Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Callas and Roses




















Yellow Roses and Calla Lilies

8x6in oil on canvas panel  SOLD

Had a wonderful weekend with a visiting friend who also is an art lover.

Finally did the flowers and I am going to send this to my daughter, so
Rainy - if you are reading this I hope you like it!

Artist Note

I have painted this and wiped it off so many times - at least 12 attempts.
I do not know how many of you go thru this, but I could
see so clearly what I wanted it to look like and for the life of me
just  could not pull it off.
What I do find helpful is sitting and analyzing what I DO NOT LIKE
and then examine the areas that are left.
Here is a ghost scrape off that I do like most areas and am going to work
on this again.


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26 comments:

  1. Blanche NiznikSeptember 4, 2012 at 6:41 PM

    Good Lord, even your wipe off's are beautiful. Thanks for sharing the problems as well as your successes...which are many.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comSeptember 4, 2012 at 9:41 PM

      Thanks, Blanche. I used to have more misses than successes but where it used to be one out of 10 I would keep now it is down to one out of three I keep. This painting had thirteen tries!!! definitely a step back. I wonder why this happens...maybe to keep my ego in check?

      Delete
  2. Lisa Graham September 4, 2012 at 9:26 PM

    Bet she loves it!

    12 times? You are more patient and persistent...I often just stop and say "good enough". But I know that's not a good thing.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comSeptember 4, 2012 at 9:52 PM

      I never give up because I am always fascinated by the unpredictability of what I do. Usually I can work through the problems in a few tries. This was way beyond the norm and if it wasn't my daughter who had sent the flowers, I do not think I would have persisted. She picked the callas because she knows how much I love to paint them.I still intend to finish the ghost scrape-off one.
      The yellows in the top one are brighter than shown.

      Congratulations on your one year of blogging. You have a marvelous and fun blog.

      Delete
  3. Rita VaselliSeptember 5, 2012 at 1:23 AM

    Dear Julie,about your flowers I thought ...
    what are different the compositions of florists from those of the painters!
    But you won
    changing the playing cards ... in the artistic game!

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comSeptember 5, 2012 at 7:29 AM

      Thank you, Rita.
      I loved your new post and your painting is very beautiful.

      Delete
  4. Autumn LeavesSeptember 5, 2012 at 3:53 AM

    I think it is beautiful, Julie, and in fact, I think the "ghost scrape off" is also beautiful. That buttery yellow rose is perfect with the callas.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comSeptember 5, 2012 at 7:41 AM

      My daughter never reads comments so I feel safe saying the following...
      I prefer the scrape-off over the painting!
      If I can keep the luminous look it will be a better finished painting and that is why I am going to try one more time!

      Love your piano story.

      Delete
  5. hmuxoSeptember 5, 2012 at 4:42 AM

    I know Rainy will LOVE this one, Julie! Callas are such beautiful flowers and you painted these beautifully...

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comSeptember 5, 2012 at 7:43 AM

      Thanks, Hilda. I know she will love it because I did it not because of the imagery. She appreciates a more classical look over the impressionistic.
      She was a huge help with critiquing my work so I miss that too.

      Delete
  6. Libby FifeSeptember 5, 2012 at 5:23 AM

    I am sorry that you are so frustrated! Knowing what you want to say but not quite getting there must make you a little crazy! The results are lovely though (hope your daughter enjoys the work) and the foundation you have leftover looks like a good scaffolding for the next effort. Keep going!

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comSeptember 5, 2012 at 8:00 AM

      Thanks for the understanding, Libby. I agree on the scrape-off and will be working on it some more.
      I enjoyed the discussion on your blog of having a neat environment to work in.

      Delete
  7. Bruce BinghamSeptember 5, 2012 at 5:35 AM

    Hi Julie,
    I go through the same, and am often surprised how much better I like it after I've scraped off. Sometimes it needs so much LESS than I thought. I find I can go back in with a fresh eye and finish it off rather quickly. Love yours and the beautiful yellow and red.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comSeptember 5, 2012 at 8:28 AM

      Thanks Bruce. The reason I like mono prints is because it messes up just enough to be more interesting than my controlled effort.
      I like your painting today.

      Delete
  8. Dean H.September 5, 2012 at 7:38 AM

    I like the sculptural petals in your competed painting, Julie.

    I really love the colors in the scrape off! They are deep, intense, and work great together.
    You are a terrific artist! As always, thanks for the Art Notes!

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comSeptember 5, 2012 at 8:34 AM

      Thanks Dean, the top was was once a scrape-off too and look how it looses its glow when I do too much painting. A lesson learned! I will try again.
      Your lady with the hat painting is really good.

      Delete
  9. UnknownSeptember 5, 2012 at 7:54 AM

    This is a great discussion. Yes,I like the scrape off better also although on the top one, the movement of darks, the warm and cool, the lovely colors just sing. How often I have scraped, really like the result, but walked away because I had scraped it and was frustrated. It so helps to share these struggles.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comSeptember 5, 2012 at 8:55 AM

      I agree Helen. It does help to read of other artist's struggles. Makes it all so natural instead of feeling your are a personal disaster zone.
      Hey - your light bulb painting has a lovely abstract quality to it.

      Delete
  10. Roger ÅkessonSeptember 5, 2012 at 7:58 AM

    Those lilies are lovely, the painting too.
    It is fun that you mention the amount of wipes, since another painter talked about that too, and I can be jealous about those who can wipe (oil painters got a lot of time before it is too late). Working in acrylics mean that already after a few minutes a wipe is impossible, with the result of layers of paint instead.

    As I said, lovely painting and happy painting.

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    1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comSeptember 5, 2012 at 8:58 AM

      Rodger...Rodger... don't be jealous...acrylic is so easy to keep painting over because it drys so fast. Never any MUD! The oil has been harder for me. Both have their advantages and you work the properties of acrylic better than anyone I know.
      Thanks for the great comment.

      Delete
  11. KonstantinaPSeptember 5, 2012 at 8:31 AM

    Pure beauty! They seem as if they are in motion, tending to come closer to one another... A big embrace of beautiful flowers.
    Warm regards.

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  12. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comSeptember 5, 2012 at 9:03 AM

    Thanks and may I wish you a safe and happy trip back to the sunshine of your native Greece. Liverpool must have been a very hard adjustment but you survived and acomplished a lot..

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  13. Diary of a Madd Weekly PainterSeptember 5, 2012 at 10:09 AM

    So interesting.......Thanks for posting your scrape off. Love your work (I think you call it fracturing?) I'll bet your daughter loves this. Best Wishes.

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  14. Roseanne CampagnaSeptember 5, 2012 at 11:01 AM

    Success!!

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  15. suzanneberrySeptember 5, 2012 at 1:43 PM

    i love you work and the way you use the paint and brush. outstanding!

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  16. Gatepost productionsSeptember 5, 2012 at 1:47 PM

    Lovely picture, Julie, I reckon your daughter is going to love it. As a pen & ink man I don't get to scrape - but I often wish I could. If I make a 'mistake' I have to hide it. I have just finished the ship picture 'Bellona' and she has a little extra rigging to disguise a wrong line

    ReplyDelete

I love that you are taking the time to comment and thank you for it. I am sure other readers will enjoy them too. If you cannot comment through this format then email me at juliefordoliver@gmail.com
Cheers,
Julie

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