Far away thoughts
Art group painting
Acrylic on canvas
16 x 20 inches
Barbara Muir © 2015
Before the Impressionists, the idea of loose
brushwork, a loose drawing, the whole
concept of loose was not valued in art.
Artists were just starting to get
the idea, that the drama of brushstrokes
made freshly and without overwork was
good, when the camera came along.
I feel proud of the Impressionists, and
don't know how they had the bravery
to break away from centuries of fastidious
dedication to detail, but I love what they
did. I can't imitate them most of the time.
I do zoom in on detail, and often
enjoy the photographic reference. But
tonight, with very little time to spare,
I painted with my art group. I was in
such a rush that I opened my art bag and
I'd forgotten my brushes! I was painting with
paper towels until my friend Marko
loaned me two brushes meant for oil.
They were great fun.
Plus the model, a member of the group
was just wonderful.
Have a letting-your-art-loosen-up day.
This reminds me very much of Dufy's portrait of his wife (Portrait de Madame Raoul Dufy)but then your palette is very much Dufy. I remember being in the south of France and going into a room in a big museum and it was full of Dufy paintings. I was knocked out. Painting from life is something else isn't it. I know these days we all rely on photographs to a greater or lesser extent but working from life brings its own special satisfactions. Good for you, using the paper towels until you got the loan of brushes! (that would ensure looseness!)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Sheila -- quite a compliment. When I was a child my parents had a large Dufy print in our living room. I don't know what happened to it. It was a Paris scene -- quite fanciful, and made me want to go there. I would love to see a museum full of his paintings.
ReplyDeleteWell it's such a thing to pack up to go to paint with the group, that I didn't want to turn tail and leave -- I would have painted with my hands if there'd been now alternative.
Just love the series you're working on.
XOXOXOXOXO Barbara