Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Folds


Folds
Acrylic on archival matboard, 8 3/4" x 7 5/8"
$190 plus $7 shipping in U.S.
SOLD

I'm not the most organized guy in the world. In fact, if you put the most organized guy in the world and me on a calibrated scale ranging from organized to disorganized, I wouldn't be able to spot him with a telescope.

Yesterday, while I rummaged through one of my numerous random folders of miscellaneous "stuff", this little study surfaced. I had nearly forgotten about it, but seeing it again brought back memories. When it was painted, back in 1993, I paired it with another small painting (a vessel form, as I recall) into a diptych image. Later, I had a "what was I thinking?" moment and broke up the pair. This half got consigned to a folder, where it has remained all this time.

The plus side to being organizationally challenged is that when something like this re-emerges after being hidden for so long, it's like seeing it anew. I liked what I saw. There's something about the diffused northern light gently falling across those folds that seems somehow a bit mysterious and quite lovely, if I do say so myself. So it's being resurrected. I hope you like it too.

18 comments:

Art By Erika said...

Beautiful drapery Don! Glad it was a happy reunion to see it again! So how much do you gesso matboard for oil painting or do you? I've never done but I have a few boards coming to mind now!

Gary L. Everest said...

Hi Don,
I most certainly like this! Anyone who has tried to paint cloth-- especially white--well knows the challenges presented.
I really like all the colors I see, as well as, the masterful folds and shadows.
It's easy to see why you were pleased and I'm glad you posted it. It's a big lesson in a small format.
Sincerely,
Gary.

Delilah said...

Don,
As I spring clean my studio I relate to you. This is a little gem so glad you shared it.

Sheila Vaughan said...

I do like it - because it isn't just a painting of folded cloth. It has additional sensory dimensions of touch and smell. I bet it feels light in the hands if you picked it up. What a nice idea that it lay hidden for years, just like our old pieces of cotton and linen often do.

Jane Hunt said...

Your post made me laugh - I wonder if any artists are organized?
Great painting of folds! I remember being made to paint folds in art school and grumbling about it - but it really is a important skill.

Don Gray said...

Erika, hello and thanks! Actually, this is acrylic so I didn't have to gesso it, but if it were oil I would have put a couple of coats of gesso on first.

Don Gray said...

Gary, thanks for those positive comments. I did quite a few paintings around that time that included cloth, much of it white. I remember being astounded at all the colors I saw as I studied the cloth.

Don Gray said...

Hi Delilah--you spring clean your studio?...never thought of that.

Thanks for the nice note.

Don Gray said...

I like your observation about how linens lay in drawers for years--adds another dimension to my thoughts about the subject. Thank you, Sheila.

Don Gray said...

Oh I know some artists who are incredibly organized, Jane. They seem like another species to me. Thanks for the note.

RUDHI RĂ¼scher said...

But your paintings are very well organized, DON!

Raymond Logan said...

Don,
I really, really like this painting. There is something mysterious and comforting about it. Great job!
–Raymond/3

Anonymous said...

yes, i definately like it Don (as i do the Winslow portraits below). i am quite organisationally challenged too but isn't lfe such an adventure that way;)

Don Gray said...

Thanks, Rudhi--at least something is a little bit organized. :^)

Don Gray said...

Hi Raymond--great of you to say that--thanks!

Don Gray said...

Thanks, Rahina. We're intrepid adventurers, aren't we?

Shelley Whiting said...

Wow I love all the shading and detail on all the folds. The drapery really glows. This is a very elegant and simplistic painting.

Don Gray said...

Thank you, Shelley.