Sunday, November 11, 2007
ArtPact #36
(Also published on "Unchain My Art").
I am trying to accept the fact that this may be a very small step for the art world. And yet, this little painting is a giant leap for me.
I love doing figures. I am fascinated by faces, people, stories.... but I have never, ever, dared to create a painting that has more than one figure in it. 'coz, like, what if I get one face or one figure right, and then totally screw up the other?
What then, eh?
With that, I knew I had to get over this silly hurdle. Yes, lone figures can have a compelling story, but a multi-figure painting automatically tells a story about the relationship between them.
And so, 3 days ago, I was relaxing a bit, watching one of my favorite British crime dramas ("Waking The Dead"), when I saw a scene that captured my attention. Something about the half-lit faces, the obscured features, the posture just wouldn't let go. I paused the show, did a quick drawing, and proceeded to render it with my long-forgotten cobwebbed watercolors.
At some point, it was quite beautiful, very fresh and one-breath painting. But, it wasn't done. Despite the beautiful clean washes I managed to achieve, it seemed flat, wimpy and lacking in personality.
Then, we had a surprise guest visit; someone with whom I used to work in Israel, and haven't seen for over 10 years. As he and The JohnnyB were talking work-related stuff, I got bored out of my mind, and at some point took the brush and kept working on the painting while still taking part in the conversation...
...not necessarily a very smart thing to do, as I overworked it. But, I managed to save it by darkening some areas, while keeping some of the pure hues (a major achievement for me, as I tend to always gray down any hint of color...).
Regardless of the end result (which I actually like), this may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between me and paintings that are not limited to one single figure!
I was quite amused by the responses I got in our critique group - everyone came up with a story, asking questions about what's going on in the painting. Then, one of them said, "Never provide all the answers. Let the viewer try to figure it out". Since she's one of the smartest women I've ever met, I shall follow her advice...
I am trying to accept the fact that this may be a very small step for the art world. And yet, this little painting is a giant leap for me.
I love doing figures. I am fascinated by faces, people, stories.... but I have never, ever, dared to create a painting that has more than one figure in it. 'coz, like, what if I get one face or one figure right, and then totally screw up the other?
What then, eh?
With that, I knew I had to get over this silly hurdle. Yes, lone figures can have a compelling story, but a multi-figure painting automatically tells a story about the relationship between them.
And so, 3 days ago, I was relaxing a bit, watching one of my favorite British crime dramas ("Waking The Dead"), when I saw a scene that captured my attention. Something about the half-lit faces, the obscured features, the posture just wouldn't let go. I paused the show, did a quick drawing, and proceeded to render it with my long-forgotten cobwebbed watercolors.
At some point, it was quite beautiful, very fresh and one-breath painting. But, it wasn't done. Despite the beautiful clean washes I managed to achieve, it seemed flat, wimpy and lacking in personality.
Then, we had a surprise guest visit; someone with whom I used to work in Israel, and haven't seen for over 10 years. As he and The JohnnyB were talking work-related stuff, I got bored out of my mind, and at some point took the brush and kept working on the painting while still taking part in the conversation...
...not necessarily a very smart thing to do, as I overworked it. But, I managed to save it by darkening some areas, while keeping some of the pure hues (a major achievement for me, as I tend to always gray down any hint of color...).
Regardless of the end result (which I actually like), this may be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between me and paintings that are not limited to one single figure!
I was quite amused by the responses I got in our critique group - everyone came up with a story, asking questions about what's going on in the painting. Then, one of them said, "Never provide all the answers. Let the viewer try to figure it out". Since she's one of the smartest women I've ever met, I shall follow her advice...
* This painting was sold to Blogauthor.
previous ArtPact ... ...next ArtPact
Labels: Art, ArtPact, Major Achievements
# posted by Nava @ 12:11 AM 
Comments:
Whose bed has JohnnyB's boots been under? Isn't that his beard, and his usual expression?!
JimmyB
# posted by 
: 11/11/2007 4:27 AM
I learn so much from you...
I didn't know that painting multiple people was something that was more difficult. I mean I never thought of it. But, it does make sense after reading this.
Of course it would involve much more than one person.
Very good Nava.
I know this is cheating but can you just tell me what this image you captured means to you?
# posted by : 11/11/2007 5:44 AM
One of my old instructors used to teach that drawing (painting) one thing is no different from drawing another. You are just drawing, putting down your expressions/impressions and it doesn't matter what the subject is. That was very enlightening to me. Thinking of it that way gets you past the barrier of the subject matter.
That's lovely work, Nava. Very compelling with the two figures. Your writing about your painting reminded me of this:
"The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery." ~ Francis Bacon
SBW
It is so very cool to see what this painting does to people, the thoughts it invokes, the way it causes them to reveal so much about themselves as they reflect what goes through their minds.
JimmyB, interesting thinking there.
Rhonda, since I painted this from a screen shot on TV, I do not get to make my own story, as I am biased towards what was going on on the screen.
Blueberry, How very true - it all comes down to shapes, color and impression, but sometimes, the mind plays games with us.
SBW, wonderful saying! I love ambiguity in artworks that I see, and I keep trying to put it in whatever I do.
That is very striking, I can't keep my eyes off of the male figure, he is incredibly life like to me. It appears to be a wife cradling a husband who is sleeping .. to my untrained eye.
Daniel, I hear you, and truly apologize. Honestly...
BlogAuthor, The stories that were made about this piece went all the way from juicy nocturnal strangulation to drowning. There are no right or wrong guesses, but your so-called untrained eye has captured the actual story! Cool!!
wow!! I am so excited that I saw what you saw. I really really love art, particularly your style of art, and although I lack the proper words typically for describing it, I am starting to feel like I am more in tune with art than I ever gave myself credit for through your art. I am so glad I found you!
Post a Comment
<< Home
JimmyB
# posted by : 11/11/2007 4:27 AM
: 11/11/2007 4:27 AM I didn't know that painting multiple people was something that was more difficult. I mean I never thought of it. But, it does make sense after reading this.
Of course it would involve much more than one person.
Very good Nava.
I know this is cheating but can you just tell me what this image you captured means to you?
# posted by : 11/11/2007 5:44 AM
: 11/11/2007 5:44 AM 
"The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery." ~ Francis Bacon
SBW
JimmyB, interesting thinking there.
Rhonda, since I painted this from a screen shot on TV, I do not get to make my own story, as I am biased towards what was going on on the screen.
Blueberry, How very true - it all comes down to shapes, color and impression, but sometimes, the mind plays games with us.
SBW, wonderful saying! I love ambiguity in artworks that I see, and I keep trying to put it in whatever I do.
BlogAuthor, The stories that were made about this piece went all the way from juicy nocturnal strangulation to drowning. There are no right or wrong guesses, but your so-called untrained eye has captured the actual story! Cool!!
