5 LITTLE CANVASES TAKE ONE STEP FORWARD

I took each of these pieces one step forward in the sense that I edited them.. .  removing forms that weren't in harmony with the whole, enforcing contrast where necessary, enriching color fields for full
color  harmony, etc. . etc. (To see changes made refer to my last post) Remember that a finished canvas is never really finished unless the artist is satisfied with the end result. . .  and now I am.

I am now working on my next assignment for my mentor which is due on the 21st of this month.  Two canvases, 50x70cm, which I prepared myself,. . . . stretched and  primed the canvas . . . and have begun to paint.
(See you soon)

BALANCE - THE BASE

Connections 5 - 30x30cm  12x12" Oil on canvas

Connections 5. This is the final canvas in my series on the human body. Here is the base of the figure, the support, the balance  where the anatomical forms are filiform. . . ligaments, bones, connective tissue rather than the soft curving shapes seen in the preceding pieces.


                                                                         

DOUBLE IMAGES

Two images for the abdominal section of the body. The complexity of the abdomen, the force of the body, the viscera. . . stomach. . . point of physical access to spiritual power and spritual strength. The solar plexus. Yet our bellies also embody our species' life-renewing power,  the womb.

This is Connection 3 (30cm x 30cm, 12x12", oil on canvas)  the series of 5 paintings representing the human figure. In the abdominal area, straight lines are more numerous connecting the internal shapes which are soft and  floating.

Connection 3 - 12x12"- 30x30cm. - oil on canvas

 This is Connection 4 of the series. Note the figures that appear only here in this canvas. The abdomen is also site of the womb, the birthplace of the figure. These figures are placed in a series of   cubical structures, their habitats. Here is the corrispondence between the human body and geometry.

Connection 4  - 12x12" - 30x30cm - oil on canvas

Leonardo da Vinci believed the workings of the human body to be an analogy for the workings of the universe.

CONNECTIONS

Connections 2  oil on canvas - 30x30cm - 12x12 in.

This is Connections 2 (30x30cm, 12 X 12in. oil on canvas)  the series of 5 canvases representing the human figure. (the first painting is shown in the previous post) Here we are at the trunk of the body, from the neck to the belly, shoulder, heart, and spinal column. Again the straight lines connect the internal shapes representing the structural and architectural parts that I believe  interact.

As you see, I've named this series Connections thinking of  the white lines  which appear in each painting.  At times disecting and at other times knitting each of the works into a harmonious unit,
they form the protective structure for the whole, the architectural and the anatomical whole.  

I must admit that I have difficulty with titles, difficulty in the sense that I feel that most titles are too confining for most art observers. My interpretation, my idea as I paint, is not the only possible way to look at a painting.  The beauty of abstract art is that there is room for a variety of interpretations and that close and frequent observation of an abstract painting can and should open up a world of seeing unknown to observers before. There should never be fear to make an error.

....PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS.. . .

My second session with Janice Mason Steeve's mentoring program was even better than the first. I was  relaxed though eager to know her reaction to the images of my paintings. Judgement is always  terrifing.  But I made it! Got through the test with FLYING COLORS ( literally). WE talked about lots of things. . .  the time passed too quickly.  And now I have a new assignment.  Work in the same direction, using internal anatomical shapes along side architectural drawing, lines, etc. only BIGGER. Can't wait to start......

But first I would like to show you what's been going on with me doing those first 5 canvases.

Connections 1: oil on canvas -  30x30 cm - 12x12 inches  (The pic doesn't do justice to the varied yellows that are there!)

Although I worked on all five paintings at one time, there is always one that starts things  off and this is it. The canvases are 30x30 cm, small enough but when there are 5 to finish in a short time they can feel very LARGE. I used a limited palette, yellow ocher, cadmium yellow, alizarin crimson, cad. red, mineral violet, ultramarine  blue, burnt umber, white. Too many colors are confusioning.

This first piece depicts internal anatomical shapes referring to the head. The straight white lines suggest the structural parts, the architectural drawing, the bones.  I had intended to include written parts, formulas, equations, etc., but decided to eliminate these following Janice's thoughts about limitation, simplification.

Now I am working  on a title. Something that will embrace all 5 pieces, the series. 
I will post others tomorrow.