Thursday 21 April 2011

Eve-olution

This painting has been through quite an evolution over the years and I finally think I'm happy with her!

She began life nearly two years ago with one of my first attempts at a female portrait on, as we shall see, a very forgiving canvas board! See fig 1 below.


She's not really very good is she? But I did love the grungy background I created.

Then, thankfully, I took some lessons (thank you Suzi Blu)...

After she'd spent some time gathering dust or being squished at the bottom of the pile, I decided that I her days were numbered. The poor lass with her autumnal scenery disappeared until a pattern of papers and paints, only to be reborn... (see fig 2).


In the pink! BUT, still not quite there... though I liked her at the moment of creation. But, like a small child with a bladder full of juice... she just had to go!

More layers later and I picked out in paint some pattern that remained in the form of swirls and floral embellishments. She was growing and becoming who she wanted to be and I'm very happy with her now. This feels just right. Have I finally found my style do you think or am I going to be painting over her again in a few months? I'm sharing her with the Paint Party Friday gang - so what do you think?

45 comments:

  1. I think for what it's worth as I am definitely no artist, that she is like a young child that evolves with the years slowly but surely growing changing blossoming. That's how I see her . There are no wrongs or rights in growing up each stage beautiful for what it is. Your trio are perfect and who knows as the years pass maybe she will need to look again in the mirror and reevaluate or maybe she will want to remain as she is now......only time will tell.

    Marie

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  2. I totally agree with everything Marie said and its a beautiful painting to take to the party. Annette x

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  3. she's wonderful..i love the life in her eyes.

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  4. Well done with the painting! It's also wonderful to read of the evolution of it. Your patience and persistence are well rewarded.

    Hmm ... I have a feeling that you're going to take it further ... ;)

    Am taking a Easter break from PPF ... HAPPY EASTER.

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  5. I enjoyed seeing the evolution of this piece...Happy Easter.

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  6. I liked seeing her evolution. I think she has a strong vibe going...leave her just like this...it looks like she's arrived, and so full of powerful energy, too! Her strong features are a standout!! great job!

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  7. I like her! BUT..I still think you'll be experimenting and changing your style again. You are in transition for now. That's a great place to be don't you think?

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  8. I LOVE her Lisa- and I definitely think you've found your style! I wouldn't change a thing!
    I accidentally deleted your email re the music convo we were having- yes, I remember the Pet Shop Boys (LOVED them!) we're lucky enough to have a radio station that does a retro lunch hour each day, so I get my daily 80's fix there :)
    PPF Hugs,
    Steph

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  9. What a wonderful evolution! and the final product is fantastic! :-)

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  10. Wonderful and intense! Loved seeing the EvE-olution process:)

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  11. EVE is beautiful. The colors and your light vs dark makes for a very STRONG work. This is a great creation you shared today. Happy PPF!

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  12. Wonderful purples in these pieces Lisa!! these are so full of passion!!!

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  13. Eve has evolved very beautifully over the years. Your talents have grown much and you insight as well.

    Hugs,
    Penny

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  14. Oh Suzi Blu, my muse! I am just loving your finished piece. She has come a long way and looks fantastic!

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  15. Eve is beautiful. Thanks for sharing her eve-olution!

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  16. She's beautiful. Love the bit of leaves and her contemplative look. Who can say if you'll be as happy with her in a few months as you are now. But to me, it looks as if she has grown up and should be allowed to enjoy that stage for a while.

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  17. Hi Lisa. She is stunning and I would not change a thing. She has this pout about her that's saying, "okay, enough already...I'm done!" Tee Hee. She is excellent. I loved the process. Thanks for sharing. Happy Easter and PPF, on and the colors are terrific.

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  18. I think she has become magnificent! What a transformation and the improvement of your skill is stunning. Great job. so glad you've taken all these photos and shared the work in progress with us. Your new style is wonderful! Happy PPF!

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  19. I love that you just kept re-creating her until you felt good about it. That board did not go to waste. The outcome is grand.

