Expressing Emotion

Kimberly Dow · 10-10-2005, 04:11 PM

Lately I've been intrigued by the thought of expressing strong emotions in my figuratives, and even portraits actually. This is a tricky thing since some strong emotions are not always pleasant. Trying to get this across while still keeping the painting from being dark, depressing, overly illustrative...or just plain pleasant enough that it is still sellable is a tough one.

So far my thoughts on this are to use body language, but not facial expressions that are too extreme...and to rely on the title as well.

Any thoughts on this? I'd love to see examples as well of work you think does this sucessfully.

I'll post an example of one I love by the artist Alyssa Monks. It's title is 'I Miss Your Laugh'. I find it strong emotionally - I wont forget this image, but it isnt so instense you wouldn't hang it on your wall. Im speaking for myself of course.

Lacey Lewis · 10-11-2005, 08:29 AM

What a great subject to explore! I am very interested to see what pops up in this thread.

I love the image you included, too.

Michele Rushworth · 10-11-2005, 09:50 PM

Great image -- I look forward to seeing the painted result!

Kimberly Dow · 10-11-2005, 10:02 PM

Michele,

That IS the painting. It is a painting by the artist Alyssa Monks.

Kimberly Dow · 10-12-2005, 01:16 AM

Im afraid this thread will not take off here as I posted it on another forum as well and several of our members have disected it over there fairly well.

Tricia Migdoll · 10-12-2005, 05:55 AM

Hi Kim, I find this a very important & sensitive subject.

This is a beautiful painting & well titled. I love this kind of drama.

What is art if we shy away from the emotion of it all.!?
Fake, I would say. ... meaningless.

good thread.

( what other forum ? - PM me ?)

Julie Deane · 10-12-2005, 10:05 AM

I like the topic and haven't seen it on the other forum. I agree with Tricia - what is art, to shy away from emotion? Certainly, an artist needs to generate sales to be in business, but that's not what it's all about. If it was, the world would be without "The Scream" by Munch, or much of Goya's work.

Kimberly Dow · 10-12-2005, 08:32 PM

www.forumsalon.com

is the address I think - for the Online Artists Guild

Mary Sparrow · 10-14-2005, 09:22 AM

Kim thank you for showing her work, I just checked out her site. Amazing and interesting!

Michele Rushworth · 10-14-2005, 10:53 AM

Thanks for posting her work -- it is really terrific, isn't it? (I only wish decent art education had been available when I was her age....!)

As far as expressing emotion in your work, pleasant or otherwise, I would say it depends on what your overall goals are. If an artist primarily wants to "express himself" and "make a statement" with little need for an income from his or her art, the artist has all the flexibility in the world. Some of Alyssa Monk's work I'd be happy to hang on my walls, but not all of it.

Speaking as someone whose kids need braces and whose family depends heavily on my income, however, I can't afford to paint things that are depressing or make people uncomfortable. That issue in and of itself decides what I paint, pretty much. I paint things that I know will be sold, and I make sure of it by doing just commissioned work.