June 18, 2009

"Paris Carousel"

Oil on museum quality ampersand gessobord panel 8 1/4" x 10 7/8"

I've been picking at this painting for a couple of days, not quite sure of how I wanted to play this. The subject is so colorful that I had intended to splash on the paint loose and free but my realist roots kept the piece in check. I think I'll sleep on it and see if I need to throw on some more highlights in the morning.

25 comments:

Delilah said...

Love it!

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Delilah.

Diane said...

did you have colorful whirling dreams???

Mark Adams said...

Always. (left over from the 60's, I think)

LC Neill said...

Delightful!

Terry said...

Hi Mark - VERY fun to see your carousel - love the intensity of the colors, the sunlight and the depth of field you created. Great energy; feels like they are truly racing.
While I was in Denmark a couple of weeks ago I took some pictures of the carousel at Tivoli, so I might do a few more too....

Bob said...

Hi Mark:

This is a beautiful painting. The only thing I might change is to add some depth to the middle horse's belt and sash...it looks a bit one dimensional. Hope you don't mind my sharing my opinion.

Mark Adams said...

Thanks for taking the time to comment, LC.

You've been doing some fun stuff lately. The scrabble tiles are fun and inspired and your "pepper Mill" (among others) is masterfully rendered.

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Terry. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

Mark Adams said...

Bob,

You have a good eye. That is the last thing I painted before calling it quits last night. I agree it could use a few highlights and shadows to make it pop. Thanks for the suggestion. As we all know - a painting is never finished, only stopped. It is knowing when to stop that is important. Years ago I saw a movie of Picasso painting a very large painting, either in real time or time lapse, I don't recall which. Two thirds of the way through the piece I thought "Stop now!" but he just kept slinging paint and by the time he was done beating that horse it was a muddy mess (IMHO and I love Picasso.) I thought "Jeese, if he can overwork a painting, I had better be on my guard."

Bob said...

Thanks, Mark, for letting me comment on your painting. I wouldn't have if you didn't already know me from past comments and e-mails, and know that I think you are a brilliant artist. I'm a realist painter myself, and I have struggles seeing color as value. (I'm studying the Munsell system right now). I struggle with putting enough contrast into my paintings. Your paintings "glow" with their own light. I cannot think of a higher compliment to pay any artist, and believe me when I say I'm stingy with my compliments. You're the best...and a nice guy to boot!

Mark Adams said...

Thanks for the glowing praise, Bob (no pun intended.) I tweaked the painting this afternoon. What do you think? I didn't want that area to jump out too much.

btw - Readers here might like to see your work. Do you have a link to your paintings?

Anonymous said...

Mark, this painting vibrates with energy and color. Bravo! As for a link to my paintings...I don't have a blog or website. I've only been painting for a year after a long twenty-five year pause. I'm really hesitant to show my work and can't make up my mind. I'm still too sensitive to criticism, so I claim that I just paint for myself (which really isn't the case). Do you think it is possible for someone just to "paint for himself/herself"?

Bob said...

Oops! Forgot to sign my last comment. Bob.

Mark Adams said...

Bob,

It is absolutely possible to paint "just for himself/herself." Indeed I consider it paramount to paint for oneself first and foremost. This whole internet experience has been both exciting and frightening. Exposing ones art to world wide criticism on a daily (well, almost) basis has been enlightening. It begs the question - Who am I painting for?

btw - I hate criticism, too, but I also long to know what others think of my stuff. I live for these comments. Thanks, Bob. I appreciate your input.

Paintdancer said...

Amazing!

Colette Theriault said...

Simply stunning Mark!!

Mark Adams said...

Maryanne and Colette - Your praise means a lot to me. Thanks so much.

....... said...

OOOOoooo I like this!

Mark Adams said...

Thank you, Susan. We only go around once, so we might as well try and grab the brass ring.

Alston said...

Great job Mark, I can even hear the carousel music ! ! ! !
Best, Alston

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Alston.

Gwen Bell said...

Wonderful vantage point and colors!

Mark Adams said...

Thanks, Gwen. I wish I could spend some more time with this carousel as a model but that would mean going back to Paris, which, now that I think about it, wouldn't be a bad thing.

Dean Grey said...

Mark!

The wonderful perspective of the horses and their colorful adornments make this a fun and powerful painting at the same time!

Now I wanna a ride!

-Dean