First came "In His Hands", for an Orchid themed juried exhibition.
View and review the award-winning "In His Hands" process post HERE
See the exhibition show and award for "In His Hands" HERE
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Now I've done the partner to complete the pair!
"In Her Hands" is themed similarly within general Greek mythology, same size, with a asymmetrical twin frame (that I got months ago, just for this), and composed of the same conceptual features, the hands and a botanical element.
This piece references the pomegranate as a common icon in European and Middle Eastern mythologies, particularly as the fruit Demeter is represented by, whose daughter Persephone is taken to the Underworld and made to be the wife of Hades, thus giving the world the seasons... I won't go all into explaining that myth, it's very well known. Look it up if you are unfamiliar!
I wanted a flower or fruit that would well suit the female version of this little duo project, as the upright orchid and the myth of Orchis was rather phallic in theme. I wanted to match the mild and delicate sexual reference in the first one, as a potential addition viewers are welcome to explore through the lines, or not.
The pomegranate is a wonderful fruit with clear physical cross-over to the artful aesthetic of the female sexual organs, and held, cradled, or gently caressed within the woman's hands in the painting, the overall shape formed looks almost like the uterus.
Either way, here is some of my process in creating this second concept to reference and pair well with the first:
The goal was to balance "In Her Hands" standing as it's own creation and as a comparable piece to "In His Hands" in composition and approach to execution.
I started as always.
(View the similar scroll-down style process for "In His Hands" HERE)
I'm fond of this photographed detail:
And then jump at last to a photograph of the finish, after the final touches, signature, and varnish:
I have to say I just greatly enjoy and find pleasure in drawing and painting hands. Working with my own strong hands to create new hands is a playful, simultaneously reverent experience. But that's just me.
Nature is an integral facet of my work, and more so as I evolve into the my process. I consider this work a success, the journey as much if not more so than the current, 'final' result.
Coming Exhibition:
"In Her Hands" is officially my contribution to an invitational show featuring work and their behind-the-scenes work of thirteen Pennsylvania artists based in Lancaster and Philadelphia, curated by my friend and colleague Matt Allyn Chapman. The show opens April 1st (my birthday!) and is held at the beautiful Sunshine Art+Design Gallery in downtown Lancaster, for the duration of the month.
"The Exhibition gives us a chance to see the surfaces, objects, and tools in which the artist uses to create their work, paired with the work it’s self. To an artist, their palette, drawing board, pair of paint stained shoes or their studio apron is just as important and personal as the work created from it. Showing these objects next to the artists completed work provides a deeper understanding of their studio practice and opens a dialogue about where the process ends and the art begins.
Guest Curator Matt Allyn Chapman studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia (MFA) as well as Lancaster’s Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (BFA). He has exhibited at: The Walter and Leonore Annenberg Gallery, Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building at PAFA, Philadelphia PA. Pentimenti Gallery, Philadelphia PA, Rothus Halle, Solothurn, Switzerland. The Ware Center for Visual and Performing Arts at Millersville University, Lancaster PA. Sunshine Art + Design, Lancaster PA."
View and review the award-winning "In His Hands" process post HERE
See the exhibition show and award for "In His Hands" HERE
--
Now I've done the partner to complete the pair!
 |
| With the twin find of a frame, 2016 |
"In Her Hands" is themed similarly within general Greek mythology, same size, with a asymmetrical twin frame (that I got months ago, just for this), and composed of the same conceptual features, the hands and a botanical element.
This piece references the pomegranate as a common icon in European and Middle Eastern mythologies, particularly as the fruit Demeter is represented by, whose daughter Persephone is taken to the Underworld and made to be the wife of Hades, thus giving the world the seasons... I won't go all into explaining that myth, it's very well known. Look it up if you are unfamiliar!
I wanted a flower or fruit that would well suit the female version of this little duo project, as the upright orchid and the myth of Orchis was rather phallic in theme. I wanted to match the mild and delicate sexual reference in the first one, as a potential addition viewers are welcome to explore through the lines, or not.
The pomegranate is a wonderful fruit with clear physical cross-over to the artful aesthetic of the female sexual organs, and held, cradled, or gently caressed within the woman's hands in the painting, the overall shape formed looks almost like the uterus.
Either way, here is some of my process in creating this second concept to reference and pair well with the first:
The goal was to balance "In Her Hands" standing as it's own creation and as a comparable piece to "In His Hands" in composition and approach to execution.
I started as always.
(View the similar scroll-down style process for "In His Hands" HERE)
 |
| Add caption |
 |
| Roughing in the drawing of the hands over the wash |
 |
| Finding the line variation and value notes for the hands |
 |
| More of the same... |
 |
| Underpainting stage |
 |
| ....to painting |
 |
| More painting and final touches.... |
 |
| Detail crop of the process towards the end here |
And then jump at last to a photograph of the finish, after the final touches, signature, and varnish:
 |
| "In Her Hands", 5x7", Mixed Media, March 2016 |
I have to say I just greatly enjoy and find pleasure in drawing and painting hands. Working with my own strong hands to create new hands is a playful, simultaneously reverent experience. But that's just me.
Nature is an integral facet of my work, and more so as I evolve into the my process. I consider this work a success, the journey as much if not more so than the current, 'final' result.
Coming Exhibition:
"In Her Hands" is officially my contribution to an invitational show featuring work and their behind-the-scenes work of thirteen Pennsylvania artists based in Lancaster and Philadelphia, curated by my friend and colleague Matt Allyn Chapman. The show opens April 1st (my birthday!) and is held at the beautiful Sunshine Art+Design Gallery in downtown Lancaster, for the duration of the month.
"The Exhibition gives us a chance to see the surfaces, objects, and tools in which the artist uses to create their work, paired with the work it’s self. To an artist, their palette, drawing board, pair of paint stained shoes or their studio apron is just as important and personal as the work created from it. Showing these objects next to the artists completed work provides a deeper understanding of their studio practice and opens a dialogue about where the process ends and the art begins.
Guest Curator Matt Allyn Chapman studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia (MFA) as well as Lancaster’s Pennsylvania College of Art & Design (BFA). He has exhibited at: The Walter and Leonore Annenberg Gallery, Samuel M.V. Hamilton Building at PAFA, Philadelphia PA. Pentimenti Gallery, Philadelphia PA, Rothus Halle, Solothurn, Switzerland. The Ware Center for Visual and Performing Arts at Millersville University, Lancaster PA. Sunshine Art + Design, Lancaster PA."
Showing artists:
Emily Adleblute
Alicia Byler
Mairin-Taj Caya
Nicole Duquette
Travis Grant
Annie Keregyarto
Evan Kitson
Seth Madden
Kate McCammon
Jordan Morgan
Chris Otto
Justin Phillips
Hattie Sloane
Emily Adleblute
Alicia Byler
Mairin-Taj Caya
Nicole Duquette
Travis Grant
Annie Keregyarto
Evan Kitson
Seth Madden
Kate McCammon
Jordan Morgan
Chris Otto
Justin Phillips
Hattie Sloane
-Mairin-Taj Caya
