Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Work in Progress, and the goldfish


This is one of the paintings that I am currently working on. It is 24x48", and acrylic. It is a still life representing my brain injury story. You can 'read' it from left to right. There is a bowl of cherries, a broken vase, a goldfish, prescription bottles, a painting.... and so on.  

I had to break a vase. So, I went to my favorite local thrift store and found something inexpensive. I brought it home, put it in a few large ziploc bags, and commenced to hitting it with a hammer. It didn't break.  So.... I took it outside and threw it at the ground, repeatedly. Nothing.  Eventually, the little vase just gave up in a rather satisfying POPpsssh sound.   This is odd considering any other time I break something (not on purpose), I've only sneezed at it. 

Another little story.. the goldfish. I included the goldfish because they have short memories, and this is applicable to me.  I don't have a goldfish in the house. I couldn't fathom buying one (just for this painting?.... and take it with us on trips??).  So... the goldfish...    isn't real.

I painted a goldfish on the lid of a ravioli container. It was then varnished to withstand being put in water. It was in the water for about an hour or so, while I took reference photos for the painting. After the photo shoot was over, the goldfish was given to G as a cubicle pet.

4 comments:

Kim Rempel said...

Wow. That's a creative solution. I would never have thought of that and just bought the fish : ) Looks like it's going to be a great piece!

HMCraig said...

Thank you, Kim!
I'm a vegetarian, so I think that influenced a lot of my action in this situation.
The best part is that G got to have the fake fish as a small artwork/cubicle 'pet'!

Mary @ RoomPolish said...

You are so talented! I am in awe at your painting. And I love what you did with the stand-in goldfish---so creative : )

HMCraig said...

Thank you, Mary!
I am very happy that you like my work!