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| 18.75" x 22.5" |
I've been working on a new painting over the past few weeks, another interior my house. My initial idea for this painting came late one night as I was walking across the room depicted. Since I usually have my Iphone on me, I quickly snapped a picture. I've been doing this a lot lately, sometimes using the photo to mark a location outside or just capture an initial idea for a painting. In this instance, the whole painting appeared at once...one of those "this would make a great painting moment". The light in the room was so mysterious and beautiful, with the deep recessed space through the pocket door and the cat peering in. Any painting with a cat in it usually reminds me of Balthus, which is always a good thing in my opinion. Right next to the open door, is our TV cabinet, which we use to "close off" the TV while we're not using it. Here I saw these 2 different opposing rectangular shapes: one hollow, and one full, one protruding and one receding. The 2 aqua vases act as a nice accent amidst the sea of browns. Again, the heavy patterns became an emphasis in the room, both the ornate rug (
which I painted before when it was in our bedroom in Brooklyn) and the different grains of the wood.
In a lot of these recent interiors, either because they exist in the actual space or are projections of what I'm feeling, I'm painting spaces that are hidden or unknown; somewhat mysterious and 'heavy'...corners, hallways, stairs, dark shadowy spaces that are undefined, both literally and metaphorically. My family and I are anticipating the birth of another child (a boy) in few weeks, and for me, this painting captures some of the
mystery and anticipation of this. I've told my wife that watching her go through pregnancy is like staring at a large gift box for 9 months and not being able to open it. While she's experiencing the changes in her body and the movements of the baby, I'm only able to observe, watch and wait...for the gift that is to come.
Here's the sequence of the painting as it progressed along the way:
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Morning Francis,
ReplyDeleteReally like this. Esp. the way the green/gray above the door is echoed on the shadow side of the drawer fronts and the lite side of the blinds. It creates a nice rhythm opposed to the thrust of the boards and the subdued cool color really makes the sienna's sing.
Didn't speak up earlier but liked the last rooftop painting even better. The progress shot you posted instantly became the background on my computer.
Steve
Thanks Steve!The color scheme with the blue/orange-brown works even better on the real painting...one of those things that a photo doesn't quite capture right. Glad you enjoyed the rooftop one too. I hope to do some more of those once the weather cools off a bit.
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