Threshold
This has been an artfully busy week which has kept me from spending much time online. I’m sure many of my blogging friends have probably noticed my absence and I apologize. I went online for a little while tonight to try to get caught up and realized just how unsociable I’ve actually been. Oopsy! Needless to say, I am still not caught up.
Art-wise, I am in the midst of two graphic design commissions which I hope to be able to share by the end of March. I also continue to prepare lesson plans for my Acrylic Workshops while doing demos to promote them. For those interested, this Saturday from 2-4pm we will be painting a landscape featuring elements from our local Red Rock Canyon.
Even in the midst of all this busy-ness I still made sure I had plenty of studio time. That is a MUST for me. It keeps me sane – and is so much fun. Here’s the result of this “me” time…
Threshold – 36″x24″ – Acrylic on canvas – Completed 2/16/12
©2012, Don Michael, Jr.
Some paintings happen so effortlessly that it almost seems like magic. The first two-thirds of this Over the Under-Schmeerings (OTUS) painting was like that. But then everything came to a screeching halt when I realized that the remainder of my original concept was just not going to work. It was too safe and too boring. It was nice enough, but it just didn’t mean anything to me. So, after a couple days of contemplation I came up with something completely different. Something which tells a story… but a story with a twist… a story that must be finished by the viewer. In other words, my kind of painting…
Here’s a closer look at that final element…
Threshold – detail – approximately 12.25″x8.25″
©2012, Don Michael, Jr.
Now it’s time for me to get back to those other projects…
Happy Creating!
Absolutely stunning Don! Love your creative mind!
When I first saw this, with that detail, I thought you had designed another cover for one of your brother’s books.
Excellent to add this ‘teaser’ of sorts with the woman walking through the door. Leaves so much to the imagination. Love it!
Happy Creating to you Don!
Tracy… Thank you, so much! It’s fun to be able to put my thoughts to canvas, whether they make sense to anyone else or not.
Kathleen… I’ll have to keep the book cover idea in mind. It could make a cool one… I’m glad you enjoyed my ‘teaser’ and the trip into your imagination. Thank you!
-Don
This is a good sized one!! It certainly draws me into unknown places while searching for symbolic meanings! Dark and mysterious.
Reminds me of one of those great movie posters! I loved those things! Excellent work, Don!
I’m with Kathleen, to me this is like a Raymond Chandler novel in paint form!
I love your schmeers….
I want to get into this painting and have a poke around. That’s a good sign. I’m a sucker for thresholds.
outstanding piece don! i’m intrigued to hear your original concept! off to work out a story of my own for this wonderful painting! i love it!
I don’t have a clue, Don–but she must work out at the gym often. I love the golden edge on her hair.
Dean… It’s one of the largest OTUS’s. Your movie poster observation is cool. I always liked those things, as well. Interestingly enough, my original concept looked even more like a movie poster which was one of the reasons I changed direction. Thank you!
Mark… Cool analogy! Thanks.
Melissa… Thank you. Those schmeers love you, as well…
Margaret… Great comment! Thanks! Poke around all you want, but be careful with that threshold…
Suz… Thank you! I’m sorry, but the original concept will stay a mystery for now. It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t what I wanted…
Hallie… Thank you. I wanted her to have a young and healthy glow about her. You would not believe how many young, healthy and beautiful people I see around here who have lost their way. (hint)
-Don
I could’ve sworn I left a comment already! I was here before…. must not have hit “submit”.
This is a mysterious story, full of intrigue and drama… maybe your brother will write a story to go with your painting as a change from you creating a painting to work with his book.
It is skillfully executed and my fingers are crossed that she is returning home, walking through her parent’s door rather than the door of a seedy back-alley establishment!
Nicki… I’ve done that “not hit submit thing” more times than I’d like to admit… Even on my own blog.
I really like your reaction to the painting. I told my wife what you wrote and she immediately walked into my studio to look at the painting with your hopes in mind – and LOVED it. Thank you!
-Don
She has such a determined stride; determined enough not to submit to the hollow call of the painted city, so cleverly reflected in the eyes. It’s usually the seductive painted lips that grab hold of youth but not this woman. She is a woman I can admire. In my world
she is off to see the truly beautiful things just outside the door (as indicated by the sun colors), like the canyons and the sunsets in the desert. She will choose those things which will give her enjoyment for a lifetime, not just for her youth.
Thanks for a GREAT painting, Don, and allowing us all to play with our imaginations. I would love to see this in person.
(BTW, Don, it’s a good thing she wasn’t wearing boots or I would have had to start singing….and I know you know THAT song
).