"Epee Fencers-The Invitation"-Original Fencing Painting

"Epee Fencers-The Invitation"
Watercolor on Yupo
7 x5", c. 2011 Princess Simpson Rashid

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Fine Art Prints & Posters Also Available in various sizes.

"Sabre Girl" Print Available

This is a poster print of an acrylic painting, called "Sabre Girl".

"Sabre Girl" Poster
Print Size: 11 x17"
$35.00 
Free Shipping in US.
prashid@theswordandbrush.com

Contact me for global shipping cost.

"Let's Rock!"- Original Fencing Painting

"Let's Rock", c. Princess Simpson Rashid
7 x7", Watercolor on Paper

Both fencers are in street-fighter mode, especially the one on the left. He is hunkered down ready to defend himself and fight. Because it is epee, he is probably getting ready to counterattack as the guy on the right tries to beat his blade.

Well, that's one way to read it. What is your call?

Contact me for purchase information:
Fine Art Prints & Posters Also Available in various sizes.

"Indicators"-Original Epee Fencing Painting

"Indicators" is an original varnished watercolor painting that depicts a moment familiar to all competitive sport-fencers. The moment at the end of the bout when the director is adding up points for seating can be a stressful experience especially for young fencers.

Image Size: 7 x 5" Matted (Outside Dimension) : 11 x 9" Medium: Watercolor on Yupo (synthetic paper) This original painting, "Indicators", will ship matted in very secure packaging.  Contact me for purchase information: Fine Art Prints & Posters Also Available in various sizes.

"The Approach" Foil Print Available

"The Approach" print
$35.00 Available
prashid@theswordandbrush.com

This is a poster print of an acrylic painting depicting a male foil fencer, called "The Approach".


"The Approach" Poster
Print Size: 11 x17"
$35.00 
Free Shipping in US. 
Contact me for global shipping cost.

"Abstract Epee" Print Available

"Abstract Epee" print
17 x 11"
$35.00
prashid@theswordandbrush.com


This is a poster print of an acrylic painting, called "Abstract Epee".

Free Shipping in US.

Contact me for global shipping cost.

"Epee Sketch" Print Available

"Epee Sketch" Poster
$30.00
prashid@theswordandbrush.com

This is a sketch I did of a female epee fencer. I like the energy captured by using Caran DAche Neocolor II Watersoluble Crayons.


"Epee Sketch" Poster
Print Size: 11 x17"
$30.00 
Free Shipping in US. 
Contact me for global shipping cost.

Every Little Victory Is One Step Forward.....

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.....

Rashid Earns the Gold At Sunshine State Games In Women's Epee!

Princess Rashid wins the Gold and Bronze at the
2011 Sunshine State Games Fencing Competition

Last weekend in Lakeland, FL, I competed in The Sunshine State Games Fencing Championships. Think of the Games like the state Olympics. Most states have them. I am pretty proud of my performance. As of now, I am the 2011 Women's Epee Champion (Gold Medal) and the Women's Foil Bronze Medalist!  Woo hoo! That was fun!

To read about Day 1, refer to previous post [link]. 

Day 2-Women's Epee. Result: Gold Medal (renewed B-rating) Yay!

I was so sore when I woke up on Sunday.  I wondered what I was doing fencing in this event. But I had hoped to finish well and my Epee Coach (Boyko) believed in me. So I showed. I'm just glad my friend and teammate, Michela, drove us to the event.

Because of my injury, I felt it was very important to ice and get stretched out by the PT guys early on but they weren't there by close of check in for my event which was around 8:30 am. I stretched a little and had a awkward lesson with one of my coaches. It seemed awkward to me mainly because I fenced foil intensely the day before but now I had to start thinking epee and needed to adjust. I felt as if my coach was a little frustrated by having to correct my foil "errors". I however, accept that the awkwardness is natural and maybe necessary to make the transition.

Despite the problematic lesson, I finished in 1st place winning the gold medal. I think it was good that I was made aware of the needed adjustment by the lesson. Throughout the day, my epee coach Boyko, was there for me quietly reminded me of the needed adjustments and tactical assessments.

I have to say, the bouts in the semi final and the final were so intense.  All the fencers should be commended!

I give thanks to my God for clarity of mind and alertness, my two coaches, Boyko and Sasha, everyone that helped me with my leg, my family and teammates for support!

Princess

Rashid Takes Bronze Medal in Women's Foil At 2011 Sunshine State Games!

Rashid with her two coaches, Sasha & Boyko of the Tampa Fencing Academy at the 2011 Sunshine State Games.

The  Sunshine State Games Fencing Tournament took place June 18 & June 19th in Lakeland, Fl. I participated in competition both days. On Saturday, I competed in the Women's Foil event. On Sunday, I competed in the Women's Epee.

I decided to break this post into two parts mainly  because of the length of the post. I also wanted to provide some insights into my experience as a fencer of multiple weapons.

Day 1 - Women's Foil. Result: Bronze Medal

I warmed up pretty good by running around the gym a few times and stretching. I started off with a really nice foil lesson from my coach (Sasha) and had a few warm up bouts.

