Saturday, October 18, 2008

Cinderella Pumpkin (for Bill)

SURPRISE! I finally found my way back into my studio...and yes, it felt very good.


Now don't laugh but I don't ever remember seeing this type of pumpkin any where but in a story book before now. My friends called it a Cinderella Pumpkin and they are beautiful.
Here's my beginning. A wash of Burnt Sienna and then a wipe out of my image. Then I went back in and darkened some areas with more Burnt Sienna.
I begin my darks - Sap Green with some Burnt Sienna. Its always at this stage that I feel like I have no talent what so ever and wonder what ever made me think I could paint. Does that ever happen to anyone else?

SOLD

Finally my little 6x8 inch painting emerges and I am satisfied...well sort of...I'm one of those painters who can't find a stopping point. I need to hire some one to come in and physically remove me from the studio in order to not "Tickle" a painting to death. Is anyone else like that???

Its funny how I'm never really happy with a piece of work but sometimes I can be happy with bits and pieces. I absolutely love the stem and the that background....

I know, its almost time for the guys in the little white coat to come get me....

Thanks to all of you who have been so patient and encouraging - I love you guys!

31 comments:

http://carolking.wordpress.com said...

Its always at this stage that I feel like I have no talent what so ever and wonder what ever made me think I could paint. Does that ever happen to anyone else?

YES, ALL THE TIME! But clearly YOU are wrong about yourself.

And be careful what you paint for Bill. The man is insane and probably a stalker as well.

Ron Morrison said...

Good lookin' pumpkin!

tangerine toes said...

cara , i absolutely loved the way you 'wrote' that pumpkin ..

Cara said...

Carol - Thanks for visiting and for the encouragment. I'll keep your warnings in mind about Bill - ha ha!

Cara said...

Ron - Yeah, like that's the first time someone has complimented my pumpkin...but they usually buy me a drink first!

Thanks Ron -

Cara said...

Tange - Thank you for visiting. I popped over to your site - love the writing. Your very painterly with your words (thats a pun - get it?) Still, love what I read - I'll be back -

rob ijbema said...

that pumpkin is looking very organic cara,great job of keeping that orange natural,bravo!

Cara said...

Thanks Rob - in real life it had even more of a gray coating to it - they are beautiful pumpkins -

Dar Presto said...

It looks wonderful, Cara. This pumpkin is lively and adorable, much like its creator.
My process is similar to yours: it starts with a nudge from Bill, then the part about thinking I'm crazy to imagine I'm a painter, then in the "tickle" stage my back gives out, so I'm forced to finish.

BoneDaddy said...

Yay, paintings in the halloween spirit! Ron Morrison's done it, you did it, Bill Moore did it, and even I did it!
I know what you mean about not knowing when to quit, but I think the pumpkin looks cool, and the round parts show realistic depth.

Cara said...

Dar - Thanks for the comment. It helps me to now I'm not the only one out here who goes through those stages when working.

Cara said...

Thanks Doug - Yeah, its that "pumpkin" time of year. I posted this little guy on eBay and was amused to see the other pumpkin painings for sale - maybe great minds think alike.

sandy said...

Very beautiful. Glad you're back!

Anonymous said...

I'm with you, Cara - really like that stem. The whole piece is good but I understand your feelings about not caring for certain areas. I think it is very common for painters at all levels to have areas of the work they are not completely satified with and then those areas that are just right and keep us coming back to try to find more.

When you are feeling completely well, you can paint 4 white horses to pull this thing.

Cara said...

Don't push it Bill - ha ha!

Seriously - Thanks for the comment and the encouragment.

Janelle Goodwin said...

I love your pumpkin. It's so sweet! It could be on the cover of a magazine.

Cara said...

Janelle - Thank you so much - I am so flattered by your comment.

Anonymous said...

I hope you are not in a relapse. This is a good piece. Try another very soon. Maybe just an orange if you are weak.

PS - don't give away the candy to those little jerk kids. Save it for when I drop by.

Cara said...

Bill you are such a bully! But a funny one so I forgive you -

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

Yoo hoo - it is Novemember and time for a turkey painting. If you are still recuping try a cornish game hen.

Cara said...

Bill - ha ha!

Anonymous said...

Love the pumpkin and the pics of your studio. It's fun to sneak a peek at where people work (and create!)

Cara said...

Thank you Lilli, I think of you often and hope your doing better...

Sylvia Jenstad said...

had to stop... love your colours... your pumpkin is very cool

Cara said...

Thank you so much Sylvia -

Anonymous said...

It looks like we start a piece pretty much the same, and yes, I always feel very vulnerable in the "gettin' goin'" stages. Even when it looks good I'm panicking about what to do next!
I'm such a "tickler" I've done touch-ups on pieces that were "finished" 2-3 yrs. earlier.

Don't tell the guys in the white coats about me, OK?

Laura Wambsgans said...

Having you back at the easel was the best present ever. I am so thankful that you are feeling well enough to paint and look forward to more pumpkins!

And yes, if you could invent a little brush removing troll that would sit on our shoulders and remove the brush when a painting says all that is needed, you would save countless paintings from the dumpster.

Cara said...

Mr. Decker - we truely are alike. I've been know to put "one more stroke" too many and ruin it all, and yes - ruin something years later...ha!

Cara said...

Laura - Thank you for stopping in and for leaving the comment. I have had my heart broken many times by having to discard a painting that I had such high hopes for -

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

Come on Cara,

Give me a little glimpse of what's on the board.

Cara said...

Hi Bill - I have a new piece that is ready but I can't get a photo of it I like - maybe tomorrow.