Three in Green
Acrylic on canvas
8 x 8 inches
Barbara Muir © 2011
This little painting is one I started a couple of summers
ago. Steven and I were walking on the boardwalk in
Quebec City on a beautiful summer day. If you
haven't been there in summer Quebec City on the
boardwalk is the place to be. The backdrop of the
city itself is architecturally magnificent, and the view
over the St. Lawrence River is stunning. There are
always crowds of people, walking and talking, eating
ice cream, and just having fun. Plus entertainers juggle,
sing, do tricks with bikes, dance and crowds gather to
watch. During our walks I'd notice the couple -- the
girl with the red purse and green top, and her boyfriend
with the green shorts. They stood out. I was taking crowd
scene pictures for reference and didn't see until I got
home and looked at my photos that the couple was in
my shots -- and this other woman in a similar green.
That was the start of three in green. I looked at it about
a month ago and decided to rework it when I had a minute.
So I started working on it tonight. I don't know if I still
have the reference photo, but if I can find it, the painting
may go through a number of stages before I'm happy.
It's a small painting, but I want it to be stronger. I've
already started brightening the background colours,
defining the lead characters more clearly. So we'll see.
Three in green brings back memories of summer and Quebec
City, one of the most beautiful cities in the country.
Have a taking-care-of-the-things-that-need-work day.
P.S. I never used to like green, and rarely used it in
paintings. Then I started showing with a woman who
loves green. I noticed that my children love sweatshirts
in Kelly green. I realized that I've always loved St.
Patrick's Day, and decided that it was high time to give
poor old green a chance.
I love the composition in this and I love green too. When in sub zero weather think green i.e. summer - right?
ReplyDeleteDidn't Goethe consider green a primary color?
If not him, someone else did.
love, marcia
You commented on something that I often think about: if you brighten the background, will that take away from the green, and make me look there, or work w the green?
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun painting Barbara, all that activity is exciting, and the colour green eye-catching.
ReplyDeleteHi Marcia,
ReplyDeleteI suppose the green has an extra appeal now. But I still won't be decorating my house in it, or wearing it. Still I like it on other people and in other people's houses. And of course on trees, and leaves.
Funny about Goethe.
Love Barbara
Hi Pam,
ReplyDeleteI've already brightened the background and it's made the green stand out more. The background was sucking the life out of the painting. I'm not finished the background yet, but I think I was trying to be true to the real scene and that was a mistake.
I can't wait to see your work and maybe meet you on Skype at the International Women Celebrate show.
XOBarbara
P.S. I so wish you could come.
Hi Sally,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. I'm sure you know how it is in Quebec City on a summer weekend. So joyful.
Love your portrait.
XOBarbara
Great energy and I love those greens! Your figure work is so good! Isn't it funny how colors grow on us? I used to detest green and orange and now they are 2 of my faves.
ReplyDeleteI'm really impressed with the energy and complexity in this 8" x 8" painting. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteAh, summer. Seems like it's been years away, doesn't it?
I know what you mean about green. I wonder why it can be problematic. There really are no bad colors. Hmmm. Haven't got a clue. But, your greens are great.
Looks you're having an excellent art week! Stay warm.
Barbara, you do all colors so well! This one is full of warmth! Green is good...go green...go Barbara!
ReplyDeleteHi Gwen,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much. You are right. I used to have trouble with orange too, but now I love it. Well we change. I hope I don't become someone who doesn't like colour -- that would be a bad change. I love colour, the more the merrier.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara
Hi Melinda,
ReplyDeleteWhat's funny in Canada now is that everyone is wearing parkas with hoods and fake fur trim around their faces. Downtown in the fancy area where you would have seem expensive wool coats from Europe and luxurious leather gloves another year, everyone is covered up in parkas. Yet the stores have started showing summer dresses and barbecues. The first sign that at some point this endlessly cold winter will come to an end.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxBarbara
Hi Linny,
ReplyDeleteWell as my city goes backward on its green commitments (Rob Ford), I will go green. Yes indeed.
Artists rule!
XOBarbara