The Artist Challenge

21 responses so far ↓

• 1 Candle Artist Jfay // Jan 30, 2010 at 8:45 pm

  So beautiful Vikki — I love the way your paintings always look so realistic. And he does remind me of Stan Laurel ; ) (I must have beat your blog post about this painting as well, so I do not know at this moment if this is supposed to be Mr. Laurel or not.) The beautiful blue butterfly really stands out among the burnt umber, white and black hues. This painting definitely makes me smile : )

• 2 vikki // Jan 30, 2010 at 9:30 pm

  Not exactly Stan but a Stan Laurel ‘type of character’ was exactly my thonghts! Thank you for seeing that, Jfay! I just loved his expressions.

  My guy is a lot older than we ever saw Stan on the screen. Its always interesting what comes out of the paint. It really defines itself.

  I had initially thought of putting him in clown makeup… but the decided against it.

• 3 vikki // Jan 30, 2010 at 9:32 pm

  I just re-read my comment and apologize for all the misspelling! Geez! You can really tell it’s gallery night for Vikki. LOL

• 4 WILLIAM MALTESE // Jan 30, 2010 at 11:35 pm

  Another marvelous painting Vikki! How I wish I had the talent you do in so realistically portraying people. And the way you’ve juxtaposed the intense blue of the butterfly with the tans of the rest of the picture makes both aspects of the painting real stands out. Charming!

• 5 vikki // Jan 31, 2010 at 1:01 am

  Thanks William,
  I chose to make the butterfly blue because I needed a cool value that would contrast in the midst of all the warm tones.

  And the model for his squat pose -me! LOL ! PJ bottoms and my leather jacket worked perfect to give me the folds of fabric.. (And no I don’t have hairy legs and big honking hands. LOL (At least not most days. LOL)

• 6 Ray Shuell // Jan 31, 2010 at 6:36 am

  I love the attention to detail, love the oh so subtle expression on the characters face so beautifully caught. A thought provoking piece, sad and happy all at once! A delight!

• 7 fanny christian // Jan 31, 2010 at 7:12 am

  Wonderful as always Vikki. I love it! The butterfly looks like a precious jewel.

• 8 Lauren Everett Finn // Jan 31, 2010 at 9:24 am

  Vikki… Really interesting piece… First made me smile… (I read it as Stan Laurel too) then more looking lead to more thinking… bravo.

• 9 vikki // Jan 31, 2010 at 9:59 am

  Hi Ray- Thanks ! You make a very good point.There is something both happy and sad about it. I’ve really enjoyed getting back into doing characters this past year.

• 10 vikki // Jan 31, 2010 at 10:08 am

  Hi Fanny,
  Thank you! I wanted the blue in his wings to be just a pure cobalt- true blue- you know? But quickly found that I had to mix in a lighter phthalo in the highlights to make it pop against the warm browns. (The variation is not really visible in the photo.)

• 11 vikki // Jan 31, 2010 at 10:15 am

  Hi Lauren-
  What I was attempting to achieve was that famous stare of Stan’s. He would look directly into the camera and smile. -And you just KNEW he was really looking right at you.

• 12 Candle Artist Jfay // Jan 31, 2010 at 4:13 pm

  I’m glad you decided not to put him in clown makeup — I love his face and his expression — and yes I’m a huge Laurel and Hardy fan, so that gave me extra delight that he reminded me so of Stan Laurel.

• 13 Rusty // Feb 1, 2010 at 1:54 pm

  A Blue Morph, I do believe. An added twist with a name like that.

  We see this character as basically good. That the butterfly would come to him reassures us that we are right. Sometimes good should be good.

  Beautiful work.

• 14 vikki // Feb 1, 2010 at 2:19 pm

  Hi Rusty,
  Thanks. I actually did research blue butterflies. Some are pretty exotic looking- but I’m sure this little one isn’t true to form. His form is just based on the Monarch prevelant in my area.

  I really enjoyed doing this theme. There was something very endearing about it, as indicated with everyone’s work.

• 15 ray // Feb 2, 2010 at 12:45 pm

  this is beautiful vikki! you really capture the charlie chaplin special magic!!

• 16 vikki // Feb 2, 2010 at 2:00 pm

  Thanks Ray. Chaplin was the time frame I was hoping to capture and even debated as to do it in black and white. I chose sepia because of the film.

• 17 Gail // Feb 2, 2010 at 4:53 pm

  Vikki the look on his face is particularly remarkable. Somewhat of a sage who holds his tongue, yet imparts great wisdom. In my research on symbolism, blue often represents voice. Beautiful and interesting depiction.

• 18 Sonya Meglaurel // Feb 3, 2010 at 8:45 am

  As a gift to moi’ sit with your work “last” each gallery. Immediately the image of you donning your jacket and PJ bottoms and posing in a childlike stance brings such gleeful imagery to mind. To develop from that image the likes of “Stan” yes, so strong a link it is; is pure Happiness. Vikki, your work is changing as well over the past year. What is so wonderful is there is no limits; boundaries or preconceived ideas within your work. LOVE IT! Had previously thought the young ballerina with the sword was the one sought after. Now am quite sure must have BOTH paired together to frame your personality! Next show hopefully will bring the sale so can get the prints!

• 19 vikki // Feb 3, 2010 at 1:31 pm

  Hi Gail- Thanks. I did hope it would be the type of experssion that welcomes us all and didn’t know that about blue. It just seemed the right choice for his butterfly.

• 20 vikki // Feb 3, 2010 at 1:44 pm

  Hi Miss Sonya.-
  That pose is one I appear in frequently – LOL. And am thinking about including that ensemb to my regular wardrobe. Most comfortable!

  And I agree with the change. I think we are ALL evolving in our work in this culmination as an art group. I also think The Challenge provides a safe haven to stretch and try new things we might otherwise think twice about.

• 21 Sarah // Feb 3, 2010 at 1:51 pm

  Vikki, yes…so completely endearing and that I’m sure has brought an instant smile to everyone.

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