After years of figure paintings, I entered a bit of a neurotic phase. There were good personal reasons for this, really, and it was therapeutic and cathartic for me, in ways I can't quite explain. They're based on the kind of "bored in a meeting" doodles I'd been doing for years. And still do, actually. OK, maybe I'm still just a weensie bit neurotic. ;)
The first, from February '89, is titled "Arabesque." I have since discovered paint pens, which are ideal for this type of work; but at the time (actually, with all the neurotic paintings), I was using a brush. This accounts for the variation in line thickness.
The second, from June '90, is titled "Breaking Glass," although I'm just as likely to call it "Shards." It's a bit sharper, a bit angrier, probably not enough to be noticeable. ;)
Next is "Lilith Amazed," from October '91. This was a wedding present for two dark goth friends. It combines the neurotic style of the recent paintings with the figure painting of old; in fact, it's the last figure painting I've done.
And last is "Prism," from January '92. This was also a wedding present, but for two sunny, happy friends. It's also the brightest of my neurotic paintings.
The next phase of my artwork defines a whole new level of neurotic, but that will wait for next time.
In the meantime, a few more pictures to make your visit worthwhile. The goth-ware below was all painted in '88/'89.
First is my "Swirl Dress." I bought a long black vest, which I painted and wore as a dress (sometimes it's handy being too short for the world!). Friends called this my "Puzzle Dress" because they thought the painting looked like puzzle pieces.
Next is a vest I painted for myself in summer of '89, featuring Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie & The Banshees. It was based on this image:
The next two are interchangeable jacket panels I painted for the then-husband in 1989. The first is based on the Love & Rockets "Express" album cover:
The second is based on the"Love and Rockets" album cover:
And last but certainly not least, my beloved Siouxsie jacket, painted the summer of 89.
It was based on this image from 1982:
I still have it, and I still love it. She's looking a bit rode hard and put away wet these days, but then, she is 20 years old. :)
(Comments and ratings always appreciated!)
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Comments
I love how you use the light, especially in "Shards" and "Lilith Amazed". The panels for the jacket are awesome, and the vest/dress is beautiful. The arrow through the heart reminds me of the retro tattoo art that's everywhere you look in the past few years. This is nice work. Have you ever shown your work? Besides here, I mean. Rated
Fascinating art. I'm the las to critique art, my art is still in the stick man mode. On a good day, I can actually draw a circular head. This seems to me that it came from very deep within.
Rated
junk1, paint pens are a godsend. The next post will have my celtic artwork, which I used to line with a brush. Since I discovered paint pens, lining has become much much easier. I've been able to find them at Michael's and Aaron Bros. I have not ever shown my work anywhere, no. Every once in awhile I think about it, but then I chicken out. Thank you so much for your comment!
M. Chariot, I am honored that such a cultured gentleman would compliment my humble offerings. Merci. :)
Thanks for sharing with us.
(rated)
Donna, I was indeed a hipster. In fact, I was tragically hip. Tragically, that was a long time ago, and I don't think I qualify anymore. ;)
Greg, thank you. :)
merwoman, you're really a gifted artist. very rated.
Nana, thank you. :)
John, I haven't done any of them lately. I did a few for friends when I was in Houston--people who saw my doodles every week at Staff and decided they liked them. Those were much smaller, though. I do have one that I started years and years ago and never finished; once I get it re-stretched I think I'll rectify that.
Jane, thank you very much. I have been told I'm a bit intense, so I guess that comes out in some of the more neurotic stuff I've done.
MB, thank you for stopping by. I can't believe I did all that with a brush, either, after getting so spoiled with the pens. Actually, I didn't discover paint pens until, um...1998, I think. Up until then, it was all with a brush. I was a bit obsessive. :)
Renaissance, Dorinda, and Odette--thank you for stopping by and for leaving kind comments. I appreciate it.
Psychomama, there will always be doodling time. I can't take OS into staff meetings. :D
Jane and Psychomama, the paint pens I use are DecoColor Opaque Paint Markers. They have fine line, medium, and wide, and come in all sorts of colors. Granted, you can't mix them like you do liquid paint, but they're fantastic for pretty much anything else. They're available all over the place on-line.
Steve, my jacket does have that certain non-poseur element after 20 years of use. :D Alas, one of the sleeves is coming off, so it is pending a rivet repair. Otherwise, she's all good. :D
Michael, thank you! That's a very sweet thing to say. I'm glad what I do falls into the what you like category. :)
Rated (obviously)
:D
Of course you know #4 is my favorite. For Mrs. C. and me, it's unforgettably burned into our memories from the time you'd posted it for Karen. You're quite wonderful.
WOOF
Connie, I'm glad you like my neurotic scribbles!
Dickens, wow, I don't know what to say. :) I stopped doing figures because I started doing this stuff, and then I got into Celtic knot work next, and that has been my obsession for years now. I actually do have a couple of dance photos (of course!) that I'm considering painting, but I haven't quite got myself talked into it yet. You may have just helped that along. :)
CCC, you old dawg, you, you're making me blush. :) I remember Mrs C's reaction last time, I think that was one of the best things I've ever heard about one of my paintings. Thank you for complimenting this neurotic lady again. ;)
I just want to say, all y'all have just been so positive and supportive in your comments, it's given me major warm-fuzzies. And it's making me feel really good about deciding to post my artwork, which I took awhile to talk myself into. So thank you!
These are amazing, Christine. I love them all but I especially love the one with the sun (probably due to winter sun deprivation.) You are very talented!
Lisa, thank you very much, I'm glad you liked them. :)
I'm so glad I stopped by...
Sorry, I've been off the grid and not keeping up with people's posts.
I like your art.
That does it, I'm digging out Hyaena and Through the Looking Glass today!
Ginny, I'm so glad you stopped by! And especially to find out you're a Siouxsie fan! Hyaena and Peepshow are tied for #1 for me (I even have Pkabou personalized plates--misspelled because my nickname is Bou), but Looking Glass is a very close 2nd place. Her renditions of Strange Fruit, The Passenger, and Gun are especially good.
I also have an autographed copy of The Scream hanging in a place of honor on my goth wall. Along with an autographed copy of a Bauhaus single from their first reunion tour. :)
Alas, I did not get to touch Siouxsie, or any of the boys from Bauhaus. I was almost close enough to Siouxsie at the first Lollapalooza for her to sweat on me, though. Siouxsie in broad daylight in summer in SoCal, that's just so WRONG.
I have gotten quite close to the boys in their various incarnations--Bauhaus, L&R, and Peter solo--but not close enough to touch, darnit. I never even had the luck to run into David J in San Diego's North County, where we both lived at the same time, and he was a regular at some of the local businesses. Sigh.
I have, however, touched Eddy Vedder. I know, that's just not as cool. :D
And touching Eddie Vedder is nothing to be ashamed of. No, nothing at all. ;-)