Monday, July 15, 2013

MOSES BOTKIN CHALLENGE July



















"Seeing Double"
48x36" oil on heavyweight canvas


Well this month's challenge subject should be fairly obvious at this point. I love painting eggs. In the shell, out of the shell, cooked, raw...there's just so much going on at any given time with eggs, vibrant colors, the googlies, almost as if half of the sun was (should that be were or was?) encased in clear liquid.

There's this great gourmet market a bit up the road that I just haunt. Amazing collection of treats, both savory and sweet. They carry eggs with double yolks and when I discovered Vicki's choice for this month, those yummy double yolks popped right into my mind. I set up a photo shoot and snapped over 50 shots so there will definitely be some protein-laden canvases in my future. And, for some reason, I feel as though I need to paint everything on large supports here lately!

I decided not to rush into the painting and did some thinking and even with that I had to begin over again having started working on a lighter cotton canvas with far too much play in the surface. A very unique thing happened during this process. It dawned on me that far larger brushes might be a big help and they were! Who knew? I went to Home Depot and purchased the regular brushes one would use to paint the wall and they worked perfectly.


I would normally start by looking at my reference and try to capture the deep reddish orange and nearly white highlights in one session but since the previous few paintings have fared well with layering I thought it best not to futz with the streak.

I painted the predominate color with lots of Liquin so the next day I could paint the next layer and so on for three days. I actually finished on time!

Also, a dear friend, Brenda Ferguson (I love her work) suggested that I include a snap showing the scale of the canvas in real life. Thanks Bren, great idea!

There's a feeling of fullness, of working on 3 different challenges, commissions, mentoring and donation work all at the same time. My head hits the pillow and I'm feeling satisfied because there are paintings waiting for me when I get up the next day. Tim you were so right. Working really, really helps. Repeating myself, I know. And speaking of himself, what would a post be without including Tim?

Sitting out reading a book last week before it got oppressively hot, I saw a rather large crow perched on a branch nearby. He was incredibly loud, cawing and cawing, when suddenly he began making this soothing clucking sound. He stayed there for the duration of my reading session making that soothing sound. Once or twice I looked up, laughed out loud and asked him if he was Tim. He was there when I went back inside, having stayed on that branch cooing sweetly for an hour and a half! The next morning when I took the boys out into the back for their morning toilette, I found a big black feather right in front of the door. Now me being me, it was validation that Tim did indeed join me while I read. A more rational person would pronounce the crow annoying and ignore the feather, however, clearly, I'm not rational and for that I am so grateful.

That said, please enjoy the Egg Specials of the day:
















"Imposter"
Original drawing on paper
Approx. 7.5 x 9"
©2013 Diana Moses Botkin
http://dianamosesbotkin.blogspot.com/

















"Dusk Flip"
12 x 16" pastel
©V.N. Ross

32 comments:

  1. Flipping heck! I'm in love. L O V E IT! Do more!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This post was my favorite, Suzanne ! Thank you for that smile!!
    I as well, like to think that those not here with us ARE still with us sometimes...it makes me feel so much better and somewhat safer.
    This painting is absolutely Outstanding...perfect colors and so realistic! and I can't believe the size of this painting...I LOVE it..!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your painting is wonderful and fun interpretation of our Challenge subject, Suzanne. I LOVE it. Thank you for sharing the scale photo, too. WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  4. WOW! Love this! You nailed those highlights! Love the wips, the size, the highlights! and the whole thing would be great with biscuits and gravy! Just wow!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the depth of color and seeing how big it is, very cool! Who knew eggs could be so lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mind blowingly good! and I love seeing both the scale and stages. I feel like I should be making toast now! Big toast! haha-

    ReplyDelete
  7. That canvas is massive! Great work, Suz, though honestly that comes as no surprise! I have to agree with you about the crow and Tim. I love that you are so busy and so enjoying it too! Wish I lived near an artist mentor. I guess my daughter would be as close as I have to a mentor. She always answers my art questions.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love the eggs and the scale. The progression shots are exciting. So great seeing the big work. Awesome.

    XOXO Barbara

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a treat to wake up to this great post. First - I adore this painting. Simple and powerful in design and execution, allowing the viewer to have an emotional response to it. Second, I love the bird and Tim relationship. I have no doubt it is true as you see it. The feather confirms it. Great idea to show size comparison.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Once again, my crazee friend, you have nailed it! Such a happy interpretation...good reflection of your state of mind. So proud of you, and Tim (in crow suit). OF COURSE it was him! Now let's see that crow feather...a talisman.