I started off well in my pool and then all of a sudden my right quad locked up. I felt it tighten and lunging became a big risk. Every time I tried to lunge, I felt pain in the area that I had torn years ago at the 2007 National Championships held in Miami. I got really concerned because early next month I have to again compete at the Nationals Championships but this time in Reno, NV.

Lucky for me there was an angel present. Another fencer had brought his girlfriend that used to be a massage therapist. She took it upon herself to help me by massaging the area gently to increase the circulation and then getting me ice. Eventually, we found some physical therapists on site that taped me up and applied the Bio Freeze.

All this attention to my hamstring allowed me to get through the event with good results. By the direct eliminations (DE's), I was taped and wearing a knee brace for additional support. I was able to move very well on the strip especially by using fleches instead of lunges.   I made it to the final four and finished with a Bronze Medal in the Women's Foil event.  Not too bad considering I was injured and hadn't be seriously competing in foil since 2007.

While I am pleased with the result, I realize that I need to compete in more foil events and find more high level fencers to practice bout with. Looks like I will need to put some more miles on my car to find the talent...

P.

Rashid Makes Top 16 at Detroit NAC-W. Saber

Here's a video clip of me fencing in a direct elimination bout at the Detroit, Mi North American Cup (NAC)- Div II Women's Saber event. I finished 14th out 77. I want to thank my saber coach, Eduardo Basulto, for the physical and mental training that helped me make this result. I was so close to making the top 8. I won the DE in this clip but I lost the next one 13-15.

Saber in Detroit, Michigan-NAC D

Princess Rashid (me) @ Summer Nationals in Atlanta, GA

Well, I'm off to another big tournament, the North American Cup (NAC D) in Detroit, Michigan. This time, I will be fencing in the Div II Women's Saber Event on Saturday, March 12, 2011. I'm pretty excited.

However, I have been pretty stressed lately, with recovering from a hamstring injury,  taking coaches exam, traveling, and marketing my artwork. Not to mention, being a mom two active kids, etc...

Tuesday night,  my saber coach gave me an interesting lesson. It was mostly to fix my mind. Apparently, my stress was affecting my fencing...so he made me list my dreams and goals. Based on my list, it was clear that I need to relax and have some fun.

Hmmm.....Any suggestions?

My coach told me to resolve my psychological issues before the tournament so I will be able to focus and not be a house divided so to speak. I admit it will take a minute for me to do this but I have been in the zone before. I know how it feels.

On Saturday,  I will clear my mind and fence one touch at a time. I will keep you posted.....

Blackblades- Trailer to new film

This film documents the contribution of African-Americans fencers to the US Fencing. The trailer was debuted recently at the Arnold Sports Festival earlier this month. Very exciting!



To learn more, visit: www.fencing.net

You May Call Me- Moniteur of Foil!

You may call me a Moniteur de Fleuret...! Sounds better in the French..eh!?

I recently attended a United State Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) Coaches Clinic in Atlanta, GA at my old club, Lotus Fencing Academy. One of my coaches and mentor, Walid Mahran, advised me to attend and take the practicum to get officially certified.

Let me just say, this whole certification process was very stressful BUT in the long run, it was worth it...I think!

The Moniteur level is a professional level fencing certification that is designed primarily for those wishing to teach or coach fencing in club, community and school programs without direct supervision. They give group classes and individual lessons to recreational beginners and up to intermediate level fencers that compete. 

Hopefully, one day you will call me, Master d'Armes.

"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.

"Victory Is Mine!"

"Victory Is Mine!"-Study
c.2011 Princess Simpson Rashid
Pencil & Watercolor 

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

• commission a drawing based on this image, entitled "Victory Is Mine!"-Study
• purchase a giclee reproduction or poster of this exact image

See if you can find this action in the video.

The Lunge!

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

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

• commission a drawing  based on this image, entitled "The Lunge-Study"
• purchase a giclee reproduction or poster of this exact image

See if you can find this action in the video.

Fencing Video Inspiration

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.


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

In the next few days I will share watercolor and pencil studies I made of the fencing actions I capture on video.  Try and 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 studies please contact me.

Oil Painting of Fencing Legend- Jim Campoli

"Jim Campoli" by Princess Simpson Rashid
8 x 10", Oil Painting, c. 2010
SOLD- Commissioned

I was approached by a fencer last year about the prospect of executing a portrait painting of a local fencing legend and coach Jim Campoli.  The painting would honor the life of service his coach has dedicated to building the sport of fencing in the state of Florida and his influence on the sport overall.

If you would like to commission a painting of an important fencer in your life, please contact me. Thanks!- prashid@theswordandbrush.com

Steps to Portrait Of A Local Fencing Legend

I recently completed an important commission of a local fencing legend, Jim Campoli.  I thought I'd share with you the steps taken to develop the painting.

Source photo taken by Stewart McVickers II.

 I usually prefer to work from life when executing a portrait, but this painting was to be given as a surprise gift to Mr. Campoli. So, I had to work from photographs provided by the client. Out of four choices, the client and I chose the photo above to be source for the final composition.

Step 1- Line Drawing

Step 2-  I start blocking in the face, jacket and background color.

Step 3- I work on the background and start on the form of the fencing mask.

Step 4. Starting to work on the saber here.

Step 5. Final version of oil portrait.