Gah. This was a painting that gave me the absolute shits this week!
It began life as a life book lesson, but because I absolutely hated where it was going, I had abandoned the painting.
Being the frugal type, I couldn't bare to throw out the water colour paper, so I decided to throw some paint on it an reuse it.
But even then it wouldn't co-operate. The orange was too bright, the colours wouldn't blend nicely, the collage of papers were the wrong type... nothing was working.
Starting on the girl, which should have been easy, was another exercise in frustration.
The eyes were lop sided, her mouth was too pouty, what was going on with her nose?
Who was this girl anyway? I usually have some clue, but she held out to the very end.
Gah.
Mr Mac texted me one afternoon to see how we were getting on, and I never really mention the painting I am doing, it is usually the girls, how good (or not so good) they have been, but on this day I had a long rant about this bloody painting.
But since finishing it (in the wee hours of last night) I have realised three things.
1). Never through out the whole process of this painting did I consider throwing in the towel and throwing it in the bin. (Which would have been my solution a year ago, along with a glass of wine and potato chips to deal with my disappointment!)
2). I could always cover the paper up with another layer of paint, and
3). I absolutely loved (LOVED) the challenge that this girl presented, and in the end I love the result.
Who would have thought that such a simple prompt like Orange could have challenged me in this way?
So I would love to know have you been challenged in some way lately? Has a particular painting/ drawing/ art piece or even something in life challenged you to try something new?
I have created a album on face book which has all the progress shots if you're interested - click here
Have a great weekend!
P.S. Have you had a chance to check out my 'halloweeny' give away? Click here for free entry into this months draw.
[Linking to Inspiration Avenue]
[Linking to Paint Party Friday]
This girl had quite a journey! She turned out so wonderfully! So glad you never gave up on it! Happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carolyn x
DeleteHey there Kirstin, I would not have guessed you had problems with this painting had you not mentioned it. You should be very happy with the end result. It's beautiful. I love that orange colour. I'm so glad you didn't give up on her. Love it. Hugs, Kyles =D P.S I can totally relate to the whole wine/potato chip thing, although maybe not together....=D
ReplyDeleteNo perhaps chips + wine together (although chocolate goes with both ;) ) It was so tempting to throw it in, luckily I am the stubborn type! Thanks Kyles x
DeleteI would never have guessed the problems you felt with this painting! I love this girl - her eyes are amazing, her pouty mouth is perfect and I love her top - looks like something from Disegual!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much x
DeleteI love her, and I would never know she gave you so much trouble. Love the way she stands out and love the orange background. Congrats on persevering! It really paid off!
ReplyDeleteOrange was such a great prompt - it is not a colour I would usually deliberately use, but it is so different from my usually muted colour that I really liked it's effect. You may see it more often now! x
DeleteThis girl is wonderful! She makes a beautiful "fall" statement in orange.
ReplyDeleteI love the colours of fall - Thanks Susan for popping in x
DeleteTerrific, would never have known you had a single problem, love it. Happy PPF, Annette x
ReplyDeleteThanks Annette - Happy PPF x
DeleteBeing BRAVE! and HANGING in THERE! Art teaches me a lot about myself. Most of all you didn't quit and what a BEAUTY you turned out!! BRAVO!!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs for the fight! and CHeers for the WIN!!!
Kim
Thanks so much Kim such gorgeous words - you are right it was a win! and I can tell you there was a little happy dance when the last brush was put down! x
DeleteWow, this is fantastic. Love the look. The eyes are terrific.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Faye x
Deleteyou pulled me right in at that first sentence! way to stick it out... our art all does this to all of us at some time or another! :D
ReplyDeleteThere wasn't really any other way to describe how she made me feel! I have had challenges before, but this one is one of the ones that really pushed me! x
Deletethanks for the message. yes, i will trust my heart in freedom... alpha shanahan #26
ReplyDeleteI think I find it so hard to do that, but I think it is so worth it! x
DeleteLove this paiting-she has the most expressive eyes!! Happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda - they frustrated me the most this week! x
DeleteShe doesn't look at all troublesome! She looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteKarenx
LOL! Funny how looks are deceiving huh? Thanks Karen x
DeleteI'm glad you didn't bin this one (I probably would have after the first round of frustration), she turned out to be quite special.
