Sunday, February 17, 2008

Another New Painting

My dealer in Hot Springs, Gallery Central, pushed their opening reception (and art walk) back to the first week of March instead of April to coincide with the race meet at Oaklawn Park. So, I've been painting like mad in an attempt to produce fresh goods.

hot springs arkansasBack of moi's head.

oaklawn parkI created this cool toned painting by combining complimentary colors resulting in vibrant grays that are inclined towards the cool end of the mixture. Grays of blue, violet, greens and a touch of violet red. No earth tones, no umbers, nadda. Okay, one mixture of burnt sienna and ultramarine blue deep to create a warm gray. Michael 's eyes glazed over when he first saw the painting but I assure him that someone will recognize the simple clean beauty of the piece. For lack of words to express, he's calling it an abstract.

Well, not quite Hon but it is a departure. It's how we grow as artists. This past week I was restless, uncertain and irritable in the studio. Engaging in a discussion over a large glass of wine concerning my edginess, I explained to Michael how these feelings affect creativity. I explained when artists gets depressed...Michael interjected: "There goes an ear".

4 comments:

Jacquelyn Modesitt Schindehette said...

Sharon, I like the way you explained the cool and complimentary color scheme.

Your husband sounds like mine...each painting must look like the ones before. Any change makes these guys scratch their heads.

But, PLEASE do not cut off HIS ear!!!

Anonymous said...

Sharon- you capture so much explosive energy in your painting.
I don't have any idea how you do it!
What I'd like to ask you is if you sketch on your canvas before applying paint or do you just have at it with an underpainting?
Your work is astounding and fresh every time I view your blog.
Loved the personal touch of you at your easel.

Sharon Crute said...

Bonnie, Thanks for the kind comment.
To answer your question - it depends. On small canvases, I have at it except for a quick charcoal sketch. With anything larger than say, 11"x14" and especially the big mural sizes, I sketch out the design in charcoal. Then I wash in the values and colors. This is the time to make changes if any are necessary. Then I may block in shapes, color and values or just go for it depending on my confidence level with the piece.

Anonymous said...

Thank you Sharon for the helpful response. Of course, it's not the technique so much as it is the gifted hands of the holder of the brush!
I'm going to experiment with washes before paint application. Even though I work in acrylics, I think it's a valuable method to establish contrasts and balance.
I really appreciate your comments.