Personal Art Blog

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

Friday, January 25, 2013

Allium - Dried Seed Head



Allium - Dried Seed Head

7x5in oil on linen  $100.


Day 24 in the 30 in 30 Days Challenge
My personal goal for this challenge - to paint only
what I have never painted or thought of painting before.

This is a wonderful dried seed head from the flower of
the garlic plant. I have painted them when they are
in beautiful bloom, but never like this.
I have to admit I cannot wait to paint a flower.
Something glorious.... hmm, now what will it be?

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32 comments:

  1. Just love that exposed linen around the edges. Very earthy and natural looking and in perfect concert with the seed head. The seed head itself looks very dimensional. Great subject!

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    1. Thank you Libby. I found it intriguing to paint. The structure is quite complex.
      Your collage work has some of the same complexity.

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  2. Hi Julie - for a minute this dried seed head looked 3 dimensional. It really pops up off the surface! These next few days will go by so fast - it has been enjoyable riding around the internet each day looking at the great art going on!

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    1. I guess it is the contrast which makes it pop. Love your painting today - best of the three, but it is probably because I like an active surface.

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  3. I like this very much, really contemporary concept, well done you! You come up with a huge variety of subjects!

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    1. Yes - deliberately lots of variety in this challenge. Had to do that so I would not fall into a trap of painting just for paintings sake.
      Your still life is really good. I love the design you used.

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  4. Love those neutrals! This "dead-head" looks so life-like! Well done!

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    1. I forgot the term dead-head. Fits doesn't it?
      I have enjoyed your poppy painting and have visited it a couple of times.

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  5. Love those blue-violet hues traveling through the seed head. Great job. Anticipation is part of the joy, no?

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    1. Anticipation is always wonderful when it is something I am looking forward to. I am pleased I gave myself an interesting challenge though. it has flown by.
      Your trike is fabulous Helen.

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  6. Looks great, Julie! The exposed canvas adds a new dimension to enjoy!

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    1. I enjoy the Senso canvas. The color of the linen is very natural and goes particularly well with something like this.
      that is a really marvelous cow you did, Dean.

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  7. It is a lovely painting, and it is interesting how it also reminds of trees, partly because of there is nothing to determent the size of those dried seed heads.

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    1. I also thought of tree when I was painting it, Roger. It has fine branches but they all come from a center place unlike trees. It held my interest and I really enjoyed it.
      How about your single apple - powerful!

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  8. The Allium is really striking on the wonderful background you made , almost as if you 'build' the layers ! Lots of new Alliums if there are any seeds left :-))

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    1. Hi Jane, I guess you have them in Italy too. Garlic - Italy ? Of course!!!

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  9. There is beauty even in the dried flowers and seeds, your brushwork on this one brings out that beauty,Julie!

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    1. Not everyone sees beauty in dead things I guess you and I both do.

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  10. I love the dried seed head! beautiful!

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  11. My goodness I do love the layers of colour you put into your work.

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  12. Every painting is a delight for the eyes here, Julie. This is no exception and I like when you paint on linen for some reason. Such a natural look, maybe.

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    1. You should try it with dry watercolor brushwork. It has a clear acrylic priming so it would be interesting to see what happened.

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  13. Julie, this is really lovely....and congratulations for doing such a grand job on this challenge. It is such a wonderful learning experience to jump in with both feet and force yourself to grow.

    Do you stretch your Senso canvases after they have dried, or, do you ship them unstretched?

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    1. Thanks Sarol. regarding the Senso. I use the pads and order boards the same size and use YES glue to mount them when dry.
      I do that with most of the canvas types I use. I find that is is freeing for me. Failures do not get mounted!

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  14. I LOVE the earthy feel of this one Julie!

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  15. Replies
    1. thank you Kathy. I know I left a comment on your iris and car but still not on.

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  16. I hope this comment isn't too cliche, but this painting is So pretty...

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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