A few years ago I was asked by my dealer to do some still lifes. Well it isn't that easy. Perhaps the artist is working on her own ideas. But I kept the request in the back of my head and kept asking myself what would I have to bring to the genre of still life, that no one else was doing? What would be uniquely my own. After about three years of asking myself that question, I decided: It would be "still life" but with a sense of place. Since I lived and worked in New Mexico, and this place is strongly influenced by Mexico... now how to show that? I decided upon using the weavings of Mexico, which are considered the most colorful in the world and the pottery of Mexico. I would use flat color and hard edge.
The still lifes did not please my dealer. So they went into the flat file. I worked on the series about two years. Recently I was looking through the drawers for something and came upon the still lifes. And still there is something authentic that I like about them. I decided I was not through with that series. I would continue to work with the still lifes, only take them a step further. Perhaps more simplified.
I am working with gouache on paper. I have found when you are working on a new series of work, you must create enough to give the work context. And I have only created two. Today I go to Santa Fe for a poetry workshop. Sadly the art supply store has closed in our town, so I will also go to the art supply store. It is one thing when you are working with gouache, you must have a nice selection of colors. So I will stock up, before I begin the next piece.
13 comments:
My untrained eye likes the way this series is developing--especially the last, which seems to make a mesa of the teacup(?) and a sunset of the tapestry. Keep going. Hope you find some wonderful colors at the art supply store and an equal amount of inspiration at the workshop!
I LOVE these colorful still lifes! Especially the top one with the sleepy man in the sombrero. Beautiful, Annell. You are an amazement! So talented.
They're gorgeous, Annell.
Pamela
Sometimes we are ahead of our fans and critics...these are beautiful and your recent abstraction is going in a beautiful direction. Lovely pieces!
I really like these and I think that you should continue with them despite what the dealer says. Sometimes they are caught in "the moment" of what others are doing. I remember a movie I saw recently (can't remember the name of it though) about an artist who worked with challenged children, had them draw pictures, then passed them of momentarily to his dealer who "loved" them! The joke was on him when he found out that the children had done them. Be authentic to your inner voice I say.
Envy is one of the seven deadly sins. Is envy of someone's talent a sin? You are placing me in a predicament here.
I really like these still lifes Annell, but in particular I like the later two that are in a more abstracted style. I think you are right to go on with the series and I look forward to more.
I love what you have done here. I especially like the first one. It is like an infusion of color crying out to the observer.
ah these are gorgeous...love the colors and the way you put them together...these are really well done annell...
I just love these, especially the color combinations! Thank you for visiting my blog.
Wow, you are very talented, Annell. I love these.
Annell, these pictures would be perfect for a home in a cold country - I feel warm, just looking at them. Keep on keeping on, and yah boo to the dealer!
I think they are beautiful - despite your dealer's initial reaction - I love the blues and reds and am glad you have come back to them..even the blue feels warm..like sky in the desert..Jae
Post a Comment