Saturday, December 27, 2014

Vying For Attention -a still life painting in oil SOLD


oil 12x12 inches magnify/purchase Here's a bold arrangement of color. Usually I know whether I'm satisfied with a painting or not. This one has me baffled. I'm going to tuck it back my studio for a long while and take a fresh look at it in a few weeks. If you have any constructive comments about it, I welcome them! Here's a black and white. I do like the values!
Our Christmas celebration was wonderful, and now I'm anxious to get back to my easel. Happy New Year!

11 comments:

  1. I LOVE all the colors that make up the white!
    I love the bold strokes that become the blue pitcher.
    I love the shaped of the pomegranate and its shine spot.
    The pink rose is spectacular...
    I think you'll smile when you do un-tuck it from your studio in a few weeks.
    :)
    Helen

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  2. You you are a master painter, Karen. I love everything about it!

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    1. Wow, Susan. Thank you very much. Not sure I've acheived mastery, but I'll just keep on painting! Thank you for your word of encouragement.

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  3. Hi Karen , love your work so much and find it so inspirational !
    as a complete novice painter - the orange on the right draws my eye too much and i wonder if it is necessary ? it takes my eye out of the painting instead of bringing it back in ?
    thanks for an awesome blog , hugs Karin

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Karin. I received the same suggestion from someone else via email. Giving it some thought. Thanks!

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  4. Great painting Karen! So much energy and lush use of color. I wonder if it is split too dramatically from left to right side? It seems like it is divided in half...maybe a simple fix like creating a diagonal in the fabric below or softening the strong contrast of edge of pitcher would help create movement/marriage between left and right sides? Just my two cents! Still great painting!

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    1. Thank you, Whitney. I'll consider that. I'm thinking back on what I've heard Carol Marine say; if something just isn't working, it's probably the design. Your comment fits right into that possibility.

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    2. Hi Karen, Good point! I think you shouldn't give up on this as it's a great painting! That rose is gorgeous! I keep looking at it and am wondering if it's just a matter of some simple adjustment (though if you are like me, when I try to make a simple adjustment, I often paint over the whole thing!). I wonder if the orange is kissing the handle of the pitcher and that is making it an awkward relationship? I know Carol Marine talks about objects kissing a lot. I think leaving it sit awhile before you go back in can be a useful strategy. Put it away and come back in a couple of weeks with fresh eyes! Good luck!

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  5. Hello! When I see the B&W, I see an excellent painting; when I see the color, I'm unsettled. Why? The B&W are all complimentary and have the same colors in each of the objects, so I wonder if the problem with the painting is that each of the objects, for the most part, have their own colors and share very little with the other objects. And because they are all so strong, it is difficult for the eye to know where to go. This does not happen on the B&W. Just a thought - your technique is great. Thanks for sharing your work.

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    1. Philip, I'm sorry it has taken me so long to respond. I THINK YOU NAILED IT. Not sure I can improve the painting. But I'll give it a whirl someday! Thank you for your comment.

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