Sunday, October 9, 2011

WAITING





































24x36" oil on canvas



Well, so much for the dreads! I powered through my attack of the vapors and took responsibility for what I was feeling. I really hate it when I have to do that!

I'd been visiting Dana Cooper 's blog a a few weeks ago and saw a fetching painting of this very waitress. Discovering that the reference photo was from a site called A Day Not Wasted, I headed on over there to see what the deal was. An open challenge! Yea!

I was instantly smitten with the photograph. There was something so sweet and innocent about this waitress. Her distant smile, as if she had just received some good news, her stance —mid-gait, the bits of hair in disarray, even the tilt of her silver tray.

I always start with what I consider to be the most difficult part of the painting—the face—followed by the figure and it's attire or lack thereof. In this instance there were lots of my one of my favorite things...folds. When satisfied with the complete figure I start on the background. There was a lot going on in this photograph. Magazine racks, paned glass, a figure to the right and writing on the window—all of which add so much to the charm of this shot—but I was so taken by the spirit of the girl that I focused only on her for my version.

This, of course, caused a ruffle in the feathers of you-know-who! When himself arrived home on Friday evening, this is how it looked...





















The usual barney ensued. "It's perfect, I love the graphic elements behind her!" he bellowed. I opened the snap of the painting in Photoshop and simplified the background, and while I agreed with him on one level, I was still so taken by the figure I decided that I did indeed prefer that she be the focus. In hindsight, it was a very grown up discussion. He made it clear what he preferred but did not disagree with my choice. I very calmly told him what I was going to do and that was that! Hmmm...growth spurt?

And there you have it. I'm very pleased. I can sincerely say that I am proud of this painting.

Dreads my arse!

You can check out the other paintings and the original reference shot on A Day Not Wasted.
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26 comments:

  1. Dana CooperOctober 9, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Wow Suzanne, you really nailed this challenge! It has that beautiful Suzanne touch, folds and all! I agree with your decision to simplify the background. Sometimes we have to trust our instincts even if it isn't what others around us want. That is indeed growth!!
    Thanks for the shout out!

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  2. Kristen's PaintingsOctober 9, 2011 at 4:12 PM

    The shirt!

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  3. Bruce ShermanOctober 9, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Hi there Suzanne!... How appropriate! An artist waiting... through her "dreads"... and magically The Universe offers a subject... just waiting to be painted!

    Another knockout... sensitive study of a single moment! "Simply"... beautiful... beautifully simple! That's all I can say Suzanne!

    Give thanks!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

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  4. Monica BurnetteOctober 9, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Dreads be gone! This is beyond awesome....

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  5. Angela SullivanOctober 9, 2011 at 5:17 PM

    And you should be proud. She has such interest. I am mesmerized at first glance. The light and her beautiful face. What an absolutely stunning painting.

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  6. Mona Diane ConnerOctober 9, 2011 at 5:53 PM

    This is so strong Suz! I so tangibly feel the immediacy of the scene, as if you must have been there in person, even though you just had the photo to go on. It was interesting to visit the link and see the reference and the other painter's tries, and I feel you perfectly captured her emotional expression/sweetness and articulated her hand under the tray (not easy to do in either instance!)

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  7. Tweedles -- that's meOctober 9, 2011 at 6:05 PM

    Oh my gosh, this is awsome!
    It looks like a photo graph- it is tooo perfect
    love
    tweedles

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  8. Studio at the FarmOctober 9, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Gunkie, she is, as you say, so innocently beautiful ... her expression, her pose, her "folds"... wonderful!!! Damn good job!

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  9. AnonymousOctober 10, 2011 at 1:11 AM

    beautifully painted Suzanne... especially love the hand and the colours and the vibrancy of her shirt.

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  10. SYLVIANEOctober 10, 2011 at 1:14 AM

    It's such a beautiful portrait, Suzanne!The expression of her innocent face is so well rendered,-she should be careful with her tray- and her blouse's colour and shape are perfect.Bravo!

