adventures in painting, film and animation…
Finally got motivated and added another ‘Evolution of a Painting Series’ - this time the “Muse a Deux” - which, since it took forever and a day for me to finish, needed a little more than just a shot of the finished project…
And, now its on to Aja Mark II - and some serious house cleaning, seems that too much clutter has accumulated lately and its pissing me off…
Thirsty Thursday: The Painters edition.
Heather called, entreating me to join for happy hour drinks at an outdoor cafe - and anyone who knows me even a bit will tell you that outdoor cafes, me and ale fit together better than legos.
Our conversation was the usual - life, movies, friends and a huge dissertation on the tear-inducing moments of ‘Braveheart’. We also talked for a while about the latest artwork, new ideas and how much painting I’ve been doing recently - and she got a very excited look on her face.
“You know,’ she said, ‘There’s a building not too far from here that you need to see…”
We settle the tab and walk a few blocks, Heather explaining the building we’re going to see is either owned or designed by Milton Glaser, the guy who invented the ‘I ♥ NY’ logo. We get there, and are greeted by this nugget of wisdom over the door:
Good ol’ Heather - knows exactly the one thing to both motivate and inspire. And in keeping with the karmic balance, she had told me about her latest published piece - which I take pleasure in being able to share…
Got underway last night with a huge jam session, laying down as much color as I could. The hard part about that is that I had some pretty esoteric colors that I used in the original.
Pigments are made from grinding up any concentrated substance that has a lot of color in it. It is then mixed with linseed oil (and other chemicals as binders, fillers, etc.) to make oil paint. Before the age of chemistry all colors were derived from nature. For example, Lapis Lazuli was a semi-precious gemstone that was ground up to make a brilliant shade of blue. The only problem is that it is expensive, and not colorfast (meaning that the color will fade over time, much like a photograph left in the sun).
Having worked in the paint dept. at Pearl Paint many a year ago - I learned about some of these ‘old school’ colors and wanted to try some of them. The one I really got hooked on was Mango Yellow. It was made by force feeding mangoes to cows, whose urine would turn a heavy shade of orange yellow. Since, like the outrage over foie gras, the color is no longer made, for obvious reasons.
The problem lies in trying to find a synthetic replacement.
This is the part of painting that I feel less like an artist and more like an alchemist…
Started the next painting - the one I owe as a wedding gift to an old friend. Must try and finish this one quickly, as next week I’ll be on set for the back to back shoots - and then I’m off to Indiana, to see the kinfolk…
It was in the spirit of trying to maximize my productivity that I broke down and used my opaque projector. For a brief explanation see here.
This always raises a debate with me. Is it a cheat? Prior to the advances in lens making, the Old Masters had different was of transferring and enlarging images, mostly via mathematical formulae - some were so good that they could do it by hand, visually.
I’m good, but not that good. I can do it by hand - but it’ll take three times as long, with a ton of revisions, getting graphite all over everything and usually a long string of profanity will follow. Using the projector is quicker, neater and easier on the neighbor’s ears…
I never can resolve this issue. It is a technical crutch - but then again Albrecht Durer was using similar devices in the Fourteenth Century. So, who is to say that it isn’t. Anyway, I’m wrestling with the fiendish temptation to improve what I didn’t like about the old version, and if the recipient doesn’t like my changes - well I guess a third reproduction will be in my future…
Back from the Midwest - had an amazing time, always good to see somewhere new, get a different perspective and to realize that there is indeed life beyond one’s little sphere…
Saw an Impressionist exhibit over the weekend that was amazing. The Impressionists (while not everyone’s cup of tea) had an amazing influence in art and started a path of change that we are still feeling a hundred and forty years later. What was a real kick to the old ego was just how prolific they were and it really humbled me, seeing as I kick out a new painting every few months, these guys were turning out a new canvas every few days…
Time to get busy.
Heading for the Midwest for the weekend, not quite as far as Churchill Downs, but believe me, I’ll be celebrating Derby Day in the finest tradition…
Posting shall resume Monday, till then…
After much struggle, after a few mishaps, and much browbeating, the Muse painting is finished. It’s funny, how some paintings can be cranked out as if my hands are possessed by the skill of the old masters, and others are a struggle from start to finish.
This one was a struggle.
So, it gives me great pleasure, to present the final piece:
Now for a cup of coffee and prep for my meeting with The Director, next up, the animation…
