Get Your Paint On- Week Two

Here is my piece of work for the second week of Mati and Lisa's class.  We were asked to use a favorite painting or artist as a starting point, and go from there.  I am a great admirer of Jennifer Mercede's work, and especially this tryptich.  I love how she paints lots of details, then covers over large portions of her painting, leaving only glimpses of the underpainting. 

Jennifer doesn't tend to use many collage elements or photos in her work, but I wanted to try to merge her style with my own, so I decided to put photos of my kids in, so I felt an emotional connection to it.

This piece was so much fun to do!  I didn't really think about what I was doing for the majority of the time I worked (don't you just love it when you can get into that sort of zone while you work?), and I just let the shapes emerge.  The movement and forms of the painting just felt very "right" and comfortable to me, and I kept getting a sense of some sort of protective creature carrying the kids within it as it lurched along.  The whole thing also sort of has an outer space feeling to it, and I have no idea where that's coming from, but I guess I just need to go with it...!

I always do well with "assignments" when I work- it gives me a starting point, and a different way of thinking, which can really help if I'm feeling in a rut.  So I'm loving that aspect of this class.  Additionally, I've learned about so many new artists already, which is always great inspiration!  Will keep you all posted of my upcoming assignments!