Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Revised Summer Plans?



I was going to bike around New England and paint landscapes, and I still might do that. I've even been working on my bike so that it can carry my plein-air art gear. I'm very close to having it together. However, I realized that happy little landscapes with cows and New England churches is *not* what I want to paint. Look at my painting "Exodus" posted above. That is a landscape I did. It's not very happy. It was inspired by a long stretch of desert in Arizona full of rusted out abandoned cars. This is the sort of thing I want to paint. So, new plan. I am researching landscapes that have a combination of pastoral & industrial features. Nuclear plants and ocean views. Steel factories near woods. Shipping centers near mountains. I've told this to a few people and they've all looked at me like I have two heads. I could be offended, but really it makes me want to do it more. I'm sure people won't be lining up to buy a painting of a nuclear plant. But we see ugly things in the landscape around us every day and choose to edit it out. We look at the daffodils the neighbor planted. But not the factory nestled beyond the trees of their yard. I can't paint the beauty of nature without mankind's mark on it-- nothing has been left untouched. So currently I am researching this new trip. I am also hoping to apply for some grants. Maybe I could go paint the rusted out cars from life. (And I'm hoping my fear of scorpions won't deter me.)

5 comments:

Anthony Duce said...

I like the painting. I think the revised plans are so much more interesting, and will be much more rewarding in the end.

Astrid Phillips said...

I agree with you, daffodils are always far more interesting next to factories; unblemished landscapes are so tired and DONE. Keep painting the undone!

Anonymous said...

I suggest the Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant situated on scenic Boston Harbor.


Have a great summer, your fellow student, Andrea.

Bekka said...

Thanks Andrea. It's funny, I actually ended up going there yesterday for something unrelated. I had heard about it ages ago but it was the first time seeing it in person. I took several photos before my camera battery died and might go back when I have more time to wrap my head around it.

Unknown said...

your imagination is great i really impress.

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