Pensive

Alexandra Tyng · 12-13-2005, 01:28 PM

Hi Kim,

Wow! This is even more stunning than your last one! So many things are coming together in your work. It gives the impression of a concept being expressed with assurance and confidence, with the end result transcending the beginning.

Technically, I admire the spatial depth in the figure, the way you tied the figure in with the background, and the way you have used color to create the receding space. I like the way you separated the scrollwork from the plane behind it, so there are two layers of background. Everything you have done increases the depth in this relatively shallow space.

Alex

Lacey Lewis · 12-13-2005, 01:43 PM

This is just stunning. Can we see some close ups? I am in awe of this painting.

Kimberly Dow · 12-13-2005, 02:22 PM

Thank you folks! I appreciate the nice comments!

Allen, my 19-year-old niece modeled for this for me when she was here at Thanksgiving. Knowing her, she is thinking "Bob, Joe or Tom?"

Alex, Im glad you mentioned the word concept because I have swirling around in my head somewhere a theme for a series I want to explore. Actually, Ive already started with the last few paintings...I just havent quite solidified exactly what it is yet. It has something to do with emotions and relationships...but other than that I can't yet explain.

Joan, I was thinking it had a bit of a church feeling as well with those grills and her hands are in a prayer position.

I think I have one closeup at the right size Lacey - here you go.

edit - well, of course. Thats posting really too cool. I will try and take some better shots later.

Lacey Lewis · 12-13-2005, 02:36 PM

Yay! Thanks for the close-up peek.

Now how about the hands? Hehehe.

Not to negate the idea that this could be taking place in a church, but I have a different perspective. To me it looks like she is either in a bedroom, or somewhere else in her own house maybe resting her elbows on a table and is in deep thought.

It could be that there are clues that make me think this, like the red walls that are not too church like, or it could just be me personally because I am not a church-goer and I have a red dining room and a black metal bedframe.

Also, although she has her hands in the 'prayer' position, her head is not bowing which is how I usually picture a person in prayer.

OK, enough of me! I think this is technically great and really makes a connection between the viewer and the subject, even though it is a private scene.

Claudemir Bonfim · 12-13-2005, 05:28 PM

This is one of your best in my opinion, thanks for sharing.
Beautiful and painterly.

Kimberly Dow · 12-13-2005, 06:58 PM

Thanks Claudemir!

Lacey - what's funny is that those grills are over my bed in my bedroom. I've been trying to work those into a painting for awhile now.

Here is another detail shot - only a bit of the hands though. It got all overcast and rainy today so Im using what I had taken this morning. I can try again tomorrow if anyone wants me to.

Kimberly Dow · 12-13-2005, 07:01 PM

And...Im looking at this on here thinking she could use some knuckles. That is a really tight shot of a small area - the painting is small....so...she maybe doesnt need knuckles. After all, she isn't going anywhere. BUT, I may just have to try and squeeze some in there.

Linda Brandon · 12-13-2005, 08:13 PM

Oh Kim, this one is so beautiful! The skin is so translucent and I love the pose. That passionate red background and the scrollwork give this a real Spanish flavor (well, that's my take on this).

I was going to post that this was my favorite of yours, but to tell you the truth, it's really hard to pick one.

I so admire your work and the direction that it's going.

Terri Ficenec · 12-13-2005, 11:52 PM

Powerful, Kim! I love everything about this one. . . the color, the texture in the skin, the ambiguity in the gesture. Gorgeous.