights from San Francisco to Hong Kong. 
0 Comments

Introducing Beau

8/17/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
© Jamie L. Luoto, "Beau," gouache on paper, 24 x 20 in., 2019, commissioned for private collection.
Beau is a dashing little Cavapoo, a Cavalier Kind Charles Spaniel and Poodle mix, who finds his sweet and impish nature challenged by a pair of taunting crows. 

Prints available on Etsy.
0 Comments

Animals & Identity in the Art of Jamie L. Luoto

7/18/2019

0 Comments

 
I presented a talk at the downtown Napa Main Library on July 12, 2019 about how and why I make my animal portraits.  In my talk, I reveal a pivotal moment from my childhood, something unique about how I think and how that shapes my art, and I describe my process in depth. Please enjoy this recording from the opening reception, as well as a write up from the Napa Country Register. 

Art in the Library featuring Jamie L. Luoto runs throughout the month of July 2019. Click here for more details.
0 Comments

Introducing Orca & Odie

5/14/2019

3 Comments

 
Picture
© Jamie L. Luoto, "Orca & Odie," gouache on paper, 24x20 inches, 2019, commissioned for private collection
It is an awesome responsibility and honor to create a portrait of remembrance. I was touched by my collector's love for her two dogs, Odie, who had recently passed away, and Orca. The pair shared a special bond and this piece is a terrific example of how individual identities meet and meld into a unique relationship, a sort of evolved oneness. Ultimately this piece is neither about Orca or Odie, It's about how they related to one another as individuals and the choices and life they shared together.
Picture
Picture
Picture
CONCEPT & THUMBNAILS & COLOR PALETTE
In the case of a commissioned portrait, I begin with research and interviews. I explore the subjects behavior, diet, and home. I think of breeds the same way we think of our own human ancestry, and I consider stories about the subject, as well as how they relate to the members of their family.  With this information I imagine who this creature might be and sketch out ideas of how they would appear in a portrait of themselves. For example, Orca and Odie kept checks and balances on one another - Odie's loving and free spirit complimented and challenged Orca, whose herding background informed her practical nature and desire to keep tabs on her family, especially Odie!

My approach to color in a commissioned work is both a consideration for my collectors taste, while also taking into consideration the different emotional or symbolic interpretation a color can represent. For example, we decided on a cool jewel tone palette. In Orca & Odie the outdoors, and in particular water, in it's many forms were important to the pair.  Within the range of jewel tone colors, I created an abstract geode looking background representative of the cool and fresh alpine feeling of dancing water and twinkling snow. ​ It's important to know my color palette before I begin painting with gouache — unlike acrylic and oil, gouache doesn’t allow one to simply paint over something unliked. The colors I select are part of the story the painting tells and emphasize the animal’s identity. 
Picture
DRAWING 
Before I begin painting, I draw a realistic rendering of my subject(s) in graphite. In Orca & Odie I had to consider the relation of their size and builds for accuracy and correct proportions. Orca has more pointed features, but a thick and ample coat of fur, whereas Odie had a boxy, muscular build with very short fur. Once the drawing is finalized, I erase my pencil work until it is just barely visible. The faint pencil marks are essential because I use my line work as a map to block in color, but it is important that I erase enough so that the pencil marks do not show through the paint.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
 PAINTING
I typically begin by blocking out the background color or the outfit, and then I apply a number of translucent washes to the face to develop the structure and depth through gradual shading. As my work progresses, the opacity of my paint increases, my brushes get smaller, and the painted details more exact. I spend hours painting individual hairs and blending until I am satisfied with the detail in my work. 


How do I know when I’m finished? There is a certain level of precision detail that appears finished to me. I no longer see areas wanting for more — more hairs, speckles, sheen, shading etc… it’s a combination of experience and a gut feeling.  ​

My portraits go beyond a likeness of the subject, they celebrate individuality, capture the spirit, and encapsulate stories, all of which bring the piece to life.
Picture
Picture
Picture
3 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture

    I created this space to showcase my past work, chronicle my current projects, and share my inspiration.

    Categories

    All
    Adventure
    Animal Portrait
    Artwork
    Bojambo Projects
    Commissions
    Country Life
    DIY
    Etsy Finds
    Exhibitions & Events
    Features
    Feminist
    Film
    Folly House Studio
    Food
    I Believe In Ghosts
    Identity
    Inspiration
    Interviews
    Jewelry
    Kitty Cats
    Nasty Women
    Plein Air
    Portraits Of Self & Society
    Press
    Sami
    Self Portrait
    Socially Conscious
    Wedding

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    October 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    August 2009

© 2022 JAMIE L. LUOTO ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Jamie L. Luoto

San Francisco Bay Area
​Healdsburg, California, USA
Studio Visits by Appt.
Picture
  • Home
  • about
    • About
    • CV
    • Work in Spaces
    • Blog
  • Paintings
    • I Believe in Ghosts
    • Animal Portraits
    • Portraits of Society
  • Commissions
  • Shop
  • Upcoming
  • Press
  • Contact
  • open studio — June 4-5 & 11-12, 2022