Thursday, February 5, 2015

EGRET ASCENDING

Scraping off some of the white to get down to the blue, then reinforcing those lines with graphite and smudging it.  Then scraping some more and wiping off the alcohol wipes.  Then...what color to try?  



Many of the shapes became egg-like again, but I didn't really want to have that so...mama bird showed up, instead...


Egret Ascending
11 x 15 inches (fourth sheet) 
on Fabriano Artistico 140# cold press watercolor paper


What do you think?  Successful, or not?  Not as abstracted as the first one, that's for sure?  
Which one do you like the best - 
this one or the Birds Nest Soup painting - and why?


So you don't have to search back for the previous painting, here is Birds Nest Soup again.  It is a half sheet painting (15 x 22 inches)






I do believe, as a pure abstraction, the first painting worked better even though it doesn't have many of my favorite colors in it.  Maybe not having a solid idea when you are working is a good thing?


I have ordered a couple of books to further my studies:

Art From Intuition
and 
Creating Abstract Art:  Ideas and Inspirations for Passionate Art-Making

Both books are by Dean Nimmer.


I hope they inspire me to do more of these.  If they do, I may have to buy more acrylic paint and mediums. In the Fall 2014 issue of Acrylic Artist, they have a lot of beginner information about acrylic paints and mediums and some seem like something I may have to try - like Pouring Medium (because I love my drizzles) and String Gel (because I love my drizzles).  

I hope you are enjoying my exploration of a medium I know NOTHING about - and wouldn't turn up my nose at any ideas or information you acrylic artists out there might have to lead me in the right direction :)


14 comments:

http://carolking.wordpress.com said...

Sounds like you are putting a lot of work into these paintings.

Painting, scraping off, painting again.

I think I like the 2nd one better. I like the colors very much and there is movement in it.

debwardart said...

Both are good, egret looks more "like you", but I also like the abstract. Good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone!

Unknown said...

For me the vortex of the abstraction is intriguing and the colour scheme subtle. Like the colour and texture of the egret but the abstraction is my favourite.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks, Carol. It sounds like more work that it is - I just get in there and go like crazy for a while and it's done - I think. The thing about acrylics is, it can always be reworked or changed and one has to limit that tendency to constantly change things.
Deb, thanks. I think the egret colors are more me but I like the abstraction of the birds nest painting better.
Mick, thanks for your input. I think as a good abstract, the birds nest is a better painting - and my first one! Beginner's luck? ha ha

E.M. Corsa said...

These are both exciting and so alive. I would be hard pressed to choose one over the other since they both have their own voice.

I really enjoy your work; very inspiring!

Lorraine Brown said...

Great experimenting Rhinda, I have enjoyed reading all your posts. I like both

Alice Jo Webb said...

The concept of abstraction is always a tricky one for me to pin down. The first image is a bird, somewhat abstracted from its natural form, while the second is even more abstracted, maybe to the point of nonrepresentational. It could be interpreted to be whatever the viewer perceives in it, while the other, though details are left out, is still a bird form.

I think while each have strong points and are powerful paintings, they're hard for me to compare, like trying to compare two different genres. I'm looking forward to watching you move forward through this process.

Autumn Leaves said...

I love what you've done with this piece, Rhonda. I've never been a fan of abstract art so for me the egret is the front runner. I wish you continued success with your exploration of new mediums and methods.

RH Carpenter said...

Thanks so much, EM, Lorraine, Alice Jo and Sherry! I appreciate your comments on this exploration for me :) Good to hear from you, Sherry! I understand the apples to oranges comparison, Alice Jo - I guess it is hard to compare pure abstraction to semi-representation (or whatever it's called!).

Debbie Nolan said...

Dear Rhonda - both works are truly gorgeous. I think though because of colors the egret is my favorite. You are really inspiring me to try working with acrylics. Hope you have a great day.

Bruce Sherman said...

Good morning Rhonda... AS strange as it might seem... ALL paintings begin from abstraction and abstract thought and responses. It's only when we, as painters manipulate them.. and draw them closer to what we feel comfortable with.... reality that they become form.

Abstraction in its truest sense is the intentional suppression... or destruction of form.

Your first painting, in my humble opinion is purest. It allows me participate in your creative process... "to imagine"... beyond the confining borders of realism.

In this particular case... a bird building a nest in a flurry of necessity.

Just my thoughts... but I truly did enjoy that particular piece for its purity and adherence to your intent NOT to create actual form as in the egret piece.

Have (more) fun... "play-and-learning"! HA HA!!

Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce

RH Carpenter said...

Debbie, and Bruce, thanks so much for taking the time to comment on these. I like the latest post on your blog, Bruce, realize I did not (lazy lazy!!!) comment there. For me, what sticks in my mind is your desire to convey the pure joy you feel when painting - and I think you do that very well. I often look at blogs on the iPad but it's finicky when posting comments, etc.

Gary L. Everest said...

Hi Rhonda,
Hmm-mm-m...touch choice, my Dear. I'm going with the nest, because it's left for me to decide what I see, or don't see. I also like the color palette.
Knowing just how challenging it can be to create something that doesn't fill-in all the blanks, for me, the "nest" is the winner. :)
Now, don't ever force your fans to make such a difficult choice again!!
Have a great day!
Sincerely,
Gary.

RH Carpenter said...

I agree with you, Gary. The nest painting, which had no real directionnin starting, is a better abstract. I do like the idea of leaving more and more for the viewer to fill in, but it doesn't come easily for me yet.