Friday 15 August 2014

Echos of the Past.

I am still striving to achieve a 'looser' style to my mixed media paintings. But I just can't seem to stop myself from refining those edges here and blending that shading there until I end up with a 'polished' look.

I started this piece with that in mind. I think it is on the right track and I have ended up with something which I think is quite different from my usual work although, after painting in the background, and sketching in the figure  I had decided it was going in the BIN. I had originally put a row of houses in the background and I didn't like it at all. Once I had decided to ditch it, I thought it was an ideal opportunity to loosely paint the face because there was no pressure on me because it was going in the bin anyway. And, what do you know, It turned out sort of okay. Then a story started to emerge. I made some changes to the background and this is how it turned out.


When my hubby researched our Family Tree. he discovered that I had ancestors who worked in the tin mines in Cornwall in the 1800's and this is what I saw in this figure. So I changed the background to show an old tin mine. Although there were women workers at the mines called Bal Maidens that worked on the surface. I see her as the wife of a miner awaiting her husbands safe return.

I like it when a painting speaks to you.

Before I go I just wanted to say that I am really excited that my bottle of Citra Solv has arrived.


All I need is some latex gloves and I am away. I can't wait too see how the pages turn out. For those of you that may not know what I am going on about I will explain when I post the results.

I also received an added bonus which you can see in the bottom right Yessss!! bubble wrap with large bubbles. I can't wait to use it for printing in my artwork.

Thanks for visiting. x

Linking this post to Paint Party Friday.

22 comments:

  1. ;Love your painting and the story, just beautiful. Have fun with the citra-solv and bubble wrap! Valerie

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  2. I love the style of this painting, and the story that you saw in it. Wonderful work!

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  3. Ha this sounds so familiar. I really want paint in a looser style and I've managed a little with landscapes but still am not quite where I want to be. I love this piece - her expression is so sad and how wonderful that it turned from a piece for the bin into something you're pleased with!

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  4. This turned out so gorgeous...the colors and pretty face. I really love the story. I thought of a miners wife too as I read your post. She also reminds me of a nesting doll because of her shape. This is so pretty.

    I've seen what the Citra Solv can do to those pages. Looking forward to seeing what you do.

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  5. She's wonderful - and such a great story!
    Happy PPF :)
    no. 24

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  6. Perhaps we have a natural style within our souls and sometimes our heads tell us to do things differently, so then we think we are struggling. In fact I think your art is beautiful as it is. Our art is what we produce in the moment with the skills we have in that moment. The more we practice the more our style will evolve and go in different directions naturally. The thing is not to force it. Just go with the flow. Keep enjoying your art and I will keep enjoying looking at it. :-)

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  7. This looks so fab and have fun with the citra-solve!
    Looking forward with what you will come up!
    My great-grandfather was coal -mine worker in a part of todays destrict of Czechoslovakia.
    xxx
    Susi

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  8. Love your new lady and look forward to see the results from citra solve as have never used it. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  9. love your painting, and the story, I have citra solve and have tried it on National Geo and turned out great

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  10. Your painting has such an evocative and mysterious feel, and when I read the story behind it I understand better. You have captured that beautifully! Have not tried the citra solv technique but look forward to your experiments!

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  11. Beautiful, soulful painting. I can't wait to see your Citra Solve/ National Geo work. I have seen some done by Anja but I have never tried it.

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  12. You are so funny. I can just see you fretting over this painting thinking of ditching it and the a light bulb comes on and you create a piece of emotion, and beauty.
    I really like this a lot.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  13. Isn't it great when you can 'let go' of any preconceived ideas and just let it become what it wants to be? She’s lovely!

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  14. absolutely AMAZING! I love it! she looks very sad and yet so much beauty. There is mystery in the piece. wonderful!
    omg CITRA SOLV? HAVE FUN!!!!!!! I've only seen and heard about it but I haven't tried. ENJOY!!!

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  16. Hello Fuzzie, Your painting is indeed different and the story that goes along with it very moving. I think you are on a wonderful journey here, the looser painting combined with family stories. Have fun with the citra solv. I thnk I may have posted a while back a journal with my samples using papers I made with cs. xo

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  17. Your painting is awesome. She does seem somewhat angry as she awaits! I love the citra solve process...so many gorgeous works of art come from that! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

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  18. I am so touched by this. I have a great Aunt who was a famous artist. She has influenced my life far more than she would have ever known. Beautiful artwork you have here--coupled with your story. Even more poignant.

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  19. this is wonderful
    i love looking at it
    i also have a hard time letting things be loose
    i end up messing with it and refining....
    such an interesting story as well

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  20. Wonderful story and wonderful work! Love the expression on her face! Happy PPF!

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  21. Such a beautifully expressive piece. Moody, pensive, loving.

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  22. I too love when a creation speaks to you - letting you know its story and helping you along the way of creating. And always so nice when you have a piece that was heading to the bin and you rescue it! (I am working on one like that right now)

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