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  11. UnknownOctober 10, 2011 at 3:30 AM

    This is such an awesome portrait! I really admire your work, it is a great inspiration to me! I laughed at the last paragraph in your post... good for you for making your own decisions about what direction your painting needs to go! Sometimes it's hard to do that!

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  12. Linda PoppleOctober 10, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    WOW! The shirt is beautiful with the folds and light. Great job on this challenge! Your work is amazing!

    Love your bugs, too, and looking forward to seeing more ladybugs and then the bees!

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  13. Crystal CookOctober 10, 2011 at 8:06 AM

    Suzanne I just can NOT get over how much I am in LOVE with this painting. I agree with you about making her the focus (although the graphic part behind her is very cool too). But it's her face, wisps of hair, pose, tray, all of that that I just can't get enough of. You are SO friggin awesome lady. I just LOVE this so much that now I am rambling away.

    Seriously though, I LOVE it. WELL DONE!! Bravo!

    And I'm so glad you gave those dreads a well deserved butt kicking. Can I get a Huzzah?!!

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  14. hmuxoOctober 11, 2011 at 5:22 AM

    I can't say enough about this painting!! I'm speechless! I love everything about it...and her BLOUSE is so outstanding!!! BRAVO!!!!!

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  15. Diana Moses BotkinOctober 11, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    You definitely made the right decision to simplify the background. Good call!

    The model is indeed interesting. Her profile you've captured says so much about her likeable and wholesome personality.

    It's a beautiful painting, Suzanne.

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  16. AnonymousOctober 11, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    An absolutely fabulous version of Lee's challenge, Suz. I too like the graphic element but must admit that without it, her dreamy faraway look takes front and center. It is like she is just itching to take the world by its tail!

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  17. Shirley FachillaOctober 11, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    Too beautiful. Everybody wants to have a waitress like this one, someone who loves her job!
    Love that profile, love the colors, love your choice with the background.
    You and Dana made great paintings from a lovely little photo. Both wonderful, both so different!

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  18. Vinayak DeshmukhOctober 11, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Beautiful painting. And I agree with your decision to focus on the waitress. Its turned out well.
    Best wishes,

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  19. RosemaryOctober 11, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Oh - this is so beautiful...the face, the tray, the hand, the blouse - Wow! I came over here from the challenge gallery - and have been here a while! I have really enjoyed catching up with your paintings and posts!

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  20. Sandra BusbyOctober 12, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Oh Suzanne! Just when I think that you couldn't possibly impress me more - you do! And don't tell 'Himself', but I am with you 100% on which is the best version. I love the one with the simple background because it doesn't distract from that beautiful waitress and her thoughtful gaze. Perfect in EVERY SINGLE brush-stroke :0D

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  21. NickiOctober 12, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    Good call dude! You should be proud of this- and then some. You should also be proud that you faced the dreads... and you should be proud that you stood your ground! Whew! I bet you slept well that night! Unless of course you were too excited about by your awesomeness!

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  22. Vinayak DeshmukhOctober 13, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    You are most welcome. The painting is indeed very beautiful. My email is dpaint85@gmail.com
    Best wishes,

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  23. Carrie Waller WatercolorsOctober 13, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    Suz, You are amazing with fabric! This painting really captivates you! I do really like both versions, but agree the focus is more on her and over all it's a little more romantic. The graphic elements did make it a bit Klimt-ish, which is also appealing.

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  24. Mary Sheehan WinnOctober 14, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    I love it both ways but I can see how simplifying it makes the figure stronger.
    I love your story about 'you know who' :D

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  25. Diana MarshallOctober 15, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    Well done you on all counts! Standing your ground and listening to your instincts and beating the dreads. This painting is perfection and I love the size too but then I love all your paintings ;)

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  26. seppaqueasJanuary 20, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    I love this picture. Fantastic. I'm not much of a visual artist, but I know what I like and I like this.

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