Not always Pretty

This painting I have titled "Cellar Door Notes" is now number 5 in my Wine and Song Series. It sat on my easel for the past month as I was not happy with some of the bright colours but had no inspiration to push it further. An artist friend challenged me recently on why my paintings are always "pretty". She paints in Acrylics and Oils with very earthy tones and often with many glazes. Fearing nothing to lose with this as I had it discarded for now I threw my whole arsenal of studio supplies at it. I worked it over with several glazes making greyed down colour and the painting took on a new life. The last element I added was some gold ink which can be read as Gold medals or giant gold grapes! I am really interested in your comments on this one as it is quite different for me so I have little experience to critique it.

Wine and Song V
Mixed Media on 300gsm Watercolour Paper
42cm x 30cm

Comments

  1. In my subject I express myself. As my life over the past 18 years has been heavily affected by health problems, I try to express the grace of the things with color and shapes. The drama is very interesting to paint, but for me it would be a violence upon myself to paint the dark side of things.
    You've changed the subject, but the grace colorful, and the sense of vitality optimistic, remains. My compliments for a change that keeps your solar personality.

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  2. Yes, it is different but for that quite striking. With the foreground instrument a contrast to the background. The more I look the more I see. And I like it!!!

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  3. Yes, it is different but for that quite striking. With the foreground instrument a contrast to the background. The more I look the more I see. And I like it!!!

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  4. Beautiful colors and effects going on in this piece Lorraine. It's really making me want to see it in person to see better what all you've done! Great addition to your series!

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  5. I totally know what you mean here. I have been told some of my work is 'pretty and housewifey'. 'Real' expressive art is rarely pretty and I suppose it depends what type of artist we want to be known as that determines what we paint. Do we paint with the rawness of life or do we paint the fluffy side of life? I try to mix it up now because I love the challenges. I can see a difference here but fundamentally this is how you paint. So I would still recognise this as being one of yours.

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  6. The flute was my instrument growing up so this painting brings back nice memories for me. Terrific job with the layers of collage. The gold creates a beautiful luminescent quality. I think you pushed yourself in a great direction!

    Thank you for your kind comment on my blog and facebook!!

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  7. To my eyes, this is pretty, Lorraine. This is a wonderful series you are into, and I look forward to what comes next.

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  8. Nicely done, Lorraine. I love the collage and the colors are not too "pretty". lol Good job on the instruments!! It is always interesting to see what you are up to.

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  9. I don't know why anybody should try to change anybody else's style.... or, for that matter, why anybody would want to change to make anybody else like it or be happy with it.
    To each his own ...and it shall not ever be the same for any two I'm sure ....

    Paint what you love ....

    I don't understand the whole art scene... always trying to be so deep and analytical and ..well,... I just don't get it. .... but, that's me......and, I love me...just the way I am....I hope you are happy with you too......

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