 |
| "Free Range" 22" x 40" ~ Oil on Belgian Linen |
I've finally finished my latest work. I wrote this about it on Facebook: This painting was a huge challenge for me. I spent hours planning it. I spent weeks painting on it in the spare minutes between the work of a mother and housewife. I spent many hours watching my chickens peck around the backyard, observing the light on their feathers. I roped several dear friends into critiquing for me as I worked. I prayed about it. This one is quite a triumph for me. Paint well, friends.
I documented my process with photography. Each image represents the work of one session. The painting took several weeks to complete. My sessions were from 5 minutes to 3 hours. Each time I had to quit working, I took a photo and examined it in Photoshop for a day or two. Then, I would begin again. Sometimes, I would use Photoshop tools to modify the image. I would convert it to grayscale and look at values or add elements with layers.
I consulted several good friends for feedback and advice. Thank you to Ryan, Sarah, Natalie and Anne. Also a big thank you to Jeff Legg, who gently convinced me to start this one from scratch and make it better than the last. Everyone needs someone to critique their work. I am really thankful for that!
There were several times along the way that I wanted to give up on this one. Not good enough. Sloppy. You're trying too hard. I cried over this one a lot. I guess it was one worth crying over.
There's no crying in painting!
ReplyDeleteThere IS rage, frustration, exasperation...
What I particularly love about this are the perfectly natural and variegated greens you captured. Nicely done! It reminds me of Jules LaPage's work. What I hate about this is
This painting is fabulous! Totally worth the struggle! Thanks so much for sharing your adventure. I, too, take photos of the wips and work with them in Photoshop. This serves as a self critique when no one is close to keep me on the right track! Your greens are so successful (and so difficult) and the foreground is amazing! Wonderful depth, and beautifully lit chickens! Applause! No tears!!
ReplyDeleteKevin, thank you!!! You are still the funniest. Rosemary, thank you for your kind words! Photoshop is definitely an important tool, especially when you don't have a lot of objective feedback from others. It really allows you to take a different sort of critical look at your own work. Kind of like looking at a painting in the mirror.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to be done with it!
Really wonderful color and composition! I too am a Mother and wife, and try to paint when I can, Thank you for posting!
ReplyDeleteI think this is absolutely gorgeous. I love chickens, and the painting portrays them perfectly!
ReplyDeleteI am Alice Fuller's granddaughter, by the way:)
DeleteBeautiful painting Mara, love the different greens and the feeling that I am among the chickens when I'm looking at this painting. Thanks for the progress shots, fun to see the background chicken dissapear, good decision.
ReplyDeleteThat is a BEAUTIFUL painting, I came across your name in Artists on Art your submitted article, loved that painting also...but this one, wow. You nailed it. I am a rancher/artist so totally relate to it, keep up the great work!
ReplyDelete