Summer Dreams 16x20 oil
Here is one of the "under wraps" projects I have been working on. I am really thrilled with many of the aspects of this painting .
I spent a considerable amount of time thinking about what I want to paint and the approach I want to take. When I admire other peoples work...I see many things that they do that I would like to include....but there are also things that happen when I paint that I love also...and i don't think it is so bad to have a healthy respect for your work as long as one sees the need for improvement. I believe we are all aware of that!
I love romance....can't you tell???!! So I thought there needed to be a real romantic streak in my subject matter. I have had many people tell me that there is a romance in everything I paint...from still life's to landscapes on to figuratives...that's good...cause that's me...extremely sensitive and romantic! So I was already halfway there...I love the Pre-Raphaelites but not necessarily the time period they portrayed, especially Waterhouse who may or may not be a real Pre-Raphaelite! I love Alma Tadema's subject matter and I love painting people....of all ages. The human body is beautiful and the faces of the young and old are so full of character and emotion. As for paint application I love a loose semi abstract application a la Schmid or Sargent or Pino...but I also admire the skill and challenge of a more photographic illusion such as Paul McCormack, Jeremy Lipking and Paul Oxborough to name a few. When I paint I love the look of a puzzle somewhat...little pieces of color and value next to each other creating the whole. I love color...clean rich jewel tones and transparencies and lovely subtle grays to accent the color! So after much thinking and soul searching...brainstorming and searching through my stock connections. I am trying to put together all these qualities...I really like it when realism meets impressionism...and I am trying to do what seems to have come naturally to me since I was in college....along the way I will hopefully improve my skills and find my particular voice...the voice that will be seen in everything I do.
Thanks for visiting,
Theresa
42 comments:
Wow!!! Get out of town - this is right up my alley!!! You should be really pleased with this piece!
wow. this is so very lovely!
Let me add my WOW Theresa! This my favorite painting of yours. All your work is lovely and this one adds a particular sensitivity that appeals to me greatly...bravo!
This is one of the nicest painting I've seen in a while. This particular voice sings beautifully, the elegance and feeling it give has so much clarity you get blessed with it's song. BRAVO
Absolutely beautiful, Theresa!! A contemporary painting with a pre-raphealite sensibility. I lived in England when I went to college, and studied their work. This is just gorgeous!! Brava!
I am floored! This is such a wonderful and poignant piece! I love the composition, the way her body curves and how the sheet and drapes keep your eye looking in a circle. Beautiful
Theresa, this is just stunning.
How beautiful.
Masterful!
Best Regards
Hi Theresa,
I've just been sitting here staring at your painting enthralled. The face is just perfect, the gorgeous fabric of the dress seems almost to be alive, and the drapery is just so lovely. It's like a Lucian Freud, but beautiful, Sargent, but now.
You are such an astonishingly wonderful painter.
xoxoxoxoxBarbara
The fabrics here are just wonderful!!!
Theresa, "realism meets impressionism", I love that statement, because that is art that speaks to me. You have created a gorgeous painting here, (is this from a model or a photograph?) this composition is so descriptive.
Theresa, this is just beautiful...I love the mood and the detail on the dress !!!
I looked at this painting earlier today and could not find words to say how much I like it. I've come back to look again. It is an image I won't soon forget. It is captivating.
Add me to the collection of Wows, Oohs, and Awes. Absolutely superb, Theresa.
Superb painting, very Alma-Tadema. Graceful, evocative, beautiful subject. Very well done! I hope you are proud of yourself.
I join the crowd of those acclaiming your wonderful painting. And just think Theresa, there are even more who thought the same things and didn't write a comment! So continue in this vein because we are all hungry for more!
You leave a lovely mystery in the piece and I think that is also why it works so well.
Lynne
Awe!! What a painting! I've not seen a work of art in a long time that makes me giddy just to look at it. I blew it up and looked closely at the brush work. It just doesn't get any better than this. Awesome!!!!!
EW
Absolutely wonderful. I agree that it is good to have a healthy respect for one own works as long as there is the awareness for room to improve. I do not see much more room for improvement on your works, but if you do, then that is why you have reached the level of quality and good technique and form that you have.
As always, this is outstanding work and a pleasure to view.
I echo what James Parker wrote:) By the way, though one's voice is a very personal matter, I think you've already found it, Theresa! I've looked at most of your works on your Picasaweb and website, and, yes, you've got it going on(lol) But, the fact that you are open to improving your skills speaks wonders about the kind of artist you are.
And, I had to google Alma Tadema's works, and I can see why you love her.
Oh, Beautiful painting, by the way:)
~Nancy
Beautiful painting! Definitely sensitive and romantic.
Good god girl. Fantastic! I love the way you painted her dress, her lips, the sheets. I love the mood and the light. Really great stuff.
This is gorgeous Theresa! Simply gorgeous!
I tell you..this is a mater piece..The expressions of the girl is fantastic...:) What to say...It a "Wowwww" stuff..:) BTW I have started a new blog dedicated to my sketch work — Art on Sketchbook
Breathtakingly beautiful!
very very nice!! really like it!!
A beautiful romantic mysterious painting.
This is a really lovely painting! Lots of emotion and great brushwork!
..Outstanding Madam.. you know who this is...
Hello Theresa, this is a beautiful painting ... are fascinated by your art.
Ciao!!!
You continue to amaze me with the depth of your talent!
This piece piece should be " Rankin " right up there with Sargent and Lipking.
Theresa, you can paint emotion and feeling so gorgeously. The shadows on the right side of the drape, her dress, her posture, her gaze. I could go on, but really- your work just gets better and better.
I'd expect that in the not distant future, high praise for other artists would be if they were told they paint like Theresa Rankin.
( of course, they'd have to possess your grace and spirited humility ).
I could just ditto every comment of the 29 that preceded mine!
Tina!!! LOL! I love your comment...Thank you !! Hope things are going well and you are enjoying St. Pete...:)
Lauren...a great big thank you!!! Keep up your great work!
Thank you Dana!! If this is your favorite...I am definitely on the right track!
Dominique thank you so much for your wonderful comment I feel blessed!
Liz thank you....what a great description...A contemporary painting with a pre-raphealite sensibility...I will need to use that..:) How fortunate to be able to study in them and in England no less!!
Thank you so much Sheila...I appreciate your loyal and wonderful comments....always!!
Thank you, Trevor!! I am always honored by your comments. I apologize for the long delay in replying.
Awww....Barbara....what can I say...I am honored and humbled by your comment!
Anita many thanks and much appreciated!
Vern, thank you! This is from a photograph....but let me reassure you that I have painted from life a lot. I now take a photo and make it mine...no longer becoming a slave to every detail or all of the inaccuracies there in. Once again thank you!
Hi Theresa, My first visit to your blog and I find your work beautiful. This painting caught my eye right away. Lovely, delicate mood and painting. I look forward to perusing more in detail and in the meantime wish you the best. I am just starting up my own first blog, so it's in fledgling stage right now, but I would like to put in a link to your's - will make it much easier to follow your future work. The very best to you, Aliaena
Thank you so much Aliaena!! I will be visiting your blog as soon as possible. I really appreciate your comments and posting a link to my work...you are a dear!
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