An artist friend of mine made a strange request the other day. He said "Mark, I tried to paint a painting of my daughter's dogs and it didn't turn out well. I know you paint dogs. Do you think you could touch this up?" I, of course, was flattered but had never over-painted someone else's work before. I said I would see what I could do. It had quite a thick impasto of white on the panel which had to be removed before I could proceed. The original reference was of Kate, Emmie and Bandit laying on a white fur rug, which was probably taken at a Petsmart or some such place. I applauded my friend's artistic licence in creating the landscape instead of laying in the backdrop used for the photo and left it in, feathering the "snow" up to it. It's ironic that my first painting of the new year isn't really mine. It was an interesting exercise and a good way to get my hand back in it. How many of us have lost a painting and would have the nerve to ask someone else to save it? Of course he may not be thrilled that I posted this. Oops.
Here is the scraped down original so you can get an idea of the challenge:
7 comments:
I am quite sure your friend will be very pleased and his daughter too..
I was glad to have something fun to work on after last weeks ordeal.
I think this just proves your capacity to teach. Hopefully your friend will examine closely how you saved his painting and make it a valuable learning experience. My teachers never had any qualms about painting over my efforts to show me what I was doing wrong. Maybe this is a sign that your year will be one of teaching and helping others. This is the best medicine to heal the pain of being hurt ourselves, to overcome malicious acts like stealing your computer, with the love and generousity of helping your friend. That's another big reason I read your blog every day, because you seem like a good person and you share your gifts and talent with everyone. In a sense, I've become another one of your art students through your blog.
Thank you, Bob!
What a great comment; the perfect medicine for my present malaise. I had hoped to put the "daily" back in daily painting this year. That may be problematic as we are designing and building a new house and studio, which should be finished in late summer. Until then I am going to try and paint like mad.
You may have hit upon a new blog idea! Artists trade paintings that they have given up on and "fix" them! I have a pile ready to start the fun!!!! I love your work, Mark, because it has such heart....I wish you blessings in the New Year! (and I pray your house/studio construction goes as well as mine did)
Thanks for the good wishes and kind words Debbie. We built our present house 15 years ago and enjoyed the process. We have a brilliant builder this time and "dream home/studio" doesn't begin to describe it. I'm very excited, although, packrat that I am, it means a lot of work and time away from the easel.
Talented! Congrats!!!!
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