Reading Dorian Gray (Portrait of the Artist’s Sister), Oil on Canvas; © Jennifer Pohl

I’ve always loved to paint people with presence and it’s once of the reasons I’ve painted my sister so often and will likely do so many times again. I’ve chosen this detail of a small painting to represent the word from this week’s Illustration Friday. A portrait of my sister could have equally represented many words: witty, unique, intelligent, quirky and passionate, but more than anything she has great strength of character.

Prescott Street, Oil on Canvas; © Jennifer Pohl

This little painting was the view from my studio several years ago. Thankfully, the nice man in the corner store used to let me put food on credit while I was working on my Night Scenes series, or I might have gone far more hungry. Here is a far bigger painting from the same series.

My apologies for not posting more recent work these past few weeks. I thought I may have had a strange flu and have been trying to save my energy for the work I have in process. It turns out I’m pregnant. Luckily, this time my egg tempera work is underway and I don’t have to be worried about lead poisoning from oils. It’s a much healthier medium to work with and use around small children.

I may not be able to blog quite as often for the next year, but I will do my best to update things when I can. One of the symptoms I’m experiencing is akin to sea sickness every time I look at the computer monitor. Pregnancy was more fun the first time when I could get more sleep and I wasn’t trying to nurse, but I know it will be worth it.

Body and Soul, Oil on Canvas; © Jennifer Pohl

I don’t think it’s possible to be human and not feel broken at least once in a lifetime.

On the day I started this piece, broken was how I felt — it was why I had to do this painting. I started working by the light of one candle in the evening and couldn’t see the colours on the canvas as I worked through the night. By the time the sun came through the window the next morning, I had finished. And I felt whole again.