subjects I choose to paint I thought I would try abstracting
this marigold by trying to make it look like it
was dissipating into thin air.
I started with just a little section. Then I added two more
areas to "blur." I could have done more, but I thought I'd begin with a smaller amount, then add more if I had the inclination. One can't try every idea on every painting,
so another day, another subject, another approach!
Hope you will all have a great week!
Dear Carol - what a beautiful close up of this gorgeous flower. I see that you did achieve very well friend the feeling of the flower fading into the background in several places. Thank you so much for sharing. Hope you are having a delightful day. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbie! I'm so glad you could see what I had attempted to do with the dissipation. I had my doubts as to whether it would make visual sense when done. I appreciate your comments!
DeleteGorgeous colors!
ReplyDeleteThis has such lovely movement to the petals and I can see some of them dissipate into the background. It really works. Take your time figuring it out and let us know what you decide.
I like what you said about not being able to try every idea on every painting.
I've been tempted many times, Julie, to try too much on one painting. The old adage "Less is more." is so true! I loved your painting with the blue pitcher. Breathtaking! I always look forward to your posts. Thanks, Julie for writing.
DeleteThis is so beautiful Carol! It almost looks like a watercolor to me.. I love all the varieties of color that a marigold can have! Nice work!
ReplyDeleteMarigolds are fun plants, aren't they?! So many bold, bright colors in them. Your horses and cart painting is excellent! You have such skill in working a subject with the exact texture that is appropriate. The horses had such a shine to their hides while the corn really stood out. Wonderful work. Thank you, Hilda!
DeleteI got that right away! The marigold looks very active too-like it actually is in the process of disappearing.
ReplyDeleteFun to see how you are applying the ideas of abstraction. I think you are right too. Not everything all at once!
Libby
Thanks so much, Libby! I'm happy you thought it looked like it was dissolving. It's not a very complex piece, but fun to try something different on it. I surely enjoyed your work, "Plunge." Another well-planned, clever layout!
DeleteAnother winner! It's great to try new things and ideas and build on those. Lovely zingy colours of the Marigold melting away into the background.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diana! It is interesting and offers opportunity for trying out materials and techniques. I feel like such a "newbie" at times, but I am enjoying exploration. Thank you as always for your encouragement.
DeleteI really like this marigold , the colors sing ! It is always fun to try new things and technics and I got your intention immediately here. So true, you can't try everything new in one painting .
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jane. Marigolds have such a range of colors. The yellow ones show up so brightly in gardens while the reddish-brown ones offer a unique color to the flower beds. They grow quite well here and seem to thrive if they have enough water. I appreciate your comments!
DeleteDissipation - Admirable concept ... it's just that when red flows into green ... we get the greys ( as complimentary colors go to shades of grey) which is probably not what the artist wants when painting flowers. The trick might be to go with mixed media ... acrylic or watercolor over pastel.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise a good idea.
Hi Elizabeth. Thank you for your comments. Definitely food for thought. You are certainly correct about mixed complementary colors making grays or browns. If I were to mix red and green watercolors or oil paint, etc. I would definitely get one of the neutral colors.
DeleteI guess in this case I was focused on the concept of "dissipation" which is the process of slowly disappearing or becoming less. The idea that the red marigold was deconstructing or coming apart. If you look at it like one was blowing dandelion seeds in the air, the seeds scatter and don't become a part of anything. Here, the red flower was breaking up and scattering onto the green background (foliage)not merging.
It's all so subjective, isn't it? I'm rather new to this abstract direction so my rationale may be a bit on the naive side. I'm learning. Soft pastel is a wonderful medium for layering which is what was needed in this case. Water-based media cannot go over soft pastel in my experience, but it does work the other way around.
It was good of you to write and express your ideas. I am appreciative always of suggestions and thoughts that force me to think about my rationale. I hope you'll come by again sometime soon. Thank you!
Carol I was excited to see a new post from you. They are always interesting and informative. This one rocks. Love how you approached your goal and you came out with a beautiful painting. We look to the area of highest contrast and then wander around the petals. Love the intensity of color you used. Yes indeed!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Helen, for such an uplifting comment. I think if we lived closer to you I'd be peppering you with questions on abstraction. You'd be such a great resource! Hope all is well with you, and I'm looking forward to your next post. I always love them!
DeleteVibrant and lovely!! Wonderful post. And thank you so much for your kind words. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, thank you for taking the time to comment. It means a lot! I look forward to seeing what you will paint next! Hope your sale went well. Your work is beautiful, and I always love your subject matter.
DeleteWhat a cool idea! These edges seem to have a watery effect that really appeals. Love the wonderful color as well Carol!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary for such a nice comment! I really value your input. I look forward to your next artwork. You are so accomplished!
DeleteLove the green and the red and the yellow on the edges of the petals seems to shimmer.....beautiful !
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice comment, Helen! Thank you! Your cricket series is so interesting! I have loved our baseball all my life, and I'd like to know the rules of cricket. It seems exciting, and the players always seem to enjoy it! I'll have to find a book on the sport!
DeleteThis is absolutely gorgeous!!! I love the vivid colours.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Linda! That's one of the things I enjoy about pastels. They are so brilliant, and while I don't need brightness in every painting, it's fun to have those available now and then. I appreciate you writing!
ReplyDelete