Parmigiana
Parmigiana
oil on gallery wrapped canvas 12x12x1"
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oil on gallery wrapped canvas 12x12x1"
Sold
Sunday we were watching Bobby Flay's Throwdown and the dish was Eggplant Parmigiana. I had to try my hand at that shiny black beauty. Nevermind that I have no black paint. I think I could fake black. I set up my arrangement and decided that red white and black would be my color scheme. But oooh, it needed green. I added the bowl with the green interior. Perfect...until I had to paint those tiny details. Eeek.
The garlic should have been whiter, but all I could find in my haste was the purple-y striped variety. I thought about eliminating those skinny stripes, but the color corresponded slightly (at least in my pea brain) to the eggplant, so I gave it a go.
Now here's the thing: If I paint very refined then it looks too much like a photo, and why paint, when taking a nice photo is so much easier? I must remember to allow the paint to show AS PAINT.
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I have been trying out the Painting a Day idea now for a month. I have painted 24 paintings, since I take the weekends off. Of those 24, so far nine have sold. Respectable. (see them all here)I have learned a lot. About painting, and about myself. I am completely challenged by the exercise. I love the process, the routine and sometimes I even thrill myself with the results.
Pretty much I have given up the idea of trying to paint like someone else. It doesn't last. I keep painting like myself. This is a good thing, I guess. But eventually I hope to develop more and grow more confident, and that the confidence will begin to show in the work.
I apologize to those of you who want me to return to quilting. I don't think that is going to happen for a while. I did quilting for 27 years and it was partially because I was avoiding my fear of being a failed painter. It is such a relief to have overcome that nagging unresolved angst.
I am a painter.
Melody,
ReplyDeleteWhy would you want to paint like anyone else when your own style is beautiful, fabulous and charming?
I am a quilter and I love your quilts. I love art too and I love your paintings. I like their bright cheeriness. I think you should do what makes YOU happy. You have a style that is uniquely yours. How wonderful! I have never met you but you seem to have a great exuberance for life, which shines forth in your work.
BTW, great eggplant! The garlic looks nice too.
Kristin in SC
Twenty seven years is a very long time to hang on to fear. The positive side, if there is such a thing, is that it made you produce a life time of beautiful quilts. Maybe that is road you should have travelled to let go and to arrive at the place you are today. That good old fear.
ReplyDeleteMelody, WOW, this painting is wonderful. I just love going to your site and the first thing I see is a colorful pick-me-up that you have put together the day before. Absolutely amazing. I don't want to diminish your quilt work at all, but these paintings are right up there, IMHO.
ReplyDeleteI always thought of you as an artist, neither a quilter nor a painter, but an artist who could work in many mediums. Your hand embroidery is another talent. I still have the little pin made of dyed silks, hand embroidery and beads from many many years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe "See them all here" link leads the poor unsuspecting reader to a blank page.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, you're most certainly a painter. I love today's painting; I loved the previous one; I love them all.
I still want to paint like you.
Thanks Priscilla, I fixed that link to the other site.
ReplyDeleteHi Mel,
ReplyDeleteI have loved your quilting , but don't apologize for painting right now as i am benefiting hugely.
I am noting the light, the shadow, your ability to show reflections,the sparkle of the edge of a cup or the surface of the tea in the cup.
Now I have to think how I would do that in thread and fabric.
I'll be back to study - thanks
Nina in BC Canada
Melody, I think it's great that you don't have black in your pallet. Mixing your own black gives much richer, more interesting colors, and so much more depth to a painting.
ReplyDeleteBlack out of a tube is horribly flat by comparison.
Oh, and of course you didn't have to paint all those details on the bowl, (though they are beautiful). Sometimes deciding what not to include, is the difference between a good painting, and a great one! What do you want the viewer to focus on? is a question that can be really helpful.
Nikki
Melody, I think it's great that you don't have black in your pallet. Mixing your own black gives much richer, more interesting colors, and so much more depth to a painting.
ReplyDeleteBlack out of a tube is horribly flat by comparison.
Oh, and of course you didn't have to paint all those details on the bowl, (though they are beautiful). Sometimes deciding what not to include, is the difference between a good painting, and a great one! What do you want the viewer to focus on? is a question that can be really helpful.
Nikki
Your painting of the bowl and the tea cup from the previous work are really smashing.
ReplyDeleteI come to your blog when I want eye candy.
Melody - I need to revise your statement. You are an artist! Right now you are an artist expressing through the medium of paint and canvas. I'm glad you overcame your resistance to the painting medium, but I am certain that if you keep on, you will discover even more was to express yourself! Sometimes I think the ultimate medium might be pure thought!
ReplyDeleteLove, Love, Love the way you did the eggplant!!! Such a difficult subject and so well executed.
ReplyDeletePaint. I, too, have used quilting as a substitute for painting because of fear of failure. You are a mentor for me in choosing to master the fear.
It takes time and work to find your "style". Your early fabric work wasn't anything like your most recent work. Give the painting time. And what better way to spend time?
Joanne S
Melody, I agree. You are an artist. You really hit on something when you said you want to show paint as paint. That's the trickiest part, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteMelody,
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog (after asking about the Escape Hatch) and I felt led to say this. Isn't it such a relief to Be Yourself? To quit Being what everyone else wants to to Be, and
Just. Be. You. Oh, btw, I love your paintings...every time I look at the fruit, I get hungry.