I thought I'd start this art blog by sharing a current work in progress.
It's a piece of devotional art for Dionysos, and I'm having some trouble with it. It's been sitting on my easel for most of the last year.
Lately I've been forcing myself to paint loose and sloppy, to counter my natural tedancy for fussy realism, as in the piece on the right.
The problem is that, while I like the overall effect I'm getting, alone it looks too much like a 3-year-old did it. I need to bring back a little of the fussiness, to find a middle path.
I'm also trying to deepen my understanding of Dionysos as I work. To me he's never been the fun loving frat boy god that is prevalent in popular culture. Even the Carravagio version, though I love it, seems a bit superficial. I'm best aquainted with the gentle Melikios, but I think it's time for me to delve deeper and embrace the more frightening aspects of the mad god. In this painting it is the raving Bakkios screaming to get through. I'd like to continue what I was trying to do with the masks, happy, smily in the forefront, raving chaos underneath. Perhaps by painting the top layer more traditionally. I'm thinking I'll add some big cats on the left, tighten up the grape and ivy leaves, but I'm not sure what to do with the big green area on the right.
I just added the broken mirror last week, and am really pleased with how it looks - and how it symbolizes the insanity of the god - but now I've got to paint around it - something I'm dreading.
1 comments:
Your painting is certainly interesting, Thorn! I like the imagery that you're wanting to come thru.
Maybe more of a swirling maelstrom in darker greens on the right. More chaotic images of the masks? I could see you pull that off. As for the mirrors, maybe mask them off with some tape or something, that way you can just paint right over top, and peel it off later.
I can relate with you on the unfinished painting. I have one that's been sitting for over 3 years. it's an oil painting of dolphins...while I like the subject matter, I'm just not liking finishing the painting. Just doesn't call to me anymore. Maybe someday.
Would love to see more work from you!
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