Friday, January 08, 2010

Changes and Challenges














Ace of Hearts
3.5 x 2.5 oil on playing card

I'm slowly getting back to work here. I sort of fell short of expectations yesterday but today did better. And in an endeavor to make my blog more fun, I am going to paint a pack of cards. Not as a subject, but as a support.


"Why?" you might ask. Well, Why NOT?

First, I find that I have a hard time choosing a subject for the small "daily" painting... and often want to save images to work larger. So I hold off. And I don't want to paint the same thing twice. And I can spend as much time on a small work as a larger one. So it makes more sense to do my best work for my galleries and shows.

So - enter the playing cards. They are conveniently packaged. Its a goal. Its so small that I must just paint loose, bold, simple subjects. They transport easily. And they can still be framed nicely. A whole grouping would be really fun I think. Its similar to the ACEO or artist's trading cards.
So today, after I put my best energies into a challenging figurative work, I quickly chose a critter to put on this card. I'm excited about this new endeavor. 51 more (at least) to go!

If I'm making no sense, its because I am FREEZING. Its so cold in Austin... and I am a wimp. I'm shivering and can't type. More on this tomorrow.... or Monday.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a delightful piece~! And what a clever idea to use playing cards as a support. Can't wait to see more. :)

-Don said...

I love it! You captured an energy and an attitude in this little "canvas". It was obviously a fun piece to create. Stay warm... -Don

Marian Fortunati said...

Pile on the blankets and keep painting....
However...I'm confused... What does a crow have to do with an ace of hearts???? Seems like an interesting challenge... I'd like to "get it".

Leslie Saeta said...

Good for you! What a great idea. I don't really know how painting cards works so I am going to ask a dumb question. When you are done, what happens to the deck? A masterpiece of 52 paintings certainly won;t ever be "played". Will you frame them? Just curious!

patricia cotterill said...

What a great idea. You have started a trend, I,m off to buy some cards!. The painting is loose and and full of movement, love it

A Painter's Journal said...

Hi Marian -
I named it for the card its painted on. If you look closely, you can see the A's in the corner. The heart in the middle was covered.
I am considering how to name them as I paint. The subject? The card # and suit? The # painting in the series?
Ah, these are the tough decisions.
:-)

Roxanne Steed said...

Great idea for a series! love this line of thinking/painting!

Karen Wall Garrison said...

Makes perfect sense, Robin! I love the idea, and I admire your work so much. You are truly an inspiration and a joy to watch! Thank you so much for sharing your journey. Hey-- if you want to escape to a warm place in the dead of winter, we have a really comfy couch, a mile an a half from the beach and the Bolsa Chica wetlands. I think it's in the mid-70s today...

LeAnn Whitacre said...

Ah, what a great idea. At first, I thought you meant you would paint the playing card, itself, like the queen, the jack, etc. haha... This one looks like the 'Rook' card!

Diana Moses Botkin said...

I like this one a lot. I sure identify with the struggles you mentioned with the dailies. I've been at a bit of a standstill on them myself... just evaluating and thinking mostly for past few weeks.

I know I'll get back to them soon.

Hey our Challenge is coming up so I have to get back to the easel whether I'm ready or not.

belvedere beads said...

very nice indeed!

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