I've begun a new painting, which I've titled Five Circles, a rather strange image with its 'eyes' intensely observing. It is on an 8 x 8 inch gessoed panel, so I am using paint made with the yolk of the egg. I printed the photograph which I'm using as model in the exact size of the work; I then traced it and transferred the image to the panel using a piece of charcoal covered newsprint, my usual 'tracing' paper. With all the small works I've done so far this year, I've begun in this way: by tracing a photograph. I don't always stick to the photograph as it is; sometimes I have to move elements around to make the composition work more effectively. What you see above are the first layers of paint, which will be followed by many more so as to make a richer surface with more resonant color. I can see right now that it will be challenging to get those 4 small circles of color to sit back in space and not pop forward.
When I got to this stage of the painting, I went and rummaged in my kitchen to find the perfect sized bowl or jar to use as template for the circles. A favorite mixing bowl did the trick for the large circle, and the cap of an antique salt shaker worked for the small.
This is the photographic image that I used, but cropped closer, as below. I decided that I liked the more stern and simple closeup view. It's interesting for me to think about how I would have approached this if I was still doing larger work; I believe I would have chosen the wider view above, as being more characteristic of the object, and I would have painted it closer to life size, about 18 or 20 inches square. Often when I was out painting, I would place my ruler directly on the thing I was depicting, and try to make my gouache study as close to actual size as possible; if the object was too large, I'd make a small study and planned for a very large painting. I now feel that I have freedom to move away from the object as a thing pictured, and toward a more abstract expression, while maintaining a 'realist' style.
enjoyed your ruminations on size and realism and freedom with this object --- this object which is rather surreal since I see it's real but I don't know what it is - maybe a viewing instrument with four eye-pieces, two which give views and two that are blind - though I don't think that's 'really' how it goes....
ReplyDeleteThis looks like it will be the most mysterious yet suggestive painting yet. The present stage of the painting reminds me of some of Wayne Thibault's work, real and yet not. I know yours, when finished, will have lost the W.T. look, but may also look real and yet not.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a compelling image Altoon.
ReplyDeleteIm liking circles myself at the moment so I immediately was drawn in.
I also find the palette immensely satisfying. Your process no doubt will have this image singing when you are through.
I truly appreciate the positive feedback on this work; I'd thought it would not be appealing, but this just goes to show we sometimes don't see our own work clearly. I'm especially glad of the 'real and not real' comments, because that quality is something I'm after.
ReplyDeleteTotally appealing; I think there is something about circles that is hard to resist. I could imagine your original image before I scrolled down, but I like the idea of making an abstraction yet still keeping it representational.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am constantly amazed and fascinated at the volume of work you produce along with the blog, the garden and cooking; quite an inspiration no matter the subject. Rainy and cool here this morning and perhaps a bit of snow; true spring weather.
thanks, Linda. As for my output, my secret is that I don't have a day job, so can spend all my time doing stuff I enjoy. Another secret: the paintings don't take very long to complete, even though they look like they're rather laborious. The diptych "Yellow Whorls" took about 4 or 5 days of 3 or 4 hours each; that leaves lots of time in the day for blogging, reading, rug hooking (while watching tv), cooking.
ReplyDeleteGreat new piece Altoon. Sorry I've been too busy with my blogs and painting projects to comment more often, but in an ongoing way, I'm enjoying very much all of your postings.
ReplyDeletethanks Mona; glad you're enjoying the blog.
ReplyDelete