Sunday 23 August 2009

Koi paintings, begun at last, in progress.

I've learned something very valuable from this year's taking on all sorts of art and illustration projects: don't do this next year! Next year, I'm going to focus on painting and have only a couple of illustration projects going. And I'm going to be very selective about the nature of those projects, too!
What with the aforesaid overloading and the various health problems my family and I have experienced in our own personal annus horribilis, I've painted little and posted here less.
Here is a look at what I've just begun, though, and finally... my koi series. As I mentioned in another post, I don't like to post WIP, but sometimes that's all one can do, or risk being thought of as dead, dormant, or indifferent. I am none of those.

Koi wip
This is acrylic on gessoboard, 12" x 24".
Here's a shot of the current work-in-progress with some completed ones. I love the colors and freedom of movement of this subject compared to my other watery paintings. And I am so enjoying playing with levels of transparency and gestures. Of course, I have no idea where this painting will go, but I hope to keep the looseness and airiness of this early stage.koi wip at a distance

12 comments:

Making A Mark said...

Gosh - such a difficult subject to tackle. I look at transparent water and bottle every time!

I think you're doing very well

Commiserations on all your trials this year - however take heart - all things must pass in time.

vivien said...

I'm liking the way these are going - a lot! beautiful wet watery fluidity

I too have had an annus horribilis for similar reasons - so you have my total sympathy

Anonymous said...

So glad you're not dead, dormant, or indifferent. I hope your year improves - my thoughts are with you. Thank you for sharing the WIP.

Dr Mad Fish said...

Really nice.

Patricia said...

I had to come back and take another look at your painting of the chairs and the pool of water. This is a stunning composition. It has an original take and is far better than any arty photograph.

Felicity Grace said...

Laura, it was so comforting to me that you told me to hang on, the year had only started, when I felt down at the beginning of my annus horribilis. Things have indeed gone so much better than I could have imagined, somehow it just does and I really hope, as it's only August, your year will improve no end too - I have great faith it will, you are much more resilient, I'm sure, than me! As 'all things must change', that must mean the less pleasant times too! :) The koi paintings are just beautiful!

Jeanette Jobson said...

The koi are lovely against the darkness and colours in the water. There's great movement here and your style is immediately recognizable.

Some years do have their challenges and all of us seem to have various issues that ebb and flow, but it all seems to balance out eventually.

Laura Frankstone said...

Thanks, everyone. I'm taking great comfort from your comments, especially those of Vivien and Felicity, who have had their own difficulties this year. There's much to be grateful for, even in the midst of trials, and I am grateful.

Julie Dunion said...

These are such beautiful works with fabulous colour and movement.

Sarah said...

Oh I am so glad that you are still going, altho I never suspected otherwise. Sometimes life gets in the way of painting let alone blogging about it but I know that everyone in this group is grown up enough to realise that. I simply love the koi paintings, keep going they are worth it!

Anonymous said...

you're doing good with your koi series..hope things lighten up for you from now on. Life is a cycle for all humanity, up and down all the time.
ronell

Gesa said...

Laura - these reflections and what's beneath them are very beautiful. I've looked at them repeatedly since you posted them. I am fascinated by the playfulness, luminescence and fluidity in these!