This french impressionist inspired piece was begun in a live model session at the Randy Higbee Gallery. The model was Toni Czechorosky wearing turn of the century fashion. Although she was standing next to a bookcase topped with books and a vase of yellow roses next to her, I added the background windows and large urn of flowers near the french paned windows. I also elongated the model from my influence in fashion design illustration. My desire was to have light flowing from the windows upon the gentle lady poised in her elegant setting.
When I brought the painting home to finish from the live model session, I began to feel a shift towards the French Impressionists way of painting the ladies of this day.  From my readings on Degas, I noted that he would take a pattern from a background that would utilize linear designs to direct the eye to the main figure.  That is when I envisioned the large window behind the model.  It`s very exciting when that happens to me, a vision in the middle of painting. Right after that I saw and felt the setting needed one more larger vase of flowers near the window.  The model was looking down and the big urn of flowers was the appropriate shape she would be gazing at. 
I would like to paint this composition again on a larger canvas now that I worked out such a difficult arrangement on a 12x16 linen canvas.  I wanted to note that the lavender I used was Holbein`s Violet Grey in several values including straight from the tube.  It is a most vibrant color in real life, I do not know if your monitor shows it. 
  I will add a picture of the live studio session where I began the painting later. 
 

Began on location in Monarch Bay, near Dana Point, CA. This was painted during the week of heavy rainstorms in southern California in 2010. There were fifteen foot waves that surged ashore, one after another. I spent the whole week just mesmerized by the giant waves rolling in. Each morning I was up at 6:30am to get down to the shoreline before the sun came up, that`s when they were at high tide. I took may images and filmed with my great SLR camera that captures HD video. This little oil painting study was done in the late afternoon before sunset. I was getting into the perspective of placing a strong foreground (dark rocks), a little less value concentration in the middle ground (waves) and a dissipating color strength in the background (bluffs). You get a sense of place, perspective and oceanic atmosphere in a little painting. I also was tripping out on the actual formation of the waves with the afternoon light shining through the curl next to the white water. I really felt I captured the colors and will use this study to probably make a larger painting. Unless it is sold, then I will have to go out there and paint another afternoon. I can not complain if I have to spend an afternoon with the ocean.
So, this is available on eBay right now from Feb 8-18, 10 day auction for starting bid of 99.00 plus shipping.  Go here to the listing.