Friday, May 22, 2015

Picnic on the Grass or The Individualists!

     Many artists have painted picnics on the grass: Manet, Seurat, Picasso, Bonnard. I wanted to create another family portrait and remembered a spontaneous walk to a Hudson River Pier around the time of Hannah's birthday a few years ago. Early spring, the wisteria was in bloom. Click on the photos to enlarge.

      I have worked on this painting between trips this May and am setting it aside after more touchups. I took an encaustic painting off my wall in order to take Picnic's photo since the canvas fit exactly in the frame and frankly could use some help!

      Everyone has a space on the mix of blankets. I had to invent son and father Bill who was still at the law office as well as add the dogs. Molly, the Beardie, is deceased. I created a new Linda as well, working on Seurat's masterpiece. Seurat, I recently remembered, painted little frames around his paintings, on the canvas. I forgot and added birthday ribbons.  I didn't choose to follow Manet and paint a nude in w the children. Picasso did a clever take-off on Manet's painting. You can Google these artists and their Picnics.

      Enjoy some of the photos. A good time was had by all. It was cool and windy. I wonder if sleepy David ever got out of the stroller. Jim kept the pizza moving. It took a pediatric surgeon to light the candles and a young mother could enjoy the break. My next goal is a family portrait around a table, maybe at holiday time See you next month! I feel a series coming on.

      
   




12 comments:

  1. Your family is the perfect fodder for picnic pictures! Just wish you had featured yourself. Thank you for sharing--I love your life, and you...RA

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  2. Linda, this might very well be the painting of yours I love the most! And how much fun to see the photo that inspired it. The birthday ribbons encircling it are perfect! Oh, I do hope you do such a series!

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  3. So interesting to see how you used the photos and blended them so wonderfully! The yellow ribbon is the perfect unifying touch! DJ

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  4. Loved the photos; loved the painting. Also enjoyed watching the painting morph around. I think your finale is great.
    NM

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  5. Love the colors--so tranquil -- you are the best. Gail S Combs

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  6. Love seeing your beautiful art! Can't wait for more! Jo Wulfman (FB)

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  7. Mon artiste ami, this ought to hang in the Louvre! Don Taylor

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  8. Love seeing all of your family together. The painting is a great way to have all of them "with you" when you hang it (hopefully) on the wall where you and Joe and any guests can see it.

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  9. I love this last one of the picnic.In fact, I love it so much I plan to share it, but I want you to know what I'm up to.

    I have one more Museum tour with the kids. It's Wednesday, the day before school lets out so I'm going to try to make it more active and fun than usual. I've done this before--we plan a picnic then hunt for items that will be useful, people to invite, a place to have, and how we feel after. I'm planning to kick off (if it's ok with you) with your picture, because you are all having so much fun. I'll tell them a friend painted it about her family. TP

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  10. I am amazed at your wonderful talent and love seeing whatever you do -- can't wait to see you and Joe in July! ss

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  11. Wonderful! The photos and the painting form complementary narratives - storytelling in different dimensions, as it were. The yellow ribbon - a symbol of remembrance - is just the perfect touch. Keep it up - can't wait to see more. -Ellen

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