Pygmalion and Galatea

In Greek mythology there is a story about Pygmalion, a sculptor who falls in love with the statue he created. After refusing the women of the village, Pygmalion sets to work on a statue. As the days pass he falls deeper and deeper love with the emerging figure. When the statue is completed he prays to Aphrodite to make her real. She gives in and the statue becomes a living breathing woman named Galatea.

Now, you're probably wondering where I'm going with this. I have a friend E who is a constant muse and inspiration to artists all over. She is without a doubt one of the most intriguing people I have ever had the fortune to meet. Unlike Galatea however, she is flesh and blood. It is an opposite situation, where after meeting our friend E, artists try to create and capture her in all her enigmatic glory. Others try time and time again to snare pieces of her, myself included. My attempts fall woefully short but the process is always fun no matter what.

"her poses change with her every mood"

Owen

Just a quick sketch of Kissy's boy done on watercolor paper with Staedtler pencils. I think I got most of the resemblance.

Doodle Doodle Doo

Untitled
pencil on paper, 8" x 11"

It started as a doodle and became something else. The commissions were frustrating to work with so I stopped for the night and tried to do something relaxing. But I was drawn back to paper and ultimately this became my relaxation.

Slipping Into A New Skin

Slipping Into A New Skin
16" x 20", oil on canvas

I can't pretend to know what I am talking about all the time. The simplest things inspire me but when asked I can't seem to find the right words. Pictures come to me and all I can do is paint and when finished I can only hope to interpret correctly. But everyone knows there is no right or wrong way to interpret art.

'Slipping' is contradictory because it is accepting who you are, who you were and finding a way to merge the two into someone/something new and different. Personally I can relate to this because I'm not only seeking to be a better artist but a person as well. Many artists plot and plan their pieces before they even get to a blank canvas. The outcome is incredibly thought provoking as well as visually pleasing. I don't think my paintings will ever be so cerebral though, they feel like they come from the gut more than anything else. Especially this one.

The Providing Woman

Once upon a time(perhaps about two years ago), I bought some canvases and some supplies for a would-be commission. The woman changed her mind and at the time I was a bit angry at what happened. Eventually I moved and that bunch of supplies ended up in my closet in the back. I was cleaning the other night and when I found this stuff I was so thrilled. I found two unused 16" x 20" canvases, still in their wrapping, some smaller canvas boards and that is 12" x 24". I also found the 18" x 24" canvas of the would-be commission.

At one time or another I may have sketched a still life onto the12" x 24" board but when I removed it from the closet I saw something different. Anyway, last night, I grabbed a piece of charcoal and set to work drawing in some bold lines which I later went over with a fine brush. I finished this piece quickly because it was a small canvas to begin with and I didn't have to worry about excruciating details. I'm pleased with it the way it turned out. It's definitely different looking.