This painting almost beat me down but it didn’t ” get my goat “.
” Win A Goat ” 18 X 24 oil on linen stretcher canvas
” A commonly repeated story which purports to explain the phrase’s origin is that goats were placed with racehorses to keep them calm. When ne’er-do-wells who wanted the horse to race badly removed it, i.e. they ‘got someone’s goat’, the horse became unsettled and ran badly. That’s just the sort of tale that gets the folk etymology juices running.” ( Thanks to the Phrase Finder )
Now that I’ve squinted enough to really see the value contrasts this needed to make the shirt come alive, I’m probably an excellent candidate for Botox, Dermabrasion and a Wrinkle Fix. Crows feet, nothing: I’ve turned Pterodactyl .
But that squinting thing really helps see the large value areas. Thanks Leslie, of Leslie Paints for suggesting I disregard the design-y thing on his shirt. I didn’t do the bib overalls but your suggestion got me here. I’m pretty pleased with the finish.
From behind, it looks like I really DID get my goat, but that’s just the long little doggie Cloud, cooling her nether regions on the tiles.
Her rear end looks more like it belongs in a package marked Tyson, yet there’s that rabbit tail, or whathaveyou extraneous goat parts hindquarter that defies a category.
These two don’t seem to care that it’s too hot to be enveloped in fur:
Nevermind- she dif” furs “.
“Enough, don’t you realize how hot it is? You tryin’ to get my goat ? “
Tags: Angel, Cats Embrace, Chili Pepper, Cloud, Get Your Goat. Oil Painting of Caribbean Subjects, Squinting While Painting, Win A Goat Oil Painting
Asheville: The North West of The South East 
August 3, 2010 at 4:08 pm |
Bonnalaaaaaaaaaaaa, As expected you came through with a visually strong and striking painting.
I agree that it was smart to follow Leslie’s advice to get rid of the design thing on his shirt.
My oh my, those pets of yours are much too much. Adorable!
August 3, 2010 at 7:12 pm |
Carolllaaaa- it’s always a lesson waiting to happen when you get underway in a painting. Just cause it’s there, doesn’t mean you need it.
Out with the design on his shirt. So much better.
These animals crack me up every time I look at them. I have to look at them less so I can paint more.
August 3, 2010 at 5:28 pm |
Simple is often simply the best. Or it is increasingly seeming that way to me. So I’m loving the goat man’s simple design and simple palette. It makes him stronger.
Cloud and the cats are pursuing the creature comforts in a big way. Smarties.
One of the ways I’d make a million is to invent glasses that do the squinting for me. Either that or wrinkle spackle.
August 3, 2010 at 7:13 pm |
Sam- thanks for that assessment- I agree that simplifying the strokes on his shirt, puts the focus where I wanted it in the first place.
Sign me up for the Wrinkle Spackle. No one I know will ever see me on HD TV!
August 3, 2010 at 6:50 pm |
Wow, did that ever work well! Both the brilliance of the shirt, and the variation and toning down of the green background. I don’t need glasses for the squinting; I just take mine off and all the detail disappears!
August 3, 2010 at 7:15 pm |
Thank You Don. You’re astutely accurate about toning down the background. It was too strong and took the emphasis away from the subject. It’s helpful to me to walk away from a painting for a day or two and come back with fresh eyes.
Also after a few days, the paint ” settles ” and what you thought you had, is now different. Hurry up and wait.
If I could see ENOUGH without my glasses, I would do the same thing.
August 3, 2010 at 7:01 pm |
I always love how your words, your art and your lovely animal photos make me smile.
Thanks, Bonnie… I need a smile!
August 3, 2010 at 7:16 pm |
Marian- thanks as always- I know you’re having some trying days/weeks and more. I can sign you up for the Cloud A Day Calendar ( yet to be made ) but wouldn’t that make us all happy!
August 4, 2010 at 1:42 am |
Definitely a stronger, more successful painting. You go!
Now that Cloud…that little brazen Miss Clousseau…um…again, she’s leaving me speechless.
Your adorable kitties…I’m entering the hot-flash years, and I think looking at those hot little furritos on a hot day has just kick-started them. Kisses for them, and a fan for me, please.
