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

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Ballerina 25

I knew I wanted to do something a little different, a bit more abstract, and I let the paiint take me whereever it wanted to go with this portrait. Focusing more on value, I let the color just happen. It was an interesting experiment and I am not unhappy with the result although I don't think the photo truly captures the painting. This one is 14x18 - oil on linen.
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23 comments:

  1. hmuxoNovember 13, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    Love it!! the colors are wonderful, Susan. Another perfect ballerina!!

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    1. SusanNovember 16, 2012 at 4:23 PM

      I really did have fun with color - thanks, Hilda!

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  2. Sandra BusbyNovember 13, 2012 at 12:47 PM

    I think it's absolutely wonderful! I love how the light is dancing across her face. And such energy in your brush strokes! :0)

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    1. SusanNovember 16, 2012 at 4:25 PM

      Many thanks, Sandra - I like the way the light was falling as well :).

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  3. martinealisonNovember 13, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    Une ballerine en fête ! Elle me fait tourner la tête... Les couleurs du bonheur qui dansent avec la lumière...

    Gros bisous à toi Susan !

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    1. SusanNovember 16, 2012 at 4:27 PM

      Bonjour, Martine Alison - and I thank you so much for the kind words and the link from your site to mine. Soon I will repay this generous gesture! I am so glad you like her!

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  4. Simonne's fantasiestudioNovember 13, 2012 at 1:07 PM

    ik hou van de uitdrukking op haar gezicht.
    Bedankt voor uw bezoek aan mijn blog.
    groetjes,
    Simonne

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    1. SusanNovember 16, 2012 at 4:28 PM

      Your soft roses are quite beautiful, Simmone - and thank you for the nice comment!

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  5. Stephanie BerryNovember 14, 2012 at 7:35 AM

    It's wonderful! I like all your portraits. You keep them loose but don't lose any of the nuances or personality. All paintings look better in person I think. Getting a good photo is always a challenge.

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    1. SusanNovember 16, 2012 at 4:29 PM

      I agree, Stephanie - sometimes it feels so frustrating when a photo really loses the essence of the painting. :(

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  6. Studio at the FarmNovember 14, 2012 at 8:04 AM

    Susan, it is a most striking painting. I love how you have used bright colors as "dark" values. I have come to the same realization with my watercolor. No camera, no editing does justice to the subtle nuances of the many thin glazes.

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    1. SusanNovember 16, 2012 at 4:30 PM

      And we get a double whammy as I think even the photo loses a lot when it is transferred to the web. But its the best we can do - and thank goodness for the technology that allows us this much!

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  7. Darlene TwitchellNovember 14, 2012 at 9:13 AM

    Fantastic! I love this!

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    1. SusanNovember 16, 2012 at 4:31 PM

      Many thanks, Darlene - and welcome to my blog. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. It is greatly appreciated.

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  8. Floriana QuainiNovember 15, 2012 at 12:19 AM

    Ciao Susan,
    le tue ballerine hanno un posto nel mio cuore: mi divertono e mi commuovono e le trovo una bella metafora della vita, fatica e piacere, goffaggine, tanti sentimenti in volti e gesti molto molto umani!
    Sei bravissima!
    Ciao, abbracci, Floriana

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    1. SusanNovember 16, 2012 at 4:33 PM

      I used Google Translate to translate your comment Floriana - "your dancers have a place in my heart amuse me and move me and I find a nice metaphor for life, effort and pleasure, awkwardness, so many feelings in faces and gestures very very human!" And your words make me so happy! It is a special joy to me when my work finds a special place in someones heart. Many, many thanks :).

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  9. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comNovember 15, 2012 at 4:53 PM

    My fav so far. I love the way you handled the paint.

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    1. SusanNovember 16, 2012 at 4:35 PM

      It's always fun - and a great learning experience - when a bold experiment turns out decently!

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  10. Diana Moses BotkinNovember 16, 2012 at 12:21 PM

    So adventuresome! I love the way you pushed the color in this piece. It's very captivating.

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    1. SusanNovember 16, 2012 at 4:36 PM

      Thanks, Diana - this is one of those paintings that just seemed to complete itself. I was thinking more about value and shape and really didn't see her until I put my brushes down!

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  11. SusanNovember 16, 2012 at 4:34 PM

    :) - thank you, Ashok!

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  12. Lisa DariaDecember 15, 2012 at 5:30 PM

    Fresh! I like how the figure interacts with the background - and is fragmented in places - beautifully done!

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Your comments are welcome and brighten my day!

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