Masks of Carnivale

Still LIfe. Masks of Carnivale.

Progress on my Still Life: Masks of Carnivale.

Still Life: Masks at Carnivale

Some details of my work in progress, and a wide shot, so you can see I'm about half way through with this big daddy. I hope you enjoy the close up of the mask. I always think of painting as having "slow" and "quick" parts. I remember David Lynch talking about artwork in that way. Things that glitter, eyes, teeth, claws, water, windows, all those glisteny places of action are the "quick" parts. I have put a lot of "quick" parts into this mask. I love the glisteny quick parts, but remember, they would be nothing without the "slow" parts! Like, Charlie Babbitt without Raymond Babbitt- just an asshole.

I almost always watch that movie, whenever it's on TV. I'm transfixed.

Still Life: Masks at Carnivale

Crawling on, brushstroke by brushstroke. Shoulders very sore now. Must find my heating pad.

Still Life: Masks of Carnivale

Some pictures of the work in progress. I am hoping I can finish this in time for the juried show at the Hoyt. It's our only local art gallery. I hope I haven't already missed it.

Still Life: Masks of Carnivale

I am enjoying all the textures in this painting, and at the same time wrestling with the knowledge that it is all purely ornamental. I don't know if I can sustain interest in merely reproducing textures for a long series. If I am going to continue using masks as a theme, I predict the subsequent works will bear little resemblance to this one. Or should I just jump ship altogether? And find a new motif? Who knows?

Still Life: Masks at Carnivale

I took these after dark, hence the yellowish cast and the blurriness. I am pleased with the silky looking drapery over the cabinet. Much of this painting is taking a long time to complete as I'm working to the most minute detail I can accomplish. I paint many of the areas with a brush just a few hairs thick. I am still wondering if I will make more than one mask themed painting. I waffle.

Masks: Still Life of Carnivale

I have come back to capital P Painting, after a long while of working at my etsy store. This series I'm embarking on is a bit of a potboiler. I had intended to make some delicious compositions using the central theme of "the forest", but then I came across this great picture, a still life of masks, and it was too luscious to pass up. This is the scant beginning, which seems to be some sort of shelf housing mysterious artifacts and unguents in small jars, some glittery apparel and silken drapes are around it. This is a bare two hours work, but it was joyous, to get back to a large canvas. I expect to have many updates on this new series. I hope you will enjoy seeing their progress!