Monday, February 15, 2010

MOSES BOTKIN CHALLENGE - February STRIPED SOCKS



Sockdance
24x24"
oil on canvas
$500

I cannot believe it's Feb...blah...blah...blah..and time for another challenge! I'm trying not to begin with the same old reflection each month, but the second my fingertips hit the keyboard, I hear it in my head. And yes, I do have to say something to the effect of.."can you believe how quickly time flies." Sorry, I can't seem to help myself.

Anyway, here we are with another challenge. I had a lot of fun with this one. I went online, and ordered the most outrageously colored striped socks I could find, the day Diana Moses Botkin announced the theme. I thought about concepts, tried them on and shot my tootsies, with and without my Frankenstein flip-flops, hung them off the chair, threw them in the air and subsequently tied them around a roll of paper towels. Then I thought that nothing would show them off better than a plain white background, much like the bugs. So I shot them on the copy board (found a use for that, thank goodness) and planned to include a shadow, giving the viewer the feeling they could be plucked off the canvas. However, as the painting continued, I thought better of the shadow, and the socks began to appear as if they'd been thrown up in the air and caught mid-flight. Ooo, I feel a series coming. They're so much fun to paint, angst-free in fact.

I really loved what everyone did. I know I always say that, but I mean it. The unique way each artist approached the socks is so intriguing to me. I'm still searching for my artistic identity and I feel each artist in the group has found theirs. Enjoy.



Sockdance
24" x 24" (61.0cm x 61.0cm)
oil on canvas
$500 plus $15.95 shipping and handling in the US
E-mail me for International shipping rates or other inquiries.


 
 “Two Step”
5”x7” Oil on hardboard
©2010 Diana Moses Botkin
http://dianamosesbotkin.blogspot.com/




 
Pink Glow
10x10" oil on panel
© 2010 Robin Cheers



 
“Socks First”
Oil on canvas, 24” x 18”
Marie Fox
http://mariefoxpaintingaday.blogspot.com/









cozy knits
 5"x5" 
©Jeanne Illenye
http://jeanneilleney.blogspot.com 



 
“Sock Puppets” 
Oil on Board, 8”x8”
©2010 Michael Naples
http://michaelnaples.blogspot.com/



“Liam in Striped Footies”
©2010 Vicki Ross
12x18 oil on panel
http://vickiandrandyrossart.blogspot.com/


12 comments:

  1. I did think immediately that "No fair, I want to paint those!!!!" I also immediately thought that I could pluck them off the canvas and that they were in the air. So you accomplished it all. Fun, happy, technically wonderful and great composition. I won't say anymore!

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  2. Suz... You take my breath away! -Don

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  3. I love them all too and I SO identify with the excitement and experimentation you described (and the thoughts about time slipping away).

    And...YES I hope we do some more! Striped Sock Series has a nice ring to it.

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  4. Suzanne, you never fail to amuse and amaze! Very fun, well done!!

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  5. Perfect! Those crazy stripes look fantastic on the solid white background. Contemporary and bold!

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  6. Hi Suzanne,

    It really is fun to see what everyone comes up with. I love the bright, bold colour in your painting... those socks seem utterly joyous! I had to look close again to see it wasn't a photo! Great job... to you and to all the other artists in this challenge.

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  7. Mary Ann, Wow, thank you! I know what you mean. There have been times I've had an idea in my head only to see it done by another artist. That's what I love about the challenge, it gets me to thinking about subject matter I wouldn't ordinarily think of. Thank you for your wonderful comments, they mean a lot.

    Don, you are incredibly nice to say that. It means a lot coming from you.

    Diana, thank you so much! I absolutely love your answer to the challenge. It's stunning.

    R Garriott, thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment.

    Gwen, thank you so much!

    Nicki, thank you so much. I really enjoyed doing them and am looking forward to doing more. I'm so thrilled that you like them.

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  8. Awesome painting, Suzanne. I can totally envision you doing a great flying-socks series. Glad it was angst-free, too.
    Thanks again for your warm words around my cat's death. I'm happy your pup is doing well.

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  9. Suzanne, your socks are absolutely sensational!! Go for a series, yes!

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  10. Love the socks!! Makes me want to order some. I can't wait to see the series!!

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  11. Truely amazing. I don't know if you really did do all that procrastination Suzanne but the final choice could not have been more perfect. Great job.

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  12. Colorful, whimsical, and fun!!

    I love these, Suzanne!

    -Dean

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