Full body view of previously posted head shots
 

The heads of this piece were posted in the WIP section a while back, but now that we have this nifty new area for nude figurative art, I thought I'd add the full view for public access.

No need to add additional comments - you guys were overly generous with your comments in the WIP section. Some 3D work adds a little variety here and I hope many others will soon post their classic nudes that you have not been allowed to post previously.

Bronze, 20 inches, limited edition. Title "Feast and Famine".

Welcome Heidi
 

Dear Heidi,

It is wonderful to see you included in this inaugural week of nude unveilings, with the first participating sculpture. Your extremely compelling figure group reminds us all that beauty is to be found within the whole gamut of humankind. Bravo!

Garth

I don't care whether I posted previously, these are so very lovely, and at the same time so very strong. I'm glad to see you here.

Beautiful. I love the look on both faces, but am very impressed by the boy's stance. I've always desired to see many of the paintings posted here in person, but something you can walk around has to be that much more. It's like walking around the 14 year old dancer by Degas (I think she's 14). There's one at the Met and pictures will never do it justice.

Oh Heidi,

I'm so glad you posted the whole sculpture. This one breaks my heart, one of the most powerful works of art I've ever seen.

Jean

Thank you so much, Cynthia, for opening up the forum to include nudes.

Jean, Jimmie, Chris, and Garth,
Thanks so much again for welcoming this piece into this new section that I

[QUOTE=Heidi Maiers]Even though I was only 17, I remember being mesmerized by every sculpture I came across and I

[QUOTE] Thanks so much again for welcoming this piece into this new section that I

Cindy and Sharon, your comments are appreciated.
I know I am the oddball here in this forum full of such magnificient painters, so thanks everyone for making me feel welcome.

"Oddball" is definitely not the right choice of words for you, Heidi. In fact, the quality of work makes my work look odd by comparison.

All of us painters strive for sculptural form in our works. Your attentiveness to solidity and structure really drives the point home.

This particular piece has such an amazing iconographic aura to it, not to mention that it makes a pointed sociological statement. Too often do I see modern classical sculptors falling back on the pure academia of typical motifs that, while beautiful, don't really say too much more than, "I'm a classically trained sculptor." Your work has kept the tradition intact, but finds new and significant meaning within the medium. Thank you so much for posting this in full - it's stunning.

This is so beautiful, Heidi. What struck me today is how interesting this is from every angle. Congratulations again on such a powerful and moving work!

Thank you Rob and Linda,
I have been having the urge lately to see if I can still draw. Last night I searched through the attic and found some 25 year old charcoal and charcoal paper and sat down to draw a self portrait from life. It has definitely been a while and long overdue.
It was harder than I remember, but a good exercise. Although I found a paper stump, I couldn't find my kneaded eraser and had no white charcoal, so I ended up with a smeary mess of course. I think I'll stick to 3D.

If any of you are in Scottsdale in February, this piece will be on display at the Scottsdale Artist School February 2-28 if you are interested in seeing it in person. I entered it in the annual "Best and Brightest" show and it was accepted. Hopefully I'll be able to sell it and at least recoup the expenses for making it into bronze.

Heidi,

These make you want to keep on looking and looking! There is so much to see, and on so many levels. For me the biggest appeal is their tactile appeal. I just want to touch the surface and appreciate the forms. Not that I'd be allowed to touch the artwork! But at least seeing them "in the round" would be a good substitute.

Alex

Heidi,

I am so glad this will be in the show. I don't know who votes, but if I could vote, I would vote for this!

Alex and Chris - you are both such sweet hearts. Thanks!

Shoot, Heidi. You're the real thing.

Best--TE

Ah, allegory! What a relief!

This is an interesting, thoughtful exploration of human form, and so deserves to be bumped to the top of the category, as we are all interested in this section surviving the titilation of most contemporary soft-porn nudes.

This rings with the spirit of both Cynthia's and Mr. Whitakers hopes for this section. Thank you.

Mari,

I sincerely agree that Heidi's allegory is fully deserving of top honors here, but I hope I am not reading the inference that other works of art presented here might be considered less than worthy of both Cynthia and Mr. Whitaker's hopes for this section.

I for one, proudly stand that everything thus far offered here is fully wholesome, uplifting, dignified, and worthy of inclusion, and there is nothing that could be even remotely inferentially derogatory; and wish to think the mention and wording choices of "titilation", and "soft-porn nudes" are not offered in association with any of the works of art that have been moderated honorably and thoughtfully into this particular section.

Again in assessment, my hat is off to Heidi as well, for raising the bar of the dignified representation of nudes and figures in the fine arts in a visionary and wonderfully uplifting way; but I don't mean for this supportive statement and stand to contextually read as a possible comparitive denigration of her peers, as I hope no one does. I cheer for us all here nobly and honorably pioneering this section with vision and purpose (with Heidi as an exemplar of inspiration), and I trust you sincerely do as well.:thumbsup:

Garth

PS: I don't think it is going too off topic to acknowledge you have a wonderful and very instructive blog. Thanks, Mari. I hope you will present one of your own works here too, in the not too far off future.

Garth, please don

Heidi, your work is stunning! I love to be able to see your work through
this forum.

Great news, Heidi!

I will be out there in the Spring, I wish it would be there to view. It is a great piece.

I am glad you are taking out your pencils to draw. I wish more people here would do it. Most of the participants on this Forum obviously need this foundation and ignore it for the expediency of tracing photos as is painfully clear in the majority of work here.

It does not matter that it is is a mess. I have a book on Degas. He has a lot of scribbly smudgy drawings, but they have a freshness and spontaneity that come from years of observing and movement that could never come from learning to draw from and copying photos.

Thank you Mari and Garth for considering this piece worthy of any honors here and I also agree with you Garth that I see no other posts in this section that I would consider undignified.
The human form is what it is and whether the model is considered to be