What Do You Think Of This Work In Progress?

Question

It will be called 'A Gathering Of Ghosts' when it is finished. This isn't a great photograph of the painting but you should get the right idea. The words on the sign in the upper middle reads:

NO / ALL

******
Jews
Irish
Farmers
Italians
Dreamers
and/or Poets
Welcomed

The sign by the old MG car reads:

Members Only

The painting is images from our recept past. Some are comforting, some are nightmares. All are ghosts that still linger in our memories.

Please let me know what you think about it so far?

http://pics.livejournal.com/unmired/pic/00044sdp/g41

The light blue pencil lines are grids that I go by when working on a black painted canvas. It's not easy to do when you can sketch out a normal sketch to follow.

There will be little subtle about this finished painting and I'm not even trying for subtlety. I intend to use as many images as possible mirroring or representing the 1950s and early 60s, from Alfred E. Neuman to Bob Dylan to Mickey Mouse to the Playboy Bunny Logo.. I am not trying to be 'deep' with this. I'm only putting on canvas a testament of sorts to the icons of concept from those years.

Answer 1

Doctor, here's my prescription: I like the echoing of the propellor/cross form that shows up in a few spots. It's an interesting form that at once invokes both spirituality and division (as in compartments on a grid).

I was looking at your other stuff trying to get a feel for your direction.

This piece seems different from other ones you've done - especially the abstract ones which seem to be Inuit-influenced.

A question maybe - instead of an answer - would be: Is the message more important than the work?

Have you every seen the work of Giorgio de Chirico, Yves Tanguy or Kerry James Marshall? It seems to me that the path you are on parallels some of their work.

Answer 2

I love the 52 Classic MG TD!! I'm from the 60's generation and have a red MG parked in my garage. It broke down in 1967 and is still waiting to be restored.

I like your idea but the composition would be more interesting if the MG would be placed closer to the center of interest lower and not so far to the left. Of course I'm partial to MG's. There are a lot of MG lovers from my generation out there and I'm sure they would be interested in your art work with an MG in it.

P.S.
You might enjoy this fun website on MG's: http://www.cartalk.com/content/testdrives/Reviews/mgtd.html

Answer 3

Quit trying to be so deep. When this happens it becomes phony. Seems like you are trying too hard to tell a story or convey a message. It's easy to get locked into something like this so use more feeling, emotion to balance what you are saying.

Answer 4

Good rendering, Wats. Be cautious not to get too detailed with the imagery - you want to make one overall profound statement, so keep your eye on the major focal point. It's all about the profound statement.

Answer 5

sounds like you are trying tou recreate damian hirst it might work (you aren't going to put a picture of a drain plug in it are you ..just kidding you it sounds meaningful . u could try doing a 3-d mural version of it(that's free to you) good luck wit your painting

Answer 6

i do like but i would like to see the finished piece to really tell you what impact it might or might not have, but yeah don't go so deep keep it flowing from your energy not from what it has to be or how it should looks when its done. keep me posted when its done, regards from a fellow painter ....

Answer 7

I love the work , do you have any other works similar to this one? Let me know

Answer 8

hmm... curious.