Wednesday, May 19, 2010

A Change In Plans


Angela Elledge is a teacher, a dog lover and a traveler among other things. She requested "places" in her moleskin with or without the accessories, so I tried a German street complete with outdoor patio, an unusual dog, a couple of kids (far enough away to be seen but not heard...ha), and tried to include Angela herself. I really couldn't find much reference material on her blog, so I thought what a great opportunity to challenge myself, and rotate her head in my head, and see what happens. Well it's not easy, and it's not a great likeness, but it was fun, and one could argue that there is a passing resemblance. Sorry Angela, I tried. I'm probably the second last person on earth that's not on facebook, and I almost joined figuring a few shots could be found of you there.

oil on paper 

10" x 8"  

NFS

22 comments:

  1. Vern this is fabulous. There is so much to apreciate in this painting. Wonderful handling of the outdoor seating and people in the distance. Love the dog walker. It doesn't need to look just like her. It is about her and it is wonderful.

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  2. Such a wonderful piece. The composition is great. The colors choices you made are so cool.
    I love this piece because it is so personal.
    YEA.... what 's up with you !!! not on Facebook. Almost everyone's there now you need to come aboard !

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  3. This is great, Vern. Wonderfully composed. Your photos of Germany have given you a lot of good material to work from.

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  4. Wow Vern, from her pic this certainly looks like Angela. Well done! A really wonderful painting. By the way, I joined facebook, but haven't a clue as to what to do on it! I'm thinking of resigning (if one can do that!)

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  5. Some great looking paintings all around Vern.

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  6. Vern, this is wonderful. I love the sense of humour and sense of dog, you have captured in the gesture.

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  7. A wonderful painting that so creatively matches her theme!
    There's a definite resemblance.
    I'm one of the last souls on earth (along with you) who's not on Facebook either. I have a tough enough time just keeping up with blogs.

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  8. You've been doing some wonderful work since I last checked your blog, this one sounds like a quite a challenge, and you pulled it off brilliantly, love those birds in the background.

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  9. I really like this, Vern. The dog is excellent. It's not easy to make that tension believable, and you did it amazingly well. Great work.

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  10. Excellent work! I can't believe you can do figure work that well out of memory. Love the way the dog is pulling across the canvas and that way those black and white spots look next to the groovy green outfit.

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  11. Wonderful piece Vern..I really like how the dog is pulling us to some unseen image. Painting Angela with a dog was brilliant, great job!

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  12. Bonjour, je viens visiter votre blog grâce aux conseils de mon amie Susan.
    Magnifique travail... J'aime beaucoup la composition si vivante, si naturel de cette peinture.
    "Maman" de plusieurs dalmatiens je suis heureuse d'en retrouver un autre ici!
    Amitiés

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  13. Your braveness is so successful, Vern! This one tells a wonderful story about a wonderful lady. Nicely done!

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  14. You made me laugh! The title is perfect, as is the dynamic between the lady and her dog. Wonderful!

    And I love your bassett hound, too... seems I have some catching up to do!

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  15. Vern, I absolutely love this painting! I am still amazed at the fact that you could include several elements that mean so much to me and then on top of that, include me with very little reference material to work from. With all of the dog portraits I paint, the addition of the dog is perfect, but the fact that it is a b/w dog is very interesting. Three weeks ago we rescued a b/w puppy, not the same kind, but nonetheless, a b/w dog!

    What an abundance of talent and skill you possess, I can't wait to see it in person. Thank you so very much!

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  16. great concept Vern. And handled just great.

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  17. This is a wonderful painting!! The gestures are so alive and convincing as well as superbly painted. I love it!

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  18. Great piece Vern. You should be proud of your efforts, Angela will lovve it!

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  19. You did great, Vern. You took a rather commonplace scene, and made it dramatic. The colors, the pose, the perspective...everything works perfectly.

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  20. Hi Vern,
    Your art is absolutely beautiful. From the animals to the people, just everything I've seen so far. Rather than leave individual comments on each I thought one would suffice here. I'll surely be back to see more of what you do.

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  21. Well done Vern. Great composition and I love the sense of depth you achieved.

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