27th September, 2010.
I have started on another painting; I will be painting alongside the carnival clowns. It is also on canvas and will be in oils. I have taken my painting more into the abstract. Relying on the colours involved in the painting to give the viewer an idea or interpretation of the painting.
I have also only just done a quick outline of the main shapes, and not gone into detail with a drawing on canvas which I used to do. It is based on a figure in a mask holding another mask directly in front of her.
Hopefully my painting will read “look no labels!” For someone who is a tadge OCD, it is very hard not to be obvious, never mind subtle! But I am taking my time, I am experimenting with photoshop it helps me visualise what an image could potentially look like after I have messed around with it.
22nd September 2010
Here is a drawing of the hand and mask idea I had for the painting of carnival clowns. I think I may now do a separate painting of this, and let the viewer interpretate how they will!
Having had a night to reflect upon my tutorial, I do know what my tutor was on about, however it is difficult for a person like me to not be too literal! I am a person who is extremely organised!! even going as far as labelling things!! So, after reflection I could see it was like putting a sign above the painting and saying death is on the right hand side, you know the bloke in blue! I have to let the viewer interpret their own meaning of the painting. But what I don’t get, is why does some paintings cause such debate, on the meaning, what was the artist thinking about, this must be really difficult after someone has died! I bet people like picasso is laughing their socks off at some of the meanings that some people come up with!
So here goes, Subtle, think subtle! I did try and google the opposite word for literal, all I could come up with is Illiterate is this correct?
p.s See further installment of progress on clown picture.
21st September, 2010.
Well I had a tutorial today, and now feel completely deflated! My bubble has well and truly been pricked!! I am too literal! I need to take out the hand and mask on the right, so I have taken out the hand and mask on the image on the right. I am taking it back to what it was originally. What’s wrong with been too literal I ask? I do see his point, it is about giving the painting an air of mystique, what is going on scenario, but I still liked the hand and mask!
Carnival Clowns
20th September
I have for the last three months or so been working on a painting called carnival clowns. The idea was the basis for my mask idea. I am calling the painting carnival clowns for now, until I can think up a better title that is not a bit of a cliché! The painting is on canvas, in oils and is 120 x 150cm, so it is big. I wanted to make an impact with this painting. So I have for once been taking my time with it, and actually sketching my ideas for the painting in a sketch book before committing to canvas!
The idea around the painting is the gaiety of the Venice carnival, but what is behind the masks and the colourful costume. It is about hidden identities, and what sometimes faces us when we actually take down the masks and examine our true inner self! Deep I know, but this is actually easy to write as it is coming from an entirely personal perspective. I had other ideas for this module and term, but could not think of a good enough reason or theme for the ideas and why I wanted to do them! So this idea about being unmasked and the concept of hidden identities I can identify with.
The painting has slowly progressed, I am trying to portray through the use of colour my outward appearance along with the costume. However, the masks portray different emotions and feelings that you wear on a day to day basis. I have a lot of work still to do on the masks. The image on the right, is supposed to be death, and how it is the underpinning of everything in life.
I also need to work on the tones and shadows around the ruffs and fit the hats correctly onto the heads when I have completed the masks. I am excited about this painting, and hope I can produce something that will have an impact
17th September, 2010.
I have this idea, about masks and how they hide your identity. How your true self is hidden! Everyone wears a mask in how they interact with different people, be it family or friends or in a professional capacity at work for example dealing with the public. Also on a personal level over the last year and a half I have been recovering from depression and outwardly a lot of people would think I am my usual happy go lucky vibrant self, but inside was a different matter! Through counselling and my art I have been able to put down my negative thoughts, I have reached a crossroads in my life where I am embarking down a new road to a different career, leaving behind my Nursing.
So this is what Masks is about, I will be focusing on the Venice Carnival and relating it to my own personal story. I am now in my final year of my Final Art Degree, which culminates in an end of year degree show, and have no doubt that the next nine months will fly past, like the two years already doing this degree.
