Actually this is the third painting/collage I’ve done of this subject, but this one is based on the same photograph (cropped down) as this first version so it seems like #2, even if it isn’t really. It’s engrossing to test out various ways to depict these trees. While not 100% satisfied yet, I don’t hate these tryouts, which is a refreshing experience. Often In the past when painting, my reaction after a few hours of labor has been a strong desire to throw the canvas in a nice hot bonfire.
This version is less stylized than the first one and incorporates more paper than fabric in the collage part. Also, it has something ripped out of an old National Geographic. It’s current title is Splendorous, based on one of the torn-out words. I can’t recall seeing that word in print before, love it. Who knew how fun it would be to add some text to the image? Here’s a detail shot:
So here’s the question, dear readers... Is it finished? The in-process photo below shows the Spanish moss I was originally thinking of adding.
The clumps of moss aren’t all in the exact spots where they would go, but hopefully this gives you an idea. Yes, no, doesn’t matter? Thanks for any opinions!
9 comments:
I get the idea of the moss but I really liked the piece without it. It already has a sort of "Southern" feel to me I think because of the colors and the way the branches curve and twist-kind of a softened gothic feel. But I can see how the moss would add another dimension.
The moss could be interesting especially if you plan to add a bit of thread painting or some other stitching.(maybe felting even) Otherwise, the image without it seems to work quite well as it is. I find that my eye is led more easily around it....It is quite graceful!
Beautiful.... and finished! (No moss) Looks great! The question is... did you have fun and are you motivated to keep going. Ah ha!
Real moss is hairy and thread-like. It doesn't really obscure the branches in the trees. I love your tree better without the solid blobs of moss. Moss is more greeny gray than bluey gray, but that could be my monitor. If you did the moss as purely stitches, I think I would like it better.
Diane
I do like trees and your tree is wonderful. I love the colours.
Thanks for the comments, guys! My husband Andy has also weighed in on the "no moss" side... hey, it's less work for me. I'll try it on a future project. What would really be easy is to use real moss front my front yard. ; )
I didn't clarify very well that this is a "hard" collage meaning that everything is adhered with acrylic gel on canvas rather than a soft collage using stitching. I've never tried using paper with soft collage, but have seen some artists that do... hmmm, another experiment to try.
First of all, if you ever have the desire to throw a canvas in a nice hot bonfire, CALL ME IMMEDIATELY! I will gladly take the canvas off your hands, because I think your work is beautiful. I love it with or without the moss, so I'm not much help to you. I think that we sometimes get so close to our work that we need for others to tell us that it's really more beautiful than we think it is. So I'm telling you: this is beautiful.
Diane
I'm in agreement with the others....I like it better without the moss. Although exploring the idea of "thread-painted" moss might be fun. It's gorgeous already!
I'm with the "no moss" group, unless you do it in a different way to make them less solid. But it's a fabulous piece. I do love your work.
I had to laugh about your deer problem. Here in CT it is a huge problem, even in the very developed area that I live in. They will come right up to the door step and eat your favorite flowers. I spray, spray, spray to keep them away. Right now I'm using something called Liquid Fence. It is very stinky until it dries and supposedly the deer can smell it even when it's dry. I just came in from spraying and now I have to take a shower, since some of it got on my legs. Phew!
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