"Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse", 6" x 8" oil on board, 2008
Not For Sale
One goal of mine for the new year was to do some art that would push my comfort zone a bit. I have been putting it off long enough. Today I decided to shake it up.
I have not painted a still life in years. That was a good start, but I wanted to step outside of the box even further and go with a little girl subject.
Our daughter Erin will be five on Tuesday, so I decided to paint a still life of one of her stuffed animals as a present for her. The victim was a horse that her Grandparents gave her when she was little. I got a bunch of good hugs and kisses, and she says she really likes it.
There are a lot of blogging artists, that I really admire, painting still lives these days. I was inspired to try my brush on a few.
Some of my favorites right now are: J Matt Miller, Jason Waskey, Carol Marine, Qiang Huang, Aaron Lifferth, Duane Keiser, Michael Naples, and Simon Andrews.
22 comments:
Beautiful, rather unusual colors - a wonderful present.
sweet piece! has a great real feel. thanks for the link btw :)
Hi Elizabeth. I thought these colors were a good change from what I usually paint with, even though they are mixed using the same limited palette.
Enjoy your stay in the big apple.
I feel the same way about air travel. Uneventful is good.
Thanks for checking in.
Thanks for the visit Simon and for the comments.
It is surprising to most that still lifes can be so instructive . . . . . .and tantalizing. Cool stuff, Frank! It's a good thing to be outta da box for while. When you get back in, the box is much bigger with more room to move. ;-)
Yeah Mike, I sure learned something from this one. I'll have to try a couple more and see how they go.
Thanks for stopping by
Frank! This is so beautiful...so out of the box! i had to scroll up/down i wasn't sure i was on the right blog at first, i was pleasantly surprised to see that i was! I love the dreamy sweet colors, your love for your daughter shows through for sure. the brushstrokes seem broader than your other paintings and i feel it really lends to the softness of this piece. wonderful still life!
This IS different for you - I read most blogs through a feed reader so when this image came up I had to stare at it a couple of seconds while wondering, "Whose blog is this again??" I like it!
Hi Christine and Stacey.
That is one thing that I had hoped would happen. Step so far away from what I would normally paint that it would cause a double take. Here on the blog at least.
I saw a few more things in her room that could be fodder for more still lives.
Christine - lots of love went into it, but I got a LOT back in hugs and kisses. She is still all smiles about it. Nothing beats that.
Thanks to both of you for your comments!
This seems to be the theme floating about lately... pushing the comfort zone... and a good one! This is really nice, Frank. I love that it's simple but has depth. Bet your daughter is thrilled!
Thanks Jennifer. Yes, I think pushing the comfort zone is a good thing. I don't know if I am ready to get back in the box just yet.
It's a fun painting, Frank. It doesn't look, to me, like you were all that uncomfortable. Great work.
Hi Bill, thanks. I hope to do a few more still lives soon. Stay tuned.
Really beautiful Frank! I really love this one, the colours really "pop" and it has a real vitality to it.
Awww, Frank my heart just melted. It's silly to say, but what a touching piece! You're a good Dad!
Thanks Eric, it's nice to know that you think the colors work. They are not my usual choices.
And thanks for the birthday wishes for Erin!
We had a long day, party prep, party, playing, eating, playing, playing. Two of us are tired, one is not. Can you guess who?
Hi Ambera, Not silly at all. Thanks. :)
I try to do the best I can.
It's always good to hear from you.
"I got a bunch of good hugs and kisses, and she says she really likes it."
I think that the little painting outside the box was a total success by any criteria, Frank.
There was love on the limited palette. Great title !
"Happy Birthday, Erin
Stay well.
Hi Frank A.
Thanks for your thoughts. Yeah, I mixed in a little love with all of my colors.
The title comes from an old Disney sing along that Erin and I are quite fond of singing. " A Cowboy Needs a Horse".
http://www.aquamarine.nu/lyrics/disney/cowboyneedsahorse.php#1
And thanks for the Happy Birthday. She is thrilled that she is getting well wishes from my blogging friends.
Hey Frank, A still life, fun huh? I was pleased to see this. I bet your daughter did love it, it's really sweet. Barb
Thanks Barb. I thought I would try a few.
Now all of Erin's cousins want to "commission" paintings. The pay is good, and I don't think I need to pay tax on hugs and kisses !)
This is a nice painting. I like seeing the detail shots and the step by step process. I push the comfort zone because I can't help it. I'm intimidated by most of my subject matter until the painting is finished!
Thanks Mary.
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