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This Tuesday was the last day for students in an 8 week course in my studio and I am not doing any more teaching until the new year as I have three exhibitions in August, a solo show and a group show in January to paint towards. I am a prolific artist and could easily show from many in my collection but I always like to have my latest and greatest so I just keep painting.

This work was inspired by a photo of old hands and a pigeon, it was in greyscale only but I knew the moment I saw it that it would make a special painting. It has been on my to do list for quite some weeks but I took my time in deciding how to use the kindly shared image to create a work that was uniquely mine. I felt emotionally charged throughout the painting process which I did over three days and must admit after the first two hours of painting I was going to abandon it as a bad start. Leaving it over night,  I felt so glad I left it on my easel to see when I walked in the next morning and being recharged and with fresh eyes I knew exactly where it was taking me.

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Watercolour on 425gsm Saunders Waterford CP
56cm x 43cm





Comments

  1. What a wonderful painting, Lorraine. I can see why you were so inspired, and I'm glad you stuck with it. I just love the bird, its sparkling breast feathers and clawed feet, and the intriguing pattern on the cloak of the bird holder. I paint from greyscale a lot, and it's always challenging (and fun) to introduce and create your own original palette for the painting. I'm wondering what the painting would look like if the hands were tinted in skin tones instead of white?

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    1. Thanks TerryI did debate for a long time on how I wanted to do this one and I was sure I wanted only colour on the bird, the fact the coat shows colour below was at first not intentional but I worked with what was going on during painting. I left the hands until very last and really wanted them also to be in grey and if this didnt work out I would have used skin colour but I am happy with how they turned out

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  2. How beautiful and evocative it is! So glad you didn't abandon it :) The fact that the bird's feathers are the only brightness/color, just makes it more interesting to view. What is the message? Perhaps this is the dove of peace? Perhaps it contains something sacred and special to all - I can see this being a painting that resonates with many for their own reasons!

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    1. Thanks Rhonda, I think the message will be determined by each viewer, I had nothing in mind other than it being one.

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  3. Quite unique and interesting. Those "fresh eyes" can mean everything. Glad you were so insightful.

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    1. Carol you are so right, tired eyes so often get it wrong, glad I didnt bin it LOL

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  4. Dear Lorraine - this is a superb piece. I can see why the subject would intrigue you. Thanks for sharing. Hope you can rest now a bit from your teaching. Have a great day.

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    1. Thanks Debbie, intrigue is a great word. Yes am looking forward to some me time in my painting for a bit.

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  5. This is truly a special piece Lorraine. I always love your paintings of birds. The subtle letters really add the perfect touch.

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    1. Glad you think it special Sherry - I think it is currently my favourite of all time

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  6. This is really lovely!!! I thought I had commented on it, but apparently not. It is so striking to have the grey and then the colors of the feathers. Great job!

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    1. Thanks Joan, it was just the look I was after

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  7. Truly special, I love the way the colors really come out from the greys and the letters below the bird. I'm so happy you stuck with it!

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  8. Such a great subject, Lorraine. Your interpretation is beautiful!

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  9. Hi Lorraine, what an amazing collection of work you have done since my last visit! You are so talented! I love this painting - it is quite mesmerising!
    The magnolia picture you did for your auntie is absolutely gorgeous and I bet she loves it to pieces! How lovely for you to have gone to England with your sister - I did the same thing with my sister last year and had a wonderful time!

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  10. I can see the story. It is a great piece.

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