Hadley Northrop

Young Woman Resting on a Pile of Coats, Oil Painting

2021

Artist Comments
Two models in vintage bathing suits, one with a red swim cap, pose together on a sandy beach. "The overall color scheme is deliberately earthy and muted, with just a few shouts of color in her suit and the turquoise strip of water on the horizon," says Malia. She paired carefully rendered portrait features with loose brushwork to build a nostalgic and somewhat moody atmosphere.

About the Artist
Malia Pettit sees her artistic process as an act of “liberating the paint” and “allowing for the unexpected to occur.” Her portraits of women stem from a fascination with glossy magazines and their portrayal of models, actors and celebrities. Her work has been especially influenced by Chantal Joffe and John Singer Sargent. She currently lives in California after having lived in England for ten years. When she’s not painting, she is a full-time mom and enjoys exploring estate sales, antique stores and used bookstores.

Words that describe this painting: portrait, beach, women, swimsuits, bathing suits, vintage, Milt Kobayashi, Michael Carson , summer, ocean, seascape, sunbathing, models, people, fashion, representational, vintage, oil painting, beige

Distant Shores...

Artist Comments
A dramatic contemporary portrait. The figure looks out with an intense, piercing glance, balanced by the soft flowers in her hair and gentle blue sky in the background. Artist Malia Pettit explains that the painting is a progression of both her palette and subject matter. "It has all of the elements of my female portraits - dramatic shadows, bold features and sharp contrasting. However, I contrasted these elements with the crown of soft, whimsical, loosely painted flowers to lighten things up. The painting has a geisha-like feel with the high collar and flowing florals."

About the Artist
Malia Pettit sees her artistic process as an act of “liberating the paint” and “allowing for the unexpected to occur.” Her portraits of women stem from a fascination with glossy magazines and their portrayal of models, actors and celebrities. Her work has been especially influenced by Chantal Joffe and John Singer Sargent. She currently lives in California after having lived in England for ten years. When she’s not painting, she is a full-time mom and enjoys exploring estate sales, antique stores and used bookstores...

Artist Comments
"The pastel-colored palette is sweet and feminine, like a box of macarons from Laduree," shares artist Malia Pettit. "It's all together like a modern-day Marie Antoinette showing up for her own surprise tea party." Blush pink and peach dominate this candy-colored portrait. With the intuitive addition of pastel green on the background and a snippet on the model's top, a cheerful balance is achieved.

About the Artist
Malia Pettit sees her artistic process as an act of “liberating the paint” and “allowing for the unexpected to occur.” Her portraits of women stem from a fascination with glossy magazines and their portrayal of models, actors and celebrities. Her work has been especially influenced by Chantal Joffe and John Singer Sargent. She currently lives in California after having lived in England for ten years. When she’s not painting, she is a full-time mom and enjoys exploring estate sales, antique stores and used bookstores...

Artist Comments
"This bold portrait of two young women evokes both confidence and the unbreakable bond that two sisters share," says artist Malia Pettit...

Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero creates an endearing oil painting of his grandchildren playing with their favorite toys. Fully absorbed in their own little worlds, they p...

Artist Comments
Artist Onelio Marrero portrays his youngest daughter, a photographer, capturing the beauty of nature at the Morris County Arboretum in New Jersey. The painting ...