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In the Slop

"In the Slop," from the Saratoga Series, 8" x 16", Golden Open Acrylics on Raymar panel, $529 to the first asking nicely. Inquiries (including booking your own pet portrait, from miniature size [4" x 4"] to larger than life) may always come to me.

A discussion (on Facebook) with fellow artist Bob Zirillo fed today's painting. He pointed out how the human eye really only follows one shape/form in a mass of many, and how artists can use this to their advantage when composing a story. We also talked about the differences inherant in painting a particular moment vs a timeless image, keys in determining which story elements are essential.

I took these ideas to the extreme with "In the Slop."

The gray horse is not in the lead, nor is he placed in the center of the canvas - but he is clearly the "one shape" we are all watching. Nor is there enough detail to recreate a specific moment; rather, the mood is about racing in general, and the viewer is free to bring their own memories/interpretation to the piece.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this concept. And this particular execution of said concept.

Thanks, as always, for looking at - and sharing - my artwork with your friends and family.
Kim

SHOP ORIGINALS & LIMITED EDITION GICLEES: at my Etsy shop
ORDER CUSTOMIZED NOTECARDS & REPRODUCTIONS: at Imagekind
COMMISSION A PET PORTRAIT: contact me
GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE: contact me
READING MATERIAL: Preview and order each of the Dog a Day books at the publisher's website: The First Year (2006-2007) and That's 14 in Dog Years (2008). If you would like your copy personalized, order them through me.

Comments

  1. I REALLY like this one Kim! Love the different levels of clarity... I don't see any mud... Brilliant move to make the rider second from the right obscured... Wonderful!

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  2. Maybe I need to make the dusty areas heavier with clods of mud..... I was pleased with how the rails converge on the gray horse, and the yellow green grass balanced out with the yellow jock on the far left - I am excited to work with this idea more, esp because it allows me to paint areas of abstraction within a realistic scene. Thanks, Lauren, for taking the time to share your thoughts - I appreciate it!

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  3. LOL... since i started in watercolor.. some think that "mud" is a dreaded thing in a painting... you were going for actual mud... I can see it... but seems like it's "dustier" to me... I don't care what it is... I love it. :)

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