Monday, May 17, 2010

"Who Does She Think She Is?" Art, Painting of Clouds on a Good Day

Days are always better with a look up--- This is for Linny--From a photo: Looking West One Day, 8" x 8," oil on artists' board. She and Jeffrey J. Boron are well known inspirations! And, here's a link to an interview with Maye Torres talking about life as a woman artist. I recently watched the film, "Who Does She Think She Is?" and found it to be excellent.

22 comments:

Karen said...

Oh my gosh!!! WOW wow and WOW! I love this one. Just because of that phenomenal glow.

Melinda said...

Grinning from ear to ear, Karen. Thank you so much. You know what the light is like here. It'll get to ya.

SamArtDog said...

My favorite part of a cloud is its shadow. Its fantastic colors on the cloud and its coolness under the cloud. You've got 'em both. Cool fantasy!

Melinda said...

Hi SamArtDog,
The photo I took that inspired this painting is one I visit often. The cloud was particularly memorable with the sun behind it--high contrast and lots of drama.

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

I haven't had time to check your links, but what a superb painting. I am seeing these clouds as I said. But here they are actually animated,
living beings. Great colour. Great energy.

Wowowowow!

Love it.

xoxoxoxoxoxoBarbara

Melinda said...

Hi Barbara,
Thank you so much! I'm delighted that you have the same kind of clouds in your area, especially that they are real.

Perhaps a few of them will show up in your lovely portraits?

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Melinda,

I just watched the link film, and loved this woman. What incredible strength, and of course I loved her son talking about her in such a kind way. Very moving -- like your clouds.

xoxoxoxoxBarbara

Sara said...

This is lovely.I love the colors and texture. You do great work.

Melinda said...

Thank you so much, Sara. I'm glad you stopped by and hope you'll visit again.

It's great to have a fellow Tucsonan visit the blog.

Best wishes with your art and all that you do!

Linny D. Vine said...

Thank-you, Melinda!!! I LOVE your clouds!!! I'm delighted!!!

Melinda said...

You are most welcome, Linny. You kicked out the doldrums for me when you posted your recent painting and I just had to paint a reply.

daviddrawsandpaints said...

Exactly what I was havering on about a few days ago - the highly expressive view of a woman artist at the top of her game!
This is my kind of painting: when you walk into the gallery this is the one that just grabs you by the eyeballs and rattles you around. The sun lighting up and bursting from behind a wee cloud high in the sky. Fabulous!
One day I hope to get there, but in the meantime, salutation my Tucson friend.
DAVID

daviddrawsandpaints said...

"Woman" artist? Didn't mean to pigeon-hole you, Melinda!

Must have been the links that coloured my mind.

"Artist" or "Painter" is enough.

Melinda said...

You're a dear, David. I'm so glad you like the post and the painting. Glad, too, that you agree, but then I knew you would. ;)

I am never offended by the label "woman artist" when spoken in context. I'm not sure I understand Georgia O'Keeffe's and Alice Neel's visceral response to it. Although, considering their era, I'm guessing that they felt it extremely denigrating. However, I felt that they were pathfinders and wished that they could have been proud of the term. In an odd way, their response perpetuates the lessening of the category, don't you think?

But yes, to be called a painter, to be called an artist, is honor and privilege enough--male or female.

It would be great if you could visit the southwest someday. I think you'd enjoy it. Just make sure you visit during the winter months!

daviddrawsandpaints said...

Would love to visit Arizona in the wintertime.
Would I need to keep my semmit on?

Melinda said...

Ha! I had to have a translation on that, David.

In this town, yir semmit (called wife-beaters' here) and a pair of breeks will have you fittin' right in!

Anonymous said...

Okay, I know it's been said before and I'm late to this party, so it's hard to be original... WOW! I mean, just wow, man!

Hey, I keep getting emails from Who Does She Think She Is? And it's never playing in L.A.! I have a group of female artist friends that would love to make a night of going to see this. Did you go to a theater to see it?

Melinda said...

Thanks so much, Silvina. I don't get tired of the wow. Nope. Don't get tired of it... ;)

You know, I thought of you right away, but didn't know if it is in your area or not. I bought the DVD on ebay.

I wanted to let you know that if you wanted to, I would happily send it to you and you could have a house party with your artists friends. Then, you could send it back. In a way, I'd feel like I shared the experience with you Californians.

Just email me privately if you're interested.

Virtual hugs!

Anonymous said...

Great use of complimentary colors and toning down of the whites so that what is left of the whites stand pop out. Also the simplification - using only five elements - would make my instructor very happy. He is always telling us to simplify, simplify. You certainly achieved a very pleasing painting doing just that.
Jean

Melinda said...

Thank you, Jean. I'm glad you like the painting and thank you for such a thoughtful comment.

Elliot said...

love this painting mom. i don't remember seeing it last time i was home? certainly not in prominent place, where it deserves :)

Melinda said...

Why, thank you, Elliot! Yes, I believe it was hiding in the cave-like area of the studio. I'm so glad that you'll get to see it in person soon.

It's always a treat when you stop by and comment. Hope you'll visit again.

Love you mucho--ma