Candy Stripes, egg tempera on calfskin parchment, 7 x 8 in.
I felt almost rebellious making this minimal, silly-colored painting. After my near meltdown following my last painting, which you can read about in this blog post, this flat simple work was like an antidote to my confusion. Setting the disliked painting I was working on aside, I went out to take more photographs as studies for paintings. Some of the images I found were a bit more abstract than previous ones; when I put them up for contemplation, they made me happy. I felt that the meltdown had served a useful purpose: it had shaken up my vision. My intention with this painting is that the image should look very flat and abstract, except for hints that keep it in the real world: the shadow line under the green and striped areas, indicating a thin but solid presence; and the shadow crossing the green into the candy stripes, showing a sense of sunlight. It took a lot of adjustments of color to get the shadow to be convincing, and to have the green and pink and white sit on the same plane (I hope).
Candy Stripes, detail
Studio wall with recent paintings.
I had thought that Candy Stripes was so quirky that it would look out of place with my other paintings, but it seems to fit in okay. Now I'm back to working on a painting that depicts solid volumes, but working on this flat image was refreshing.
I love the simplicity of your work and I can relate to the meltdown. You have a wonderful unique way of seeing the world, thanks for sharing your journey.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Rob. I love sharing because then I get nice comments such as yours.
DeleteVery interesting group -- and if I had to say which one didn't fit with the rest (you know, those "intelligence" tests), I would say the one with grey crossed "pipes". All the others have an "intrusion" into the space, except for that one.
ReplyDeleteI'm a graphic designer and was recently pointed in your direction by a friend. She did me a favor! Thank you for maintaining a blog with vision and brains.
Thanks for your comment Clair; I'm so pleased that you like the blog. It's interesting to hear your take on the painting which seems out of place; I see your point, thanks.
DeleteRebellious? Meltdown? Goodness. Delightful work, lady. Delightful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, R Henry! well, the meltdown led to this, so I'm very happy you find it delightful. I get a kick out of it too, though having my usual uncertainties.
DeleteI echo R. Henry. Generous to share your process with us and maybe you can do same with yourself :) the green on this ptg. Is growing on me. I like this piece, but actually feel it stands better alone.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie, though I'm not sure what you mean about me sharing myself. Many greens are tough for people, unless they're grass and trees; something about the acidity of the color. As for the group of paintings, I hang my work close together in the studio, so I can look at a lot of it at once; an exhibition would be different.
DeleteI meant: be are generous with yourself as you contemplate your process as you are with us, your readers :) yes, green a tricky color. I always thought because Nature rules supreme: tough competition!
ReplyDeletei love this piece, 'Candy Stripes". I can appreciate the work involved in getting them colours to sit on the same plane. Great!
ReplyDeletethanks Terry!
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