A HESITANT INTRODUCTION
24" x 24" (61.0cm x 61.0cm)
oil on cradled hardboard
$750 plus $25.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.
Almost done, just wanna spruce up the hair...I think. The background has changed color 3 times, the face has been retouched endlessly so I think it's time to take a break—or call it—not sure which. This is my first serious date with cradled hardboard and it's been very interesting. I think we have a future but we'll see. Let's put it this way...there was no kiss at the front door afterward. Not really sure how much I miss the "tooth" of canvas yet.
It really lends itself to smoothing so himself isn't harping. It's an amazing surface, I'm impatient to get this relationship off the ground. Ha. Impatient. Me? Na.
The title pertains to two things. First, the model is a friend from the job himself and I used to share. Her name is Laura and she was kind enough to agree to try out this modeling thing. I was paging through the book published on Andrew Wyeth's Helga series a few weeks ago and read that he would paint one subject consistently for a long period of time. Of course that was obvious but I never really thought of it that way. I'd stand on my head and paint if he did, so I thought I'd give it a try.
Secondly, she's just stepping into view, peering out to the viewer, with only a portion of her face visible. This represents my own hesitant commitment to a series of paintings using the same subject and my first dance with cradled hardboard. We'll see.
Anyway, have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!
Hi Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteIt's Friday nite and time to gather my moms around me and enjoy revisiting all your paintings again.
We love, love, love this portait.
Each stroke of your brush has made her more and more beautiful.
My moms said "we could look at Suzannes paintings all day long,, they are marverlous".
love
tweedles
Wow. Beautiful colour and glow on the skin. I love the hair as is - it all looks very natural and cohesive. I'm really drawn to teh nose and the models right eye. Something mesmerising there...
ReplyDeleteFabulous work. The skin has such a reality to it, as if I could touch it. I like the solid, yet soft look to the hair as well, don't add too much please.
ReplyDeleteFabulous composition...love the space. Luscious skin tones.
ReplyDeleteMagnifique!
Bren
Super Cool
ReplyDeleteThats amazing the way you captured the model's expression. I like the way you composed this with the face only partially in the painting. It tells a strong story! I read a book about Andrew Wyeth too... I admire his paintings, but I couldn't spend all that time on one subject, there are too many things in the world that I want to paint!
ReplyDeleteKeep going! So far, so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely painting. So much life and expression in those eyes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Best wishes,
Love this portrait, love the composition, and love Wyeth too! Most of my favorite artist have concentrated on one subject. Just started a series of portraits on panel too, looking forward to seeing yours!
ReplyDeleteWow! So much emotion:)
ReplyDeleteThe skintones are beautiful and the composition edgy and interesting, very like some of Wyeth's. I do that thing with background color as well; in fact, I just finished changing one (but just for the second time!).
ReplyDeleteThis one reminds me of your "Metamorphsis," a new direction perhaps?
Love this composition! Would love to have seen your other background choices. Can't imagine anything would top this one. It sets her off beautifully.
ReplyDeleteHaving just found your blog, I am delighted to read your thoughts as you approach a series and your thoughts on a new surface, I am going to enjoy reading, I know it!
ReplyDeleteOh, nearly forgot to say how much I LOVE this painting, it is fabulous.
Nice portrait...intriguing composition and excellent skin tones. I like that you haven't tried to "pretty"up the model - she has her own beauty and dignity. Definitely do more of these!
ReplyDeleteSo much interest created here. I love the crop. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteAs well as you do dogs, and bugs, I really marvel at your figures and portraits. Such a compelling portrait with a haunting feel about it Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI think that this is amazing! And as Picasso once said - 'To finish a work? To finish a picture? What nonsense! To finish it means to be through with it, to kill it, to rid it of its soul, to give the coup de grace for the painter as well as for the picture.'
ReplyDeleteSo I would call this 'complete' and leave it in the perfect state in which it is at right now. I love it - it's composed in such an unusual way which gives it a uniqueness. Brilliant - AGAIN!!! :0)
Suzanne, it's absolutely amazing! I never, ever tire of reading about your life and thoughts behind the scenes, I'm so glad you include that in your posts. :) And your work leaves me speechless every time I see it, you my friend are a master!
ReplyDeleteGreat painting Suz, I love working on mdf and once you paint on the smooth surface you will love it also. It doesn't matter what you paint on, you could paint on newspaper, you're an awesome artist. Happy to see you and Tim on facebook.
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you,
Joan
thank you everyone! i sent personal emails but thought i'd say it again!
ReplyDeleteLove this one- very intriguing and really like the composition...wonderful skin tones. I like the background!
ReplyDeleteI tried linen, cotton and ampersand- wound up liking linen the best...that bit of tooth helps me:)
Hi Suzanne!... Once again... there is matching and equal creative power in the title and concept... as there is in the actual (masterful as always)execution! In short... a riveting invitation to the viewer and the subject to... "connect"!
ReplyDeleteGood painting!... and Happy Summer!
your art work is just stunning Suzanne. you never cease to amaze me with what you do.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful values in the skin.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, it's a phenomenal portrait, but you haven't painted anything that I haven't loved!! Second, I wasn't sure what cradled hardboard was, still not quite sure, I saw a painting by M Collier at a gallery this passed weekend and it was on cradled hardboard. Third, I love Andrew Wyeth and this has a quality about it that feels the same, maybe the cool background makes it feel a little more isolated or the composition, but it's fabulous whatever it is. (On a side note about Wyeth, I read an article about him and he would sit down and paint 100's of original Christmas cards each year for friends and family, can you imagine). In college I had to draw the same subject about 1000 times. It was a terrific assignment, not only did I have her "down" by the end, and I mean her character and soul were present, but I also had a great friend. I miss those college studio days sometimes, getting lost for hours on end in art with no interruptions, sigh. Anyway I hope your future dates lead to a strong relationship:)
ReplyDelete