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Friday, March 25, 2011

Paint Party Friday- March 25th

This week I've been working on a new painting inspired by Botticelli's "Venus" and influenced with Klimt's use of flowers.  And it has kicked my butt!  You wouldn't believe how much paint I've thrown at this canvas, but it is finally, finally coming together to match what I saw in my head upon beginning.  I try to alternate my really tight flower paintings with my looser canvases of women.  And for some reason, it's much harder for me to do the loose free one; maybe because I follow my photographs very closely with the flowers, and I don't have the same kind of safety net with the ladies?  I dunno, but I love painting both so that's what I'll continue to do!
For now, here's my Venus a la Klimt (for lack of a better name- any suggestions would be MOST welcome :))


I like her much better up close than from a distance.....not sure why ;) 
Happy Paint Party Friday- be sure to stop by to add a link to one of your own paintings OR just to see and marvel at all the talent over there- it's amazing group of artists!

39 comments:

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Love the Venus! Her face is so pretty!

Crystal said...

I like her from any angle. She is just beautiful! :-)

Deanna said...

Exquisite! I love the colors and the flowers are a nice touch to her flowing hair. I have a problem with trying to loosen up when painting also. Not sure why that is.

Pam Tucker said...

Oh, she's divine! I love the up close version because I can see all of that gorgeous detail. Beautiful work, especially in the face (eyes and lips). I also love the different shades of the blue in the background.

Domestic Icing said...

So pretty! And such amazing details!

Happy Paint Party Friday!

Charlie

GlorV1 said...

Stephanie she is just beautiful. I think the name Venus fits her perfectly. Pastels? Her hair is just dancing alive. Thanks.

Theresa said...

I love seeing her both ways. I can image all the layers of paint making her hair look amazing. She is so beautiful!! ~Theresa

Victoria said...

Wow..how beautiful Stephanie...i am super drawn to here eyes..what color blue is that?..it is really mesmerizing..! I love the enchanting essence to her spirit..she is really inspiring..and feels like she is secretly unveiling so much mystery...magical!
Shine on...wonderful!
Victoria~

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I am in total awe of this painting, and all the hard work you put into it. You have made what I would consider a perfect painting. I love the image, and of course I know it is probably even more beautiful in person.

Marlene said...

Very pretty, you did a wonderful job with her.

peggy gatto said...

Lovely and calming, dreamy face!

peggy gatto said...

Lovely and calming, dreamy face!

peggy gatto said...

Lovely and calming, dreamy face!

peggy gatto said...

Lovely and calming, dreamy face!

Heather said...

Oh she's so pretty! Her face is just beautiful, with the different tones...nice! Gorgeous hair, too. I like all of the blue cirles and stars! have a great friday.

Ileana said...

Venus a la Klimt is radiant. Love the light on her beautiful face. I can tell you're a trained visual artist. The eyes on this portrait are amazing!!

Abela said...

I like hair ornaments and the sweetness of color. Saludos desde España

Christine said...

this is beautiful, well done!

Unknown said...

I like the contrast between the looseness of you figure with the tightness of the flower. I think people get overwhelmed with figures period. I don't know why.

Anonymous said...

A gorgeous piece. She looks to me like a mermaid with the shades of blue putting me in mind of the sea and her flowing locks with the flowers which make me think of starfish and sea shells. I love it!

EVA said...

Oh Stephanie! She is beautiful!!!

A mermaid or a star goddess are what she seems like to me... Lovely!!!

Great to have you back at the party!

Kathy said...

She's just beautiful... love the flowy soft look to her.. and the shading is great.. All the flowers in her hair look perfect..

Kristin Dudish said...

There is something very calming about this painting... beautiful.
I actually really like the title "Venus a la Klimt".

xo
Kristin

Nelly said...

So pretty, her hair looks like it is under water and so flowing.

Jaime Haney said...

I can see your paintings getting more loose. I like this one and it does look loose and free. Great job! What kind of paint do you use?

Toni said...

So feminine and so flowy! Beautiful!

Fallingladies said...

I love the flowing hair in the first photo but the close-up is great too showing the detail!

Heather Foust said...

Ahhhhh Beautiful! I love the detail work!

Hybrid J said...

You lady is beautify and looooove the flowers you create for. Such beautiful artwork! ;)

artangel said...

I adore Klimt and love your take on Venus, she's enchanting!

I also naturally gravitate to small detail and close work. I think it's really good to alternate "tight", detailed work with more free-flowing things though.

I can see a bit of both in this piece - the loose, free flowing hair and the small detail in the pattern. They work very well together - one informs and compliments the other. Lovely work!

Yvonne said...

She is beautiful any distance, but up close she really makes an impact. I just started painting larger in my work and it seems to be looser that way. Close ups are great large, like Georgia O'Keefe. I love Klimp too and his backgrounds are busy but they don't seem to take away from the focal point. You managed that as well as the flowers just added so much to her. Very nice job.

Theresa Plas said...

Captivating eyes and glowing skin Stephanie! Very cool to combine Klimt and Botticelli! Really enjoyed reading your profile too!

gma said...

She is wonderful Stephanie. Love both those artists and your idea of creating a unique painting with elements of each.
Wow!

Carrie Martinez said...

She is enchantingly beautiful! I love Klimt, very difficult to emulate I would guess, but you are doing great! I think the flowers look fabulous, and her look is so serene. Have an inspired weekend!

angelself said...

I love this painting, Stephanie! "Starchild" came to mind as soon as I saw her....or maybe "Starshine" the way the light is on her face. Kathryn

Priti Lisa said...

Hi Stephanie, I love that you meshed two of my favorite artists and came up with a painting so unmistakable you...The expression in her eyes matches her mouth...it's just wonderful!
xo

Anonymous said...

Both pieces are stunning, but for me the cropped version has a lot of impact!

Marianne said...

I have to say the view at a distance is more pleasing to me. In the close-up you miss her graceful neck and her hair on the right. They add so much to the overall calmness you have given her.

Katie Jeanne Wood said...

We keep bumping into each other, don't we? heehee I just found the Friday paint party a couple days ago. Nice to see you there. :)