The latest news from Carol McIntyre's studio...
After I collected a number of photographs of Ellie, I then drew up a sketch for approval.
11x14 sketch of Ellie (click to enlarge)
I use tracing paper because it is easy to make changes on it if necessary. Also, the sketch is then transferred onto the canvas after approval. The sketch is therefore done at the actual size I will be painting.
…to be continued.
“How will major surgery impact your art?” is a question several people have asked me. Curiosity captured this cat also. In fact, I was feeling some expectation that such a major life event had to impact me somehow!
During my first few weeks after surgery, I was in survival mode and could not even think about artmaking (read Bob’s article below). Then in about week 3, I wandered back into the studio. First, I was intimidated by it and then, energized. I eased myself into painting by creating some new color charts (past color students will laugh at this!). My head spinned with questions such as, Where do I begin? What size do I want to paint? How do I make this easy? Do I know what I want to paint? Can I choose a color palette I like?
I found an 18×24 canvas that had been textured, I picked out a palette and began painting. Below is the first layer or underpainting!
I decided that the orange should be at the bottom so I flipped the painting and then started my layers. Can you see the sweeping line coming up from the bottom and the beginning of the swirling action in the painting?
Layers upon layers slowly evolved into movements of air and horn shapes. I came to realize how the images were conveying my unconscious experiences of breathing more air! The air bubbles were an addition I could not resist and just plain fun. Several people have already reacted strongly to “It’s More Fun with Air,” and I would love to hear yours. What do you think or feel? Do you like the colors? What about the concept?
How or will this surgery impact my art? It is too soon to tell, but I sense that once I totally recover that my energy will surge and my confidence will increase, hence, indirectly influencing my creative output.
Medically, the surgery was a success as my airway was enlarged by at least 3 times from what it was originally (and I now experience dreams nightly). My chin was moved forward, the roof of my mouth was expanded. Also, my tongue was moved forward and both jaws were adjusted accordingly. The pureed or “Baby Food” diet is getting a tad tiresome, but I will hang in there until week 12 (currently in week 7) – no chewing is allowed & my mouth is rubber band shut. The experts tell me that my progress is 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule! Officially, I have returned back to work this week, though not at full strength, and look forard to starting the Memory Portraits I have begin commissioned to paint!
Three Labrador Memory Portraits (click to enlarge)
Can you see the personalities of PeeWee, Tika and Skjonn in these pet portraits? These three delightful Labradors have been occupying my pastel easel for the past several months. I have been commissioned to do four Memory Portraits from one family in Minnesota. From my in-depth interviews, I was able to learn about their unique personailies and then transfer their characteristics into a painting.
Which one is the happy dog who will play with anyone at anytime, any where? Which one is always on the look out, ready for whatever may happen next. Which dog is the more cautious and gentle one?
It has been a marvelous challenge to capture these three sisters and I look forward to painting the fourth sister, Jager, who has just turned 2 years old. While painting PeeWee, Tika and Skjonn, I would listen to the music that reflected their personalities and enjoyed imagining them in my studio. It was particularly important that their eyes were painted correctly and consistent to their individual characters. As you can see, they each have a season that matched as well! What do you think of these sisters?
"Joyous Skjonn" - almost complete..? (click to enlarge)
Something seemed to have “bit” me while trying to finish this Memory Portrait of Skjonn. It has been a struggle and I am not sure why. Is it her fun loving spirit and fear that I could not capture it? Or was it the color combination of being a black Labrador with both brown and blue highlights? What are your thoughts?
Anyway, it feels like I am very close to the finish line. The orange highlights were applided to help convey her wonderful personality. Are they too obvious or too bright? Then I kept some of the royal blues for the same reason. Her hooded eyes look good and I was pleased that I was able to convey the cast shadow over her right (photo’s left) eye. Perhaps some of my trepidation was purely the ‘learning opportunity’ that Skjonn presented…? I do wonder if she yet approves of her portrait! LOL!
Per the request of Skjonn’s owners, I ‘blackened’ Skjonn up and decreased the browns and oranges. Because the background is light blues and whites, it was still necessary for me to use a little orange in her highlights so that her portrait stands out from the sky and clouds.
A darker & blacker Skjonn (click to enlarge)
One of the challenges in painting Skjonn is that her fur greyed significantly even when she was younger. Why is this a challenge? Because trying to convey grey fur while also capturing highlights is difficult to do. How does it read to you?
To assist me with Skjonn’s dog portrait, I purchased some additional pastels. Girault pastels are manufactured in France and have unique characteristics in that they can be applied as both a hard or a soft pastel; this is weird to try to explain. Even I could not understand that until I tried them and the statement is true! I am very happy that I have them to finish this Memory Portrait.
…to be continued.