So, it took 2 artists + 1 dog to help me get the daturas this far without overworking them. They aren't done yet, but need little touches of darks here and there, which I will do when I'm in a better mood, I guess.
I compared this feeling about my work to the skewed vision of an anorexic: No matter how drastically skinny and sick looking she gets, she still sees herself as fat. Maybe my brain chemistry is off about my painting right now, but I don't see beauty in anything I've done lately. Usually, returning to flowers helps me break through that, so you may have to wade through a few flower paintings before I dig myself out of this rut.
Thanks, Deb, Sharon and Stray!
24 comments:
Simply stunnning, and the good help was much appreciated, I'm sure. You have a gift for painting great nature-type upclose florals. Beautiful!!!
Rhonda - it looks GREAT! Bring it back - untouched (!!!!! - LOL) - next time!!! Stray says "hey"!
Rhonda, this painting is gorgeous!!!Walk away from it, come back and try to pretend that it is not yours...this is full of beauty!
Your feeling is not unusual. Some days, I am so surprised to get any compliments about my work: I don't seem to see what others see. Maybe this feeling is somewhat good - I prefer that to the opposite: thinking my work is perfect while others turn away in disgust:-)
If this is what you produce from your "rut", may I please join you? These daturas are very clean, not overworked, and are just beautiful. Did I mention your foliage is that way, too?!
Gorgeous, bright, balanced, "happy", you KNOW what you do with those brushes girl, never doubt about that
Can I come watch too? I am sorry that you are in a rut (although it is a bit difficult to feel to badly for you if you can create something like this - lol). This is a beautiful painting and I truly hope that you will find joy in your paintings again very soon.
I feel your pain Rhonda!!! You will overcome it....by doing just what you said you would do...paint what you enjoy. And by the looks of this painting....I think you've overcome. Are these also known as "angels trumpets"?
And I'll take you up on the coffee in Cincy offer too. Maybe I'll treat myself to a trip down there this winter and let my Mom watch the boys while I meet up with you to talk art.
Thanks so much, Sandy!
Deb, don't touch it until next time? That may be weeks? That's like telling me not to eat candy and then bringing me a big bag of candy! ha ha I'll try, though...perhaps do something else.
Christiane, I wonder if I can pretend it's not mine and look at it with fresh eyes...maybe next week. You said it, though = better to be unsatisfied than overly satisfied with something that isn't that good.
Thanks, Susan. I'm actually happy about the foliage. Just not the flowers. But I think I know why! I used 2 opaque colors on them instead of staying with clean, transparent colors.
Gracias, Teresa! You are one of my biggest supporters :)
Thanks, Vicki. I know what you mean. Sometimes when you see a painting someone is whining about and you see the beauty, it's hard to be sympathetic. But it truly is a "seeing" thing from the heart that gets skewed somehow.
Gretchen, would love to meet! And, yes, they are called Angel Trumpets. They are highly toxic and when we were in New Orleans, the teens were boiling them up for tea because they were hallucinogenic! Hence the title: Dangerous Beauties.
Deb, did you know Stray was under my feet, stretched out, most of the time I was painting? He was trying to take my mind off the painting so I wouldn't overwork it! ha ha So, for Stray, I'll say, Woof Woof!
Hey Rhonda, this seems about as good as it can get for this subject, looks great to me. Nothing overworked, all the paint went on just right. Only thing I'd do is find a place to put that little firecracker of color somewhere to really make it soar.
I saw your tomatoes painting and like it at the unfinished stages you posted on the 17th (my fave) and 19th, much better than the final. I've noticed this with others on your blog, and I'd be inclined to stop working when you think you're about 2/3 way through. If you experimented with that on a succession of pieces, put them away, and then looked at them weeks or months later, you might agree with me. Then again, you might not. :)
Thanks, Nick. I appreciate your comments and agree. I've thought about doing work that isn't quite finished and put them away and see if it is okay to work this way. Right now I'm also going back to some drawing with a touch of color and see if I can work through this bump in the road.
Prabha, thanks. I'm glad you like it and can see you walking through the flowers :)
Lovely, Rhonda. I love the play of lights and darks. I smiled when I saw the image. I too was sketching/painting these this week :) Have to finish the wording on the journal page so I can post it. I've been away from blog land toooo long!
Thanks, Pam. I'll look forward to seeing your daturas :)
I know exactly how you feel about being in a rut, but I DO NOT know what you're talking about when you say you don't like your work.
Glad you went back to flowers, this painting is gorgeous.
Beautiful Rhonda! I love the light you've caught in the flowers and those greens are awesome! Now, put it away until you go back to Deb's!!!
Thanks, Carol. Flowers seem to be my go-to paintings when I'm in a funk! It's a matter of seeing the positive in my own work that is out of whack right now...it will work out (it always does).
Deb, thanks! I won't touch it until next time I'm with Deb, Sharon and Stray so they can watch me :) ha ha
Great watercolor!!
regards
So glad you feel the need to paint flowers - wonderful datura with such heavenly streaks of light breaking through and its BEAUTIFUL!. I agree with Debs - don't you dare touch it!!
Gracias, Carlos - coming from you, that is high praise, indeed!
Thanks, Joan - glad you like it.
Great result.
So they had time to have a rest and lunch, but you were working and working.
Take a break, do some small sketches, relax and do not be your own the most exacting critic.
I love them all, my paintings, my little misshappen babies)))
I tried to paint the same subject 1 month ago. I completely ruined it. Now I am saving yours to my PC to watch and learn.
You made me laugh, Irina :) I did have an apple when I took a break - it wasn't all work and no rest for me :)
Looking good, RH.
Thank you, Terry, for taking time to stop by and comment :)
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