20x30"

Claudemir Bonfim · 05-02-2005, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimberly Dow

This is my first attempt at a nude with my own references.

What does that exactly mean?
By the way, a very beautiful job.

Kimberly Dow · 05-02-2005, 01:02 PM

Thanks Claudemir - it means that I did one nude a few weeks ago - it's in the Nude Unveilings section. The reference I used was someone else's photography and model that I was given permission to use one time. I wanted to warm-up with that one without the hassel of hiring a model - just to see if I enjoyed it or if there was any interest from my collectors.

Claudemir Bonfim · 05-02-2005, 01:06 PM

Thanks for the answer, I liked that one a lot, but I like this one much more. Please, always use your own refences, they are much better to me.

Garth Herrick · 05-03-2005, 10:12 AM

Dear Kim,

The top one is so sensative, natural, and compelling, with that believable setting. Please do another like that when you get the chance! Your recent paintings just blow me away with your blossoming virtuosity (not that your earlier paintings did not move me too)!

Garth

Linda Brandon · 05-03-2005, 10:56 AM

I vote for the top one, too.

I think there are lots of surprising issues when painting nudes: sappy? tacky? edgy? boring? lurid? tasteless? sleazy? (Sounds like the names of the Seven Dwarves.) I like how you are managing this genre, Kim.

Tom Edgerton · 05-03-2005, 01:23 PM

The top one, definitely.

Apart from the softer atmosphere, it's a better value distribution. The darks are scattered around the canvas in a more balanced, interesting way. In the second version, the lights are all corralled into an oval "hole" smack in the middle. You fall in and your eye stays in that oval. The background might as well not be there.

The same is revealed when it's turned upside down and viewed in the abstract, subject matter aside.

(Nice job, Kim.)
--TE

Kimberly Dow · 05-03-2005, 02:27 PM

Thanks Garth, Linda & Tom. I am taking all comments to heart and I will re-do this one again.

Your right Linda - there are a lot of issues that arise with nudes that I hadn't encountered before! Just getting a model to pose when the kids aren't around is a logistical obstacle. I am enjoying it though as a new challenge. I've heard lots about nudes not selling, so I wasnt sure if it was something I'd continue to do or not. Today a gallery took my first one and would like more - so I guess I will paint at least a couple more and see if the gallery sells them. I try not to think of sales when I paint a figurative, but in this case I am just not sure I want 20 nudes hanging around my house for the husband to stare at - in case they dont sell. It's been interesting to watch the kids reactions. I think its been good for them to appreciate art in general and not think of this as something 'bad'. They are used to it in all the art books I have, but I am still hearing the word 'boobies' a lot in my house these days....

signed,
Sleazy nude painter dwarf

Linda Eades Blackburn · 06-18-2005, 08:17 PM

Most definitely the top version. It's a lovely piece as is.

Alexandra Tyng · 07-03-2005, 02:58 PM

I vote for the first version, too. Beautiful, Kim!

Alex

Kimberly Dow · 07-03-2005, 06:20 PM

I just saw all these replies I had missed.

Thanks folks. Unfortunatly, I can't recover all that dark background - especially since I put it on thickly. This is one that hangs in my bathroom now.

It is highly entertaining to watch cable guys and repair men when they get a glimpse of it.

I am plannin on re-doing the original version when I have time.

I appreciate all the comments! And it's a kick to hear about other artists' children and their reactions to nudes.

Linda - I want to read that book you are commenting on..got to find the time!