Friday, February 4, 2011

Now for a different painting...

This painting started with me looking through some old photos I have of my family and puzzling over one of a mystery woman probably taken in the late 1800's. I think that's probably why this painting feels more old fashioned than any of my others. 
Mystery Woman
Acrylic painting on 8 x 10 wrapped canvas

I thought it was finished the day before, but I hadn't really done much with the background. Daniel convinced me to put the same kind of care into the rest of the painting that I put into the face. At first, I wasn't thrilled because nothing fascinates me as much as the faces do. But then, I am glad I -- reluctantly, he'll tell you (or did he say kicking and screaming ;)) -- took his advice. And strangely enough, I had as much fun with the background as I did with the face. I guess it's just a matter of focus...

Yesterday, I sketched out my next painting and I like it! Another one that's very different. This is so exciting to me!!

Wishing you a most wonderful Friday - I'm planning to visit your blogs today!
Posted by Silke Powers at 1:11 AM
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30 comments:

  1. Kristin M.February 4, 2011 at 1:27 AM

    Beautiful! I love these colors.

    Kristin

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  2. UnknownFebruary 4, 2011 at 1:35 AM

    I think you're on to something Silke, I really like it! ♥

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  3. stregataFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:30 AM

    Good for Daniel to help you develop further! This is an awesome piece and I love the direction you are taking.

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2011 at 4:31 AM

    This is beautiful - and I'm glad you spent the time you did with the background. Now she has a story to go along with her expression.

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  5. Such a Wondrous Place this Faery SpaceFebruary 4, 2011 at 6:34 AM

    I adore this direction, as well! You know me and vines and castles, hee hee! I love the one directly to my right under my women! These are gorgeous and uniquely Silke Powers, you know? Profound expressions. Blessings and great art!

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  6. BethFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Very special! I like the added detail in the background.

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  7. Anne Huskey-LockardFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:33 AM

    I like her very much Silke---having the whole canvas fleshed out in this instance really adds a lot to the portrait and also questions for the viewer; who is she? Where is she from? What age?
    It almost looks like she is going to speak.
    Very very nice!!!

    XXOO~~♥
    Anne

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  8. PoetessWugFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    WOW Silke! I can see how much work you put into this one. From the branches in the background, to the little flower in her hair! Good job! :-)

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  9. Janet GhioFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    I really like the background you did. Also i think is hair is really nice--it looks like hair!! and sometimes that is hard to do.

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  10. RobinFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    This is so lovely!! I love the lady AND the background!! And your self-portrait was absolutely exquisite!!! You really seem to have captured the essence of YOU!!!
    How cool to have a mystery lady---maybe you'll be able to figure out who she is someday. Do you like genealogy??

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  11. VictoriaFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:52 AM

    Hi Silke..she is spectacular..i am in love with the illuminating backdrop..of light or a stained glassed window effect..the illumination really captures me..and the flwoers! and she feels very powerful..and yes an old soul from another time. Perhaps it is one of your ancestors coming through!I wonder who gave her the flower in her hair..or if she is waiting for someone...her love..her story is sparking..she is a mystery...she is beautiful!

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  12. Peter BreeseFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    This has a wonderful medieval feel to it - as though it were painted in encaustics on a European church wall.

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  13. Cathy BuetiFebruary 4, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    Silke she is lovely! You are leaping and growing my friend!! The colors are so great too! I am like you . . .i get into the faces and then forget about the background! lol I am not sure why. Maybe because the backgrounds are harder for me as they can be more abstract.

    Loving your new work!! :)

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  14. lilylovekinFebruary 4, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    You and Daniel make a good team. I like this new painting, different for you but very nice.

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  15. JessFebruary 4, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    I think that was a great idea to take care with the background too. It's really lovely and gives the painting a lovely vintage atmosphere!xx

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  16. steufelFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    Das Bild hat wirklich etwas geheimnisvolles - und Daniel hat recht mit dem Hintergrund:-)

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  17. JanFebruary 4, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    I love this one, the expression on the face tells a secret story and the background is lovely without calling too much attention away from the foreground. Very well done.

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  18. sjmcdowellFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    Hi Silke,

    The mystery woman is lovely...I am glad your hubby suggested a background as well.

    Sometimes I have found that when I take a step out of my comfort zone I discover another facet to my creative soul!! I think this is what you have found here in creating this beautiful and touching piece!

    Hugs to you on a rainy day in Georgia!!

    Susan
    xxoo

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  19. Sabine GimmFebruary 4, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Liebe silke,
    so mysteriös finde ich diese Frau gar nicht, aber wenn ich mir diesen Gesichtsausdruck betrachte?
    LG Sabine

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  20. Kelly BerkeyFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:28 PM

    Silke, I love her gaze so much. And the detail in the back doesn't distract at all, but give the painting interest. I love the colors you used too on her face, she is very surreal feeling.
    xo

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  21. Bella SinclairFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    Wow, those eyes are penetrating. Fantastic job. Love the background. :) Have a great weekend!

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  22. AngelaFebruary 5, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    Really beautiful...and the background does add so much to the feel of the piece, lovely!

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  23. UnknownFebruary 5, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    Oh I´m so excited to see how you take different directions beautiful! She looks so mysterious. I am also trying to focus on the background. I always have all the focus on the faces/eyes. Have fun Silke. Can´t wait to see the next painting :) Love & hugs A

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  24. BirgitFebruary 5, 2011 at 11:05 AM

    Die Mystery Woman gefällt mir sehr. :)

    Silke, wie änderst Du den HTML-Code bei den Kommentaren, so daß die Zahlen angezeigt werden? Hast Du einen Tip, wo ich das finde? Ich würde mich über eine Antwort (im Hinblick auf OWOH!!!) sehr freuen. :)

    Lieben Gruß,
    Birgit

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  25. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2011 at 1:47 PM

    Truly beautiful Silke!

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  26. Theresa MacNaughtonFebruary 5, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    She's quite lovely, Silke. :) Theresa

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  27. Ces AdorioFebruary 5, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    Oh my goodness Silke! The painting in the previous post is so like you, I did not even have to read before I thought it was you!!! These recent works of yours are taking a tender delicate turn yet still oozing with passion. You are inspired and that is beautiful. So sorry I have not been socializing much these days. I am overwhelmed. Right now I woke up from a nap after having been paged for a problem at work. Heck! Ah so I am sneaking a precious few moments here. Please visit my blog and take a chance at winning my giveaway. I could not join OWOH, I will get lost in the crowd and mob and panic. So I decided to have aa all-heart giveaway instead. Tsup!

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  28. kjFebruary 6, 2011 at 11:35 AM

    silke, sometimes my comments here get lost and that happened yesterday. basically: i think that something very major has changed and shifted in the last two women you've painted. their expressions and shading is so very good, the depth of emotion is at a new level.

    good for you, silke. you work so hard to improve and share your art and it is so much paying off.

    love
    kj

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  29. kjFebruary 6, 2011 at 12:18 PM

    ah you wise kind woman. ♥

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  30. Vicki BosterFebruary 6, 2011 at 9:09 PM

    Oh Silke - this Mystery Woman painting is fabulous - she needs to be hanging in a gallery someplace! I Love the background- the colors are perfect for her - this is simply incredible - (I love her beautiful hair!)

    Vicki

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