Friday, January 16, 2015

Native Sage

"Native Sage"
3 feet x 3 feet
Torn magazine on canvas collage
$2000
 
When my artist friend Joan and I were in Taos, NM, attending a workshop, we all went out to a local restaurant. The bartender was such an interesting man that we asked it we could photograph him. He said he was a Lakota Elder from Nevada, working in New Mexico where there is a large Native American population. Joan said she wanted his silver feather earrings. We apparently are not the first tourists to ask to take his photo or want his earrings. He had posed for a whole busload of people earlier in the day. He was bemused by the attention.
 

None of my photos were very clear and besides, my goal is not to create an exact image. I doubt that he would recognize himself. My hat kick continues with his cowboy hat. I wove in some interesting suggestions of a story. There are some horses, the words New Mexico, and suggestions of his rugged character. I especially like the extensions of his mustache that mimic his feather earrings.

This is a large piece and took many days to complete. I started with a graphite drawing, then moved on to drawing him free hand on tracing paper. I transferred the outer edges of the figure,  then covered the entire surface with selected black, grey, and white magazine papers. From there I began to refine the shapes and add the features. I especially struggled with getting an expression that I like.

I am hoping to get this piece juried into a show.


8 comments:

hw (hallie) farber said...

Mary, this is absolutely wonderful. I can only imagine how great it would look in person. 3x3--Wow!

Mary Paquet said...

Hallie, thank you. I am likely changing the title. The man is respectful and has a spiritual aura. Stay tuned!

Rosemary said...

Applause! Great piece and so worthy of an award!! That looks like lots of thought and effort for a 3 x 3!

Mary Paquet said...

Thanks, Rosemary. This one took many hours. Then I spent all yesterday afternoon collaging the back edges and some unusual canvas supports so it looks well from the back. That is the less satisfying part of art!

Christiane Kingsley said...

I love your collage piece, Mary and what great background information about your reference photo!

Barb Sailor said...

I really like this, Mary! Of course the collaged magazine print and pictures is wonderful, but I really love the "light" in this.

Mary Paquet said...

Barb, thanks for the encouragement.

Mary Paquet said...

Thanks, Christiane. My paintings always have a personal connection and it's fun to tell the story.