Tuesday, September 1, 2009

when the sea turned to purple they knew they had gone too far

oil painting on birch panel
14 inches square
$1600.

i've had the title for this scribbled on a table in my studio for months now (i find writing on walls and furniture guaranties i won't forget something) and i'm so pleased with the way it came out. i toyed with the idea of fish and seamonsters in the water but felt the simplicity of the different textures and opacity of the waters was enough. there's a detail shot here.
this is one of several new pieces that will be finished just in time for the art in the pearl festival this saturday, sunday and monday here in portland. come by my booth and say hi if you are in the area.

11 comments:

tangled sky studio said...

hi amanda,
i love the way her hand is splayed across his chest (thanks for the detail shot). haha-i too scribble titles and ideas on my work table....bon chance at the show!

Rowena said...

LOVE.

And the purple, with it's wild ruffling of waves is evocative enough of mystery and danger that you don't need actual seamonsters at all. great.

also love your idea of scratching out lines and words on your furniture. that too is evocative, although it may just be practical in your world.

Anonymous said...

Hi Amanda,
I love this concept - I can nearly see something just beneath the surface of the purple sea - its very mysterious - beautiful!
Olivia

Nancy Gene Armstrong said...

If only we all had such good signs to follow.
Love this piece.Her holding him back to protect him is so perfect.

Suhaylah said...

What a strange and wodnerful concept... I love your paintings - they have such a subtle mysterious tone to them.

Caf said...

Such a moving piece...I've been staring at it for quite sometime! Love the wonder, the escape, the fantasy...love it :)

One Knit One Purl said...

Dear Amanda,
I love your blog and especially your art!

Take care,
Susan from PAfiberartist

khairun said...

A beautiful piece. And the title alone is enough to provoke so much feeling and mood.

Karen Minton, Studio Blog said...

love the whole idea of this piece! It lets me imagine a little story. You are inspiring me to write down my title ideas, look what creativity can come from it!

Jacqui Dodds said...

Yes I think you were right to leave this simple without sea monsters etc - lovely painting

carmackart said...

This may well be my favorite piece. The expressions are subtly perfect and the whole scenario beautiful, frightening and compelling.