You've captured the essence of an urban Portland winter perfectly in this painting, E. Looking at it I can remember perfectly the bite of the wind, the way the snow flakes scrape at your cheeks and sting your eyes.
According to Mr.DEDS you were just "hanging low" and not doing much of anything (recuperating from his surgery perhaps?) during vacation. Hmmm... no mention was made of this beautiful (yet again!!) painting! Once again, I am absolutely awed by your talent!
Fabulous!! God I feel so honored to know you and here I am only 20 minutes from Portland....double that honor! You are an amazing artist. Again I wish I had your talent...I am so envious. I know that is a character defect, but I am! My cousin lives on Peaks Island and is a fantastic artist too. She is always telling me anyone can do this! No...they can't! It takes talent. You have captured winter in Monument Square wonderfully. Were you there or did you do it from a picture or memory? How long did it take you to paint this?
What a great painting, Elenka. When I lived in Saco, I worked in Portland, and this brought memories of that time to me in an instant. I can even feel that wind, biting my face. Hugs, Kathleen
Great painting Elenka - congratulations! Also love the paintings on your sidebar.Perhaps it won't be long before you will be painting spring flowers again.Winter snows seems to be hanging around for you however in that part of the world.
Nice! I wish it really looked like that right now. You must have painted from memory. I’m impressed you got anything done during vacation week with kids.
My gosh, Elenka. Your work is amazing! I am so envious!!!!!!!
I was visiting my brother's blog and saw a late response to something you asked him about his Olivander's wand.
****# jay Says: February 17th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Sorry for the delay in getting to comments. I get so many spam comment notices, that I don’t always see the good stuff. That, and correspondence is not exactly a strong suit, probably because it’s essentially all I do at work.
Elenka, the hair did not turn out nearly as elegantly as it sounded. I drilled a hole into the base of the main wand shaft (the part that would be glued into the handle). I had envisioned a neatly folded hair slipped nicely down into the hole. What I learned was that hair doesn’t fold. In fact, it’s pretty springy and unruly. In the end, I think it would be more aptly described as a wadded up hair ball shoved down into a tiny little hole and hastily glued into place before it could pop out again.
As for a hasty, non-carve solution for both Elenka and Goose, hardwood dowels are cheap. I’d start with those, painted or stained according to taste. You could use bigger dowels for the handles, but you’ll still have some sanding, drilling, and possibly carving to do. You could also get a roll of rawhide lacing and wrap the base of the wand for a handle instead of a separate carved piece.
Another thought is to cruise junk stores for interesting handles from kitchen utensils or other implements. I once screwed an old brass doorknob onto half a pool stick. Painted black, it made for an elegant prop cane for a play.
After one week of school vacation, I have a painting of Monument Square in Portland, Maine.
You've captured the essence of an urban Portland winter perfectly in this painting, E. Looking at it I can remember perfectly the bite of the wind, the way the snow flakes scrape at your cheeks and sting your eyes.
ReplyDeleteYou are obviously very talented! Your paintings on your sidebar and this one are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWOW. I love this one. ~Lili
ReplyDeleteI really love your style. Everyone of your paintings has a soft quality to them; as if the viewer is sneaking a peek of a moment in time.
ReplyDeleteThey are absolutely beautiful....
wow!! beautiful work my fren !!
ReplyDeleteOne really gets the feeling of the snow and wind - wonderful painting.
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL! IS this one for sale? I love this and you capture the quietness of the snow so perfectly!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
Joni
According to Mr.DEDS you were just "hanging low" and not doing much of anything (recuperating from his surgery perhaps?) during vacation. Hmmm... no mention was made of this beautiful (yet again!!) painting! Once again, I am absolutely awed by your talent!
ReplyDeleteFabulous!! God I feel so honored to know you and here I am only 20 minutes from Portland....double that honor! You are an amazing artist. Again I wish I had your talent...I am so envious. I know that is a character defect, but I am! My cousin lives on Peaks Island and is a fantastic artist too. She is always telling me anyone can do this! No...they can't! It takes talent. You have captured winter in Monument Square wonderfully. Were you there or did you do it from a picture or memory? How long did it take you to paint this?
ReplyDeleteThis painting with the little snowflakes falling on your blog is wonderful.Keep showing them to us.
ReplyDeleteBalisha
PS...How's Birdman coming along?
What a great painting, Elenka. When I lived in Saco, I worked in Portland, and this brought memories of that time to me in an instant. I can even feel that wind, biting my face. Hugs, Kathleen
ReplyDeleteGreat painting Elenka - congratulations! Also love the paintings on your sidebar.Perhaps it won't be long before you will be painting spring flowers again.Winter snows seems to be hanging around for you however in that part of the world.
ReplyDeleteNice! I wish it really looked like that right now. You must have painted from memory. I’m impressed you got anything done during vacation week with kids.
ReplyDeleteMy gosh, Elenka. Your work is amazing! I am so envious!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI was visiting my brother's blog and saw a late response to something you asked him about his Olivander's wand.
****# jay Says:
February 17th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Sorry for the delay in getting to comments. I get so many spam comment notices, that I don’t always see the good stuff. That, and correspondence is not exactly a strong suit, probably because it’s essentially all I do at work.
Elenka, the hair did not turn out nearly as elegantly as it sounded. I drilled a hole into the base of the main wand shaft (the part that would be glued into the handle). I had envisioned a neatly folded hair slipped nicely down into the hole. What I learned was that hair doesn’t fold. In fact, it’s pretty springy and unruly. In the end, I think it would be more aptly described as a wadded up hair ball shoved down into a tiny little hole and hastily glued into place before it could pop out again.
As for a hasty, non-carve solution for both Elenka and Goose, hardwood dowels are cheap. I’d start with those, painted or stained according to taste. You could use bigger dowels for the handles, but you’ll still have some sanding, drilling, and possibly carving to do. You could also get a roll of rawhide lacing and wrap the base of the wand for a handle instead of a separate carved piece.
Another thought is to cruise junk stores for interesting handles from kitchen utensils or other implements. I once screwed an old brass doorknob onto half a pool stick. Painted black, it made for an elegant prop cane for a play.
Elenka....hello girl! I have an award over at my place for you...come on by and pick it up!
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful work.
ReplyDeletePoutine