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

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Ballerina #42

Ballerina #42 / oil on artboard / 20 x 16
Why paint large ballerinas you may ask. Several years ago a friend of mine confided to me that she often thought of herself as the ballerina she thought she wanted to be when she was a little girl. I found that to be a fascinating remark and set out to paint mature, accomplished women as they are but also living out a childhood dream. The ballerinas took on a life of their own and I discovered perhaps there is some humanity, elegance and truth in their large forms. I hope you enjoy viewing them as much as I have enjoyed painting them.

22 comments:

  1. Love her confident pose!! Your ballerinas always make me smile, Susan!!

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    1. She is very self assured! Thanks for your comment and support, Hilda - glad to make you smile! :)

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  2. Your large ballerinas as I'm sure I have told you in the past, are my favourite paintings of yours! They wouldn't be the same if they were wafer thin! They are just fabulous! :0)

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    1. It's funny how I will paint horses and jockeys for a while, and even portraits, but the ballerinas always end up pushing themselves into my psyche - making me go back to painting them again and again!

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  3. Your large ballerinas as I'm sure I have told you in the past, are my favourite paintings of yours! They wouldn't be the same if they were wafer thin! They are just fabulous! :0)

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  4. Hallo Susan, ik denk dat de ballerina zelf zoveel kan genieten als de toeschouwers, heel mooi .
    groetjes van Simonne

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    1. I agree! I hope to show them as confident, strong women, comfortable with themselves and their choices in life.

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  5. What a wonderful painting and great idea. I know that dream was true for so many little girls.I just stumbled upon your work from Jane's blog.:)

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    1. I always love it when someone new drops by my blog and leaves me a comment. Many thanks for your visit, Jennifer. I hope you like what you saw enough to come back again and again!

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  6. Just love your ballerinas, keep painting them !

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    1. They have taken me over, Jane - it seems I have no choice!

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  7. The reason I like your wonderfully chubby ballerinas so much is because you took the classic thin and height requirements away,and it is neat finding out the real story. I had a sister who had the dream... but also had a larger frame. Turned out she did get too large later in life, but she could have had the pleasure of the dance when younger. Your wonderful series of dancers mean even more to me now.

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    1. Thank you for telling me about your sister, Julie. Since I started painting these large gals, a lot of people relate on one level or another. Even those whose childhood dreams had nothing to do with ballet seem to connect on a personal level. It is amazing and gratifying to me.

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  8. Hi Susan.
    You are on a roll with your Ballerina`s Susan. This one is also fantastic. Keep them coming my friend. All the best Susan.
    Vic.

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    1. You are so kind, Vic - your support and lovely comments are much appreciated!

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  9. When I open your blog and see one of your ballerinas, I giggle, I smile, I admire your imagination. Now that I know what prompted the series, I love them more. Ladies after my own heart.

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    1. Your comments always make me feel good and touch my heart, Linda. Thank you. One of my goals as I journey along this art path is to try and convey with familiar subjects, a bit of reality that is just beyond our human senses of perception. My steeplechase series and my ballerinas have this in common. I am so glad you love this large gals.

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  10. Bonjur ma chère Susan,

    Je suis très heureuse de revenir peu à peu dans le monde de la blogosphère... Tes oeuvres m'ont beaucoup manquée.
    Tes ballerines sont pleines de charme. Pourquoi s'interdirait-on de danser parce que nous ne renvoyons pas l'image de la danseuse qui se doit d'être svelte ?
    Merci de la petite explication en ce qui concerne tes très belles ballerines. je les aime tant !
    Je te fais de gros bisous

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    1. Welcome back, Martine - I am glad to hear your comment. I do believe my confident ballerinas could do almost anything they desire!

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  11. Bonjur ma chère Susan,

    Je suis très heureuse de revenir peu à peu dans le monde de la blogosphère... Tes oeuvres m'ont beaucoup manquée.
    Tes ballerines sont pleines de charme. Pourquoi s'interdirait-on de danser parce que nous ne renvoyons pas l'image de la danseuse qui se doit d'être svelte ?
    Merci de la petite explication en ce qui concerne tes très belles ballerines. je les aime tant !
    Je te fais de gros bisous

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  12. Another beauty! I love the thought behind them too! Keep painting them!

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  13. Susan, you know I love all your ballerinas, and after hearing what inspired you to create them. I love them even MORE!!!
    Kathryn

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!