Saturday, February 07, 2009

"Begonia Glow" - SOLD



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I was at the grocery store looking at flowers to buy for a larger painting when I saw a potted Begonia plant. The flowers are just gorgeous! I brought them home and commenced to spend many many fruitless hours trying to compose them in a way (in and out of the pot) that suited. I did a couple, including this one, but still don't feel I did the flowers justice. Now I've got half a Begonia plant in a pot, propped up because it'll fall over otherwise. Very sad.

And I was sad too. Oh I talk about how I don't get so emotionally involved anymore, but we all have our days. So I decided to sit down and spend some time thinking about what I really want to paint. I spent half a day browsing paintings on the internet and sketching in my sketchbook and it was the best thing I've done for myself in a while. I think we probably all need to rethink things every once in a while. I came up with some new ideas that I'm very excited about.

9 comments:

robertsloan2art said...

This is one of your best. The brilliant flowers were immediately recognizable as the type of double big begonias I've seen, the vase is dazzling, the dark background is rich -- everything in this one works together. I know you're not entirely happy with it but this is inspiring me. I may have to work looser on some of my oil pastels.

Robert A. Sloan
www.explore-oil-pastels-with-robert-sloan.com

Honor Bradley said...

I love the brilliance of the flowers. You are dead right about taking the time to reevaluate where we have been, where we are, and where we want to go. Somehow in my early training if I wasn't doing something concrete like actually painting, I felt unproductive. The actual experiencing didn't quite equate to producing. Now I can be lazy and watch the cloud formations or a beautiful scene without feeling guilty that I am not "doing something". I am recharging my batteries and storing up lovely experiences that I can bring to my paintings. Have an enjoyable day. Honor

Barbara Pask said...

I think this is gorgeous. I love the color and glow of these flowers.

Art Matters said...

I love this painting. I particularly like the dramatic color scheme. We are hardest on our selves but you have to do what inspires you. You have been a great inspiration to a lot of artists who aspire to paint as well and as often as you do.

Lynne said...

Hi Carol,
What a good thing you did for yourself in stepping back and sketching and all that you did to get in touch with where you want to go. Sometimes I think the daily work can be so riveting that it does take us away from the occasional 're-connection' we need to do with our artist-selves. Maybe a time out from the daily work every so often? We'd let you!
Lynne

Edward Burton said...

Gorgeous painting, Carol!

Gretchen Hash-Heffner said...

Absolutely wonderful! Your paintings are such an inspiration to me. I love the braod loose strokes. Wish I lived closer so I could attend one of your workshops. Do you ever come to SC? Aiken Center for the Arts is always looking for workshop teachers.

Catherine Jeffrey said...

Hi carol
I often check out your blog from up here in Canada. Looking at other paintings on the internet is a great way to re-discover where you want to be. When you look at a work and get "energized", analyzing why can help you get closer to how and what you want to paint. When you come from a realist background, it takes energy and perseverance to find your true voice. You are one of the hardest working artists out there..."Apple Soup" is spectacular. I like the suggestion that taking some time off from daily painting helps. People would be happy just reading your comments!

Dean Grey said...

I'm going to be very honest on this one.

This piece looks a bit rushed and loose. It looks more like a floral study than a finished piece.

I realize that the size of the painting and time constraints are probably the reasons why.

That being said, I just love the brightness and intensity of the colors used in the begonias. The bright orange-reds just pop against all the darks.

Would've loved to have seen another like this one but more fleshed out.

-Dean