Project Motherhood

“Motherhood is a choice you make everyday, to put someone else's happiness and well-being ahead of your own, to teach the hard lessons, to do the right thing even when you're not sure what the right thing is...and to forgive yourself, over and over again, for doing everything wrong.”   Donna Ball, At Home on Ladybug Farm

Last weekly workshop for the season. Crit on last project "motherhood" a subject that has been used for creativity since the beginning of human existence. After doing some basic research of how others dealt with this subject and collecting images from the Renaissance and more modern painters such as Chagall and Cecily Brown, statues and photographs as well, especially Dorothy Lange's famous photo journal of the migrant workers in the 30's I decided on two icon images. Matteo Giovanni Madona and Migrant Mother photograph by Dorothy Lange.

Matteo Giovanni

Dorothy Lange

Migrant Mother

Photo Montage 

In photoshop I was amazed by how the two faces merged together and I used this as my "inspiration"
A play of negative and positive. Went a bit over on the metallic gold!

Migrant Madonna

17.5" x 20.5"

Graphite and acrylic on heavy beige paper

What is more interesting was the discarded piece on the back that I am thinking of pulling out.

       Inspired by Cecily Brown and a bit of Chagall. Think it will be a good push and pull exercise!

Mothers WIP

20.5" x 17.5"

Art-itude IX Castles in the Sky

 " Studio Ghosts: When you're in the studio painting, there are a lot of people in there with you. Your teachers, friends, paintings from history, critics...and one by one, if you're really painting, they walk out. and if you're really painting, you walk out." Audrey Flack Art and Soul

Re-posting this quote. Yesterday we discussed in feedback something on that line. I said that sometimes I don't know who is doing the painting, and he replied that's a great state to be.

Great day at my workshop yesterday. Finished a piece, at least till I decide to fuss some more. Separated diptychs, Reuven agreed that divided and with a small mat they are best and made a new start. So grateful to be able to have this workshop. Meeting my artist friends and working together.  We may continue in July!

I Want to Fly to the Castles in the Sky

Mixed Media

Acrylics Oils Oil Pastels Graphite Pencil

20" x 20"

Light cardboard

Don't know what came over me the other day! I was in the middle of an art-itude and was cleaning my palette of some dark grey with water and decided to pour it over like a milky wash. I didn't like the drips so with my roller went over the whole mess. Desaster! It was like something took over kept going with oil pastels, smudged with oil, and graphite pencil. Finally, put it aside.

Took it to workshop and discussed it with Reuven, who usually doesn't like to make suggestions referred me to an Israeli Painter by the name of Moshe Kupferman who uses flat painted areas to contrast busy sections

It's So Sad to be Alone

Decided to post first thing and not to procrastinate. So far the sun is shining but it's cold and forecasts are for a stormy one day storm. That's all they talk about in the news, so today I will not be making my weekly visit to Neve Shalom. The grandkids will be staying with friends in Jerusalem in hopes that there will be snow.

These are the last of the group of figure studies. I will be continuing this series, prepared two formats.
Am busy with PYHAS with a new lesson every week, a few paintings for my family that I am struggling with, and other projects.

Sometimes a reference really catches you. You feel drawn into the story. That is what the reference did for me. I made 3 different versions. An elderly woman sitting alone in what seems a bare and cold room. A table and a radiator and not much more.

Feeling Lonely and Cold Like a Penny Waiting for Change

19.5 x 13.5 "

Gessoed paper with Acrylic Background

Charcoal and Wax Crayons

You come into the world alone and you go out of the world alone, yet it seems to me you are more alone while living than even going and coming. (Emily Carr)

13,5 x 19.5 "

Gessoed paper with Acrylic Background

Charcoal and Wax Crayons

Having a Hard Time

Portrait of a Lonely Woman

13,5 x 19.5 "

Gessoed paper with Acrylic Background

Charcoal and Wax Crayons

Drama Pose on Dark Background

Pose taken from the site Line of Action site. Another great resource for figures nude and dressed along with images for hands and feet, animals, and facial expressions. I actually love the clothed figures. 

Stopped at first critique. Caught the pose and gesture, no need to overwork.

Catch Me if You Can

13.5 x 19.5"

Oils on Gessoed paper

Background Acrylic

Studies on Dark Background

Studies on Dark Background

Started a series on formats that I painted with burnt sienna on gessoed paper.  Most of these papers I retrieved when a neighbor emptied out a studio from the house he bought. The house was the home of an artist, painter and sculptor Archie TalronThe paper was already pretty old before it was chucked out on the street. Retrieved as much as I could, sketch pads, heavy paper, charcoal paper etc. Repaired several edges with masking tape.

Brought this to my workshop to add more color with oils. Reuven stated the painting has already made its statement and any more work was not necessary.

Sometimes We Have to Liston 

13.5 x 19.5"

Charcoal Pencil Neocolor I Crayons Medium

Dancing Out Day 20

Day 20  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

Used leftover fence pieces and started drawing in the figures, using that term loosely, Felt the pieces were a bit too dark so decided to brayer some layers on top. I think I did 3. Then went back with inktense pencils to bring back the figures. Funny how that face jumped in there!

