Ted, without the bandana

Debra Jones · 05-13-2003, 01:19 AM

The locally famous Ted came in to pose again this evening. I must say HE liked it. Said he looked life-like.

I was really challenged by sitting in the shadow side but liked the halo effect. My pastels are very colorful and bright, but as I finally decided it was velvet art time, I brought a black suede board. I did it in brighter soft pastels and knocked it back to the darker board using hard sticks.

The usual 2.5 hours, I left early because I had just driven home from a trip to San Diego.
14" x 11".

Michele Rushworth · 05-13-2003, 09:39 AM

Debra, this is outstanding. I think it's your best one. And in two and a half hours -- amazing!

Chris Saper · 05-13-2003, 09:47 AM

Debra,

This portrait is a winner. Seriously.

One of the best I have seen of yours, and that's saying a lot!

Valerie Gudorf · 05-13-2003, 10:47 AM

Debra,

How do you do that? WOW! You must go into some kind of intense concentration "zone" that helps you to make such a masterfully executed piece in a mere 2 and a half hours. Of course, I know that it's not a mere "trance". You have studied and work from life often. You are committed to your art. Every piece you post gets stronger.

I am just in awe. A lot of others might work just as hard as you do, but never reach your level of excellence (that's where the talent kicks in). This portrait sparkles. Every stroke counts. You are obviously fearless. Bravo Debra. My hat's off to you!

Debra Jones · 05-13-2003, 01:27 PM

I have often said I have no clue what is good. I just had that chat with a gallery owner and my favorite pieces seem to get yawns where a lot of my dash offs are raved about.

Ted was done for exercise, as I am swearing off open studio nudes because they are taking over my house and do not sell. I just thought I would set up in the unusual light and struggle through him. The scan is a lot less brilliant than the picture and the mottle is part of the effect the overscrubbing with hard sticks and to me, this all looks muddy. The shine on his forehead makes me smile and Chris is cheating because she KNOWS how hard he is to draw, what with occasional twitching and his bad back, which makes him slump and sit upright all through the pose - good practice for children! I just don't see what it is that makes for an exceptional work.

There was a bit of struggle here, and I appreciate it for my own personal stretch with the black surface, but to me it is just another of my wonderful "Strangers-watching-you-eat" that nobody wants to hang in their home. I may try to send some of my pastels to the paid critics and see if there is some sort of consistEnt thread I am missing.

THANKS so much for the humbling praise which I am trying so hard to keep on the top of my consciousness to push me for higher achievements.

Richard Huante · 05-13-2003, 11:30 PM

Debra,

This is great! The lighting is awesome. I told you that you were a fast painter. Maybe you can have your own TV show on PBS, "The Joy of Painting with Pastels on Sueded Mat Board". All you need is an afro...

Regards,