"A Mother Figure"

12 x 12"

oil on panel
sold

I've been painting my larger pieces so slow and carefully, more tight and detailed - it may be a phase.  When I'm painting another's painting - like Klimt's masterpieces, or Whistler's portrait of his mother, I get totally into the details I've never noticed before.  Subsequently the rest of my painting takes on the same tightness.

The smaller pieces I generally auction on eBay are try-outs for something I have in my brain - and sometimes it leads to a larger, more realized piece like this one.  After I finished my smaller one I couldn't wait to delve into a larger format of Whistler's iconic 'Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 1', better known as 'Whistler's Mother'. The marriage of grey/golds with blue/greys and green/greys is alluring.  And I love using up all my Torrit Greys.

For those who don't know what Torrit Grey is - the brand Gamblin will recycle pigment dust from every color in the spectrum and mix up a unique color every year.  In fact, they give the tubes away with a purchase of their paint while supplies last.  I still have about 11 tubes from the past 11 years.  They are priceless.

Click here for a larger view.