I’ve been working on this piece, expecting to have finished it today.
” La Reine Market Seller ” Oil on Panel 11 X 14
Started it with a Burnt Sienna / Ultra Blue wash and a loose drawing with the brush.
I’ve been mesmerized by the works of Joaquin Sorolla and his depictions of his subjects under the hot Madrid sun. This site has a slide show of his complete works.
One should not get so hypnotized by muse or self that one doesn’t pay attention to how one wipes the unwanted paint off a palette knife.
They do not call it a palette Spoon, or a palette Fork, but a palette KNIFE!
Hence, Paintus Interruptus.
When well used, they are more like a Palette Shiv.
This experience must fall under the proverb employed by motorcycle enthusiasts: ” There are two kinds of riders-those who’ve wiped out and those who haven’t wiped out yet “.
Too bad I didn’t need to add crimson to this piece- I could have had an endless supply. My thumb is in the shop for a few days- enough time to look through more pages of my Sorolla book.
This guy doesn’t have to be concerned about a useless thumb.
And neither does Chili Pepper…..he’s almost flaunting it in my face……
Tags: Dangers of Palette Knives, Joaquin Sorolla, oil painting in the Caribbean, Works in Progress
Asheville: The North West of The South East 
August 24, 2010 at 1:14 am |
OH NOOO!!! I’m so sorry for your thumb! Good grief, that’s a sharp palette knife/shiv you have and you were wielding it with a great deal of energy, yes?!
This is a beautiful portrait. It has such a strong composition and lovely light.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and a few wonderful hours looking at Sorolla.
Love the photos too…
August 24, 2010 at 11:39 am |
Melinda- have you ever done something that you knew was not smart and did it anyway? I thought I ought to be careful, but let myself get distracted…….Wasn’t the first time but it was surely one to remember.
There won’t be a third go round.
Thanks for your good wishes. If I look at Sorolla long enough, I’ll want to take that shiv and impale myself. His work just knocks me out and stymies me.
August 24, 2010 at 2:01 am |
Oh Bonnalaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, you’re suffering for your art!!!! Did your thumb slash require stitches? Were you painting “owtside”?
Your “La Reine market seller” is looking magnifique! I love your brush work and seeing the early steps to your (almost) completed work.
August 24, 2010 at 11:40 am |
Carolla- we all suffer for our art but as Judy states, I still have my ears.
No I wasn’t even painting ” owtside “. Imagine………..
August 24, 2010 at 10:13 am |
Oy, oy, oy. Maybe Vincent Van Gogh slit his ear with a palette knife (shiv) too. Only kidding. Heal, sweet Bonnie, heal. Art is painful, no?
August 24, 2010 at 11:41 am |
Judy- doesn’t paint begin with pain?
August 24, 2010 at 11:38 am |
Ouch! Violation of artistic spirit and body! Ah, but she’ll be worth the wait, with nice form and wonderful richness of color. Wishing you better with no scars to show for your ordeal.
August 24, 2010 at 11:43 am |
Oh Jo-Ann for a moment I thought you wrote Validation. Maybe it’s the same thing! Ha.
I hope to complete it without losing the momentum which often happens when I step away from a piece.
Thanks for checking in.
August 24, 2010 at 12:56 pm |
I like each of your steps as much as the top one. This piece actually moves. Sorry about that palette knife accident. I must have the wrong kind as mine are pretty dull.
Thank-you for posting a picture of “The Frog”. I’ve been wondering what he was up to.
August 24, 2010 at 7:47 pm |
Thank you Leslie- it’s funny how that sentiment of movement has been felt by you and some others. From that I sense that I’ve been able to loosen up the hand that holds the brush and the brain that directs the hand.
This frog, by the way has taken up residence in my outdoor bird bath. You see how close he lets me get?
When you tire of the larger life forms, you’ve got a frog reference waiting for you right here.
August 24, 2010 at 5:47 pm |
I agree with everything Lesliepaints wrote…
But I wanted to add how much I enjoy the motion of your paintings… I know it seems funny that a painting which is simply canvas, paint, medium … and perhaps a bit of hemoglobin….. can be so fluid… your figures are not just alive but they seem to COME ALIVE as well!
Thanks, always, Bonnie for your kind thoughts and encouragement on all fronts!!
August 24, 2010 at 7:49 pm |
Oh Marian- you make me laugh. It’s evident you’ve been spending time in a hospital with your hemoglobin reference! I did a real guffaw with that one.
I really appreciate your comment about the feeling of life in this one.
And most of all, glad your father is coming round. He is a cherub.
August 24, 2010 at 6:19 pm |
I know people who will do ANYthing for a laugh. You got ours. Me and the old(er) man laughed and laughed when we saw this last night. I love your painter’s progress, he loves frogs and we both think Chili is a ham.
