I am so excited! I have found a kindred spirit here in Norfolk. I had given up with the life drawing and turned my hand to still life, coastal scenes and folk with clothes on, as there seemed to be a bit of a nudge-nudge, wink-wink attitude to nudity.
I was browsing the King's Lynn Arts Centre and was delighted to see an upcoming exhibition in November, celebrating the human form. Further investigation revealed a blog, Two Naked, charting progress leading up to the exhibition. Long story short, I left a comment and am now in contact with Peter Kavanagh, who has obligingly suggested that we meet up and compare notes.
Peter teaches and I was cheeky and asked his opinion of my work.
'I'm very impressed with the energy and freedom in your painting. There's an honesty in your work that's still struggling to get out and sing and dance! I hope you don't mind but I'm going to risk a suggestion for you... I think you work too much from photographs... I do like your work and can see you have bags of talent, which I think will respond even better to real life observation.'
I do agree about working too much from photos, it is very stifling. So now we come to this painting. Although I plan to get to HAS on Saturday, I couldn't wait, so took off my clothes and got stuck in! It was cold! It was difficult with the curtains shut! And vanity wanted me to shave off a few inches here and there! Oh but I did enjoy it, so I will very likely finish it!
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6 comments:
Sharon…way to go. Girl (as they say in the States)…. this is just awesome. So real, so fresh, I knew it was you before I even read the post. It must have been quite a challenge painting yourself nude while painting…if you know what I mean. I had to laugh about the curtains…. maybe when your new studio is finished you will have a perfect nude hide away (lol)….. I actually really like it the way it is right now....it has a freshness about it....
you are more brave and honest than i could ever be . . . but maybe i may try it . . . excellent post - great painting
wow...Sharon, I don't know how I missed this. This is a fantastic self portrait---so gutsy, and beautifully done! I think it is my favorite painting of yours to date. I don't think you need to do anything to it. Amazing that you did this from life...of yourself!
I agree that you have bags of talent but I am going to comment the same as I did before.
My first thought is 'don't do any more to this! Here you are daring to be stripped bare for the sake of your art and you have painted this with such integrity and honesty. A really challenging self-portrait which highlights the complexities of personal identity, and look what you have achieved! I found this the most exhilarating and powerful painting you have done. Congratulations and all best wishes."
Well done, Sharon! I'm delighted to have inspired you! I always ask my life drawing students to draw and paint themselves. I think coming to an honest appreciation of yourself is vital to being happy. Don't be afraid to notice how beautiful you are. This is more difficult to do than being brutal! I know you enjoy your paint but allow yourself to enjoy your subject as well.
A tour de force
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