Friday, April 1, 2011

The Power of Art

For the most part, my art is pretty and benign and lovely. But once in a while a painting comes through that has me catching my breath and stare at it in disbelief. So with this painting I did this morning.

I set out to doodle some more in my sketchbook, but before I knew it, I had gotten out this 8 x 10 inch canvas and had started a charcoal sketch that turned into this young man. I have no idea where this came from, but it was a powerful experience for me.

I always thought of art as painting nice pictures, but I never really knew how incredible the connection is between an artist and his creation. Sometimes I think it's more about how my art is shaping me than about what I create. These past two years have certainly changed my life!

Anyway, I had used one my favorite colors - phthalo turquoise - which apparently doesn't like to be scanned or photographed, turning into dark blue. I tweaked with the scan until it looked more like the original, but it's still not quite as luminous as the painting.

I hope you are all enjoying your Friday. I am off now to clean the house a bit. I'm always amazed at the mess two people can make in a day or two...

To all of you who are experiencing snowfall today, I hope that it's the last of this season! We are enjoying sunshine again today, which I am most grateful for!!
Posted by Silke Powers at 12:14 PM
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28 comments:

  1. Cathy BuetiApril 1, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Silke I really like this one! It is very emotional and powerful. I do see the beautiful turquoise you used so do not fret over the color scanned!! (although I am the same way! lol)

    I too sometimes am surprised at the connection between me and some of my work. I feel as though I miss it at times just trying to speed through the process to get to the finished piece!

    Thankfully here we didn't get the snowfall they were predicting although it is pretty gloomy. Gloomy weather is quite unmotivating to me! Sunshine due back tomorrow though!

    Enjoy the rest of your day! xo

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  2. Rachel LucasApril 1, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    Hi Silke, at last i can leave a comment! Love this fellow...intense eyes, beautiful. we are well into Spring now, beautiful weather & everything growing! Have a great weekend xox Rachel

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  3. BethApril 1, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    I find this to be a very powerful piece!! I love it when you capture such strong emotion in your face paintings. This one also reminds me of a famous piece of art -- I will have to look online and see if I can figure out which one. Incredible work. You are awesome! Thanks for sharing your journey with us. ☺

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  4. Janet GhioApril 1, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    This is a really nice painting. I love the look on his face!

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  5. KolleenApril 1, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    love this piece Silke....it is amazing when we just let things flow to see what comes.

    i have been doing pencil sketches without any thought whatsoever....just taking pencil to paper and see what emerges.

    sending you peace and love
    oxox
    k

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  6. Sabine GimmApril 1, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    Liebe Silke,
    das ist sehr interessant. Meine Freundin Birgit hat mal einen Mann gemalt, da denkst du, der guckt dir hinterher, wenn du an ihm vorbeigehst. Echt unheimlich.

    Freu dich auf die Sonne. Bloß keinen Schnee mehr. Davon hatten wir mehr als genug.
    Wünsche dir ein schönes Wochenende.
    LG Sabine

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  7. Elisabeth PalzkillApril 1, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Liebe Silke,

    wir lassen liebe Grüße hier von einem Besuch bei dir

    Angela und Elisabeth

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  8. AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    It's great when you are the art and the art is you, pwerful piece. xox Corrine

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  9. SherryApril 1, 2011 at 3:14 PM

    the power of art...and the muse to create through you...it's easy to see that you were focused on this piece and that it was very much needed to be 'freed' onto the canvas. Beautiful work as always

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  10. AnonymousApril 1, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Wow this is amazing. It really caught my eye in the reader this morning! So powerful and strong!

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  11. audreyApril 1, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    Very nice! How wonderful that you are experiencing so much joy from painting, Silke. The possibilities are endless.
    ♥ audrey

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  12. steufelApril 1, 2011 at 4:06 PM

    Das Bild ist faszinierend, Silke! Wow! Und Gott sei Dank wird es bei uns langsam rixhtig schön. Morgen soll es 25 Grad geben, yippie!

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  13. VictoriaApril 1, 2011 at 5:41 PM

    Powerful and beautiful Silke!! It is such an amazing feeling when art comes from that undescribable place within..shine on..an amazing piece and it shines through very potently...I love it.
    Happy wkd my friend!
    Victoria

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  14. Theresa MacNaughtonApril 1, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    Wow - Silke! VERY dramatic! You did a wonderful job. Theresa

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  15. ElenaApril 1, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    The most powerful works of art come through when we let go. Or so I've heard, haha. Love the expression in his eyes and the quiet strength. Great work Silke!

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  16. stregataApril 2, 2011 at 1:38 AM

    Absolutely amazing! Love the shading.

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  17. UnknownApril 2, 2011 at 8:32 AM

    oh what a great read Silke.....I love when you find passion in your work and this piece really brought it out in you.....

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  18. LauraApril 2, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    Silke, it is a birthing process, don't you think? The colors and shading are wonderful....keep painting, you are so gifted!!!

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  19. DawnApril 2, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Metamorphosis fits your blog so well, and your art, too. This piece is really amazing. So stark, simple, and full of expression. Wonderful.
    And about the mess...oh yes, I know all about that. Two people and two dogs have this place looking like a bomb hit it after the weekend!

    xoxo Dawn

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  20. lilylovekinApril 2, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    I love how you described the process about losing yourself so completing as you created this piece. I think that is wonderful and what true art is all about.

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  21. JanineApril 2, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Ja, es ist toll wohin einen die kunst manchmal führt.
    Ich finde es toll wenn man, während des Malens fortgerissen wird und einen das eigene Werk überwältigt, dass sind wirklich kostbare Glücksmomente.
    hab eine schöne Woche
    Janine

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  22. Mr. H.April 2, 2011 at 11:04 PM

    Such an intense picture.

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  23. kjApril 3, 2011 at 12:03 AM

    he looks like an agile athlete to me, silke. :)

    you know how co-incidences work? imagine if he shows up on dancing with the stars? :)

    i'm glad to hear you are letting things unfold.

    love
    kj

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  24. UnknownApril 3, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    I love to see how you develop as an artist Beautiful!
    And that you have discovered the magic that happens between an artist and his pen / pencil.
    I still get amazed and fascinated by what shows up on paper/canvas when I sit and work. It's amazingly fun!
    And one can hardly wait to start on a new canvas to see what shows up there.
    Sometimes I look in surprise at my own pencil lines because they suddenly manage to create something magical.
    Have a great sunday, here it is foggy and rainy.
    Hugs & Love Annika :)

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  25. Annie CoeApril 3, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    Hi Silke, I love it when people and creatures come through a painting to tell us something, I always imagine mine really live somewhere in the world. But I am weird like that :-).
    Thank you for your lovely comments about Spike.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    xoxo

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  26. Vicki BosterApril 3, 2011 at 8:46 PM

    Silke- I find it truly amazing that you can start a project- not knowing where you will end up- and create a work of art such as this. Your painting is truly so thought provoking- he is deep in thought. I love his face--
    Vicki

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  27. RobinApril 4, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Your painting is evolving is such a wonderful and interesting way!! Thank you for your comment on my blog! I don't know why I find such comfort from creating circular designs, but I do!!!

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  28. HelenaApril 4, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    this is lovely!

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