Here is a recent painting

Thank-you for looking.

Dear Thomasin,

Before I start to write my comments, I like to say that they are meant in a positive and honest way and are in no way meant to degrade your work.

When I look at these figures I am strongly reminded of wax figures, because of the close value ranges, the strong highlights and the sculpted look they have about them. I have to admit that I really have a hard time relating to your style of painting, because your style is so very different. Nevertheless, the figures have a haunting look to them that keeps my attention and which I find very interesting. I applaud you for being so bold in your approach and look forward to seeing more.

I would not be surprised if one of these days we hear that your work got accepted into a gallery!

Thank-you for your honest comments, Enzie.

Thomasin,

I

It's a beautiful piece, Thomasin.
I love how the flesh is emerging from the strokes of the background.The 2 figures have a very strong presence, ( and all the composition is dominated by the haughty central figure) and their nearly absence of features makes me want to touch their skin, to feel if they are real or not...
The subtlety of the skin tones, and the liberty you have in handling values ,make a fascinating work of art.
Congratulations!

Dear Carlos and Marina, thank-you very much.

Thomasin
 

This painting is stimulating!

Every once and awhile I'll stain a piece of paper with coffee and then draw the images I see out of the stains, that's what this painting reminds me of.

Absolutely stunning.

Thomasin,

There is somethng melting and fluid about the flesh, but it seems real to me, and in motion, Wow, this is really haunting! While looking at it, I started humming the song "Hotel California" (oh, my, you can date me from that!) about a guy who stops at a hotel but the spirits won't let him leave. For the last few days I've been humming another song that's been driving me crazy because I can't get it out of my head! So I don't think the change was accidental.

Beause the features are quite minimal, the nose of the central figure stands out, and I like that nose! I feel like reaching out and tweaking it just to see and feel if the figures are real or just spirits.

Thank-you very much Dan. My paintings in the beginning are a bit like coffee stains - just areas of paint which may (or may not) suggest a narrative.

Thank-you Alex. Your comments are always so interesting to hear. I hope "Hotel California" is hasn't stuck in your head now instead of the first song.

I don't feel like to analyze this painting, it is so impressive....this is for me one of these paintings you can look at, over and over and over again. I agree with Enzie that the figures reminded on wax figures, but for me that's part of the attraction coming from this painting.

Thomasin, these are interesting as subjects and composition. Do I notice correctly are there two other silhouettes behind the viewed between the two?I do see what you and others perceve and understand the enthusiasm.

You have such talent but yet you allow your self to be held back. What ever is holding you back is not for, rather against you. Eve or the mid-eve is not the way.

It has been some years since the album Hotel California came out. I knew the words well but newer sot think on the meaning. It was time later that I began to see and still today I do see but as through a mist. Have you ever had a real good look at the album cover? Look in the windows. Tell me what you see. Have you listened to the words of the song Hotel California? Some will say that there is nothing wrong with the words. Think what these words are saying:
Mirrors on the ceiling,
The pink champagne on ice
And she said we are all just prisoners here, of our own device
And in the masters chambers,
They gathered for the feast
The stab it with their steely knives,
But they just cant kill the beast

Last thing I remember, I was
Running for the door
I had to find the passage back
To the place I was before
relax, said the night man,
We are programmed to receive.
You can checkout any time you like,
But you can never leave!

Mistical words don't you think? Remember, the the woman at the well and the advice she received. Don't forget, It is important, where we draw for our inspiration.

I wish but the best for you

:D Actually it is, only because it was on the car radio this morning!

Mischa, the words really are thought-provoking. The lines that came to me when I first saw this painting were of the spirits dancing:

"Some dance to remember, some dance to forget." And of course the haunting music. That's one thing about this painting: there is definitely music in it.

Thank-you everyone for your generous comments.