Young Harpist - Page 2

Cindy Procious · 03-03-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng

She is a teenager, a serious harpist, and this was an attempt to show a musician in the act of playing, accurately with respect to hand position, feet/pedal position, posture, etc. I wanted to capture the feeling of grace and hard work that go into playing the harp. It's really a very difficult instrument to play, because hands and feet are working together. .

I can't believe I missed this when you posted it. This is absolutely stunning!

I remember you being worried about the hand position, and whether it was accurate. I don't think you wound up having to change anything, did you?

Thanks for sharing the WIP - it's actually very heartening to know that accomplished painters like you struggle through issues (such as the wallpaper) like the rest of us mortals do.

Cindy Procious · 03-03-2006, 08:49 AM

I sure wish I lived closer to you and Garth so I could come pester you. Although, I just reread a thread in which I was threatening to crash Sharon Knettell's studio LAST YEAR, and I never have, even though she lives only about 90 miles away.

But, what reminded me was that Linda Brandon said she'd seen this painting in person - Linda, you sure do get around! Were you on holiday, or what?

Alexandra Tyng · 03-03-2006, 09:47 AM

Many thanks, Garth and Cindy!

Yes, Garth was over here yesterday. We went to the U.S. Courthouse to photograph our judge portraits. Garth's looked stunning in the Ceremonial Courtrrom. Actually I was tagging along as a lighting assistant, trying to absorb some of Garth's photography expertise. Anyway, thanks, Garth, you are too complimentary.

Cindy, any time you are going to be in this area, just give me a call. Believe me, I totally understand how hard it is to get out of the normal routine.

I actually did end up changing the hand position slightly. I moved the entire arpeggio up one string. I forget now exactly what happened, but I think that when I was putting the strings in their final position, I realized that something was off--maybe the arms would have been too long or the fingers didn't reach or she wouldn't have been playing a real chord. So I had to move the entire hand area!

Linda Brandon · 02-14-2006, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthia Feustel

I can only imagine that in real life it must be truly impressive!!!

I've seen this painting and Cynthia is right, it is a knockout. Congratulations, Alex! That dress looks particularly fine.

A big harp is a surprisingly gutsy instrument, by the way, it shudders when you strum and has a real presence (I used to take harp lessons, briefly and badly, alas). You've done a beautiful job showing the concentration in her face.

Janet Kimantas · 02-14-2006, 10:32 PM

Gorgeous, wonderful, lovely, inspiring. All the above and aforementioned. It was doubly great to see it unfold. Thanks a ton, Alex. Janet

Alexandra Tyng · 02-14-2006, 11:03 PM

Thank you, ! if this inspires you to get to work, well, that is great. We all need to get off the computer and get to work, including myself.

Linda, thank you so much for saying those lovely things about the painting in real life! That was a fun afternoon hanging out with Garth in the studio. I forgot that you mentioned having played the harp. My daughter also played for about 6 or 7 years but we could never afford one of those big ones, so she kind of stagnated on the Celtic harp and eventually gave it up. I miss hearing it in our house. It has such a sweet, full sound. I bet you played better than you are letting on.

Janet, I really appreciated your support during the WIP and now--thanks a bunch! I can't get over how impressive your portrait looks.

Jean Kelly · 02-15-2006, 01:39 AM

Hi Alex, that mixing of senses your were talking about is called "synesthesia". Michele Rushworth and I have it, colors become sounds or physical sensations, music becomes a symphony of color. There are all kinds of variations. My sense of smell drives me nuts sometimes, especially when it comes to body wash! Some smell "crunchy or prickly", some are hard like chopped ice, but some are velvet.

Your painting definitely has all the rich overtones and undertones of a synesthetic experience!

Jean

Alexandra Tyng · 02-15-2006, 10:06 AM

That was the word I was trying to think of--like anesthesia but with a different prefix. I've done that, too, as long as I can remember. When I was a little kid, the days of the week all had colors, music (I especially remember Waltz of the Flowers and the Firebird Suite) evoked entire scenes with vivid colors. In fact the original theme or intent of the piece couldn't have mattered less. I even remember an argument I had with a friend in elementary school about what color each day was! I couldn't believe someone could see it differently.

I wonder if most artists experience things this way? Anyone else have synethesia out there?

Thanks, Jean.

Patricia Joyce · 02-15-2006, 10:23 AM

Alexandra,
WOW!!! This is really beautiful. The face, the hands, the feet are obviously beautifully rendered as all have commented. I'd like to even comment on how beautiful the harp is, how lovely it sits in space. The magnificence of the harp, against the rich background and the beauty of the portrait - all harmonize beautifully! Congratulations.

Alexandra Tyng · 02-15-2006, 10:33 AM

I never heard of the Bead Game. What is it? But I do love they way Degas experiences--and makes the viewer experience--color. It's incredible.

Pat, thank you! Painting the harp was quite an experience and it made me pretty nervous, worrying about getting the right number of strings, getting the strings to line up with the pins, and the pins in the right place on the curve, etc. Makes me want to try it again.