Thursday, January 15, 2009

In the beginning there was feeling, form and light

I have a hard time drawing or painting in Nova Scotia
when we're on holiday, but I usually give it a try.
The days are so long and languid, the nights filled with
cribbage and P.E.I. oldies stations. The slow days
eventually make me miss my art, and as I've usually
hauled along most of my studio, I take out some
supplies and start.


Gesture painting
acrylic and oil pastel on watercolour
16 x 20 inches

This is a fast painting sketch I did of Steven when we
were out there a couple of summers ago. I like the
strength of both the colour and the beginning, and
I like the fact that it can't go anywhere from here,
because even the way Steven sits on vacation is
completely different than this gesture at home.
Funny -- isn't it, how radically different we are
when we have no commitments, nothing more pressing
than whether to eat now or later, and where -- run
by the tides, waiting for the late afternoon low tide
at the beach. I miss you Nova Scotia, and my little
schoolhouse.

Have a loving every gesture day.

7 comments:

  1. Wow! This is a beauty, Barbara!
    You captured the relaxed gesture perfectly ( I especially like his hand on his foot). The colours and the strong contrasts are wonderful! Bravo!

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  2. Hi Liza,

    I'm glad you like it. I do too. I've thought of putting it on the blog
    many times, and then thought -- maybe it's too abstract. It's true that the way we sit, stand and act is different in our full time lives,
    than when we are away from it all.

    You are doing amazing paintings.
    xoxoxoBarbara

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  3. Yes, Liza hit it dead on the head. It's the gesture. That is so what I like about you work. Thanks for finding that word for me Liza and thanks Barbara for doing such cool art.
    Eldon

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  4. Has it warmed up at all?
    Eldon

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  5. Hi Eldon,

    Thanks so much for your terrific support. No it hasn't warmed up one bit. It's colder than ice cold.

    Stay warm,

    Barbara

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  6. Perfect and picturesque! The words and text are simple, powerful and beautiful....they both struck me as deep and familiar! The abstraction is wonderful!! You go, Girl!!

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  7. Hi Theresa,

    I am not very good at abstract,
    although sometimes I wish I could
    be. But like everyone else I start a painting with abstraction, and then zero in on an impression. I do like this work because of the feeling, but if I could possibly get the man to sit down and pose for me, I'd do a bit more to make it work for me.

    Take care,
    xoxoxoBarbara

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