Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Spring Maiden Surrealist Portrait Nature Inspired

Spring Maiden, 11x14", oil on copper painted wood, $1200.00

The title given to the most beautiful virgin of the springtime, A pagan beauty pageant. In this case, the title has gone to a girl who can speak to birds. She inhabits such a sweet and serene spirit that the trees call her one of their own. And the birds, so long as she is still, endeavor to build a nest in her hair. In this portrait she is discovered for the first time in her solitude and wonders who you'll prove to be.

Pyrography and Oil Process

I use the characteristics of the wood to determine the design. I begin with looking at the grain of the wood, and I wait to be inspired by what my mind imagines there. Sometimes I get the whole painting in a flash and go looking for the right piece of wood. Generally I like swirling, water like, patterns.

I may spray a thin layer of metal paint over the wood, perhaps stain it any color I like, or I will leave it natural. Then I draw the design out, keeping in mind the flow of the wood. I blend my lines into the that. Then burn the dark lines in with a phyrographic tool. All the shading I do with oils.


I will detail the face of my figure, but only draw out with minimal shading, her companion subject. I like to blend many styles (drawing, painting) of image making together to provide interest, and to also express my message which is that change is constant and that all things are connected. To finish a painting is to kill it with perfect stillness. I want movement, a sense of growth, appearing and disappearing of elements.  

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