One of the good things and one of the bad things about painting on foam core is that you can cut it into any shape you would like. This was once a 10"x10" piece but after working and slicing off bits, it is down to 6"x6" and I have decided to quit. I can't remember all the materials: satin, paper, acrylic, ink stamps, ribbon and cheesecloth to name a few. Some materials were just cut off! Sorry about the tilted photo. I'm not complaining, I'm in the studio and working and experimenting and I know it's all leading me to new art .
Tomorrow is President Lincoln's birthday and I wanted to share these powerful remarks. Carl Sandburg spoke before Congress in 1959, on Lincoln's sesquicentennial: "Not often in the story of mankind does a man arrive on Earth who is both steel and velvet, who is as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog, who holds in his heart and mind the paradox of terrible storm and peace unspeakable and perfect." Happy Birthday President Lincoln.
It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.
ReplyDeleteCharles Darwin..
You have no idea how your blog touched me tonight.
Sometimes the best results comes from quiting. When I look at your art project I see a submarine with floating in green murky water,with a red skyline waiting for the moon. The rolling green landscape in the distance feels like a hot summers day.
Yes Happy Birthday Abe! It's a;so Charles Darwins birthday, another man who made an impact on the world.
ReplyDeleteExperimenting is all part of the fun! - look forward to seeing what you end up with!
Thankyou for your comment on my blog and in that climate I saw the devastation of the fire ravaged towns and the intense snow of the northern hemisphere in your work...the wonder of the abstract.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary Ann!
ReplyDeleteThis is cool...you are back in the studio doing your thing and experimentation is wonderful. I love all these bits on here and I love the shiny, too.
I have never tried to paint on foam core...I used it a lot to build models (interiors work), but never with paint.
I think this piece is going to be a wonderful bit to add to something else...or to keep working to bring out the elements. Very cool!
Keep going!
Thanks for the reminder of Abe's birthday...what true words!
"Steel and velvet," yes and that describes the power of your painting as well, Mary Ann! Please visit Oasis for a little word of thanks! <3
ReplyDeleteI hope that quote will apply to our current President as well. Lovely words.
ReplyDeleteHi Mary Ann, I actually have a new friend called Abraham Lincoln and he is the cousin of Abraham Lincoln. I can't remember his url, but if you visit at Musings, he is one of my latest followers. A very interesting man. Cheers and hugs.xx
ReplyDeleteLove this painting Mary Ann!
ReplyDeleteThanks for remembering Lincoln, my most favorite president. Lovely words from Sandburg. When I saw the thumbnail on my blogroll thingy I thought that middle section looked like a box of watercolors. :) Glad you are working too. I read a book about painitng on canvas in which the author said she often paints on a larger canvas than she imagines the picture will be, then she often changes the size of the painting to smaller or larger as needed. Of course then she has to restretch it once finally completed. But I always liked that idea of having a flexible size as one works.
ReplyDeleteoh, Mary Ann - I just love that it started 10X10 and got to a 6X6- it's so what we all experience - I looks lush at this point!
ReplyDeleteMarti, Thank you for the Charles Darwin quote.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to know this post touched you.
Patti, You are ahead of me on knowing the birthday is shared by Charles Darwin. How interestig the two men were born on the same day and year!
Janette Kearns Wilson, I like your vision and your encouragement!
Kim, Yes, I'm going to keep on keeping on in the studio...I know
ReplyDeletethat works!
Cynthia, I'll be over after lunch for a visit!
Tangobaby, I was struck by these words and like you hope Lincoln's voice will be of encouragement to our Obama in these times.
Natalie, Abraham Lincoln, a cousin of Abraham Lincoln...no pressure there. I'll visit his blog, thank you.
ReplyDeleteJacie, Thank you and I love your new drawing!
Suki, A box of watercolors...interesting. I am consumed by the square shape...it shows up now in everything.
Jeane, At this point I had to quit or start a minature series?
Wonderful Sandburg quote! Like an iron fist in a velvet glove. I hope our President will earn this discription, as well.
ReplyDeleteLove the sharing of your experimentation and cutting down of the work - and thank you for the M - my words are on the side bar of my blog - do take a peep!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this quote. It points to the fact a full range is required to excel at living this life. I enjoy seeing your work, and just as you are doing, I consider cropping to be another art skill. It can bring out the strength in a piece.
ReplyDeleteWow, I just realized I have a TON of foamcore (and gatorfoam) stashed away...would you like some to play with?
ReplyDeleteWillow, We both share such high hopes for our President!
ReplyDeleteRosie, Experimentation takes a very different mind set...! encouraging words, thanks.
Leslie, I'm working on canvas this week and I can't use my trusty utility knife!ha
Cynjon, Now we both have a TON of foamcore! It was at a low price here and I bought tons...now of course, I've decided to work on canvas!
Another interesting piece to contemplate. You are so good with your experimentation.
ReplyDeleteJean
I'll take that as a "no thank you"!
ReplyDeleteOur friend Dale works at a framing place, and he's always bringing some home for us...even though we still have a bunch!
that green! that red! those squares! smiling here... : )
ReplyDelete