ReplyDeleteI would have normally Carla Rey, but there was something about it that made me dig my heels in! Thanks for stopping by x
DeleteI am impressed with your fortitude to push on while so frustrated.
ReplyDeleteBravo...to a sweet end result!
Thanks Lynn x
DeleteFunny how the simplest prompts give you the most trouble... same here... they drive me a bit nuts at times... I certainly don't hang in there as well as you do... great finished piece...xx
ReplyDeleteLOL! I know what you mean Tracey - this was supposed to be so easy!! The way I was muttering about her I suspect Mr Mac thought I was going a bit loopy! Thanks for popping in x
DeleteA fantastic Manga girl! =) I bought a couple of small books to learn how to draw manga heads, this summer, but I haven't worked much with it.. I intend to do.. one day.. again :)
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of those books too, and I didn't really get through them - they are great for the basics (and fantastic for learning shading + folds of clothing!) x
DeleteLove her eyes and wonderful patterns in her shirt.
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of one of my favorite quotes (in fact, I have this quote in my classroom):
I go to my studio every day.
Some days the work comes easily.
Other days nothing happens.
Yet on the good days the inspiration is only an accumulation of all the other days,
the nonproductive ones.
~Beverly Pepper, painter
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art
Mary - That is such a lovely quote - I am going to put it up on my wall. Thank you for sharing it. x
DeleteI think that the things that make our lives difficult are the most precious ones. They teach us, they help us grow. Although, when you're in pain you can't really understand and accept this. Great job, you were right not to give up on her. Have a wonderful weekend!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you - I think you summed it up beautifully! x
DeleteI think your whole process is a perfect metaphor for life! Life doesn't always cooperate the way we expect it to! So we have to let go and roll with it. Sometimes we build layers over the rough spots to smooth things over! Sometimes the hard parts are rewarded at the end. Life has ups and downs, in the end it's what we make of it and how hard we try that really counts!! Absolutely stunning piece came out of your frustration!! I love her, she has a message too!! Her eyes and mouth seem to be in defense mode because no one is listening to her!! Good job!! I enjoyed this post!!
ReplyDeleteHugs Giggles!!
Giggles - I never thought about that but I think you are totally right and you have such a lovely way of expressing it. And I think you could be right about her eyes and mouth. It wasn't that I wasn't listening to her, but I wasn't hearing her. (does this make sense?) Thanks for such gorgeous comments xx
DeleteLoved your post, good for you sticking to it, with beautiful result! Love her expression, awesome eyes, the colors and the details! HPPF!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much anne x
DeleteLove this girl, she looks fantastic. great work Kirstin. I admire your paintinga.
ReplyDeleteLovely greet
marja
(marjascreativity)
Thanks Marja x
DeleteI love your sense of design and use of vivid colour.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lorik x
DeleteThe orange is just right, the eyes and the nose are just right. All that matters is that in the end the work is just right - and this piece is.
ReplyDeleteDarla
That is true - the end painting is the thing that matters - but I have to say the challenge behind it made the finish just that little bit more satisfying!
DeleteThe girl is very sweet. I´m glad you din´t throw her away. And about the orange background; I love the way you did it a bit more red around the edges. Really look nice!
ReplyDeleteYou are most wellcome to come and have a look at my art blog too if you like. Would make me happy.
Thank you so much Catharina (i will be popping over shortly x)
DeleteYou never know what goes on behind closed doors…lol would never have guessed, she looks fabulous! Nice work!
ReplyDeleteAnnabelle xx
Thanks Annabelle x
DeleteLoved seeing the in-progress-shots. She turned out lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much - I am so pleased I took those shots I think the end painting only told half the story of this piece! x
DeleteI LOVE how your sweet girl turned out... good that you didn't give up!
ReplyDeleteThanks Abby x
DeleteThanks Yvonne x
ReplyDeleteIt was so educational for me to look at the progression you posted on facebook. I love what you created here!
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming girl! Love those eyes and the colours and words you chose.
ReplyDelete