Orange Mist (study), 6x6
"Orange Mist (study)", 6x6" Pastel on sanded paper
Back in October I had an Open Studio and created many, many small demonstration pieces. Some have since been finished, after adding more detailing, and then posted to this blog. Some have simply been tossed into a pile of what I'd call "lessons learned". This one piece in particular needed no touching up....no noodlin' or fussy touch ups! A 15 minute piece! Personally, I've always struggled to keep my work loose. It's been a challenge for me, since I was brought up and encouraged to paint just like a photo realist. As a child my teachers and parents would look and say, "Gosh, it looks just like the real thing!" This encouragement helped me to continue with my work. Since then, I've worked to loosen up, with the encouragement of other artists that I admire. I can make more art in less time now, leaving the photo realism for another day.
How were you encouraged as a child? Did you continue or change? How has it affected your art?
Labels: art., landscape, pastel studies, scumbling
posted by Brenda Boylan at
March 16, 2009
4 Comments:
Wow! Brenda, this one is really a beauty. The colors are just exquisite!! Don't you just LOVE when they just work?
I must say your style has loosened up considerably from photo realism. Your best pieces, such as this one, have a feeling of emotion and awe. So cool.
As for my art upbringing, all my schooling was quite mixed. Regardless of where I was, color was the language that spoke to me, and still does. I think we share a language.
Beautiful piece. The colors are so calming and peaceful, adding to the emotion of the painting.
My mother was a photorealist artist, so I thought I should be as well. The only time I got praised for my work was when it looked just like the real thing. I stuck with drawing for many years because it was easier to achieve that realism for me. My first real art instructor was also a photorealist, so it continued. This was only seven years ago. Then I started working with pastels. I got very frustrated because I could not achieve the reality I was looking for with them. After seven years, I finally have let go of the voice in the back of my head screaming for perfect photolike paintings. I still paint in the realism style, but have become much looser. I have let go of the need to include everything I see in my paintings and look for better compositions. I am much happier now that I am not trying to created something that I can't possibly do. Happy painting.
Thanks Lori and Miki, for sharing your artist upbringings and experiences. It's always nice to know a little more about you. This piece, and most all of my work (not including "City Drama") is what I'd consider realism, only because the image is recognizable. But the loosening up is what I'm always striving towards. Because this one was painted in such a short time, it gave me little to over think the piece. Maybe I should have a stop watch next to my easel! Ha!
This is gorgeous!!
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home