Tuesday, June 9, 2009

abigail never cared for the city

six inches square
oil painting on birch panel
sold

another in the abigail series. when i do art shows probably the most commonly asked question (behind "why does no one smile?" and "are these people you know?") is "why the bird-lady?" well here goes... i'm fascinated by imagery that repeats through different times and cultures and birds as well as birds with human qualities and humans with bird qualities are everywhere - from mesopotamia to easter island, greek mythology to swedish fairytales, and so much more, so abigail is the bird lady of my own personal mythology, she's my symbol. i'm planning on a hand colored gocco version of this painting as well.
and those other questions - well i'm working on a little frequently asked questions type of thing and will be putting the answers there as well as the more basic facts "where can i see your work?" "can i get on your mailing list?" that type of thing so if there's anything you've been dying to know do send me an email or leave a comment and i might add it to my list. thanks.
i've updated my shop with a few new little portrait blocks.

8 comments:

Unknown said...

The reason I don't like painting smiles is simple and lazy... frowns are easier to draw than smiles!

I think abigail is delightful :)

Julie Fillo said...

Amanda,
Oh man I hate those sort of questions~! I have been a big fan of yours for at least 4 or 5 years, since I saw your work in a gallery in Seaside, I think. You are awesome and so original.
I love your new Abigail!

Louise said...

I am totally in love with your paintings...
you are on my wish list!
Louise

Camilla said...

Just wanted to let you know that I picked one of your pieces to go with the Etsy article about me being an old-timer. It's over here:

http://www.etsy.com/storque/handmade-life/old-school-etsians-madebymilla-4192/

I love your work so much, it's always inspiring to see what you come up with next.

Anna said...

ah, and i think abigail makes so much sense. she *is.*

so glad i found your work -- it's really, really wonderful.

vivienne strauss said...

you make me want to start my own list of "regular" questions I seem to be getting. I prefer non-smiling subjects myself.

amanda blake said...

thanks all so much. and camilla, i just realized i never responded to you - i actually read your article the day it came out and meant to thank you for including me, but alas forgetfulness brought about poor manners. thanks so much and i really enjoyed reading your interview.

sharon said...

I love your ladies with the bird bodies. I have been painting old miniatures with bird heads! I call them miniatures but yours are smaller than mine by an inch or two. Mine don't smile either. When they smile it looks so..I don't know...light and posed? Kodak?
here's my blog if you want to see the flip head/bird action.
keep up the great work!
when-in-home.blogspot.com