    ReplyDelete
  11. HOLY COW!!! That is goooooooorgeoussssss!!! Amazing Suz, I don't know how you do it, because that is such a huge support and it is absolutely perfectly painted. Jaw dropping. I am in love with it, and I don't even like eggs!

    I love how you talk of being full, and content, and I think that is such a great feeling to have. Tim, and you are right, work that you love really makes such a difference. Also, I am so glad that you kept Tim's feather. I would have done that too. :D

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  13. You amazed me again! Yes, loved the egg paintings then when I saw the scale, phew! you blew me away! Love what Mary Maxam said...so funny! You are a part of a lovely artist group here. I enjoy your art and your blog immensely!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Smile - love - peace. I love your work, this post, the story of the crow, and the picture showing the size of the painting. Thank you! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Holey Moley, Gunkie! Your eggs are to die for!!! What a fantastic painting!
    And the feather ... here's to irrationality! :) I'm with you!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wowee! Gigantic eggs and perfectly done! Love!

    ReplyDelete
  17. what a painting! Fantastic...unbelievably good! Loved the story about the crow. Made me smile.

    ReplyDelete
  18. OH MY WORD!!! Are you serious?! This painting is... I'm speechless! Wow, I can't even express how impressed I am with this piece. It's pure excellence! And the size of it - wow, just stunning! This is a stunning masterpiece, Suzanne! I... I mean WOW! So gorgeous!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I actually GASPED when I saw this! Firstly, I thought it was a photo and had to zoom in to realise it was a painting - secondly when I saw the sheer SIZE of it!!! I am gobsmacked!!! You should definitely post more photo's like this. I only wish I could do a workshop with you - what a dream that would be!
    This has to be one of your best paintings!!
    And I would have thought just the same as you about the crow. There are some things you can just sense. Trust your instincts - we are born with it for a reason :0)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Perhaps only you could make sunnyside up spectacular, but you did. I love that it is sooo large. Brenda's idea was a good one.
    (Never discount a feather!)

    ReplyDelete
  21. oh my gosh- total amazement again!!
    love
    tweedles

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wowza! And then some! Well done and thank you for a description of your process with the extra photos. Great idea to post the one showing the full scale.

    I'm glad you include Tim in your posts and I am glad you are finding signs that validate he is with you always. And I am glad you are working and painting and going to bed content. Knowing all of this makes my day!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'll have mine over easy please. Wow I love the grandeur of this piece! Thanks for sharing it. Thanks Brenda for suggesting it. Eggs and a crow story all in one, hum... Are those really chicken eggs??? Your painting is remarkable. So glad Tim told you to get back to work. Your work is stunning!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow! You rock, this is outstanding. I would have never considered painting this so large but it works. I absolutely believe the crow was Tim saying hi, we have to be open for signs.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am sure I already commented on these eggs...but I had to come back for a second look. They are obviously French eggs. I can tell because of the deep orange hue and I know they have intense flavor. I need to go fry a couple right now!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi there Suz!... Yer take on the double yolks really hits the mark... as usual in composition... colour and pure... superb draughtsmanship! And the scale???... really ramps up that omelette possibility!! HA HA!

    The yolk's on you dear! HA HA!!! Love your raven/crow analogy. In Haida West Coastal mythological tradition... Raven restored Light to the world! Tim = Raven.... What a great new spin on that magical story!

    Good Painting!
    Warmest regards,
    Bruce

    ReplyDelete
  27. Love the eggs -- and the self portrait, Suzanne. You're digging in and doing great things.
    Rose Hohenberger

    ReplyDelete
  28. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  29. holy smokies Suz!!!!!!!!!! Best egg yolk painting I have ever seen!!!!! Impressive on it's scale as well!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great to see your work on the easel, looks so different when you see it to scale. Brilliant work as always!

    ReplyDelete

Your visits to my blog and the comments you leave here are an integral part of my creative process. They are helpful, supportive and well, let's face it, they feel really good! If I don't thank you personally, please allow me to thank you in advance for taking the time to stop by and leave your thoughts, they mean so much!