Ok. I hate the idea of drawing a rainbow. This sort of happened by mistake. It was waves and they got colorful. And this abstract stuff is new to me – so I wasn’t sure if this was going anywhere, but I think I made progress today. It doesn’t look like a 5-year-old’s drawing anymore, does it? Ok… a little. It’s colorful and happy: I’ve achieved my goal.
This is a dyptych – there are two separate pieces of paper and they will be framed separately. So I’m trying to make each side look good on it’s own, even though they will be displayed side by side.
These were done in 2007 and 2008 – I think. I may have taken two years to complete the apples. Busy, busy.
The other day, I was out walking and my friend Janet was picking up chestnuts from her front yard. The chestnut stick, nut and burr looked very interesting. The nut seemed the most beautiful with it’s warm colors and wood grain. So I started with the nut enlarged in the lower left corner. But as the drawing progressed, the nut didn’t fall into the background enough.
I really liked the way the drawing was progressing. But when I put the prickies on the burr, it suddenly looked like a bug.
Weird or interesting?
The black birds are added. Not very imposing, are they?
Crows have been cropping up all over. I’ve always been aware of Van Gogh’s Wheatfield with Crows.
Here’s a website that describes his crows. Sounds more ominous that I remember. I was thinking of how he thought they were coming down on him: life was difficult.
“Wheatfield with Crows is one of Van Gogh’s most famous paintings and probably the one most subject to speculation. It was executed in July 1890, in the last weeks of Van Gogh’s life. Many have claimed it was his last work, seeing the dramatic, cloudy sky filled with crows and the cut-off path as obvious portents of his coming end.”
Then I came across this song by Linkin Park: Blackbirds. “Blackbirds following me; are digging out my brain (or grave?). They close in, swallowing me…”
Now it’s fall and the fields are rich and golden. Black birds are all over. Isn’t that enough inspiration to paint right there? So I set out to paint my “dark” picture. And it’s turning out soft and light. Maybe things aren’t so bad.
I think it’s done. This photo looks duller than the last one I posted. The real drawing falls somewhere in between.
I think I will crop most of the top and bottom off.
I’d really like to finish this. I re-worked Bailey’s face 4 times yesterday. Why do I do faces? They are too hard. Fruit and vegetables are easier. Anyway – finally have one that I am happy with.
A few touch-ups and work on the background and it will be done.
Hmm. Lost interest in the grapes. After they rotted, it just wasn’t the same to work on it. lol.
Now what do I do?
Started a new picture. Better hurry… the grapes are turning brown.
