Saturday 12 September 2009

Building an erotic landscape

Whilst I'm starting one painting I am usually semi-consciously thinking of the next one. You may think that's a bit silly to be half thinking of one painting when I should be fully concentrating on the current one. But there is a reason for it. I find that when I haven't got a painting in the planning stage that its far harder to get going on the idea from scratch. Its actually a lot easier for me to have the idea half formed whilst I'm working on another, and then I can flow from one to the other far easier, almost seamlessly.

And that is the case at the moment, as I work on the living flame erotic couple (which is looking really good, so far). Because I plan the next painting to be an erotic landscape, possibly one featuring trees in a woodland setting, and maybe with water.

So, when I attended an art workshop today, on the subject of "landscape in pastel", I wondered what subject matter to take a long as my source material, and decided that the basic "landscape" for the "erotic landscape" would be ideal. Hmmmm........ I looked through piles of my photos looking for something to inspire me, and came across the ones I took in the Lake District last year. Ideal! Well, actually, not totally ideal (can you get "not totally ideal" ? No, I don't think so, but you know what I mean!). Anyway, the subject is ideal. Its the weather that wasn't. It was a dull day. Because it rains a lot in the Lake District (an awful lot in the Lake District!) and the day I was there it was overcast with the threat of rain. And that doesn't make for good photos. But, if you're only there in that place for an hour in your whole life, you've got to make the most of it, and take the photo, even if the lighting is all wrong. And that's what I did..................

And that's what I worked from today for my pastel. The picture I did was ok, not excellent, but ok, but then that's good for a workshop. I enjoyed doing it, I enjoyed the day, I enjoyed being with my artist friends. A couple of them asked me during the day if I was going to hide an erotic woman or couple within the painting, and I smiled. And at the end of the session, when the tutor took his final look at it, I casually said the sentence that usually has a "shock effect" on all the other tutors I've said it to.............. the one that is "I'm an Erotic Artist and I'm planning on hiding an erotic couple within the painting............" And then I wait. For the stunned expression, the look of shock and horror. And this time, it was me who was surprised. Because the tutor nodded in total understanding, and started pointing at various parts of the painting saying "Yes, you could put one here, or here, there, or over there.............."!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Still, it was nice to have that response, even if it was an unexpected one!!!!! LOL

9 comments:

Indi said...

I totally agree with your theory that you have the idea for your next painting as you're still painting the one before. I have an iead for my next poem or story before I've finished the one I'm writing... It's totally logical. So I like the photo you took in the Lake district, it has a certain beauty about it, I did however look closely for a naked woman, but not even a toe peeked out from the under growth Lol..

Fitzy said...

I think I can understand why you would be thinking of the next painting whilst still working on the current one. As I am sure the knowledge of knowing you have something else to work on next must keep you motivated and your mind alert and active.

I do like the photo, but I guess you are right nothing can ever really be perfect can it. But there is of course no harm in trying!

Pleased you like the pastel you did during the art workshop.

So then, you like to shock your poor unsuspecting art tutors then! lol Well it seems word is out now!!! lol I hope you liked his ideas of where you could put them?

Jackie Adshead said...

Indigo - Yes, it seems to help the creative flow, doesn't it.

Glad you like the Lake District photo.......maybe you didn't look close enough..... :)

Jackie Adshead said...

Fitzy - Yes, it does keep my mind alert and active.

Well, it does give me a little amusement to shock my tutors, yes!!! LOL And his ideas were interesting, and along the same ideas as I'd thought of.

Spiky Zora Jones said...

working on several art pieces is actually quite common with artist.

sometimes while on one...the muses choose to toss you an inspiration...maybe it's your own work thsi is adding the fuel to a future piece of art.

unexpected surprises are always the best...especially if they are wonderful happy surprises.

fab post sweets.
Ciao.

Jackie Adshead said...

Spiky - I try to keep it to working on one whilst thinking of another else it starts to get very complicated and I'm not putting my full energies into the one I'm currently working on! :)

Yes, that's true regarding nice surprises....

Indi said...

I LURVE nice surprises, things that are never actually planned! Out of the blue so to speek..!

Fitzy said...

Well I guess it is always fun to be a little shocking at times!

But it seems his ideas where the same as yours, so you will have to try harder next time!

Jackie Adshead said...

Fitzy - OK! :)