Like spontaneously finding the best parking space at the market, like finding the sweetest blueberries on a day in which everything else falls into place, followed by a spectacular sunset, good food and a great night's sleep, the paintings I last worked on surprised me so, and stopped me in my tracks--like a race track smooth and level--harnessed to hold the sky, just for pondering and quiet consideration. I excogitate further and offer a realistic study as a short interlude....
Made me think about this horse competing in the last run of the season here at the Rillito Race Track in Tucson last Saturday. We went to see these glorious creatures and I took a bunch of photos of them, of course. I hope to do more studies of them during those times I'm afraid of abstracting landscapes!
This study, 6" x 4" on paper, is a study using the 'three sisters' and Caran d'Ache with water. I'm hoping to post more of these in the future, but here is the photo I used as I drew from the monitor today.
Extra credit for those of you who know the word "excogitate". I stumbled upon it while correcting my spelling and thought...why not?!
Made me think about this horse competing in the last run of the season here at the Rillito Race Track in Tucson last Saturday. We went to see these glorious creatures and I took a bunch of photos of them, of course. I hope to do more studies of them during those times I'm afraid of abstracting landscapes!
This study, 6" x 4" on paper, is a study using the 'three sisters' and Caran d'Ache with water. I'm hoping to post more of these in the future, but here is the photo I used as I drew from the monitor today.
Extra credit for those of you who know the word "excogitate". I stumbled upon it while correcting my spelling and thought...why not?!
19 comments:
Well, I spend a lot of effort in my life excogitating, especially in the morning when I try to decide which socks to put on.
Horses are wonderful animals full of raw power and spirit. I love 'em.
And I love this noble nags head as well!
I get that stopped in my tracks feeling every time I feel like I've gone forward. I wish I could remember where I once read of a particular writer who, in order to be able to get himself able to actually sit down and do some writing, had to leave the house and do every errand he could possibly think of, then upon his return home, rush directly back to his typewriter, coat still on, and start typing before he realized what he was doing.
I see a Melinda's Word of the Day blog.
No need to ever excuse your beautiful drawings realistic or abstract.
Hi David!
Well, you get 10 extra vocabulary points today! You are a clever man.
Thanks for stopping by. Maybe I'll add more new words in the future...
Hi Karen!
You had me laughing loudly and agreeing with your writer's story. I've been known to clean the entire house, walk the dogs, do a little gardening and grocery shopping before allowing myself studio time. Of course, by then...I'm exhausted. Guess what? My house is the messiest it's ever been as I spend more time painting. Hmmm. There's a lesson in there. Now that you mention it, I have been known to step out of the car and turn left to go into my studio rather than turn right to go into the house.
I really like your idea for a word of the day. Let's see, how about kerigma? There's a funny joke that I remember with this word. If you want to hear it, lemme know.
I will admit there have been times when I've realized I'm in the middle of doing something like rearranging the order in which my paints are laid out on the table (instead of painting). Doesn't get much more absurd!
Yes of course tell the joke!
Melinda, I love your vocabulary expander-excogitate and your new horse painting. You implied movement by your use of color. Nice.
Thanks also for adding me to your blogroll. I feel honored. I will make certain you are placed on mine.
Too funny, Karen. It's a comfort to know that you do this sort of thing as well.
Okay. I was thinking of another obscure word when I thought of eschatological. Mr. Artyfice remembered that I used to have a cartoon clipping (way back in the last century) taken from an Episcopalian newsletter referring to a philosophical discussion:
"And Jesus said to them: “Who do you say that I am?”
And Simon Peter replied, “You are the eschatological manifestation of the ground of our being; the kerigma in which we find the ultimate meaning of our interpersonal relationships.”
And Jesus said, “WHAT?!”"
From another angle, we might consider, with a kind liberality for ourselves, that getting our "pants" in order is part of the preparation to paint, don't you think?! :)
Thank you, Loriann! Your work is so inspirational to me. Even though I lurk more than I comment at your blog, your watercolors/pastels and paintings help me to think about what the most important elements of a work are.
Love the joke.
So interesting to now know the origin of 'charismatic'. I would never have heard of that word!
Melinda,
The wisdom and creativity are flowing here,thank-you for sharing both. I really like the lower "lip" of your horse, (is there a correct word for the lower lip area on a horse?)
Hi Melinda,
As you know I'm shallow, but I'm more into "cogitating" than "excogitating."
I think I'd better add the "ex" more often. Love your horse painting. Wow. I could no more do that than fly. I've always wanted to go to a horse race, but never gone. You make me want to change that. What are the three sisters?
xoxoxoxBarbara
Ever the jokester, Barbara. I think thou dost protest too much....but, continue with the ex part of cogitate and I know you'll be fine.
Horse racing in Tucson lasts for about 5 weeks from January to March. In typical Tucson style, things are very casual, focused on the horses and a bit like watching baseball--a lot of standing around eating and drinking followed by up to one minute of exciting action. The betting part is so confusing that it's just more fun not to. I highly recommend going. The horses are so fun to see.
The 'three sisters' is a term I learned in college. They are: charcoal, white Conté and sanguine Conté. The masters (and mistresses) of 18th century art, such as Watteau, used them in their drawings. A very basic color drawing palette.
Hi Linny,
Thank you for stopping by. This is only the second horse drawing I've ever made...and, I must confess that I know next to nothing about horses, except I always wanted to ride regularly and perhaps own one. I'll bet there is a name for that lower lip.
I'm really feeding from the creative energy that you and other wonderful artists are sharing. Just hope I can send a little back sometimes.
What a wonderful painting, I see a whole new subject area for you! I like your choice of the turquoise background - I think that's YOU coming out in this painting. Isn't it funny how we shine through in our paintings even when we don't mean to or realize it? That background certainly gives this painting a lot of life, which is one of my favorite things about your paintings.
Joan
Lurk away Melinda...you are always welcome on my blog.
Thank you too:-)
Thank you, Joan, for the encouragement. I will try this again sometime.
Gotta rest and get more life to put into some new work....!
Okay, Loriann! Will lurk and enjoy your work often.
disappointingly, the lower lip of a horse is called the "lower lip."
see also: http://www.greenacres-stud.com/headA.htm
"labium inferius," if you like Latin -- but it just means "lower lip".
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