A New Painting: "Pointed Arch"

Pointed Arch, egg tempera on calfskin parchment, 7 1/2 x 10 in. 

I had to giggle when I began this painting: the shapes were so humorous to me with the outstretched "arms". I begin my paintings quite loosely, in a very painterly fashion, and make them more precise as I work; I thought the tightening up of form would bring more gravity to the image, but it still seems funny to me (though maybe not to you). Which is fine; I like humor in art. The title, Pointed Arch, continues the silliness, because of course this isn't an arch since it's supported at its center.

Pointed Arch detail

Here's a detail of the little lozenge shape that caps the arch, probably hiding the bolt holding the cylindrical parts together.

Pointed Arch detail

I deliberately softened the top edge of the light gray form, so it would settle into the blue; this is different from the sharp dark green edge, which pops that form forward. Although this image is very simple, it is always a balancing act to pull a painting together.