Yep, it's a sewer grate. The photo was taken at the Cincinnati Zoo. I thought it would make an interesting painting. Odd, I know, but I'm not the only one who thinks such things would make interesting paintings. We artists are a strange bunch and find beauty in things most people wouldn't even notice, right? And they may be disappearing...police recently captured 2 men who were stealing sewer grates and selling them for scrap. I guess there is copper in them and nothing made of copper is safe. Of course, the business that bought the grates (25 in all!!!!) weren't punished.
I began it by just splattering and throwing masking fluid/miskit around and then doing the same with the first bits of color (after drawing in the grate, of course.
Slowly building up color and shape and trying to get the little sections to read more depressed into the sidewalk (no, it wasn't blue and violet but I used my artistic license to change the coloring - you can do that, you know.)
The splattering of masking fluid and paint helped to loosen me up when I was getting tight with the portraits (yes, I'm still working on the Lucky Numbers portraits...slowly but surely. I've found I really have to be in a positive mood to do a portrait.)
Calling this one: Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This.
(Wonder if that's what the sewer grate thieves are saying now that they are behind bars? Hope the bars aren't made of copper!)
11 comments:
I like it! I read recently that when a painter needs inspiration he/she only needs to look down when walking. You sure did!
A winner! love when you this kind of thing, perfect subject, and ¡oh! all that texture ^_^
I love it. You really did a great job of making the depressions look like depressions. And the colors are perfect, I think.
Christiane, you're right - I think we were at a stopping spot and Jerry was probably taking a photo of something so I looked down and saw this :)
Teresa, glad you like it!
Gretchen, thanks!
Funny, I figured a lot of people would think: What is she painting now and WHY?? Instead, you crazy artists are enjoying this as much as I did painting it! ha ha
I LOVE this! And the rusty heart lock - they are just so unsual and gritty - the stuff of life!
Excellent choice of colours - just lovely (can't believe I said that about a sewer grate!)
Rhonda, I just love this sewer cover. The colors are great and you've managed to get the feel of a gritty street.
You may have inspired me to do some sewer covers, that is, if you don't mind.
Another crazy artist agrees - I love this! Isn't part of being an artist finding beauty in everyday things? And now I have that "Mama Said..." song running endlessly through my head. Thanks, Rhonda! :)
Love it Rhonda, great subject matter.
Cindy, Prahba, Cathy and Lisa, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one and didn't think I'd gone off my rocker!
Carol, I'd love to see you do some grates - they are, afterall, pretty...well, you know! ha ha I think this heat is affecting my brain cells...I must go to cooler climates soon!!
Remember, nothing is new under the sun - or under your feet - take a photo of the next old sewer/water grate you see and think about painting it :)
Fabulous piece! I really like it. It has the precision so you recognize the object, but the looseness is there that gives it an extra edge.
This is a keeper for sure.
Thanks, Jeanette. It's just a fun piece that was good to play with and practice seeing better.
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