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| Caution, inktense painting on aquaboard, 11x14 |
My son took a photo of a blackbird with attitude; in the background was one orange traffic cone. I started with the bird and played with the rest of the painting--don't know what it means but I like it (and each time I hit the highway I run into roadwork). Traffic cones don't actually look like this but form tops function here; rectangular bottoms would have messed up my lines.
This was done with inktense pencils/blocks; a wet paintbrush, then lifting the lights; and I worked on it for three weeks--more thinking than painting. If I repaint with acrylic or oil, the eleven lights or reflectors (the last one is very far away) might become eggs. I've never repeated a painting; doing it again would be a bit like copying.
I visited the Munch exhibit at N.C. Museum of Art in Raleigh--he must have enjoyed working with the same subjects time after time. Of course, I had to buy a book about Munch and just finished reading; his paintings linger in my mind.
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Every time you post something I think...."this one is my favorite"! But, this one really absolutely IS my current favorite of yours. I love everything about it...the repeating cones (that seem like birthday candles or beacons or....(?) and the blackbird is outrageously good. So our friend Munch was an inspiration? I think I see that in the swirl. The whole thing sends me. I'm in love with it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celeste. In the beginning there were trees in the background--too much--so I tried to blend trees and sky. Wrong brush; it left lines, so I swirled. Later, I visited the Munch exhibit. After looking at repros of his paintings in my book, I wonder if he had trouble painting solids, too, and went with swirls. Ha.
DeleteI felt the traffic cones should repeat the curve of the beak--I like the puzzle part of art more than actually painting.
I think it is wonderful, Hallie. I cannot get over the way your mind works. It makes me smile with glee, truly.
ReplyDeleteHi CrimsonLeaves. I'm glad they make you smile. If I painted everything that pops into my mind, I'd never get any sleep (plus the guys in the white coats would surely take me away).
DeleteThe halo shape above the "crow with attitude" creates a marvelous mood, I actually can see a Munch-like influence in this! I kind of like the idea of eggs on the cones but hope you would not change a thing in the halo (especially the sun in the center of it).
ReplyDeleteHi Robin. It does look a bit like the sun--I was aiming for a light or reflector. The painting contains very little yellow but my camera always seems to enhance that color, and I haven't come up with a way to tone it down without throwing all the other colors off.
DeleteWhen I finished this, I googled both Munch and Van Gogh works--it reminds me of something; not sure what, though.
Now it's my turn to get caught up... I'm glad you had a great trip to AC and didn't leave all your money there. I saw the Mona Lisa when I squinted my eyes at your as of yet untitled previous piece and had to smile along with you.
ReplyDeleteAs for "Caution", WOW! I can't begin to tell you how much I like this one. I'm a huge fan of blackbirds - and even pointed out a young one to my wife yesterday afternoon. The cones lead me down the dark road, but the swirls of the reflection bring me right back to that glorious blackbird. Sweet!!!
As for the yellow you mentioned in your photos, it actually comes from your light source when you're shooting your paintings. Incandescent lights come out yellow. See if you have a white balance setting on your camera. You might have to check the book on it, but adjusting it can sure help.
-Don
Hi Don. I know you've been really busy--tv, graphics, book covers, shows, demos, and great paintings.
DeleteI'm glad someone else glimpsed the Mona Lisa--she flickered just long enough to make me laugh. Your take on Caution is quite the compliment; I wouldn't have been able to explain it but I felt I had done something right. I'll say it again--you seem to know everything.
And I think you're right about adjusting the white balance; I only got as far as reading about it. I actually take the photos outside on the deck, in the shade, no flash, using the timer. I guess I'll have to re-read camera instructions or stop using yellow.
Blackbirds, starlings, grackles, crows--I like them all, and felt a bit guilty eating chicken for dinner tonight.
I'm not sure about everything... but I do know what I like. :)
DeleteLovely piece! in my state of mind it reminds me of physical road work of the personal kind. I love birds no matter what!
ReplyDeleteHi Gail. Thanks. Your comment has me wondering about the meaning--did I take the right road or wrong road, or too many roads, or should I have ignored caution? I hope your physical roadwork goes smoothly.
DeleteThis is fantastic, you are a true artist ! My super favorite !
ReplyDeleteJane, welcome back. What a nice thing to say--thank you.
DeleteYou are really something, you know that? This is a powerful piece - fascinating as always, and your colors are great. What a concept!! I was thinking that so many artist these days follow movements - impressionists, abstract, but you are the only one I know that is consistently surreal. And that is neat. Really neat.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dan. I think I usually start with realism--then veer off. The straight and narrow is not as much fun (I get enough of that in real life).
DeleteLove it! The repetition in this is great and makes me want to create a story around it. Yes, this damned orange cones everywhere!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rhonda. Yes, orange cones everywhere (all shapes and sizes)--I think they're digging up the sewer line here in town, and it's under our main street.
ReplyDeleteI thought about your wonderful crow paintings when I was working on this.
Hallie, I can't believe I almost missed this post! I love the roundness of the bird. He's healthy and alive. The disc coming off the cone he's landed on breaks the illusion of light. We know by his landing that the light is merely a reflection and not an enduring property.
ReplyDeleteCaution indeed.
The swirling atmosphere behind him gives a sense of movement- this isn't a static scene.
My overall feeling is positive energy. And why I see the bird as "he"... I don't know. Perhaps because your son inspired it with his photograph.
Your work is amazing Hallie. Always intriguing and always invoking thought and meaning. Just amazing.
PAMO, thank you. I never think about gender with birds, probably because I only recognize a "Mrs. Cardinal." I like that you see movement--maybe that's in my future; I've been really slow lately. I don't even mind sitting in the car waiting for the flag man to turn his sign from stop to slow. Car snacks are good at such times.
DeleteLove this painting! The darks, lights, wonderful shapes and composition. Crows are a favorite bird of mine--making your painting that much more appealing : ))
ReplyDeleteHello there Indigomar--it has been a long time since you posted on your blog. Thank you; I remember your sculpture with the crow attached to the forehead--I loved it.
DeleteSo beautiful..poetic and magical!
ReplyDeleteVictoria
Thank you, Victoria, for visiting. You have FOUR blogs--all beautiful!
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