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Thursday, December 04, 2008

Out of my Head


"Heart Be Leaf" acrylic on 4x6 wood panel. Golden open acrylics, to be exact. This painting was done out of my head until I got to the hands. I had to have reference. So I found some, and completed the painting. If I had to do the whole thing over, I'd have used some sort of reference from the very beginning.

When I did sculpture I did stuff straight out of my head. Mind you, my work lacked anatomical structure; it had a "gumby" look. But it also had a certain appeal and it attracted a few collectors.

Now that I'm into painting I find the need for reference. This necessity dawned on me slowly, as I was loath to give up the freedom of making art via improvisation and imagination-- my strong suit. In painting I found that improvisation maketh poor composition--unless you're familiar with the basics, which I was not. Add that to the fact that I graduated art school drawing hands that look like claws, and well you get the picture. I was sorely in need of a few basic disciplines.

Reference, structure, and composition are my current goals as a painter. I am keeping the imagination, however, because it gives a certain look to a painting that can't be gotten any other way. Robert Genn calls that look dynamic . I heartily agree.

10 comments:

Rick OzTown said...

Maybe a week's structured march-of-the-hands creativity-on-a-plate would be good for your sole. And you'd have a whole new set of Corelle ware to boot.

Reek

Theresa Taylor Bayer said...

Thanks Reek, that's a great idea for a painting. I love the idea of serving up creativity on a plate.

Unknown said...

I so love your work Theresa - she has a lovely innocent look to her, but she looks vaguely troubled too. I understand your dilemma. I guess in the end it depends on the sort of look you want for the painting but I always feel understanding the structure of something and using reference makes for stronger work.

Theresa Taylor Bayer said...

Thanks Mark for your insightful comment. I seek the perfect balance of reference and imagination. You're absolutely right about understanding structure, because once it's understood then you can play with it.

Bobbi A. Chukran, Author said...

I love her, Theresa. Please don't ever give up your own whimsical take on a subject.

hugs,

bobbi c.

Theresa Taylor Bayer said...

Hey Bobbi! Don't think I could if I tried--it's always there. Got a whimsical nervous system here!
Hugs!
Theresa

Anonymous said...

Wonderful work! glad I found your blog!

Michelle said...

Lovely work you have here! So dreamy and imaginative!

Deborah said...

You have NO idea how wonderful I think your work is. This is truly remarkable work!!!

Theresa Taylor Bayer said...

Thanks for your comments Suzanne, Michelle, and Deborah. I appreciate it so much!