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Magic Hour - work in progress
July 24, 2008
I’m about to take a giant leap and paint over the entire background surface with a wash of white mixed with matte medium. As it is now, the background does not stay where it should because the colors and tone are more powerful than the totem, but it’s the totem that needs our attention. The painting is also too dark, which looks fine in a photo but in the painting it gives a heavy feeling. I have to search for the best way to paint the essence of what Totems are. For example, the wisp of white by the carved bird’s wing really adds a certain something, even though it’s unpainted canvas, so will try to avoid covering it up as work progresses.
Art history is human history. What we call Art is the expression of individuals finding connection with our humanity; who are we? How do we respond to our surroundings and who are we in relation the things we depend on for survival? Standing in front of the Totems I realized that the answers we sought long, long ago are the same, and the things we love now are the same things people have always loved. As Artists and Art Viewers we’ll never venture far from subjects that speak to the heart.
July 19th: Magic Hour - 60 x 40 x 3 inches Acrylics on wrapped canvas. Phase 3, work in progress.
Categories: Canada, acrylic painting, history/multicultural theme, sunsets, travel, trees, work in progress |
July 20th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I love watching this develop!
Have you seen Robert Genn’s poles? And have you ever read the Forest Lovers by Susan Vreeland? It’s about Emily Carr who also was strongly connected to B.C.
July 20th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Hi Virginia, no, haven’t seen GR’s totem poles or read Susan Vreeland’s book, but will certainly look them up. Emily Carr also published some small books of her own with very entertaining stories and small sketches…easy to read if you don’t have much time for it. Thanks a lot. (Here’s Virginia’s website:) http://www.virginiawieringa.com/