Red Stripe, egg tempera on calfskin parchment, 5 3/4 x 7 1/2 in.
Is it possible for a painting of inert machine parts to call up emotions? It would seem that my paintings are essentially formal arrangements of color, shape, and light in a shallow space, though of course I always hope that they bring up associations, moods, ideas other than intellectual. My emotions have been very close to the surface recently, and probably because of that, working on this painting created more powerful feelings than usual for me: I sensed that I was painting a self portrait in the large green vertical cylinder. It was stalwart, upright, fully rounded, but only partly emerging from a darkness that could claim it again. The darkness is rich and beautiful, but it is the light that brings life.
I was very touched by what you said about this piece Altoon. It creates a powerful "climate"--Richter's term--and tangible sense of quiet interiority. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and this image. I keep looking at this image and being drawn in.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deborah; I'm glad you're drawn into this work. I love the term "climate" in thinking about a painting, because it can be so different from one to another. I think this painting has a climate of grief about it.
DeleteIt's such a challenge to make something emerge into light from darkness with the medium of egg tempera, yet it is done so beautifully in this painting. A very interesting combo of shapes and colors.
ReplyDeleteTo add to the previous comments – yes, the term 'climate' is very useful here. I too am drawn in, and my eyes keep on returning to the vein of red.
ReplyDeleteA lovely painting. A good example of how shapes and color can emoke strong emotions.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the kind comments; I'm happy you've taken the time to look and to think about the painting.
ReplyDeleteI find this a compelling piece and interesting in its choice of title. Yes, yes about the light, but I am drawn to that dark field in the shadow.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julie. The title is basically meant to be a neutral one that simply describes one element of the painting, which is a warm color amid the cool greens.
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