Tuesday, 24 February 2015

Le Nonne

Le Nonne
The main reason I paint these days is for my own personal pleasure and not what many people like or want to buy for that matter. Come to think of if it, I haven't sold a painting since last November! It is however, nice to be able to be relaxed when painting and not worry about meeting any deadline or pleasing anybody I guess.

Although I have several different styles going at the moment, I still occasionally try something a bit different, suddenly and spontaneously changing the way I work. Often it doesn't work or I get stuck or fail to portray what is going on in my head. But just occasionally something clicks and I think "oh, that actually works" or then I think that I've done something that is obviously different and not sure if it has worked or not.

The painting "Le Nonne" is one such work, something quite different for me. Friends that have seen it say they like it, but you are never quite sure about what they are saying because a lot of folk don't want to offend you and will say something is good when they may really feel otherwise. Any way, this work is based on a black-and-white photo my daughter took when on holiday in Italy last year. As I knew nothing about what the true colours of the scene were, I decided that rather than do a black-and-white work, I could get some earthy colours going - you know something like Rembrandt would go for. The resultant limited palette turned out something like sepia tone.

Just on the off chance, I thought that I would submit this painting a bit further afield than our small, local events. I've done this a few times over the last year or two, but always been rejected. Imagine my amazement then, when I got an email saying my submission has been accepted! So now, from March 14th - May 4th 2015, this work will be on show at the Leicester and East Midlands Open Art Exhibition 2015 to be held at the Newarke House Museum. Wow, what a result!
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9 comments:

  1. Keith Tilley25 February 2015 at 01:15

    Well done Frank, it deserved to be accepted. The impression of a sepia drawing suits the subject and gives it an old-world charm.

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  2. _Frankb1025 February 2015 at 02:36

    Thanks Keith, this will be a new experience for me and I even get an invitation to a private viewing with a chance that my painting may win one of the generous prizes on offer.

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  3. Angela Ooghe25 February 2015 at 15:26

    Congratulations Frank! It's a lovely painting. My favorite part is the expression on the face of the woman on the far left. For me, she steals the show.

    I can relate to everything you said about experimenting with the way you work a painting. I'd guess that more than half of my work is never finished for that very reason. But, I don't think I could grow as an artist without taking chances.

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    1. _Frankb1027 February 2015 at 03:36

      Thanks Angela, I don't often throw mine away, just bung them in the loft!

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  4. Barbra Joan26 February 2015 at 04:47

    Congratulations Frank. Yes, it's a wonderful piece... and being Italian I immediately recognized those ladies as my grandma and her cronies .LOL
    Love the stockings half way down, the expressions on each one..
    And good for you for painting what you like... I've never conformed to what others want, and that's why I'm a paint from my heart person...Not the best way to be if you want sales,, but your soul will be happy. BJ

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    1. _Frankb1027 February 2015 at 03:40

      Thanks Barbra, a lot of people have commented on those comical half stockings! You've given me some comfort with your wise words too.

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  5. John (JWJarts)28 February 2015 at 09:19

    This is a great piece Frank. The characters are fantastic and the earthy tones were a brilliant choice. I've never been in your league but I did try for many years to paint things that I thought others might like. Since I've been drawing 'just for me' I've been a lot more content with my work. Congratulations on being accepted for the exhibition .... I'll try and get there. Not being a member of an art club I find it very difficult to find open exhibitions I can enter .... Good luck!!

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    1. _Frankb1028 February 2015 at 13:14

      Thanks John, you have good reason to be 'content' with your pencil work - I find it exceptional. If you were thinking about entering an Open exhibition, you've got time to enter the one in Kettering in April. Entry details here: http://www.kettering.gov.uk/open15

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  6. maymay8 April 2015 at 21:14

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