In the midnight sun (work in progress)
(Stage Two blocking in the colour)
Acrylic on canvas
14 x 16 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
The school where I teach part time is on reading week,
and I am planning to paint as much as possible.
So I started working on a small version of the third
painting in my triptych of Henriette painting. The image
for this third one, which I'll probably flip for the larger
30 x 30 inch painting, is so moving. It's very late at
night in Norway where Henriette lives, and she is
ardently working painting because the house is quiet and the
children are sleeping. In one corner of the room there
is a highchair, and outside the midnight sun has set and
the sky is brightening again. I love the intensity of her
expression, the fact that she was willing to talk to me
on Skype and work painting. That's something we share,
is that we can paint and talk. A rare quality as I've
discovered in art classes with scratchy symphonies
playing in the background and total silence except
for the endless worn Vivaldi disk. The truth is
when I'm working in my studio it is quiet most of the
time, almost too quiet.
In the midnight sun(work in progress)
(Stage One --The underpainting -- lively colour)
Acrylic on canvas
14 x 16 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
In this little study I intend to fool around with colour
as much as I want, and then I'll calm it down a bit.
The colour from the Skype image is both high key and
muted. I'll show you where this goes from here.
Have a painting-as-much-as-possible day.
11 comments:
Barbara, this is fantastic - it looks almost finished to me!
love, Marcia
how nice Barbara to have a whole week spreading before you in which to paint! have fun, this series looks quite exciting. you are so good at portraits. they are so hard.
Okay - I love it just as it is! Bit I know it will look fabulous when you think you're finished it as well : ) Exciting to look at!
It's looking really interesting Barbara - be good to watch the development of this.
Barbara... This painting is done in my mind. I LOVE IT! I realize that you are the one to decide if it is finished or not and this is likely not your vision for the end result, but I am so thankful you posted this stage because it perked me up and gave me joy!
XO Nicki
Hi Marcia,
Yikes. I've just started. The very tip of the iceberg.
Love Barbara
Hi Sally,
Portraits vary so widely in how hard they are don't they. Sometimes, as with my own children, they are almost like walking, 100% easy, and other portraits take much more thought. In the final analysis, they all turn out the same, just fine. You are very, very good at portraits.
XOBarbara
Hi Kim,
I know it's got a long way to go, but it's nice to know that something this experimental would work too.
XOBarbara
Hi Sheila,
I have been dreaming about your latest mysterious series. What marvellous paintings. I was with my art group tonight. My friends were talking about Picasso, and I talked about you.
XOBarbara
Hi Nicki,
You're so kind. A friend asked me when you know a painting is finished. The answer is either never, or you know. I'm hoping I'll know. It makes it easier when a work actually feels complete. But of course that's when it's finished. When it does.
XOBarbara
I agree with Marcia, this looks great as it is! I am impressed by your courage in regard to the colours, the way you've sort of "slapped them on".
Very inspiring, Barbara - thanks for sharing!
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