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  20. Oh I LOVE everything about her! I can see why you are finally happy with her. The color is fantastic. Her eyes just shine and I love her mouth. What a wonderful expression she has. And I love how you showed each progression of this painting. It's all gorgeous!

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  21. Wow this evolution is fascinating - What a great thing to share with all of us! I think she is beautiful just as she is, but I will be interested to see if this is the end to her journey or if this is just a stop along the way... Either way I think she's fabulous!

    Have a wonderful weekend!
    xo
    Kristin

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  22. Beautiful, Lisa! Beautiful! I love the way you show how you and she has evolved--a great way to journal your journey!

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  23. I love seeing how she has evolved over time. She now seems mature, wise and confident in her bold colors and look. I like it!

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  24. I love your title, this is exactly what this post is about. I enjoy witnessing the process and to see how much we change. I love the colors in your first painting, but I can fully understand the development. This one looks very "grown up" so to say, but still full of questions. I like her. And yes, perhaps she is IT.

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  25. What a great post! Wonderful to see the evolution of this piece. And I enjoyed each version. She is quite beautiful now!

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  26. It´s so cool to be able to see the whole process and evolution of your style.

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  27. Stunning! I too took a couple of classes with Suzi Blu. I learned so much.
    Salute!
    Yoli

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  28. She is gorgeous! Love the rich purples and bold black outlines and white highlights. Her eyes and mouth look incredible....love your work!

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  29. HI Lisa...fantastic post..I so relate..for I paint over paintings all the time..and then i realize it was like a process of energy layers..like layers of auras, each layer or face was important for some reason..so that the final layer could finally surface!! I love them all..the final layer is gorgeous and bold and powerful! Her color essence really pulls at me..gorgeous! So inspiring as always...
    Victoria

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  30. Penetrating eyes, sensuous lips , flowing hair framing a beautiful profile, I think it is a gorgeous evolution. The color brings the jewel to life. Lovely work! Now I wish I didn't throw out my sea painting....thought it was beyond hope....very green in painting.

    Happy Easter ; )

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  31. These chicas and the colors you've used to bring them to life inspire me to become more creative with my portraits and not just draw what I see. Great job!

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  32. Don't you dare paint over this one. She's awesome! Kathryn

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  33. I think she has evolved beautifully, she has been beautiful in all her seasons however. She is a very dramatic painting.

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  34. You know of course that every version of her was fabulous ~ but... I have to agree that she is perfect now! Bravo!!
    ♥Sharon

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  35. what a lovely wee journey and what an amazing ending (...or is it??!!) I love the limited use of colours and bold strokes that give highlights to Eve's face. So strikingly beautiful :)

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  36. Wow Wow Wow!!! You have definately found your own style!!!! Thank you for sharing that. Eve is beautiful!!!

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  37. I think it is amazing to see your style change and evolve through these portraits. I love the colours of the original painting and the background was great but the final piece is really what i'm learning to recognise as your trademark style and colour palette-wonderful!

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  38. fan-friggin tastic, love the transformation, absolutely beautiful work x

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  39. Beautiful! Stunning! Amazing!

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  40. Beautiful paintings, Lisa! I love the transformation. You can see how your style has evolved over time. I'm loving it.

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  41. Wonderful evolution of your painting! Enjoyed the different stages and the end product. If you don't like something keep working on it...works for me too.

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  42. Wow she has been through some transformations Lisa! As we all do I suppose, changing through different stages of our lives.

    Each of her phases has it's own beauty, but I agree the final one is my favourite too. The layers add interest and depth and she has such haunting eyes :)

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  43. Very cool! What transformations she has had!

    Now "eve" feels like and looks like a very complete, soulful and strong painting.

    And fascinating to see in one piece how your artwork has evolved, Lisa.

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  44. I most certainly love the final piece. All are good, but you're right....it needed some time to sit and evolve and it did...into something amazing! :) Nice job!

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  45. She feels like she's emerging from the pink with a very important message so I vote that she stay just as she is.

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Thank you for your comments - I always love to hear what you think :)

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