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Saturday, September 22, 2012

Finishing What I Started ...

Reference





There are a lot of "mistakes" in this one that I can't repair, but I've taken it to a decent conclusion.




I was going to leave this here, but glancing at it before I went to work yesterday, I thought to myself - there is no pattern, cohesion - try playing with the shadows. 


So I did ...

... and also glazed some of the leaves.

I have a habit, and I'm sure we all do this to varying degrees, of starting a new project with great enthusiasm, and then getting bogged down in frustration and disgust. I appreciate that my painting is technically OK, but often lacks a sense of unity and completion. That must be my impatient side! I'd also like very much to bring a bit more 'meaning' and emotional depth  into my work. This should keep me busy for a few years. :)

As always, your comments are most welcome!

12 comments:

  1. Tell me about it. These look like they are coming a long just great. Something hit me about the first reference photo. It was the yellow against the crystal clear blue sky. Then you eliminated the sky
    and shortened the depth of field by going darker. The flower lost some of its glory. the second painting is more alive; it has to do with the blue worked into the leaves. Just my first impressions; I won't be offended if you don't publish my comment. I hope you aren't offended by me telling you my reactions.

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  2. I love the movement you have put into these gorgeous sun flowers, they look so full of life, and I know exactly what you mean about getting frustrated after an initial enthusiasme, it happens to me all the time :-))
    Wish you a great sunday .

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  3. Don't we all get frustrated, Kathryn? I love how you give us the WIP...I enjoy seeing that. What a difference when you glaze the leaves..amazing..love it!!!

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  4. Brilliant! And it his own personality Kathryn. Great Job!
    Irina

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  5. At some point, we all are victims of insecurity- we compare our work to that of others and feel frustrated!Each is different in his own way...I think your work is beautiful and you should keep creating more and more of it!

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  6. Thank you for your support with the new gallery, Kathryn

    I love the way you carve your flowers out of whiteness ... they look fabulous.

    I forget his name, but he was the project leader of IBM. He likened writing software to poetry ... and as painting is the visual equivalent to poetry, I guess they chime together. What he said was that when you start out with a bright idea, all is well in the world, enthusiasm 'rules'. Then you get bogged down trying to get things going along ... it gets hard and enthusiasm wanes. Suddenly you reach the other end and all is well in the world. He uses the metaphor of the bears happily after honey, they get stuck in the tar pits, but finally reach the honey.

    I bet you are wondering why I wrote all this ... I'm getting old ...I forget why!

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  7. You've done a great job, thank you for sharing your photos of the process as well! Yellows are a real challenge(at least for me) I

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  8. you're probably too close to it katharyn ..the composition is very very beautiful.

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  9. Well I really like the light in your paintings. That brings them to life :0)

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  10. I love the shadows in the second painting! I'm not sure what you are looking for when you say you want more emotional depth in your work. But I am sure that you will find a way, good luck, Kathryn!

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  11. Yep, Kathryn...I too have that frustration stage in many paintings.
    I love both your sunflowers!!

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  12. Both sunflowers are beautiful. All is well with these paintings; don't be so hard on yourself. You've got a nice touch with the brush and these glazes look great.

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