Siren
Oil on Linen Panel, 16x20"
Oil on Linen Panel, 16x20"
This is the fifth and final reclining pose we will have for a while. The challenge of reclining poses is their compact horizontality. How to resolve the space around the figure is the problem.
This beautiful model lay on pillows and shear fabric. When I painted the sheer fabric with a hint of the pillows under it it reminded me of water. Then the surface of the model stand was painted to resemble water surrounding her as if she was on an island outcrop.
I had to figure out what to do with the top portion. I needed to kill all the white of the panel so I covered it with a graded green. The green was so right with the red hair. I had thought to invent a pattern but changed my mind. I took a cue from painting of the last post and thought, "Why not a green sky?'
Then I thought to continue the water theme by placing a horizon line behind her with a suggestion of water or land or whatever the viewer might conclude. The ambiguity of it appealed to me. The lonely, featureless aspect also interested me.
I have the feeling there is something more important going on here that may go beyond technical concerns or the exercise in invention. I just have to think about it more. Stay tuned.
What strikes me straight away about this painting is the fluid contours that play along the body. The delight in tracing the flow and eddies is evident. It brings with it a more abstract absorption in form and pattern rather than straight naturalistic representation. I enjoy that very much.
ReplyDeleteThe very straight horizon line at the back accentuates the flow of the figure in contrast. And as you say, the green in the fabric really makes the red hair pop.
A lovely piece that keeps the eye dancing, Davida.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you Harry. The word delight is very apt. The abstract patterns of light and dark across the body are of great delight to me. Each model who comes to pose for our group presents her/his own distinctive whorls and eddies. It's the endlessness of human variety that I find so interesting in a formal way.
ReplyDeleteEleanor Spiess-Ferris, the artist who shares her studio with us every Saturday (a link to her website is to the left), is a very imaginative figurative artist. I think she is starting to rub off on me. The invention may be helpful in expressing my intended content in a new way now that my self-portraits have come to an end.