August 4, 2010 at 11:29 am |
Jala- I’ll have to snorgle with those furritos ( furrito! ) and remind them that some of us cannot even LOOK at that much fur to fur cohabitation.
I can completely empathize with the need for a fan. A fan in a meat locker.
August 4, 2010 at 1:50 am |
Wonderful painting. I think it’s just right.
As for the kitties… too hot! Tell those little hotties to cool it!
And hey, there’s Sam!
August 4, 2010 at 11:30 am |
Thanks Patrice- Sam, did you say Sam? Where’s Sam?
I love these forums on my blog- everyone, speak up!!!!!
August 4, 2010 at 4:57 am |
Well done! I love the energy in this painting and your confident brushstrokes. No way could I tell you had a moment’s hesitation with this piece.
I’m so glad I wasn’t drinking anything when I read your “Tyson” reference…My gosh, you had me sputtering!
August 4, 2010 at 11:32 am |
Melinda- what does that commercial for deodorant say, ” Never let em see you sweat ?”. I try to keep the angst out of the finished piece.
Glad you didn’t notice.
That little Cloud leaves me sputtering most of the time- I like company in the sputtering.
August 4, 2010 at 5:58 am |
I think you should have titled this “The Great White Shirt”! Since he is a businessman selling raffle tickets, I think you made the right choice to give him a crisp white shirt and you did Great! 🙂 Cloud is smart! Love the pet pictures that you always include. I’d miss them if they weren’t here in your posts.
Thank-you for the link, Bonnie!
August 4, 2010 at 11:35 am |
The Great White Shirt! Excellent choice. I might have to give it a parenthetic name to go under the Win A Goat.
We’d be the only two people who knew what it meant ( and anyone else who reads the comments here ) but it would sure have meaning for US!
I’m riding on the backs of these animals, knowing they’re the real reason for my readers.
I’m shameless.
Thanks Leslie.
August 5, 2010 at 1:45 am |
The guy looks aggressive and the painting reflects that.
The rough details work in this one.
Good job
August 5, 2010 at 4:50 pm |
Thanks Richard- he was actually more intent and intense than aggressive as he just sat for hours, not hawking his tickets, just sort of hoping for some attention.
I learned from this larger scale to leave the simpler strokes alone.
Thanks for your comment.
August 6, 2010 at 2:54 am |
What a wonderful painting. I love the colors in the skin and hair, and the loose brushwork!
August 9, 2010 at 12:26 am |
Jay- thank you for the complimentary words. I love being encouraged to keep it loose. So liberating.
August 8, 2010 at 11:08 pm |
Nice to discover your work– loads of drawing and painting talent. Insperation to do more figure.
August 9, 2010 at 12:29 am |
William, you’ve done some great figuratives on your website. I’ve been a long time follower and fan of your work so with humble thanks, I’m thrilled to read your comment.
Thank you.
August 10, 2010 at 4:48 pm |
You have done a wonderful job in settilng the tone of the painting. The mans face and body language tell a story. The expression is priceless.
August 10, 2010 at 8:05 pm |
Lynn, what a nice comment. If it conveyed these things to you then I’m even more pleased with the outcome. And thanks for stopping by.
August 11, 2010 at 12:35 pm |
Lovely & interesting painting, Cute doggy & cuddly cats all make for an excellent post
August 12, 2010 at 3:08 pm |
Tony- thanks for the visit and the comment. From Australia?
Can’t have a proper post without animal presence.
August 14, 2010 at 10:59 am |
Your ‘bonnie’ phrases and deft brush combine in this one, Bon Bon. ‘I’ve turned Pterodactyl’ shall now be my mantra. Tyson Cloud parts. Nevermind, she dif’furs.
And, then, there’s that shirt! I’d be pleased to have one just like it for the remains of my days.
August 22, 2010 at 6:50 pm |
Aloha do you have more pics of your great figure paintings? LOVE them!!!
August 22, 2010 at 7:21 pm |
Hi Jeni- thank you so much. I see you live in a kindred environment. I really liked seeing your surf related paintings. Great atmosphere in your land/seascapes.
If you scroll through my blog, you’ll see many more. It’s my primary interest- the human story.
I haven’t gotten to a web site so the blog serves as a forum.
Glad you stopped by.