I did a second Chicago painting and it has passed the waiting and watching phase. This one went more smoothly and is not as dark and ominous. When I started working on this painting I was thinking about a beautiful morning we spent walking through Centenniel Park…bright June sunshine, brilliant green grass, shining lake water.
With my lines I tried to reflect the canyon-like feel you get looking up the streets that cross Michigan Avenue…the spaces between streets lined with skyscapers. The red again reflects energy and the excitement of the city. When I look at this now I get a feeling of dance and movement. That seems just right.
Hi, Linda, What you are doing is interesting and rather beautiful. I like the balance of line and colour. Have you read “Point and Line to Plane” by Kandinsky circa 1914? It’s startlingly modern and good, and the theory accords closely with your work. Tony
I have read some of his writings but not the book you mention. I will look into it. I gain so much from reading works like his. Thank you, Tony!
Ah, yes. Dance and movement. I see it too. I’ve always meant to ask you. How do you get your white circles?
Beautiful. 🙂
Thank you SO much!
I use masking fluid and draw around a glass or bowl. Sometimes I do an underpainting first and sometimes I don’t. It really changes the appearance. As a matter of fact with this painting I “lost” so much definition because of the underpainting that I had to use white gouache to paint over my circles and lines.
Thanks for the info.
Nice effects! Like the vibrancy!
Excellent! That’s how Chicago feels when I’m there…
I like the greens and the touch of red and yellow. I grew up in a south suburb of Chicago. My dad worked downtown for many years and often talked of the cold winds whistling down the canyon like streets. And sometimes you could see a peek of the yellow sun if you were in the right place.
Everyday I went to the hotel room window and looked up and up trying to see a patch of blue or yellow. The days when I saw it were magic.
I enjoy looking at the depth and movement in your paintings, thank you for sharing them
Thank you! What you are seeing is what I hope for. It’s a struggle with abstracts and I never know if I’ve been successful until I get feedback like yours.