Happy Client

Another happy customer: Private Commission completed for the Bridge Family.

New Epee Commission

"Blake"

Watercolor on Yupo
Private Commission-Bridge Family
SOLD

I created this painting from photos I was given by the client. After a series of studies and sketches I decided upon the composition and color theme. The client approved and I set about the work. The above image is the result.

 If you would like to commission me to produce a painting of the fencer in your life, contact me: prashid@theswordandbrush.com

Enjoy!- Princess

Men's Final World Cup 2011

Studio Bout At Six!

Detail from a new small 
fencing oil painting
by Princess S. Rashid

On Saturday (8.6.10),  I was disgusted with myself. I was in my studio by 6:00 pm.  (Late. We had family time at the beach earlier that day.  Kids have to play right?)

My main goal was to finish a small (6 x6")  fencing oil painting I had been working on forever. I was sick of NOT finishing it.  I had recently read a very convicting blog entry from Fresh Gloss [see my earlier post [link] ,  and I was on this kick about "laziness" and "making excuses". So full of angst, I went into the studio to kick some butt...MINE! I just wanted to get the damn thing done!

What caused this problem in the first place?

I realize now that I had grown bored with the piece. Maybe that's why I had abandoned it for a while.  Of course, I had traveled and had family visits to add to my distractions but still those are not real excuses for not finishing the painting.

Gamblin Artist Colors
product, Neo Meglip 

After our long separation,  the painting felt tedious to work on. So coming back to it, I decided to try some new stuff and have some fun. I found a medium in my paint box that I hadn't tried yet called Neo Megilp by Gamblin Artist Colors [link].

According to Gamblin, "Neo Megilp is a soft gel that gives oil colors a silky feel. This is the modern copy of a medium used by Turner. It allows paint to workable for hours". Hmmm!

My little brushes

I love it. It breathed new life into the piece. The medium glossed the surface up and allowed me to be expressive with each stroke. The other thing I did was switch from the little brushes (sizes 0, 1, 2)  to a larger filberts and flats.

I finished the piece by 9:50 pm!  I kicked hesitation, self doubt, daydreaming and other time-wasters ASSes. Yay!

It still needs a touch or two here and there but it is mostly done!

Every little victory is one step forward.....

Curses! I've Been Hit!

"Curses-I've been Hit!"
Pencil & Watercolor (Study)
c. 2011 Princess Simpson Rashid

Email me  or leave a comment below if you would like to:

• commission a drawing  based on this image, entitled "Curses-I've Been Hit!"
• purchase a giclee reproduction or poster of this exact image

See if you can find this action in the video.

New Drawings and Tournament Video

On January 15,  2011, I fenced in the River City Duel till You Drop fencing tournament in Jacksonville, FL.   I also got a chance to shoot some video of the other fencers. Here are some sketches  made to study the fencing actions I saw.


Epee Touch at River City Duel 2011 from Princess Rashid on Vimeo.

See if you can find the actions I depict in the watercolor drawings with the actions in the video. If you wish to commission a drawing based on these sketches email me.

"The Lunge"-Sketch
c.2011 Princess Simpson Rashid
Pencil & Watercolor

"Victory"-Sketch
c.2011 Princess Simpson Rashid
Pencil & Watercolor 

Silver in Cincinnati @ North American Cup! Yay!

Finally, all the training is starting to come together.

Earlier this month, I traveled up to Cincinnati, OH for the North American Cup A Division II Women's Epee event.  Let me say, I love Cincinnati! Great city!  My results?

I earned the Silver medal and my B-rating in Epee.

Princess Rashid (me) receiving the Silver Medal at the North American Cup A
Division II Women's Epee event.

I did pretty well in my pool. I got out undefeated. That was pretty great for me actually because it usually takes me some time, one or two bouts, to get it together. Plus, when I walked into the venue that morning, I felt terrible....the beginnings of the flu. Turns out, I fence pretty well when I'm sick to my stomach. LOL!

Here's some shots of the final bout: Rashid (left) vs. Jarin-Lipschitz (right)

I score the first touch. Yay!

Rashid scores the first touch! 

But throughout the bout we are neck and neck. In this next shot the score is tied and 2-2.

Score is tied 2-2.

And then she comes out with her attack. Jarin-Lipschitz penetrated my distance and scored the next touch.

Jarin-Lipschitz penetrates Rashid's distance
and scores the next touch.

Still, I'm not worried. There's still plenty of time..... In the next shot, the score is tied again at 7-7.

Scored is tied again 7-7.

The final score was 10-9 ( Jarin-Lipschitz-Rashid).

We were tied 9-9. I get the priority coin flip. I'm thinking great..."all I have to do is double".  That was my plan. She comes for me, just like I knew she would....and then, I apparently have a brain F*RT. Excuse me!

I thought I had waited to make the double but a trusted spectator informed me later that I was a hair too soon with my action. Instead of doubling, there was only one light! Curses! She must have parried! Curses!!!!!!!

Oh well, there's always next time!

All in all, it was a pretty exciting day!

"Indicators"-Original Watercolor Painting

The painting depicts young fencers waiting for the director/judge to tally up points. Do you see the young female fencer in the background? What is she waiting for?

This original watercolor painting is available. Contact me.

7 x 5"
Watercolor Painting
The painting will ship matted and ready to frame.

Please contact me if you have any questions. I always appreciate on blog comments as well. Thanks!

Elmo Wants To Know-"What Happened To Your Tip?"

Yeah, me too Elmo! All I really know is that, I'm not an armourer...yet!

