Thursday, November 01, 2007

Does Size Matter...?

This was a question posed on a group I'm on...Does size matter to you when your creating? I started out painting miniatures and the thought of painting something larger then a fingernail seemed well, impossible to me at the time! Then I progressed on to doing collages which were 5x7 from there I slowly moved to no larger then 11x14 and that seemed big...during that time I also discovered ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) which are 2.5"x 3.5" and that was difficult for me to go back smaller, but I did and found it a challenge but I enjoyed it. Each time I changed to a different size then what I'd gotten use to I found it stretched me as an artist, and this was a good thing. Some mediums seem harder for me to create with then other mediums, depending on the size. Painting small was easy for me, painting big seemed impossible...collaging medium is easier to me collaging small is more of a challenge as is large. For some time now I've found myself longing to try painting on larger size canvases so last week I took the plunge and began my first one an 18"x36" canvas using acrylics. Yikes! how was I going to do this I thought...I was both nervous and excited and so I begin. My first of hopefully several in a series. I'll be honest with you I have a hard time believing I painted it. Below are pictures I posted as the painting progressed:

The finished painting!

Sirène Mystique

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I couldn't resist sharing a picture of my son dressed up for Halloween, I thought he was pretty clever to come up with this all on his own just so he could wear his white suit again....chicken anyone?

18 comments:

  1. OMG! Aileen! Your painting is incredibly awesome! Large does scare me. You have to keep this up!

    Karen

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  2. Aileen, your large mermaid is magical. It's absolutely beautiful. How cool that you're mastering the large canvas.

    Joanne

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  3. Aileen that is a wonderful painting!
    I love the colors.

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  4. Aileen, this is amazing!! I really enjoyed seeing your process/progress. I am so proud that you took the plunge to work in such large scale - and the outcome is marvelous! (And I still just love your method of creating hair!!)
    hugs,
    jackie

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  5. That is a gorgeous painting! Congrats on creating such a great, large piece. I love the flow of the whole thing!

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  6. WOW!! Now that is remarkable!! I love seeing the steps on how it came to life! You are truly an artist!! And you provide us with such inspiration.

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  7. This is wonderful, love the subject, colors, and motion. Great job..can't wait to see more in the series!

    k

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  8. Aileen, your mermaid is fantastic. You are a woman of many talents.Judy Streger

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  9. Wow, Aileen! This is incredibly awesome! The swirling colors are memorizing! Very cool...:-)

    Di ;)

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  10. this is great, aileen! i too, am afraid of size...it is very intimidating! congratulations on taking the plunge - it turned out terrific!
    connie

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  11. This is amazing !! I love this canvas !!!!!!

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  12. Great job, Aileen! It was fun to "be in on the process" too. It is great! Look out, Sistine Chapel! :)

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  13. Awesome, I just love the whole painting. Can't wait to see more. The way you showed the process and then the finished Painting is great. Love your son's Halloween get up to. Talent runs in the family I see.

    Hugs
    Patty

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  14. I love, love, love your mermaid. It is amazing how much depth you achieved - I'd love to see it in person.
    As for Colonel Sanders, how clever is THAT? Hope he filled up that chicken bucket with candy.

    Deb

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  15. Your son looks marvelous. Tell him he did a great job.

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  16. Aileen! You are absolutely amazing! I keep finding myself peeking to see what you're up to next!

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  17. I would so love to learn to paint, or draw! That is truly a lovely painting and hats off to your son for recycling his suit! That was so funny and clever!

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  18. It's beautiful! For a long time now, I've been wanting to work on a large canvas also, but haven't made the plunge yet-maybe you will be my inspiration!

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