she paints; she is a painter

Women strolling in the Rain

One of my more recent paintings was inspired by this 1934 photograph from an anonymous photographer.   I was intrigued to capture  these two women walking arm in arm in the rain wearing their tailored coats and fashionable shoes. Rendering a black and white photograph on to a canvas with unlimited color possibilities lends a definite challenge to limit the palette in order to maintain the mood of the painting. 

The final painting is 18 in w x 24 in ht on a 1 1/2 inch gallery canvas with acrylic paints. This is the way I enjoy painting, with broad expressive strokes that simplify the details but leave the onlooker with a sense of omniscience, nevertheless. These kind of strokes lend the painting  a feeling of high energy and immediacy.

To enhance the wet look of the rain, I decided to finish the canvas with epoxy resin. For those of you who have attempted this technique, you know the disadvantages. The mixing of the resin with the hardener gives off a noxious vapor, so a well ventilated space is mandatory. Once the solution is well mixed, it should be immediately spread out onto the target surface with the aid of flat sticks, trying to minimize the bubbles formed. ( A hair dryer may carefully be used here. Heat makes the bubbles rise.) The painting should be left flat to dry away from fine particles that could adhere to the surface. A large box could be used. …       The resulting effect is exciting!

I am planning to submit this piece to a juried show entitled, “Weatherproof” at Latitude 44 Gallery. The theme seems to fit, but one never knows about these things. The deadline is March 16. I’ll let you know if this piece gets in!

(No, it was not accepted. Although the curator said the piece was well painted, I think they wanted more abstract entries … )