Ustina Finds Redemption

 

This painting was inspired by the novel, "Laurus", by Eugene Vodolazkin. What an amazing book. I couldn't put it down as I was drawn into medieval Russian world. The author created a fabulous work of art. The painting is my interpretation of the character, "Ustina", a tragic figure for who the main character seeks a journey for her redemption. The novel is thoroughly religious and speaks to the religious mindset and worldview and makes no apology for it. It is very understandable for those who retain and know Christian spirituality, particularly Orthodox spirituality. I wanted to portray the character in a spiritual and iconographic fashion with a mix of my own style and modernism. I figured it would be fun to work mainly in cool blues for the face and oranges, reds, and brown for the contrasting background.

Finally Finished with Carving

I've finally completed the cross carving started last spring. I worked on it off and on for about 6 months. It was competed in maple wood which proved difficult perhaps because of this specific piece of wood. The grain pattern and direction ran all over the place making it difficult to keep a single shape consistent. In the end I am somewhat pleased with the outcome. I guess the artist is always on the lookout for mistakes. 

I decided to give it a dark stain which certainly brought out the grain patterns. The left side grain pattern is really quite different than the right side. One of the joys of working with wood is that you don't have all of the say in the outcome especially working with hand tools as opposed to power tools. This was completely carved by hand with the exception of the initial cut of wood. I am now thinking of how it should be displayed; a chain or a frame? Also where should its destination be? Perhaps donated to a church where it can be used for contemplation.  

Some Thoughts on Inspiration

Why do artists create? There are as many motivations as there are artists I assume. Many artists paint, draw, sculpt, make etc. as a response to the world around them, the world which they observe. For me the greatest inspiration for my artwork is nature itself and the Creator of that nature. Artists throughout history have responded to this never ending source of inspiration. I think of the great Northern Renaissance Artist Albrecht Durer who studied nature so carefully while capturing its fleeting beauty. His great artistic skill, the ability to handle paint and other media strikes me. While viewing one of his portraits you can truly know the personality of the sitter. Vincent Van Gogh is another artist I truly admire, probably more for his passion and insight into the "invisible" world than for his technique. Although I love his use of brushstroke and color. His earlier work focussed on the "down and out" of society and he sought to bring dignity to their plight. 

At the moment I am inspired by artists who paint "alla prima" style. The paintings become a reality themselves because of the thickly painted canvas. Artists who can paint with a quick technique that is both fresh and very skillful draws my attention. The "important" details are said, those details that speak to the identity of the subject. 

Inspiration is sometimes hard to pin down. It changes with time but stays around long enough to ponder and study and if given the right mood art is created from it.

Olive Oil and Egg

Another quick painting. I attempted this scene from life a few days ago and failed. I just did not have it in me to take on all of the greens, ambers, and other colors in the olive oil bottle. I think this one worked out fine and I am pleased with the color work and the lighting. This was from life and the colors turned out much more realistic than from working from a photo. The still life was set up near a window to allow natural lighting to hit the objects. The background is my daughter's blue shirt.

Real Light.

This small painting is from Ruidoso, New Mexico. We went to one the trail heads of Lincoln National Forest. I was with my family so I didn't paint on site but we did hike a little so I was able to snap some photos. What a peaceful place so quiet and removed from our "big city" life. 

My desire to paint has been on the up recently. I decided to set up a small still life. I so much appreciate painting from life where the true colors and light remain. What a difference over photos, not to say that photos cannot be a good option for the painter because they can and sometimes they are a necessity. But you have to take the opportunity as an artist to study nature and participate with it, enjoy it and learn from it. 

I haven't painted for the last few weeks as I have busy catching up on other things. I did however recently paint this small painting. It is from a photo snapped while driving (probably not very safe). I tried to capture the quiet peace of dusk. The sun and the wonderful colors fade quickly illuminating the landscape with all of its peculiar shapes. The edges are soft and blend together.

Small Portrait of my Wife

Here is a small 5*8 portrait of my wife, Cindy.