Wednesday, January 27, 2010

"Little Girl! Get away from that goat!...

...They are vile and dirty beasts that cannot be trusted. They eat lots of garbage and frequently enjoy regurgitating it too, and you sweet thing, do NOT belong in this scene."




That's what I'm thinking now, every time at look at this unfinished painting. I started it weeks ago, with the idea of combining mythical images of the goat god Pan, and a witch named Baba Yaga, with ordinary figures -namely a goat and a girl -in an effort to create a sort of visual commentary, and give life to some really cool stuff I've been reading. The symbolism of Pan represents overt sexuality, lusty playfulness, but trouble. Baba Yaga is a folklore witch that assists children on their journey through the woods, but only if they satisfy her demands. If they don't, she eats them. The girl represents innocence and curiosity, all too willing to befriend the goat, who's alter ego is Pan. The perspective of the mountainous background, copied from a once favorite photo, was lost in this, and the Pan figure just didn't gel...so, the mountains wound up flat, and Pan got painted out. Baba never made it in, but her skull lanterns (that will guide our girlie on her journey) might. Currently, the story is much more interesting to me than the actual painting, and I'm hoping to find a way to overcome the fact that the whole spirit with which I began this  - is gone.

Have you ever stopped a work because you weren't 'feeling' it anymore? Did you abandon it, or did you find a way to still get your initial intentions across?

Can you say gesso?

3 comments:

  1. Wow- the girl in the painting looks just my niece!

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  2. I can relate. I have two stress outlets; one is playing music on guitar and the other is a chainsaw.

    Often I get frustrated or tired of a tune that I'm trying to make work. Usually I just don't have the energy or willpower to learn a new technique that might bring it to life. Then, maybe months later I'll pick it up again and it become something different but better. That's Art, I guess.

    With the saw, I can literally bring new light and a refreshing change by destroying something old or neglected. So, sometimes tearing something down and starting over is a good thing.

    I like your painting. I find myself looking at it all the time. I don't know what it is that makes it appealing. But I think that's the power of it.

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  3. @ Maria...you'd notice that girlie anywhere!thanks for commenting!
    @ Tim, thanks for the insightful comment; I did think of chainsawing this,(kidding) but am happy with the new progress and direction that it will be going in...will post updates soon.

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