"The Travelers"
12" x 14" Watercolor
In New York City we saw a large flight crew for Singapore Airlines. The women were so elegant in their beautiful traditional uniforms. I removed them from the lobby of my hotel to a more abstracted background. The woman in red really stood out, and that is the way I wanted to paint her. Therefore I placed the two women in blue in shadow. I also wanted their traveling obvious, thus I added the "NYC." I was also mindful of a statement made by portrait artist Ted Nuttal that one must use care with multiple figures so they don't seem to slide off opposite sides of the page. I used a wall to the right of the central figure to anchor her in the picture and a baseboard to connect the figures.
I am experimenting with an idea for a new painting to place in a Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society Exhibit at the Los Altos Library in February, called "Red or Read." Artists can paint something with a red dominance or a reading theme and place a 30-word quote with it. Should I decide to use this painting, my quote is from St. Augustine. "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." I already have a framed painting I did a year ago as backup if I decide not to continue with this piece.
6 comments:
What a lovely piece and I'm loving their hair! You did a great job on the fabric folds, not overdoing them but placing them perfectly to show maybe a bent knee beneath the skirts. I love the sense that they are in an airport (or at least that is my impression) rather than a hotel lobby. What will they do, where will they go?
This is unique Mary, done well and tells the whole story.
You should be very pleased with it. Barbra Joan
Mary, this is so nicely done! I love how the figure in red stands out so well. Your tips from Ted Nuttal's workshop are great and you certainly applied them well in this painting.
I am looking forward to seeing the painting that you are thinking about for the Santa Clara Show.
All the best to you and yours for 2012!
Tall, slender and very beautiful they are with their colorful clothing! Beautifully painted, Mary!
This is a beautiful painting, Mary. I like the way you used architecture to anchor the figures.
I also like your new photo.
Sherry, you are right, they are in the airport.
Barbra Joan, thanks so much for encouraging me.
Christiane, I continue to refine the work -- let's see what happens.
Hilda, they were a charming sight amidst the western dress in our lobby.
Hallie, I was hoping that architecture would do the job. It's so much easier if I just copied, rather than try to design it myself. I figure I have to update my photo once a year and I liked our Christmas shots. Of course, you see Bob's massive hand on my shoulder.
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