August 24, 2010 at 7:50 pm |
So Sam, win win win, then, is that it?
Happy to oblige.
August 25, 2010 at 2:34 am |
a) gorgeous painting. truly.
b) your poor, poor thumb.
c) frogs are slimy.
d) Chili Pepper is hilarious–he looks like he’s falling in a hole here.
Get better.
I like Sorolla too.
August 25, 2010 at 5:08 pm |
Jala- thanks for point a). Coming from you, high praise.
b)- is looking better- down to one layer of band aid
c)- this frog is adorable. I’ll make sure he’s not in your room when you visit.
d) Chili Pepper is actually on high, above our closets- a new achievement for him.
e) Sorolla would like you too, if…….
August 25, 2010 at 2:50 am |
OMG! Ouch! I wish you a speedy healing. In the meantime, it’s good you those cute mugs to look at. 😉 Your completed painting will be worth everything.
Healing hugs from NY,
Paz
August 25, 2010 at 5:09 pm |
Thank You Paz- you know it’s never purgatory for me if I have to sit here moon faced and glazed over from staring at the menagerie.
I appreciate your vibes from NY.
August 25, 2010 at 5:02 pm |
You are so very clever, Bonnie! I love your replies so much. They are as interesting as your wonderful posts.
You asked if I’d done anything “not smart” but did it anyway? Hmmm. Don’t even get me started. Okay, years ago I scored a 4 ft x 8ft sheet of glass without help. It popped with such great force that it cut an artery in my hand and I had to go to the hospital. Other than that….
Be careful over there in paradise! We need your wit and art!
August 25, 2010 at 5:12 pm |
Melinda- a double bonus- I get your terrific comments twice within one post. And to you I say, it takes one to recognize one.
And the other question for you ( and myself as well ) is why we do things solo without asking for or thinking we need, help?
I’ve coined a phrase- used by some friends who like to be surrounded by lots of concrete and safe desk jobs:
” Outside, begins with OW”.
I’ll try to remember to be careful and volley that right back to you.
August 26, 2010 at 1:21 am |
doesn’t paint begin with pain!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You are a genius Ms. Luria!
August 27, 2010 at 11:51 am |
Ouch Bonnie! I never knew painters’ tools could be so dangerous. So just don’t start eating the paint and become goofy!
As in all your work, the gestures in this painting speak so clearly. Its interesting to see the progression as you worked through your process. I hope you post the final step when it happens!
I thnk your cat is mocking you…
August 28, 2010 at 11:32 am |
Ooh that must be soo painful
August 29, 2010 at 12:33 am |
I learn so much here.
I know NOW, 30-40 years later, where ET came from: a frog. I’ve never read anything but for sure Steven Spielberg grew up with frogs somewhere in his room.
Then, if that is not enough for a Saturday night ah-ah what can’t you do? Seriously, that bandaged finger looks like Winslow Homer painted the background just before he shot a deer.
September 1, 2010 at 1:01 pm |
I love the blues and purples in this painting – and how beautifully the lines of the lady flow in that “C” arc. I wish we had frogs I could take photos of and paint- they are so interesting in their textures and bulbous parts, don’t you think? I am hoping your thumb recovers soon – and that your days of reading are relaxing and fruitful!
September 13, 2010 at 12:18 am |
Bonnie, I have very much enjoyed browsing your lovely and entertaining blog. So glad I found it (via your comment on Linda Blondheim’s blog). This piece has amazing vitality and strength–sorry your work got cut short (no pun intended–but I liked it when it popped up :>). And loved your “goat peddling” man, too! All your work brings back delightful memories of time spent in St. Croix in 2002.
September 13, 2010 at 12:42 pm |
Hi Mary- thank you so much for taking the time to leave your thoughtful comment. I’ve also enjoyed reading and learning from LInda’s very generous blog writings and beautiful work.
How coincidental that you also visited St. Croix some years ago. As little as this place is, it seems to be a crossroads for so many people.
I really appreciate your comments. Hope you come back again.
September 17, 2010 at 1:19 am |
Lovely brushwork. I’m envious! Your wash is ultra marine blue and burnt sienna? Your brush drawing is just gorgeous!
September 24, 2010 at 12:06 am |
Don’t feel bad my dear comrade. I have stabbed myself in the back with an exacto knife! This was years ago when I was young and dumb. Now I’m old and semi-dumb! Get back to painting sooner than later.
September 27, 2010 at 2:27 am |
Excellent painting you have going, and a very beautiful thumb wrap. Hard to imagine cutting ones thumb with a palette knife. Very unique.
October 1, 2010 at 2:48 pm |
Is your finger better yet? (Hint, hint.)