"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." Vincent Van Gogh

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Ballerina #21 - A Mulligan

After spending an unhappy week or so living with Ballerina #21 in my studio, I decided on a do-over. After covering the original painting with a coat of burnt umber thinned with mineral spirits, I repainted the entire piece. Although I am still uneasy about it,  I am happier this time around as I do believe it approaches my original conception more closely. Here it was before the mulligan:

I am done with it for now although I think that in the future I may retry this concept again - one never knows!

20 comments:

  1. Good to hear you struggle with some of them. It always appears effortless.
    I enjoyed seeing the differences after I enlarged them and I agree with the changes made. I liked the other one too!

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    1. Sometimes a painting seems to come almost effortlessly - and others less so. Thanks for your support, Julie - and much luck in your new and very lovely gallery and studio!

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  2. What a great way to re-do something your not happy with - It's not something I have tried, but I will the next time! You have no reason to be uneasy about it at all! i liked the first one and I like the second! Be confident because your work is unique and wonderful :0)

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    1. Hi Sandra - I have many, many paintings that I paint over and gesso over and sometimes escort to the landfill! Its a long and winding road and I have experienced a considerable number of bumps! I thought this one might be worth saving so I gave it a try. Thank you for your very gracious words and strong support. I appreciate it greatly!

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  3. YES YES! I liked the first one, but LOVE the 2nd - you are right!

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    1. Thanks, Debbie - and thanks so much for stopping by!

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  4. Susan, het is heel moedig om je schilderij terug over te doen, het is mooi.

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    1. Dank u, Simmone - Ik ben liever dapper en verf over een mislukte stuk dan om naar te kijken!

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  5. These are spectacular Susan. Warming it up was the right move. I love the attitude of the dancers. Very original.

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    1. Thank you, Linda - it was not so colorful in my original concept and I wanted to try and bring it back to that. That being said, its all about the attitude, situation and experience of the dancers and their place in the universe - in that respect I may have been a little more successful with this painting. Your support and encouraging words are highly appreciated! :)

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  6. I love the lavenders. The darker and more somber colors seem to give the ballerinas more of a "OMG, what happens if I stumble" look as they wait to go on-stage.

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  7. I zoomed in on both of them...love them both!!! I do like the colors on the outfits on the first one a little better..the way the light hits the lavender is beautiful.

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  8. Isn't it amazing what you have painted here! I like either color scheme.

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    1. Thank you , Suzanne - I am happier with this second attempt - although not so happy with the photo. Somehow I don't seem able to get a good photo of this painting and I am not sure why. Thankyou so much for stopping by and for your uplifiting comment!

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  9. I've missed so many of your postings, Susan, but I'm almost back in the saddle - Nice to see the 'girls' are still doing their stuff; love 'em both but can see what you mean, the second one is
    my favourite.

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    1. So glad you are back, John and thank you for stopping by. I did not achieve my goal with either attempt but I keep on trying!

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  10. Hi Susan. I haven't been by in awhile. So much lovely stuff to see here! I was told if you aren't happy with the result of a painting, you should redo it on a different canvas. That way you can compare the two versions. Sometimes it might make you like the first more than you did originally. I have to say, as the observer, I do like both. However the colors you chose gave a completely different feeling. As artists, we are driven by a feeling... I totally understand where you were coming from.

    Someone recently told me to halt on a painting I was very unsatisfied with, telling me she loved it! I put it aside, but the desire to redo it to try and capture my original idea is gnawing at me. If I do, I'll take a new canvas...

    Have you read Kevin Mizner's recent post on what the viewer sees? He makes reference to them not knowing what the artist was trying to achieve, therefore not judging the painting by the same criteria as the artist. It all ties into this.

    Have a great day!

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    1. Susan, I always appreciate your thoughtful comments. I have been searching and searching for a way to get my concepts on canvas in a way that is not cryptic to the viewer but have not yet been successful. I do admit that it is an integral part of why I paint. But a frustrating one. I read Kevin Mizner's blog entry and understand his angst as I share it. I go through periods of time where I am highly unsatisfied with my work (and like Kevin, might have a regret or 2 about the work I consign to the trash during those times. But this is a journey and I just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Perhaps someday I will be better able to place my concepts on canvas. Thank you so much for stopping by - I truly appreciate your words. You always give me food for thought.

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  11. Oh I have missed some ballerina's in my recent days and now get to see you take a wonderful painting and make some changes that I love also. Somehow the mulligan ( and I am a big golfer) is just a big stronger and the middle girl just pops a bit more...the highlight on her shoulder really draws me in...then my eye tracks down her sunlit back and throws me to the right ballerina and I travel up her and back around. My astonishing question is-DID you plan all that...so amazing!! Love them and I want one!! One day for sure!

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    1. I loved reading your comment, Kathy. I had a very definite concept of where I wanted to be with this painting and I did not even begin to approach it in my first attempt. The color, the values and the overall feeling of the mulligan is closer but I am still not there. It seems I have a lot to say with this particular piece that still remains unsaid. Perhaps I will try it again some day. That one I will call my Hat Trick, I guess! Thanks so much for your support!

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!