Mother India - Latest Collaboration

Brainstorming on Initial Reactions to this piece:

Vibrant Red, Cool Blue and some orange. Makes for a very "hot" piece
Hotness from war?...no I don't think so. I think just vibrancy.

The abstract women is part of the landscape. The lines that form her - form the mountains in the background also. The women figure is also in the shape of India and the surrounding area. This is accentuated by the names inscribed on her person. I'm not sure the words are necessary - since at times they seem like tattoos or cuts in the skin - again that is a women's studies issue historically.

The male silhouette in the background seems a bit sinister. I am reminded of the "male gaze" discussions through out history. He does seem to be watching the female figure in the foreground. I think it would have less of an ominous feel if that figure was fully represented in the real - not just a silhouette, and it was looking out at the viewer - not so much at the female figure. He might be meditating, possibly on the female figures beauty? .... and therefore on the beauty of India?

I'm wondering if the sun is setting or rising? I would like to think its rising on a new era, bright with optimism and promise.

The wheel like object in the almost center of the piece is a very dominating aspect. Because of its bright white color, and since white is such a cool color in contrast with the red of the figure and the background, it draws my eye in such a way to keep it locked there. I'm not sure of its meaning - it almost seems to be a wheel of a canon - created from the womens outstretched arm. This brings war to mind again. Maybe its a cliché - such as the wheel of change?

There is also a sailboat in the bottom left corner. Since the water seems to fade into land; and the boat is pointed away from the figures - it seems the boat is sailing away from the land of the figures, and towards some other land. Maybe expressing adventure, trade with other countries?

Newest Progress

Here is the latest. I haven't actually painted in the signatures yet - I'm still thinking about their placement. I also want to add a few more dabs of pale yellow to the tip of the mountain - it seems a bit cooler and I think a touch of warmer yellow will convey the sunlight hitting the top.

Please let me know any thoughts or suggestions. The photo is just a tad bit cooler than the original painting. You can really tell in the bright yellow - which in the photo looks very lemon yellow - but in the painting its a just the slightest bit warmer or more orange.

Painting Progress!

I've gotten a good start on the actual paintings. Still have about 4 more sessions to go, then a week for drying time. Any thoughts or opinions are appreciated.

Focus on Duality - US of SA: 2020

This image represents two paintings to be hung side by side. The social network on the left would be 1 x 2, the cityscene on the right would be 3 x 2 (measured in feet). I wanted to express connectivity of the social human network, along with the vibrancy of the new world city. Since the city is in the future, I blurred the details, the importance being placed on its colorfulness, not the physical structure which is unknown at this time. The mountains keep the city grounded in the physical realm, and keep it in touch with mother nature. The colors domminated the picture planes of both paintings are orange, green and red - the colors common in all flags of Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. Yet the city is actually Mumbai (formerly Bombay) which has become a jewel and focus of economic development in this area of the world. It is also presented as the only red dot in the social network painting on the left. The usage of Blue throughout both works is a reference to "Blue skies", opportunity, promise of new beginnings and prosperity.

Please let me know your thoughts

Mumbai, Himalayan and a social network

new sketches............

some random images I've been playing with

My incredibly rough sketch!

Here is my first try at my proposal. The image would actually be contained in three paintings - put together would make this image. Still searching for just the right imagery for a city scape or signs of industry. Please let me know what you think. Again, this is really rough!

Heather