Monday, August 2, 2010

"New Beginnings"

New Beginnings
8 x 10 inch mixed media painting on canvas

Here my latest painting: "New Beginnings." This was the strangest process yet. Let me explain!

When I was visiting galleries last week with my friend, the paintings that truly made my heart skip a beat were all very layered and mostly abstract. It made me realize how much I love layered paintings, even if the layers are no longer visible at the end.

So, I sat down at this heavily textured 8 x 10 canvas intending to paint a very intense (think bright reds and blues), very abstract and layered painting.

I started and allowed myself to just go with the flow and this is the end result. Very tender colors, a very introspective and a little bit sad woman, collage elements, and a little stamping - not at all what I had had in mind. The handwriting is that of my sweet grandmother's and the flower in her hair is a dried hydrangea flower from our garden.

When I look at her, I can see not only the many layers of my painting (there is an entire finished portrait underneath this one), but also the layers in her personality ... and in my own.

She is available as a 5 x 7 inch print in my Etsy Shop.

21 comments:

  1. The colours in this are soo pretty, I really love all the texture too, great work Silke!!

    Micki x

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  2. I already told you that I love her when I tweeted to you on Twitter, but I am surprised to hear you say that she is a little bit sad because that's not how I see her at all! She seems to me to have an "Oooo! What is that over there?!" look to me...Might be a 'Whistler's Mother' type of thing!! :-]

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  3. Best things happen when you let yourself go with the flow. :) Amazing!

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  4. This is your most beautiful painting yet, Silke!! Wow!
    Lovely.
    I am so proud of you for taking a leap of faith and trying out something new. It worked out wonderfully!

    xoxo

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  5. Hi beautiful! I love seeing your new paintings and all the new things you try out. Beautiful layers, I have to try that sometime. I have always had this strange "attractions" for dragonflies. Maybe its their wings and their colors that inspires me, or their fragility. I also read (yesterday) that they bring luck ;) Hugs and Love Annika ♥ ♥ ♥

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  6. There is SO much I love about this painting. What first attracted me was the wistful expression. She didn't seem so much sad to me as reflective.

    Secondly I love the message: old memories, new beginnings. I think this resonates with me because since turning 50 earlier this year, I am trying to put self-imposed boundaries of the past behind me and begin a new, freer life.

    Lastly, I love your written explanation of the piece - especially the layers of the painting imitiating the layers of your personality. SO true of me as well.

    Just gorgeous!!

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  7. Silke,

    This is definitely YOU. Love it!!!! I could talk an hour on it, but don't want to spam your page! LOL!!!
    Hey, I have a phone again!! WHOOOO--HOOOOO!!!

    TSUP!
    XXOO!!
    Anne

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  8. Hello, dear Silke!

    This new painting is lovely! I love all the layers and textures. We are definitely on a similar path, aren't we? It feels terrific, doesn't it?
    :0)
    I hope you have a wonderful week!

    Alles, alles Gute,
    Hugs,
    xoxoxo
    Angela

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  9. Yes, the first thing I saw in her eyes was a wondrous expression as if she was walking in the early morning near a lush pool in the woods and she saw a magical moment. She is superb friend. Superb. Blessings and keep it up. Your heart is speaking so beautifully.

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  10. OMGoodness OMGoodness OMGoodness I LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!! The colors, the layering, the German handwriting! Just the perfect combination. Oh, see what came out of your little quiet period...beauty! You fly, Brave Girl! **kisskiss** Deb

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  11. oh Silke!!! this is gorgeous!! what a wonderful new painting...your ladies are so unique and I can spot your work anywhere...that is a true gift!!!

    Have a wonderful day!!!

    Hugs
    Diana

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  12. Since I was treated to a sneak peek, you already know what I think -- this is wonderful! Reading your description and noting how you still see what is now covered up reminded me of the term pentimento, which is when a painting is done on top of an older painting. When the older painting is revealed, that's pentimento. So what you're experiencing is a sort of mental pentimento! You can't really see the first artwork, but you can see it in your mind.

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  13. I so love how you let yourself go and ended up with something completely different. I love her and the colors and the dragonfly. Oh how I love her!! I can see how you are on fire with your art right now, keep it up!

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  14. I love it. She is beautiful and I love the little accents.

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  15. She is wonderful, Silke. Just trust yourself, go with your own flow. You can't go wrong!

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  16. Gorgeous art work. I love it!

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  17. Hi Silke..i love her! She is truly wonderful and a magical creation..beautiful! I too love the natural layering that occurs..it is building the essence of the piece..and i always allow that process to flow too..and it is pretty incredible to think of all the many layers that built the piece. awesome!
    She is wondeful..i love the color energy of her..and the whole essence is such gentle beauty! A gorgeous piece!! Hugs!Keep shining your magic!
    Kiki~

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  18. Hi Silke! I have secretly been following your blog for a few weeks now! And I love your art! You inspired me to try painting faces! Your women are so beautiful and unique.
    This one you posted today struck me so much. I love, love, love it!! I love the colors, the texture and her expression! And I like that she is so different than your others. Beautiful work!! :)

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  19. Wow, das macht wirklich Spaß, Dich auf Deiner künstlerischen Reise zu begleiten. Keep going!

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  20. You did an absolutely amazing job, Silke. I love the softness and all the collage elements. :) Theresa

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  21. Silke - You have found your newest creative passion - these mixed media picture creations are just stunning. Such creative energy you have. Amazing!

    Vicki

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