This tiny postage stamp sized miniature was a commision for someone who wanted a small painting of the Mountain. It was to be painted on a 60x60mm size support to fit a specific frame, but the image size to be only 40x40mm! I found it quite a challenge painting this subject at that scale. It occurred to me that painting on that tight scale is a bit like a sport such as shooting. It's a combination of intense concentration, controlled breathing and muscle control. When you get a critical brushstroke in just the right place it's like scoring a bullseye!
I aquired two "new" old blue bottles and this is the first painting of them. No doubt they will feature in future compositions! I do like blue glass bottles and always enjoy painting them. I understand that blue bottles were always conventionally used for poison products. They don't have that conotation for me when I paint them.
Just a snippet of news for any local followers of my blog. I will be giving a talk on this painting a day project at the Real Tart Gallery in New Plymouth this evening April 16, at 7 pm. All welcome!
As an artist who spends all his time looking at things, I am fascinated by the evil eye superstition. The idea that people can unintentionaly bestow a curse on a person by looking with envy at something they have. This symbol of an eye in a hand is supposed to ward off the evil eye. I felt the sharp point of the pin made an uncomfortable juxtaposition with the eye!
As of today I have been doing this project for one year now. So I felt I should celebrate the occasion somehow. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank all those people who have supported and encouraged me to keep going. Thankyou.
For purchase info click here Sold Another postage stamp sized miniature. When I finished I was allowed to fill the glass up! If I was painting bigger paintings I guess it wouldn't matter that much...