Pensive

Kimberly Dow · 12-13-2005, 12:50 PM

I suppose this could have just as easily gone under the Portrait Unveilings, but it was painted to be sold as a figurative.

'Pensive'
11x20" on ABS

If the grills in the background arent straight on your screen, blame the photographer because they are in the painting.

Edit - it is posting a bit dark behind her there. On the painting itself you can see that area better including the red wall.

Allan Rahbek · 12-13-2005, 01:06 PM

Kim,
You are so inventive. I like this bas relief portrait. The skincolors are so varied and fresh and the edges are great.
Now I just wonder if she will chose strawberry, peach or vanilla in her icecream desert.

Allan

Garth Herrick · 12-13-2005, 01:12 PM

Dear Kim,

You just keep getting better and better! I really love this one. You're model is stunning as you've painted her in dramatic lighting against an interesting backdrop. There is a kind of poetic affinity between the pensive gesture and the shapes and flow of the iron scroll work. It all flows together, and with such a purposeful strength of focus.

Garth

Alexandra Tyng · 12-13-2005, 01:28 PM

Hi Kim,

Wow! This is even more stunning than your last one! So many things are coming together in your work. It gives the impression of a concept being expressed with assurance and confidence, with the end result transcending the beginning.

Technically, I admire the spatial depth in the figure, the way you tied the figure in with the background, and the way you have used color to create the receding space. I like the way you separated the scrollwork from the plane behind it, so there are two layers of background. Everything you have done increases the depth in this relatively shallow space.

Alex

Lacey Lewis · 12-13-2005, 01:43 PM

This is just stunning. Can we see some close ups? I am in awe of this painting.

Kimberly Dow · 12-13-2005, 02:22 PM

Thank you folks! I appreciate the nice comments!

Allen, my 19-year-old niece modeled for this for me when she was here at Thanksgiving. Knowing her, she is thinking "Bob, Joe or Tom?"

Alex, Im glad you mentioned the word concept because I have swirling around in my head somewhere a theme for a series I want to explore. Actually, Ive already started with the last few paintings...I just havent quite solidified exactly what it is yet. It has something to do with emotions and relationships...but other than that I can't yet explain.

Joan, I was thinking it had a bit of a church feeling as well with those grills and her hands are in a prayer position.

I think I have one closeup at the right size Lacey - here you go.

edit - well, of course. Thats posting really too cool. I will try and take some better shots later.

Lacey Lewis · 12-13-2005, 02:36 PM

Yay! Thanks for the close-up peek.

Now how about the hands? Hehehe.

Not to negate the idea that this could be taking place in a church, but I have a different perspective. To me it looks like she is either in a bedroom, or somewhere else in her own house maybe resting her elbows on a table and is in deep thought.

It could be that there are clues that make me think this, like the red walls that are not too church like, or it could just be me personally because I am not a church-goer and I have a red dining room and a black metal bedframe.

Also, although she has her hands in the 'prayer' position, her head is not bowing which is how I usually picture a person in prayer.

OK, enough of me! I think this is technically great and really makes a connection between the viewer and the subject, even though it is a private scene.

Joan Breckwoldt · 12-13-2005, 01:42 PM

Hi Kim,

I like this so much. I love the concept of this whole painting, and it's beautifully done. I've become more interested in figurative work recently and I really admire your figurative paintings. Yours seem to all have a certain calmness about them that comes through. The background here has hints of a church or sanctuary (perhaps that's just me), this coupled with her calmness makes a very cohesive painting.

Joan