6x8" Acrylic on Canvas Painting Karin’s work boots reminded me of my own love-hate relationship with steel toe military issued combat boots. They are not only unfashionable but very loathsome to upkeep and orthopedically unsound. My poor DAD who has been out of the service for over twenty years still wears them to work. I tossed mine the minute I was finished with my contract and never looked back.
I decided on a limited color palette and felt the best approach would be a semi-realistic portrait style displaying the character of the owner by way of her shoes. Two artists I kept thinking of were Vincent Van Gogh and Andrew Wyeth... I’ll just assume you know why.
Joyful Painting to all this Holiday Season.
25 comments:
Your boots show the remnants of hard work. Maybe it reflects your feelings toward your old military boots. The wood floor is wonderful; it looks as tired as the boots.
Andrew Wyeth is one of my favorite artists.
Akiko, You are always so perceptive . I've always enjoyed painting weathered wood, and I thought it would look appropriate underneath those worn boots. I can see the influence of A. Wyeth in your work. Just imagine how your pieces will affect all the young artist gazing at your paintings in the future. Someday people will be saying..."I see a strong AKIKO WATANABE style in your work..."
I LOVE this painting! Its simple and to the point. I myself find these boots very fashionable, in my own anonymous sorta way. You know me Alice:) Sorry I missed your call. Call me back. Again, LOVE this piece!
ANoNYmous, Mahalo nui loa. I most definitely will.
Annie, we need direction...whatever that is.
I get the Wyeth and Van Gogh reference. You really captured the texture of the boots and the hard rugged usage, but the colors are still pure. Your intentions came across very clearly.
Thank You Victoria. I remember as a young girl being smitten by Van Gogh's boot paintings and then by
Wyeth's piece Trodden Weed. These artist saw the unique beauty and richness in a worn out pair of leather boots and understood the stories they could tell.
I love the perfect texture renditions of your piece.
I like it because it show someone's life and in this case we're not always pretty and prim.
I absolutely love the detail of the name and date in the tongues of the boots too.
Beautiful.
Wow, fantastic job, Alice! Those boots sure tell a story. Great textures and detail.
Hi Alice, this painting is wonderful. I love the way you cropped it to start with, and how well you painted it, but the colour and warmth you bring to these old friends (even though you dislike boots) is what immediately draws me to this painting. Great job!!!
Love your boots, one of the best paintings out of the group. What an interesting and diverse blog you have, will visit again.
This are one solid worn pair of boots the texture of the years of usage is really evident here!
Also, for a painting of that size, I think it is a masterpiece!
Nice painting. I see a lot of Norman Rockwell in it.
Dominique, you’re quite right about life not always being “pretty and prim” I suppose that’s what makes life so rewarding.
Edward, good to know that you’ve returned safely from your travels.
Vern, as you know composition is the foundation for a painting. I dislike combat boots but I do still have affection toward items that survive battering and age.
Diana, Thank you. I took a quick glance at your blog and will return soon for a longer visit. Ireland sounds like an interesting place to live and paint.
Adebanji, you are too kind. I am waiting to see what you’ll do.
Bill, Norman Rockwell was a master storyteller. I’ve poured over his illustrations and post covers. I hope someday to paint with that much knowledge and skill.
Wow! This is a good example of a painting being so much more than the reference photo. What a talent!
Amanda, Thank you! I got some time today to visit your blog and website and you do incredible work. Congragulations again on your piece making the Top 40 ;)
Fantastic job...a solid painting...Bravo!
Theresa, thank you for visiting my blog. Your landscapes are breathtaking. It was interesting to learn you danced Hula. I imagine you spent some time at the Merrie Monarch festivals in Hilo.
Hey Alice! I love your inspiration for this challenge. VanGoghs boots were the whole reason I decided to jump into the fray (I also love Andrew/Jamie Wyeth). Akiko brings up a good point/insight- in regard to the spiritual connection to your combat boots- makes me wonder how you would portray them??? :>) Happy painting to you -Tom
Tom, seeing your work in the DSFDF challenge this week was very refreshing. I hope that you will continue "to jump into the fray".
Imagine what might have happened if N.C. Wyeth didn't pursue an artistic career? A dynasty of fine painting could have been lost from humanity.
Hi Alice,
In fact I was also absent of your blog for some weeks now and today because you left a kind comment on my I discovered your new works. I must say I am very pleased with. I like your abstract works very much and of course I like this one.
I take the opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas. See you another time.
Bravo Bravo Bravo! I've loved this painting from the day it was published. I think it's the best of the lot. You've given your viewers the meaty quality that I like to see in paintings like this. You truly gave it a portrait feel. I also LOVE your inspiration regarding artists who might have worn them.
Gosh I you are full of surprises, but I guess there's so much I need to know about you still. So your Dad still wears boots like these maybe because he likes the support?
You're something special woman, so glad you're an artist xx
Hélène, thank you very much. I enjoy painting abstractly.
Erika, I'll take your compliment and run!
My Dad actually does have to wear them for support. He was injured while in the army and is now about 2 inches shorter on one leg. Parachute didn't open on his 329th jump. He became too tangled to release his reserve... fortunately a 90 foot pine tree broke his fall. His femur was broken and pushed upward...so one boot is built up to make him even again.
Oh bless your Dad and thanks to him and yourself too for serving in the military!
What do you do with your DSDF art? I haven't decided what all I'll do with mine. I have a group show in June and another gallery I'm courting for small pieces. And of course there's online sites. Are you putting yours in your show?
Erika, I will respond on your blog soon ;)
Wow Alice your boots are great and they do look like they have been around a while and really broke in.
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