6/25/09

FIVE PAINTINGS


















































The five paintings above, along with the reference photo, show my slightly different takes from one inspiration. I know that I've completed several more paintings of the same subject - one very dark and somber - one very, very colorful and patchwork quilt looking - and the rest I can't remember. For several years, I didn't take photos of my work, and now I regret that lapse.
All of these have watercolor in them and are more or less in chronological order, with the first one being painted about 15 years ago. It was done using masking tape to protect previously painted areas as I darkened more shapes to build up the painting. The tape's all removed now. It's a technique I continue to use today because I like the batik looking effect it lends to the painting where the paint leaks under the pieces of tape.
The second one is a collage with watercolor, using rice papers to build up texture on the paper. It was easy to create the delicious textures of those old walls with the layers of various rice papers.
The third painting was done on watercolor paper that had a layer of white gesso painted over it first. The paint 'floated' on the gesso-ed surface, drying in irregular ways that helped establish the textures of the walls and street.
The fourth painting began with one good white shape and three 'cool temperature' shapes touching it. The white shape went off the page on three sides, originally, but now is hard to find. The process of using a good white shape initially in the painting was a springboard to help establish a sense of unity and focus in the painting.
The fifth painting is the batik with hot wax that was just posted last week on this blog. Check out that post for more info about how it was done. When I see these five together, I think I really prefer the first one the most. Do you have a favorite? (I still regret having sold that first one.)
You'd think I'd be so tired of this painting by now, but I have plans for another approach --- or two or three dozen. Mike Bailey (click to check it out) has painted one still life over 90 times - so look out. I'm not anywhere close to that yet.
There are so many ways to approach this painting, and the only approach I've used so far is to try different techniques and design processes. I have yet to focus on an element of design as being more important that anything else --- and certainly texture would be the first element I would emphasize. And I haven't yet pushed the picture beyond the confines of realism. That's an aspect begging to be explored. And I don't remember ever painting the scene on YUPO, either. The things that await me in the studio....
But this next week I'll be away from the computer to challenge 15 other artists at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. We'll be using hot wax, four different rice papers, watercolor paints, fluid acrylics, canvas, and various inks as we explore other ways to create gorgeous batik artwork. It'll be fun to share some of their finished batiks here on my blog when I get back. See ya then.

15 comments:

Arti said...

Everyone of them is a great piece of art...thanks for sharing.You are an inspiration.

Lin said...

SANDY! these are out of this world magnificent!! i love each of them and would be hard-pressed to choose a favorite! what a glorious glorious set of works!

Meera Rao said...

Its so nice to see them all side by side-- hard to pick a favorite - but you have showed reasons to go back and paint a favorite scene again again.

Ginny Stiles said...

Sandy, I love all the different renditions of this scene but vote for #4 myself. I am drawn to the warmer colors in it. I am intrigued by the "masking tape" technique in #1. This seems straightforward but maybe you could talk about that some more some day. I use tape on and off but had not really purposefully TRIED to get it to leak under the edges. I am also so interested in you repainting the same subject over and over...I plan to think about that now when I got a good solid composition...try to paint it different ways. Great idea. Can't wait for your workshop postings!

Candy said...

Sandy, I think these are all terrific. I bet you have no idea how much you inspire people. I was just looking at Kokomo Sue's web page and she credits you with changing her outlook on art and life( or maybe accepting her unusual outlook). In short, you rock!

Suzanne McDermott said...

Sandy - you really do have remarkable patience and sticktoitiveness. I love the first painting but truly appreciate watching the development and different approaches. A very musical experience! Hope you're having fun in Ohio!

cathy said...

That week end sounds like fun indeed!!
Thank you for showing how you painted the same spot in different ways, and thanks for shraing all the ideas you have for this same spot; it's so very interesting!
This five works are amazingly different and all beautiful in their own way!

Kathy Wirth said...

I actually think I like the first one best also. But the fourth one has such great lighting effects. All are beautiful...

Michelle Himes said...

All of them are wonderful, Sandy. You have so many different techniques, and are an expert at all of them. My favorite is the last one, because I'm very intrigued by that melted wax technique. I love the "cracks".

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

I think you have worked on all these media to arrive at the final batik version that I simply adore. Its texture and colours are a delight, which is probably why I would say it is my favourite. Without the other paintings I don't think this would have happened. Now I know what to reply when students ask 'what shall I paint?' - 'find one of your own favourites and do it in another style/medium'. You are a genius Sandy.

sue said...

Amazing to see all the different interpretations. I really love them all, too. Thanks for posting them all for us to see--so interesting! They're beautiful.

Mary Paquet said...

Hi, Sandy. I am drawn to the first 2 of the series because there is more mystery in them. Does that make any sense? All of them are terrific.

JANE MINTER said...

my favrite is no 1 ..i love the last one too .

Unknown said...

An inspiring photo, and each of your renditions is brilliant and challenging!
What is the location of this beautiful photo?

Sandy Maudlin said...

The photo I used for reference was taken in Malta by my sister when she lived there. She walked this way to go to a really wonderful bakery around the corner and down a hill.