Emerging

She has been having troubles emerging - or perhaps I haven't cajoled her into being quite yet - I have repositioned her arms - to replicate the original sketch more closely - I wanted her more "buried" in this "garden so I'm wrapping vegetation around her arms --- I have to leave her for now...

Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself.
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)

Walt Whitman

Adaptation of a Mucha Painting
in pen and ink.

Tuesday Morning

I stopped painting late afternoon yesterday - 7 1/2 hours and my brain was fried.
I like her. She's still a little awkward...
So much work left.
Can't paint today, it's hard to tear myself away at this stage...
Sigh.

My work desk - it's a wonder I find anything!

Later the Same Day

I wonder what she's thinking...

The Garden is growing.
(Apparently she grew an arm too!)

Collage Detail of her Torso
Layered more pages, scribbled some thoughts and brushed some more of
that micaceous iron oxide...

I was ravenous, so I stepped away from the easel and enjoyed some sourdough toast...

I'm in collision
with
every stone I ever threw...

(David Gray)

Where to Now

Where to now. mmmmm.

I've been working my butt off on this painting - left the other couple half-started orphans aside.... and have been struggling to set this one free.

There is lots that's not "quite" working yet - I wanted her body to look like a decoupage image but all the fluidity is gone from the original sketch... I don't know if I should have altered the left should/arm. That might be the problem - I like her face... took me quite a lot of work to get her expression the way I wanted it... The collage bits on her torso are mostly buried now from trying to give her body more contour with paint and gesso (for transparency)... I want more collage and less definition... More fluidity... the negative space is developing in my head - I know I want it to look like a "surreal garden"... Well, I will start by drinking a cup of coffee and pondering my plan of attack for the day...

Silhouette - I used Micaceous Iron Oxide for the first time. It's gritty, great for mixed media - like pastels. (They'll adhere better to the MIO than to reg. acrylics.)

I used solely pastels to define her hair, she's outlined with gold acrylic.
I collaged pages from a child's encyclopedia - the inscription reads three boys' names and "Christmas 1960" - There's a chapter about the "Fruits of the Earth" I used the pages from that chapter... they were calling my name.

Moving on....

You got to tell me brave captain,
why are the wicked so strong,
how do the angels get to sleep,
when the devil leaves the porchlight on.

(Mr Siegal – T. Waits)

Aches and Pains

Last night, I was in front of my easel. I'd been painting for a couple of hours, but at that moment, I felt frozen. I had been aching to paint and create all day and realized I couldn't seem to... get there, wherever "there" was.

It is hard to explain. I couldn't be in the present moment and my movements, my brushstrokes felt stiff and awkward.

The cycle - something doesn't flow, it receives intense scrutiny followed by harsh judgements, feelings of desperation at my inadequacies and failings as an artist.
Such a cliche, but I suppose cliches come from somewhere.
Anyway, today's a new day, I'm looking at yesterday's work - step back, look for an inkling of hope, see it and now I will squeeze more paint out of the tube and continue on my journey.

The Human Body

Looking through an old portfolio filled with sketches from life drawing sessions from the past 3 or so years.... sigh. I am looking for a good group to join here in Victoria to get back into it - I love drawing the human figure.

"There is nothing in all the world more beautiful or significant of the laws of the universe than the nude human body."

(Robert Henri)

I am at a crossroads with my art, trying to figure out how to incorporate my love of interpreting the human figure in my works and my fairly recent leanings toward abstract art - my instincts want me to blend the two - but I am not sure how to go about it.... how to find a place where my skill level does the figure work justice and my love of abstract form and colour finds its place...

"When we respect the nude, we will no longer have any shame about it." (Robert Henri)

I have used this sketch for a painting I have since sold... It feels very peaceful...

This model, is a natural - she started modeling quite recently and I was amazed at her ability to remain so still. Her graceful lines and gentleness of spirit are an inspiration for me.

This model was lovely - I would have liked to draw her more - my women's drawing group up-island had a wonderful variety of models, some regulars and the occasional surprise.

A first-time model, I was pretty happy with this session because I usually struggle more with male figures.

I did this one in Art School - I quite liked the model - she was spunky and creative.

There has never been a painting that was more beautiful than nature. The model does not unfold herself to you, you must rise to her. She should be the inspiration for your painting. No man has ever over-appreciated a human being. (Robert Henri)