I was trying to rewire my epee blade. I  broke the wire earlier by not being patient. Epee and patience...Hmmmm! I think there's a relationship....

Anyway, the day before my last tournament, I was having equipment issues. I wound up having to attempt to re-wire my brand new epee blade.

What happened? In trying to cut the tang, I broke the wire....UG! 

Well, I took the weapon apart and was pretty proud of myself for having a pipe and some acetone to soak the blade in and remove the glue. Unfortunately, I left the blade in too long with tip attached...the washer in the tip dissolved.

Can you see that? Who does that? Me that's who! Well, luckily my club has a couple of decent armourers. I will pay someone and then go back to the drawing board when I have some free time... Yeah.....well probably not anytime soon.....

I have a NAC to get ready for. Later!

New Work In Progress-Collaged Fencing Images

Detail- Collage of fencer by Princess S. Rashid

Detail- Collage of fencer by Princess S. Rashid

These are just teasers. I should be finished it in the next two weeks. If you like it's progress, stay posted...I am willing to even take a pre-order :-).

Make me an offer. Email me: prashid@theswordandbrush.com

New Club T-Shirt-Don't you want one?

Check out the new club T-shirt that Tampa Fencing Academy (TFA) members are sporting. Do you want one?

On the front is the TFA logo. The back features my painting, "Abstract Epee" in full color. If you'd like one, contact Coach Boyko Krastevitch at Tampa Bay Fencing Academy.

If you would like to license one of my images for your club or tournament T-shirt  or other merchandise contact me:

  prashid@theswordandbrush.com

Women's Epee -First Place Medal!

Well, my first tournament of the season was last Sunday in Gainsville, FL. It was the "Back To School Duel". I fenced in the Open Epee and Women's Epee event. I won the first place medal in Women's Epee. Hopefully, it is the first of the season :-)

Top four finalist in the Women's Epee Event, "Gainsville's Back to School Duel",
September, 26, 2010. Princess Rashid wins 1st place medal.

It was a LONG, long day. From Tampa, its about a 2 hour drive and the first event checkin was 8:30 am.  We started pretty much on time but I felt terrible. I never slept the night before. My body just wouldn't relax..I tried tea and hot milk. It is just hard for me to sleep the night before a tourney. So I was a little sluggish in the morning for the Open Event.  It was very strong event too....A-rated. (As of right now, results have not been posted..)

Well, I know I didn't win so ....but I kept my chin up. I viewed it as an excellent warm up for the Women's Epee event that was supposed to start around 1 pm.  It all worked out. By getting knocked out of the Open in my second DE, I was able to take a much needed nap.

I would say the nap and staying hydrated and constantly munching on food bars and various snacks kept me going until the end..all the way to Gold. Yay!

Fellow TFA member and friend, Michela standing with me (Princess) after I recieved my prizes.

Oh! The first place winner also received a very cool dagger. Very nice!

Sport Fencing Coffee Mugs-Foil

For when you are just thinking about fencing, watching a training video or reading a fencing book or blog. Stay tuned there's more to come. Suggestions are welcome!

"Winning on Strip 41-WF" by Fencing_Artist
See other ""Sport fencing art Mugs

Rough Days At The Club

It's been difficult lately juggling everything; kids, fencing and my art business. The main thing I realize is that if I'm going to maintain a high level of competitive fencing activity then I have to start eating better. When I eat, I choose good and healthy foods but the problem occurs when I am very stressed and under pressure. This is happening more and more. I tend not to eat or sleep. I know that is normal....sort of but I'm training with kiddies....like 14-17 years old who don' t have the same pressures. Mostly they just have to focus on school and fencing......what a life.

Anyway,  time for breakfast.

Looking Fencing T- Shirts?

My Zazzle T-shirt store is back on track. Enjoy and thank you for your support!

My Zazzle Store: http://www.zazzle.com/fencing_artist

Thanks,

Princess

My Fencing T-shirts at Zazzle. Order today!

To see the latest fencing T-shirts design, visit:
http://www.zazzle.com/fencing_artist

SOLD- "Epee Boys", Original Watercolor Painting

"Epee Boys", Watercolor, 11.5 x 11.5", c. P. Rashid
SOLD

"Epee Boys" is an original watercolor painting on paper executed with watercolor crayons and tube paints. It is a depiction of two male cadet fencer at a  tournament. Each fencer is waiting for the opening but only one is ready for a surprise.

Back Again, Back Again, Jiggety Jig!

In the photo: The artist (Princess Rashid) on the right doing an amazingly fast parry-riposte!

Well I'm  back.  The 2010 United States National Fencing Championships in Atlanta, Ga was a blast. I bought a lot of gear and had some good moments fencing Div II Women's Epee.

Epee Circuit #6 Winners-Gainsville, FL

On March 21, 2010, I partipated in the Mixed Open Epee event at the Gateway Circuit Epee #6, Unified Training Center (UTC) in Gainesville , FL.

[In photo: Wayne Frey (1st place), Marko Stanisic (2nd place), Princess Rashid-me (3rd place) and John McFarland (3rd place).] 

I finished in 3rd place and re-earned my C-Rating in Epee. Not bad for my second tournament back since having the baby. Yay!! The results can be found on AskFred.net.

Detail Study for "Epee Bounce"

This painting is going a little slower than I had hoped. Here's a study for the painting I'm working based on the photo in the previous post. I think I definitely need to put "Fencer" on his back! What do you think? 

Watercolor  & Pencil Study on Traditional Paper

c. 2010 P.Rashid