Sunday, March 14, 2010

Wild Horses work-in-progress: "Broken Spirit"


Here a tweak, there a tweak, everywhere a tweak-tweak.............The piece I have chosen to title "Broken Spirit" is finally nearing completion.

However briefly, it crossed my mind to write that I cannot believe how long, on-and-off, I have been working on this piece.  Then I realized that statement would simply be an untruth.  After all, how many of you have heard me assert that I am probably the slowest artist in Michigan?...........and maybe in the lower forty-eight?  (And I am faster than I used to be..........) 

Over the next week I will be continuing to lay in and blend the pale horse's coat, finish details on the dark horse, and complete the layering for the background -- then its off to have it photographed (by someone much better at photographing artwork than myself!)    This piece will be one of two that I will be submitting to the 2010 International Exhibition of the Colored Pencil Society of America, to be held near San Francisco this summer.

Also this week, I look forward to beginning a small graphite piece that will be a companion piece to the graphite barn swallow I completed a number of weeks ago.

As always, thanks so much for stopping in. 

26 comments:

  1. It's beautiful Lynda and will surely get into the exhibition. Like the title as well I always think a good title helps. The pale horse has a tired weary look. Great work :)

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  2. Thanks so much, Elizabeth. I'm glad you commented on the title also: I actually intended on asking readers their opinion on it, as I struggled to title this one, but I forgot to include it.

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  3. I sense such tenderness in this piece, yet the title "broken spirit" made me feel kinda sad. I do love the image, so wonderful. I find it amazing what can be accomplished with colored pencil. I know it takes many hours of layering colors. hugs.

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  4. You touched on my only concern regarding this title, Teresa: the disconnect between what some onlookers perceive, and the title. Those who have seen this piece seem to primarily perceive one of two things: a nurturing tenderness, or a weary sadness (or both). The title fits the true story behind these two horses (which I will probably recount again when I post the finished image), but most onlookers will not be aware of the story behind the image. I will have to think about this further as I work on it this week -- thanks for your comment.

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  5. Yes, it's a stunning image, and the title is sad. It's a moving title and it makes me think and feel. I like it. I love the drawing.

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  6. I really like the title. yes it is sad, but I think it fits the image well and the story behind it. Even without knowing the story behind it, a person can think of one to go with the piece. And it might actually get people interested in the background story and could lead to people helping.

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  7. Debbi and Jennifer -- while continuing to 'waffle' over this title last night and earlier today, you both indicated what I had finally come around to: that its okay to feel sadness as a response. (You may recall Debbi, that my favorite piece in Atlanta CPSA provoked great sadness -- "Dawn's Early Light"). What you say is so true, Jennifer, and the story behind these two deserves attention and increased awareness. Thanks so much for your comments.

    (Debbi - I fixed that THING we talked about......did you notice? hahahahaha)

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  8. Lynda~ This piece is so beautiful, I'm really enjoying the progress of it. I'm so blown away by the way you lay down your colors and pencil marks. I do like the title, as artists, we all have times of the broken spirit.

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  9. Beautifully rerndered and emotionally touching. We will all read something different into the story, but the emotion will remain a common thread. A successful piece not only touches us visually but emotionally, you have succeeded on all counts! Good luck with your entries Lynda!

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  10. Lynda, it wasn't "fixed" yesterday, but I still dared to come back. hahaha

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  11. A beautiful piece Lynda! I am sure it will be accepted into the CPSA exhibition. I work pretty slowly myself so don't feel bad. :-)

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  12. Thanks, Denny. If it is not too far from you, you and your wife should stop over at CPSA's International Exhibition this summer. I think it is in Palo Alto, but I will have the specific information on the blog at a later date (or it is at the link in my post). There will be some amazing colored pencil work there.

    Hi Toni, and thankyou. The best to you concerning your entries also, but you are probably not working under the wire to finish as I am, heh? (I keep telling myself I am not going to operate this way again, but........)

    Debbi, are you stalking me? : )

    Hi Teresa. Thanks for you vote of confidence, but I have learned the hard way to NEVER ASSUME. Jurors are probably as different as........as........fingerprints! Nice to hear from you.

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  13. Fantastic work Lynda! I'm always attracted to realist paintings or drawings which also work as abstract compositions. The contrast of black and white and the way you've positioned the big, bold shapes defined by the two horses really grabs my attention.

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  14. Lynda~ We will definitely see the CPSA show this summer, Palo Alto is only twenty minutes from here. Very cool!

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  15. LOL.. Shhhh don't jinx me Lynda, what kind of crazy talk is suggesting someone is done early? I've had my two pieces done for some time, miracles of miracles... but I have yet to upload them to the cafe'!

    Something about the rush of a deadline? (prolly insanity)

    I'm sure you'll get done with time to spare!

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  16. Nice to 'see' you Peter, and I appreciate your comment.......because I really struggle with decisions pertaining to composition. It is just not something that comes easy to me.......So, did you find a dingo that was a little livelier? Poor old boy....... (the dingo! Not YOU!.......hahahaha)

    Hey Toni; how does that definition of insanity go? Something about engaging in the same behaviours over and over, and expecting different results? hahahahaha

    Now you did it, Denny. You are so close, I will probably pester you to come over for the reception if I am there. Would love to meet you and your wife.

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  17. Oh Lynda! How beautiful the work is and how strong the title is! This will surely make it!

    I am also under the gun with mine and may not get it done by deadline!! I'm just hoping for a song and a prayer (a few extra days may help as well! LOL!

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  18. Thanks so much, Dianna, and.........YOU CAN DO IT! (Sound of whip cracking). : )

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  19. It is absolutely coming out fabulous Lynda. It will well be worth the time you have put in. And. Should easily be accepted in San Francisco show. Good luck.

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  20. Hey Gary, thanks so much. As of the writing of this comment I have three days before it is scheduled to be at the photographer's......ACK!!!!.......but I'm very close to done. What a relief it will be to have this one behind me; its been a long road!

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  21. Hola Lynda, descubro su blog , gracias al de Fernando Artal, su trabajo es fantastico, llega a un nivel de perfección que cuesta creer, que paciencia tiene, y que resultado mas bello, la felicito, me encanta.

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  22. Bienvenido, Sr. Marrouch. Yo no hablo espanol, sin embargo estoy recibiendo la ayuda del traductor Google. Supongo que tendra que tener un widget traductor poner en me blog! Gracias por sus amables palabras sobre mi trabajo: su probias pinturas son muy hermosas. Espero ver mas detu trabajo.

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  23. Such a beautiful piece! Hope I get to see it in person...

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  24. Wonderful painting with so much feeling in it, you have captured a moment in time.

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  25. LOVE this portrait Lynda! I'm partial to horses but all your pencil work is truly a pleasure to admire.

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