8 x 8"oil on masonite
sold
When obligations ease up, there's time to experiment - and I love that. You may know I usually paint on a black surface - this painting was done on a metallic copper tone - and it was a very different experience. Same as the black, color pops off the board, in contrast, and I see values and intensity much better. I follow my instincts more this way - and yes, I squint a lot.
I intended to reveal more of the copper in the end - although the warmth still affected what color was put down. Very fun. I must do more. Speaking of squinting ..... a couple of months ago I started using my reading glasses while painting. Next thing ya know, my face is about three inches from the surface, for hours, and I don't even realize it. Yikes. The anal retentive really was coming out of me - and painting became more and more like a chore. No more glasses. I'm better for it.
The scene is from Grand Central Station, around 8 in the morning.
I intended to reveal more of the copper in the end - although the warmth still affected what color was put down. Very fun. I must do more. Speaking of squinting ..... a couple of months ago I started using my reading glasses while painting. Next thing ya know, my face is about three inches from the surface, for hours, and I don't even realize it. Yikes. The anal retentive really was coming out of me - and painting became more and more like a chore. No more glasses. I'm better for it.
The scene is from Grand Central Station, around 8 in the morning.
love the reflections in the floor. One thing that I really admire about your work is that you don't seem to be intimidated by complicated subject matter.
ReplyDeleteYou should fill us in on your thought about working on black ground thing. I think that aside from black velvet painters I don't know anyone else who works that way.
Looks like ebay made the visual switch and threw me off a little when I saw it listed. Change is hard sometimes.
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh visualizing an artist 3 inches away, "for hours"... you know that takes a love of painting. Your figures are alive in this piece. Your previuos post "A Federal Case" is very tight and looks restrictive when compared to the bustle and commotion you've displayed here. I must admit I'm crazy about the detail work you do, but If this is the result without your reading glasses, you should keep them hidden.
A Powerful piece! I love the colours and the composition! AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteI thought it looked somewhat different from your usual and I loved the liquid look to it! es by all means must do more! I admire that you experiment and pursue it, congrats on this successful piece! I should experiment with no glasses see where that takes me.
ReplyDeleteI really like this one Karin - I think it's the lower than you expect point of view plus the reflections.
ReplyDeleteThe surface sounds great - do we get to see it "up close and in the buff?" at any point?
I've also had that same experience with glasses.
I'm now keeping my old reading glasses for artwork. They're slightly out of focus for 'near to' work (again to avoid anal retentiveness!) but in focus enough that I can see where things are!
The soft focus of this is WONderful --- very dreamlike and liquid. A person can just get lost staring into all the strokes. Who needs drugs, lol. Love the shiny floor, I can hear the footsteps on it and the echoes... now that's great painting. :)
ReplyDeleteYou always do such a great job with those strong value shifts.
ReplyDeleteWow, wow, wow!! That's about all I can say while my jaw is hanging on the floor...except I love it. Absolutely fantastic work Karin!!
ReplyDeleteThis is exciting stuff, Karin. You're onto something big.
ReplyDeleteI have been coming to your blog for a year and a half now and the excitement is like opening a gift! Sometimes certain paintings actually get me to say "wow" outloud without even realizing it! This one DEFINITELY did! You just have a magic about the way that you paint and even though I can't stand a day to go by without holding a paintbrush whether I look or not, I have to say you truly inspire me in everyway! Thank you! This painting is incredible! Your landscapes have been amazing lately too, the way you get your trees to touch the sky is awesome.
ReplyDeleteLove how it looks. It really captures the atmosphere and the feeling of the reflections on the floor.
ReplyDeleteSo incredibly great. The floor is
ReplyDeleteso perfect, the people, the light.
The copper colour works in every way.
Love it.
Barbara
I love how you've summed up the kind of activity in a busy commuter environment such as Grand Central through your point of view, shapes, and use of color. I used to commute through Boston's South Station and I often sketched but never painted. It's a difficult subject to capture effectively but you did it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful painting, Karin! The colors and the reflections are awesome!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful medium and the good detail you've given the painting! Shame it's harder to get copper sheets in the UK, sigh.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely beautiful. I love the reflections and the contrast. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDelete