motherhood

[mjkohler]

MY IMAGE(S):
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Critiques/upload_spool/01-31-2002/5774_misc_464.jpg


GENERAL INFORMATION:
Title: motherhood
Year Created: 2002
Medium: Oil
Surface: Canvas
Dimension: 800mmx600mm
Allow digital alterations?: Yes!

MY COMMENTS:
this has undergone many transformations (mutations) in its creation. I am happy to stop here as it feels good. (I hope thats a good reason) (I must be tired, I am seeing a lot of good)

MY QUESTIONS FOR THE GROUP:
Is it balanced?
Does it have a feeling?
Does the eye flow through it?
Any comments?

[mjkohler]

an adjustment or two:)

[CarlyHardy]

First I noticed your title...motherhood.
Then I opened the thread and saw the painting. I kept trying to
'see' motherhood in the painting. Perhaps you should change the title because it gives expectations. I think something like 'birth pangs' would fit better.

I think you accomplished the things you mentioned...movement of the eye thru the painting, balance with color and shapes. I tried to turn my head to get different views...I think it could work in a horizontal setting, too.
carly

[mjkohler]

:) how about the piggyback

[cagathoc]

I am definitely getting the feeling of enclosure, womb like and safety and security - it's the wonderful "S" shape and the round ball inside it. The colors speak of growth and warmth (greens and oranges).

I think the texture is an important element for creating depth as well as visually exciting.

I like it in the vertical because then it speaks more to me of the figure, although I agree with Carly that abstractly it could work either way.


I find it very beautiful and warm. :)

[mjkohler]

why thank you cagathoc. I am going to try and keep my paintbrush off of it.

I am still not getting that ah!!! I've put absolutely the last stroke feeling on it. However as it is quite abstract I may not recognise when i have arrived as easy as when the subject is not so abstract.

Maybe.:)

[mjkohler]

I just cant seem to help myself can I.

[cagathoc]

Ok, you are a colorist and an expressionist, no?

In the first image, the lightest color take your eyes around the ball in a circle symbolizing (to me) an embrace, warmth & security.

In the second image, you have increased the contrast by darkening the ball and part of the trail. The increased contrast gives the eye a stronger (easier) path to follow but the meaning is changed - now (to me) it seems sinister. As thought the ball is pushing at the mother figure - she is overwhelmed and struggling.

Look at the versions in greyscale - you can se what is happening with the contrast and the push pull between the mother and the baby (ball). The top pic is your latest rendition.

[just my take on things - I hope this is the kind of feedback you are interested in. It all depends on what you want to painting to me - not me.] I adore your work!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Feb-2002/alt2.JPG

[mjkohler]

thank you cagathoc. I see what you mean and am busy putting things to right. In the meantime how about checking out my new thread and giving me some advice. I think I will call it red indian. mjk

[mjkohler]

thank you again cagathoc. Ow my kitten is eating up my hand. -000000000000["
][[[[[[[[+\]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]] and wa4g u0onm0y0 0000 and walking on my keyboard.

I have made an attempt at fixing it. I hope it is ringing true again. Melinda

p.s. how do you get a grey image?

[cagathoc]

I use Corel Photo House.

I go to:
image
image properties
color mode and choose greyscale

I think all the photo editors have an option to change to or save as greyscale.

[cagathoc]

On your last revision:

I think the feeling is there, as in the first, plus you have improved the contrast enough to create some sense of depth.

I think you nailed it! What do you think?

LOL re: kitten --- I have the same issues with my border terrier pup! :)

[mjkohler]

Thanks for your reply cagathoc. I made a few slight adjustments. I guess I am reasonably happy with it. Any way it goes to the gallery tomorrow so on to the next one then.

[elyisus]

Hi. The one that you posted under "I just cant seem to help myself can I. " seems more succesfull to me. The main reason is that seem more telling, the statement is more clear. In the firsts ones I have the feeling that many passages are a kind of repetition, and your idea in this painting doesn't seem to me that need that much repetition because then you may lose the necesary play between what you want to say and the surrounding. Surely many paintings may come from the idea, variations, but I wouldn't do the variations in different areas of the same painting.