You Can't Keep Me In I'll Dance Right Out

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  Collage Inktense Pencils

WIP

The shadow on the right from the sketchbook ribbon!

Suffering Child Day 19

Day 19  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

I was haunted by a photo I saw in an album of l'oeil de la photographie of Ghetto images from early 1940's. Printed one of a young girl and tore it into several collage pieces, Added some color with Derwent inktense pencils and neocolor I crayons,  Decided to add a bit of hope in the form of flower and bird transfers. Will be using some of the wire fence scraps for another image. 

Oh The Cry of the Suffering Chidren

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  Crayons  Collage Inktense Pencils 

Photo Transfers

First Layer

Help Me Find the Stairwell Day 18

Day 18  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

Have to Find the Stairwell

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  Crayons  Stencil  collage Inktense Pencils

I Fell Down the Rabbit Hole Day 17

Day 17  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

Sometimes our mental "jails" can be pleasant, although lonely! I am having fun with these small doodles. They seem to take on a life of there own and I am just the tool!

Seems I Fell Down the Rabbit Hole

7 x 9"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  Crayons  Stencil  collage Inktense Pencils

WIP

Sometimes I like to photograph my work. Seems I can observe it better and see what it wants or needs,

Figure on the Wall Day 16

Day 16  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

This started out as a figure sketch on an acrylic background. Didn't like it so veiled her and did more brayer work. She was determined to appear, so I let her stay. Added collage pieces, but still a bit on the kitsch side. Our workshop mentor, Reuven,  says there is a place for kitsch in art so can't argue with that!

My Offering for the Wall

7 x 9"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  Crayons  Stencil  collage

Who Is In the Orchard Day 15

Day 15  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

My Sketchbook

Gift from my artist friend Traudi

Bought at Ikea!

Watercolor paper middle sheet light pink plain paper

Found Myself Trapped in the Orchard

Soil-inspired expertise

9 x 7"

Sketchpad PinkPaper

Acrylics  Crayons  Stencil  collage

Animal Guides Day 14

Day 14  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

Nothing beats the understanding of animals. They sort of crept in when I wasn't looking to act as my guide and keep me company.

Animals Will be My Salvation

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics  Crayons  Stencil  Ink Intense Watercolor Pencils

Faces Behind the Wall Day 13

Day 13  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

The Face Behind the Wall

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics Crayons Pencil Stencil  

Hiding in the Forest Day 12

Day 12  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

From  I Ching  

 Your Path is not his, and one Path is not necessarily more right than the other.

Hiding in the Forest of my Thoughts

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Lt PinkPaper

Acrylics Crayons Collage Stencil  

Floating Above Day 11

Day 11  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

Rising Above

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Lt PinkPaper

Acrylics Crayons Collage Stencil  

From the e-course

Feel the Pose

Dressing up a Rodin Sketch

Is There a Paradise Day 10

Day 10  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

I have no idea where these small pieces are coming from. Each time I look I see something new appear.  Found these words in an Alumni Bulletin and thought they fit. Started out with brayer and paints and then see where they will take me.

Maybe I Will Find my Paradise

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Lt Watercolor Paper

Acrylics Crayons Collage Stencil  

My daughter and family arrived home safely last evening after 5 + months in Near East

Nepal, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand! What a great start for the NEW YEAR

From the e-course

Feel the Pose

First Sketch

9 x 11 " Sketchpad

Charcoal and Wax Crayons on Acrylic Background

before starting the
larger work, wanted to get
the feel of the pose

Looking for the Escape Route Day 9

Day 9  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

Eve of Rosh HaShana

Healthy Happy and Creative New Year to ALL

Escape By the Yellow Brick Road

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Lt Pink Paper

Acrylics Crayons Collage Stencil  

A Helping Hand Day 8

Day 8  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

Is it a week already! Went by fast!

Out of Nowhere a Helping Hand

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics Crayons Collage Stencil  

Feel the Pose

Added the Soft Pastels

Charcoal Drawing plus Wax Crayons

Caran d'ache Neocolor I

Busy day, did I say BUSY
Honey Cake to make
Apple Pie to bake
3 small 30 x 30 challenge pieces to make
A portrait to do
and more figures figures figures...addictive these are!

A Cry for Help Day 7

Day 7  30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

It's Good to Cry for Help

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics Crayons Collage Stencil  

From e-course Feel the Pose

WIP

Will be adding soft pastels

Don't Let Me Fall Day 6

Day 6 30 in 30

Mixed media on watercolor paper. Continuation of the main theme of "jail" from a previous post.

Brayer
Paints
Swish swish on the page
Crayons
Stencils
A bit of collage

As I look at this I see the influence of "The Handmaid's Tale"

Working smaller...
September Challenge
The Holidays
Feeling the Pose e-course
A lot for September

Oh Please Help Me Not to Fall

9 x 7"

Sketchpad Watercolor Paper

Acrylics Crayons Collage Stencil  

Some more sketches from Feel the Pose