When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

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Going for the magic every hour

August 15, 2008


 

Magic Hour 60H x 40W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas, sturdy home-built core stretcher frame, wrapped sides painted

Magic Hour finished (Gitxsan Totem Pole, Thunderbird Park, Victoria, BC Canada), 60H x 40W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas, sturdy home-built stretcher frame, wrapped sides painted, narrow trim frame. Here is an earlier post with information about this totem pole.

Magic Hour, top detail of 60H x 40W x 3D inches acrylics on canvasGreat moments in painting are addictive, when so completely immersed in the work that time becomes non-existent… The Zone! I’ve had a good week with this one, partly because of getting past the habit of trying to control the outcome. Things happen in every painting that are not planned, and the endless choices are part of the fun.

Magic Hour, bottom detail of 60H x 40W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas

Painting is considered to be a two-dimensional undertaking, but it’s so much more. While lost in the work process, all the dimensions of the subject are explored, including the deeper dimensions of ourselves. While painting we discover our convictions and the means to ask how far we are willing to go to stand up for them.

Work every day is about continually reevaluating decisions, taking responsibility for choices made, being honest about mistakes, shortcomings and limitations of media and self, and digging deep to find compromise between technical and intuitive solutions. It’s about control of all those elements, combined with easing up on trying to control too much. All this and more translates onto a flat surface as we hope to give the illusion of depth…if that isn’t magic, I don’t know what is!

Post-dated Note: When choosing this totem pole that is erected in Thunderbird Park at the RBC Museum in Victoria, I didn’t realize that it’s the same one that Emily Carr painted in 1928. More magic! Here is a link to more information about this totem and the Gitxsan Poles moved from Gitanyow (formerly Kitwankool) B.C.

A word here about artists’ representation of First nations or any other cultural/historic works: subjects are painted with the greatest honor and respect, with purpose to study and draw interest to the importance of appreciating our multi-cultural world and the unique characteristics of each and every culture. This is what artists do. Our differences as cultures are connected across time and place, as there are many common traits and themes expressed through Art everywhere.
Robert Genn and readers of The Painters’ Keys have some very interesting comments all around the board about this topic.

Categories: acrylic painting, Art for sale, B.C., Canada, design, expressionism, history/multicultural theme, illustration, sky, sunsets, The Majesty of Trees Collection, travel, trees, Vancouver Island | 6 Comments »

6 Responses to “Going for the magic every hour”

  1. Chris Bolmeier Says:
    August 10th, 2008 at 11:06

    You have great way of explaining your thinking through the process of the painting. It’s fun to read and I can certainly relate to what you are saying. Things happened that aren’t planned in the painting, and then it’s… choices,choices,choices.
    Chris

  2. Nikkico Says:
    August 11th, 2008 at 11:06

    Thanks Chris, I always appreciate hearing what you have to say. Descriptions take days to edit, and are much more difficult than the process itself! I think there’s a time for deciphering work though – we can’t truly get lost in the work if we’re thinking too much about it -again with the balancing act! So true about choices at every turn. No two paintings are alike, and frustrating as that can sometimes be, who would have it any other way?

  3. Jim Says:
    August 13th, 2008 at 11:06

    It’s Magic alright

  4. Nikkico Says:
    August 13th, 2008 at 11:06

    Thanks Dad. It still needs a little something I think. Before adding or subtracting anything from it, progress has slowed to a study stage this week. Meanwhile I also started a new painting.

  5. Virginia Wieringa Says:
    August 16th, 2008 at 11:06

    Whew! this is really a powerful piece!

  6. Nikkico Says:
    August 16th, 2008 at 11:06

    Thanks Virginia!

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