Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Painting in my sleep

start of Halifax harbour - oil on canvas - 24 x 18"
Perculating ideas for some new paintings this last week has found me combing over my resource material and doing lots of thumbnail sketches. I was finding it difficult to zero in on exactly how I wanted to approach it.  I guess I knew that I didn't want an impressionistic literal harbour view. I think what I was after was 'the feeling' of this glorious harbour.  So last night I went to bed with my head swimming with possibilities.  I think I painted all night in my dreams!  This morning I began blocking it in on the canvas, and I'm happy with where it's heading so far.
I couldn't care less about accuracy; rather, I'm looking for iconic structures, things that make it memorable and unique.  So perspective gets shifted to include things that I feel are important... definately both bridges, pier 21, signal hill, ships and ferry's, St. Georges Island with the lighthouse...oh...ahem...and the Radisson! ha ha!(my daughter Rachel is sales manager there!)  So...how to cram it all in and convince the viewer that they are looking at Halifax, when co-ordinates dont line up?....well, possibly it will work if I show it to them viewed through my Sallyscope ;-)  heh heh.  update to come...

13 comments:

  1. A dream inspired painting you say? Magnificent :)

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  2. love this post......I had the most vivid dream about you last night! you were taking me through a huge hilly property with a gallery/shop and you had antique sewing machines I fell in love with.

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  3. Yes Keith, often when I'm excited to paint but am having difficulties working it out, a good night's sleep lets me work it out in my sleep...then it's somehow easier in the morning. I paint in my dreams a lot!

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  4. Good morning Annette! (gosh you're up early!) that is so funny that i was co-starring in your dream last night!...i hope it was a pleasant dream, it sounds sort of fun;-)

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  5. Sally I love the way you are following your heart by incorporating more invention into your paintings by using your "Sallyscope" (love that term!) You really do have a beautiful original style. I love how your painting is looking so far!

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  6. A true dreamscape. Love this paintings perspective and the way you can capture a place through your Sallyscope....

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  7. I really love it Mum. It's definitely taking shape and I truly see a resemblance. Keep those dream juices flowing, it's working beautifully!

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  8. Hi Sally,

    Love what your dreaming encourages. Great thoughts and the painting looks super already!

    XOXO

    Barbara's

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  9. I love your start on this--the warm colors and pattern of shapes. It will be fun to see how it finishes up. Haha--I think of painting and colors often at night but often can't remember those bright ideas come morning! Thanks for your recent comment Sally--Happy Painting!

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  10. thanks Wendy, your encouragement is very much appreciated.

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  11. Hi Sarah! thanks for coffee, and glad you like where this painting is going.

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  12. awww Rachel, it was important to me that I get it recognizable enough to the natives, like you:) thanks for the encouraging words.

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  13. Hi Stephanie, thanks for leaving your lovely comment. I think most artists paint in their sleep when we are working things out.

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