Tuesday 20 April 2010

Tiger Pause

Tiger Pause


I chose to add this painting today because the Tiger has the ability to concentrate one hundred percent on the chase and the catch. Every movement and action is done with slow deliberation. I tried to capture this in this facial portrait of the tiger.


This was one of two such paintings of a tiger I did. Both were hanging in one of the places I hang paintings, and strangely enough both at the same time. Normally I would not have done this but I think a painting had sold and the only other painting I had at the time was this tiger head. The other one had been hanging for a bit and although many people had said how much they liked it nobody it seemed wanted a tiger hanging on their walls. Having said that there was one lad who had said to me on more than one occasion that if he had some extra money he would buy it, but right now he had so many other things needing his attention it was out of the question.

So there they were both hanging. A few days later a gentleman popped into the place and it just so happened I was there with my wife. So it was a Friday night because that is the only time we really go out for an ale. This man sat down beside us and said he wanted to buy the tiger painting, but he could not take it just now. I thought, not another one who wants but can’t afford. It turns out that was not the case he paid me there and then and said he would collect it in a few days. He gave me more than I was asking for it saying, “The labourer is worthy of his labour.” He continued, “Anyway I have just had a nice win on the horses.”

Why did I break my unwritten rule about making art affordable, yet taking more than I had asked?  Well he had just made it possible for me to give the other tiger to the young lad and his wife who liked it so much. He received it and I could in all honesty say I had not given it away for free so his pride remained in tact. I knew tha had I offered it to him for nothing he would have refused.

This painting was done in pastel.



This blog is linked to my other blog where I used this artwork:- The Art of Concentration

12 comments:

  1. Hey, old artist-storyteller, I'm sucked like a funnel into your philosophically *WUWEI*... I think you concentrated while painting on the 'slow deliberation...' of the tiger, and you got it so exactly, that technical details are no more nessecary to judge, as I see...

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  2. You have such a generosity of spirit, Ralph. I love that the young man was also able to get his tiger painting thanks to the largesse of the first guy. Wonderful piece too!

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  3. Ralph, It touches me how wonderful and giving you are. We are all truly blessed to have met you and have the opportunity to be touched by you daily. I pray your pain subsides soon. So glad the fall left you capable of still writing for us...

    Also glad you took time to paint.

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  4. This tiger has a regal look. Very nice!

    Wonderful story, too. You are so generous.

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  5. Lieber Ralph,

    DAMIT hast du mich Gefangen, Das hast du wundervoll gemalt ...

    Herzlich, Rachel

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  7. Hi Ralph,
    Lovely this tiger!
    J'adore les fauves... J'en ai peint beaucoup avec mes petites femmes! Je les aime tant que j'ai prénommé ma fille Fauve à l'ahurissement de tous!

    J'adore le regard et la surprise de celui-ci!
    Vous avez parfaitement saisi son étonnement ou sa surprise... peut-être chassait-il ?
    Très beau pastel, couleurs tellement vraies!

    Bises de "Lucy" !

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  8. Ralph, another wonderful story and wonderful painting. You blog can become very addicting. Have a wonderful day. All the best to you.

    Joan

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  9. I am trully humbled by all your comments. Thank you all you I hope you are all aware of how much these comments mean to me.

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  10. Tigers are a joy to paint, aren't they? Excellent rendition Ralph!

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  11. Your generousity matches this beautiful pastel of the tiger. How nice that they both were happy.

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  12. Love the story and the textures of the fur are very well done.

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