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

Thursday, November 24, 2016

Neptune's Court and Happy Thanksgiving

Neptune's Court / oil on canvas panel / 20 x 16
 A painting I did from a photo taken when my husband and I were on vacation in Washington DC in May 2014. She is one of the Tritons in the Court of Neptune fountain in front of the Library of Congress. It impressed me greatly and the memory of it has stayed with me.

The Court of Neptune Fountain , Washington DC
I wish to take a moment to wish everyone who celebrates it a very happy and peaceful Thanksgiving. My husband and I will be having a quiet dinner with our son while we await the visit from our daughter in early December. We have much to be thankful for including good health, good and active minds, and an abundance of temporal riches. Happy Thanksgiving!

24 comments:

  1. Wow! Now that is a powerful painting in which the act of painting doesn't get in the way of the wild energy. The muted palette works so well. Brilliant, Susan, just brilliant.

    Hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving.

    My granddaughter, Giselle - the subject of my current painting - is also coming home in early December. She's coming from Australia with her two boys and husband. With us for 6 weeks after 12 months without her!!

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    1. What a grand comment, John - thank you very much. I rather enjoy how this one turned out as well. I was tempted to work on it further but decided to leave it at this point.

      How lucky you are to have Giselle and her family with you for 6 solid weeks - that sounds like a dream come true! My daughter will be home for only 4 days before returning to Amsterdam. I hope to enjoy every minute (second) of her stay!

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  2. I think the touch of red makes a dynamic entrance into the painting. What amazing movement you captured. I can understand it staying in your mind. I saw the same thing when visiting Washington, but I remember the birds sitting all over the place. I went looking for my photos of them but couldn't find them. Need to be more organized.
    I enjoyed your Thanksgiving thoughts. December will certainly be special for all of you. Blessings abound in our lives.

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    1. Hi, Julie! Isn't it odd how we both saw the same thing but had such different experiences! I don't remember one bird at the fountain when we were there - nor were there many people. We actually got to enjoy it in near solitude which was a great and unexpected pleasure.
      Blessings do abound - my daughter will turn up on our door step in just a few more days!

      I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Julie.

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  3. Neptune's Court - Roland Hinton Perry the scultor of Neptune's Court was only 27 when he completed his work. Perry said, "I have tried to embody by Neptune and the Naiads [nymphs] the physical joy felt in masses of rushing water." Some are at-home in the water. And your image has captured the raucous joy of being at home. I bookmarked your site back in March and happy I stopped by today.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment, Elizabeth. After returning home from DC, I did some research on Roland Hinton as I was so affected by this work of his. I did not know he was only 27 years old! Your quote indicates to me that he most certainly captured what he intended.

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  4. LOVE the subtle colors in this painting Susan! I can see why you wanted to paint this. I love the motion in this piece! So hard to believe Thanksgiving is over.... And soon your daughter will be coming home to Mom....life is good!!!

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    1. Life is good! And I thank you for your wonderful comment! I hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving - and I am greatly enjoying seeing your recent still life work!

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  5. A painting so filled with energy , what a gorgeous piece !

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    1. Many thanks, Jane. I found a freedom in painting this subject that is often not easy to come by.

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  6. I love the drama of the painting!

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    1. It is dramatic isn't it, as she appears to have absolute confidence and control over this wild beast! Many thanks, Judy!

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  7. How brilliantly creative you are - love this!

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    1. Love your comment, Tina - thank you! And your show looks spectacular! I wishy ou great success with it!

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  8. I can see why you were impressed by these sculptures! Each one is so powerful and full of strength. That perception comes across in your painting with the taut muscles of the horse and the positioning of the rider and the horse.

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    1. Thanks, Carol - I thoroughly enjoyed the composition of this piece!

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  9. Susan wat is dit een heerlijk schilderij, vol passie en lekker wild, ik vind het fantastisch !
    Ik wens je een mooie tijd met de famillie,
    groetjes van Simonne

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    1. Your enthusiastic words make me smile - thanks, Simmone.

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  10. Ola Susan!
    Love! Love! Love "Neptune's Court! Strength! Great movement! Tremendous amount of excitement! So much more! Well done! Bravo buddy!
    Michael

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    1. So nice to see you here, Michael! thanks for the kind words and welcome back!

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  11. it is a MARVELOUS STROKE dear!!!
    glad you are expecting your son and then daughter to visit and celebrate with you .
    i don't have daughter but next week we are heading to meet our son in city about 8 hours drive away .

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    1. Many thanks, Baili. I am thinking of doing a companiion piece to this one.

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!