Fresh Paint: The Sickle

After many years of advertising and children's book illustration (samples of which now can be found only on Amazon), I began this blog in 2007 to showcase small "weekly" paintings sold on eBay. Because illustration work and family responsibilities prevented me from painting regularly, it shortly evolved--or degenerated--to document my progress from illustrator to painter, realist to "more impressionistic realist." Although illustration or painting consistently has been my focus, being a mom has been has been my overriding priority for the past 21 years. As my tenure in that capacity ends (though with periodic lapses!), I continue to develop my new identity as a painter.

"Talent is cheap; dedication . . . will cost you your life"
--Irving Stone

"Jump first, fear later"
--Mike Yaconelli

"... paintings are things in the physical world, made out of colored mud smeared on a piece of cloth or a piece of board, with a stick with hairs on the end. They have a particular address to your body, and none of this comes across in the computer image."
--Robert Hughes, art critic

Sunday, March 25, 2007

The Sickle

AVAILABLE

8 x 10" oil on 1"-hardwood panel

Nothing truly twisted or sinister--just an old tool my father used in the yard in the days before weedeaters. I liked the "twist" of the shadow.

16 comments:

Kelley MacDonald said...: Connie, I didn't even THINK of 'sinister' until I read your comment! It's so beautifully painted. I think it's my favorite so far, though I like all your pieces!; March 28, 2007 at 5:05 AM
Connie said...: Hi, Kelley, and thanks! Your blog looks beautiful, too. After flailing away at illustration for many years and feeling rather stale, I can't tell you how excited I am to be doing these little personal paintings and discovering all the other wonderful painters out there. It is a breath of fresh air. I begin to imagine that with practice I might even become a half-decent painter someday. Selling them is the icing on the cake!; March 29, 2007 at 1:25 PM
KarMa said...: You are incredible talented!
Watching your work is cool!

ciao
-Manuela; May 18, 2007 at 1:16 AM
Alina Chau said...: beautiful!; June 29, 2007 at 9:39 AM
Mick said...: A wonderful painting and the background is especially well done.; June 29, 2007 at 10:00 AM
Tina Vaziri said...: Beautiful realism, love the tones and the coolness of the shadow!; June 29, 2007 at 10:22 AM
AscenderRisesAbove said...: a wonderful realistic piece.; June 29, 2007 at 10:36 AM
ksklein said...: this one is really cool... specially the shadow.; June 29, 2007 at 10:44 AM
Kathleen Rietz said...: This is really awesome! I love the twist of the shadow and the rust on thhe sickle. This is really beautiful.; June 29, 2007 at 10:49 AM
susan said...: nice work! lovely twist. not sinister at all...; June 29, 2007 at 12:07 PM
Detlef said...: Great depiction, I see sinister in this then again I'm twisted in my outlook.; June 29, 2007 at 5:39 PM
Rrramone said...: Very nice work, the shadow is great.; June 30, 2007 at 6:27 AM
Keiko said...: Beautiful and harmonic!; June 30, 2007 at 8:21 AM
mrana said...: This is absolutely gorgeous! As are all your paintings! You are so very talented.; June 30, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Joan Yoshioka said...: This painting is exquisite. After seeing this one, I just had to check out your others and oh my goodness, they are all beautiful!; July 1, 2007 at 1:22 AM
Gillian said...: Masterful. Such a simple subject and it works so well for the theme.; July 2, 2007 at 10:59 AM