Sunday, September 7, 2008

A Challenge















I accepted the challenge, through a coworker, to complete a 5x5 canvas as a fundraiser for the Ozark Center for the Arts. The parameters were wide open with the only requirement being to keep it to 5x5. The art works will be hung at a gala event and then will be available for sale. You can see that I need more work on my photography skills, although in my defense this picture was taken on the fly by my daughter-in-law who was on her way out the door. My camera just wouldn't work and I was going to have to turn the project in the next day. And since I'm still a complete novice on manipulating photos in my computer, I just had to go with what I had in the interests of getting something posted on this blog.

I did not start with any idea in mind. Well, actually, I have a ton of ideas; I just can't seem to get them to gell into any kind of style. I broke out my unfamiliar acrylics and just started painting and wiping and adding and drying and gessoing and wiping some more until I ended up with something that spoke to me, however faintly. Then I experimented with the edge-of-a-credit card trick to add some line interest. I wanted to work with the wire mesh and try a little beeswax, too. The leaf was found in a book of stamps a friend gave me that she had collected when she was a young girl. It was probably pressed into the book in the late 50's and I was happy to spruce it up with a gold leafing pen and give it a new home. You can't go wrong with nature.

I do like the way it turned out and I think will appeal to a certain part of the population although it really seems uninspired to me. Perhaps I'm expecting too much of myself in this beginning stage of my artistic journey. I want all my wild ideas to come out fully formed still forgetting the advice of a piano teacher many (many, many!) years ago. She sensed my frustration at the keyboard because, while I was hearing every song I was playing with full orchestration and ruffles and flourishes, I did not have the expertise (nor as I've decided, the ability) to make my fingers generate the music I was hearing in my head. I had to accept the fact then that it would take many hours of practice to get to some real musicality. I shouldn't expect any more in this creative venue.

One step at a time....back to work.

6 comments:

Paczki said...

I think it's a wonderful piece. Being a virgo like you, I really appreciate artwork that incorporates nature into it - and I love the earth tones as well - they do a good job of describing the mood.

I'm adding you to my favorite blogs!

Unknown said...

I really like this piece and, as you said, you can't go wrong with nature. I also like the gold leaf pen used on the leaf (how lyrical, doncha' think?). The background looks good. Yes, a head on picture would be better but what a great start. Keep it up!

Cricket said...

we can host a how to use a camera side class at the retreat! I'm in the same boat... just take a gazillion photos using different settings, flash/no flash, etc. That's the beauty of digital! Good work Carol Sue!!

Keisha said...

WHERE'S THE UPDATE!!!?

Ryan said...

When are you going to update this blog?!? It has been 12 days since your last post, and I want to know what is going on!!! Your fans want to be kept in the loop!

sam said...

more!!!