Friday 30 July 2010

Provence Lavender


Provence Lavender


Those of you who follow my blogs know that I sold a painting of lavender fields during my time away on vacation. You also know that my wife Irene remembered only the other day there that I had borrowed it and sold it.

Well yesterday I decided to try and make amends. But what I could not do was do the same painting. That would not be, in my opinion honest to the person who is now the owner of the original. I did however want to try and keep it close. The way to do this was to adjust the colours used. We know that with just a slight change of the colours used we can change the whole mood and feeling of a painting.

This was where today’s other blog came from. I was thinking of this and the story popped back into my head and brought a smile to my face. I know I am a bit off the wall but yesterday as I painted I was talking to my colours. I told them the story I have shared this morning.

Well the painting was completed, and I had a lovely day doing it. On completion I put it where Irene would see it as she arrived home from work. She came home, and said not a word. She must have noticed it I thought. I will say nothing and just get on with cooking the evening meal.

As we sat down to eat she commented at last. I quote. “I see you have got my painting back. Did the person who bought it decide they did not like it?”

So much for making it a bit different from the other one., and here I was foolishly believing she liked it enough to have noticed.

Well it is good that our art not only conveys things to others but has the ability to keep us firmly rooted in reality.

I can assure you it may be based on the same scene but I did use a different palette.

This blog is linked to my other. Colours

12 comments:

  1. This lavendar seems to have more of a purplish tone....also you've changed the hedge/tree line on the right....slight differences in building colours. But both are full of love and light. Congratulations on doing the same subject twice! That in itself is amazing.

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  2. Your wife's reaction illustrates the idea that art speaks to each person differently. Everything she loved about the old painting was right back again in the new painting... Glad your home is back to it's balance again!

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  3. Its a lovely painting Ralph. I don't doubt for a minute that your colors are different from the first. As artist, we are so in-tuned to colors. What a nice thing to repaint the scene for her. She must have laughed when you told her it was a new one! I bet she loved you even more for doing this especially for her...

    Sweet love.

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  4. Oh my Ralph. You made me laugh here. Still, this is a delightful piece and I can so see why your wife loves it. Those cypress trees...just sigh...

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  5. What a lovely painting and sweet thing to do for your wife!

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  6. beautiful painting, no wonder your wife wanted hers

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  7. Oh dear! This painting is gorgeous... and a good way to stay out of the dog house :-)

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  8. A quaint scene Ralph and one I would enjoy spending time in. And beautiful gesture on your part for your wife.

    Thank you for visiting my blog and your kind comments!

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  9. Ohhh, this is beautiful! I like how you made a sketch beforehand. I also find your pencil drawings very peaceful and sensitive. To my eye, you have a very pleasing combination of color and markings (line and drawing) with those pencils.
    Joan

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  10. Ralph you are a philosopher and a gentleman. The fact that you talk to your colors is delightful. Thank you for the note on my bloggy, you have seen such a truth. I love life, and I tell people this all the time. I never thought before of our how art speaks that, too.
    Have a wonderful, creative day!
    warm regards from toasty Texas...

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  11. This is very beautiful! I would love to pull it out from the computer and hang it on my own walls so I could look at it all day! Beautiful work,

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  12. Hope you will not be offended if I try my hand at your image -I am 68 and just learning to paint and it helps when I can copy a master's artwork! Not for profit just for my own use!

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