Friday, February 20, 2015

New Painting in Progress and the Song That Inspired It

WIP
oil on cradled wood 20 x 16 inch

This past summer while cooking dinner, I was listening to the Nina Simone station on Pandora like I usually do, and the song "Making Plans for Nigel" ( the Nouvelle Vague version) came on.  I swayed and twirled and cooked and listened, and as I did a vision of a young boy and his parents came to mind.  I saw basically what you see here in the beginnings of this painting...the boy in his bed with the covers pulled over his head...a tuft of hair sticking up (eventually)... and his parents standing outside his door discussing his future.  Nigel has hopes and dreams of his own, but his parents know what's best, don't they? Or do they? I sketched this scene out that evening and the ideas of painting it have been dancing in my head ever since.  I'm excited to finally be working on it.

I don't believe this is the true meaning of this song, but it is what I saw when I heard it.  My challenge for this piece...the challenge I am giving myself...is to paint light.  I see light coming down from the hallway light, onto the parents heads and faces, and spilling into the room.  The relation of the doorway and the room of course isn't right, but it's the only way I could get this down with my limited drawing skill.  It's the light, the characters and the overall atmosphere I care about.  I am not sure I can succeed with painting light, but I am going to give it a try.

Wish me luck.




Below is the Youtube video of the song.  Enjoy and have a great weekend!


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16 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 20, 2015 at 11:28 AM

    You always do an amazing job of creating atmosphere! That's what I love about your work, the way you create this enchanted world that I want to jump right in to! These are so artistic, Lisa!

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 20, 2015 at 2:28 PM

    Lovely moodiness to this new work. xox

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  3. leeFebruary 20, 2015 at 7:10 PM

    I see the light, and you did a great composition . The story you saw from the song, when you said what you saw, I saw it to.

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  4. UnknownFebruary 20, 2015 at 8:20 PM

    Lots of luck to you. You have a clear vision and so it will work. Love the bookcase section. It has lots of meaning also.

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  5. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comFebruary 20, 2015 at 10:07 PM

    Another wonderful painting. So much to drool over.
    I have to ask...is that a face on its side above the painting on the wall?

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  6. lynne hFebruary 20, 2015 at 10:54 PM

    i love the light, lisa... the warmth that it creates. and the wall paper, and the ceiling, and the people, and, and, and...

    : )

    xoxo

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  7. Paper rainbowFebruary 21, 2015 at 1:04 AM

    Well I remember the xtc version of this song very well. I didn't know about this one. I've listened to ot twice now and love it! I' am sure you will master the light beautifully Lisa. Off to I tunes to download:)

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  8. JaneFebruary 21, 2015 at 3:19 AM

    What a great song Lisa, and I love how you got inspired, isn't it funny the way we sometimes get inspired from the strangest things ? Really love how this painting is telling the story !

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  9. renildeFebruary 21, 2015 at 5:18 AM

    the relation of the door measures to the room's doesn't bother me in the least Lisa, the way you painted it works perfect in my opinion, as does the open ceiling. for sure you are a painter of moods and atmospheres, so you paint in relation to that.

    what i have learned so far about painting light, it's for a great part a matter of painting shadows.

    looking forward to the finished painting.x

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  10. Autumn LeavesFebruary 21, 2015 at 5:45 AM

    You've beautifully captured the light, Lisa! I think this is wonderful and stirs memories of my own!

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  11. hmuxoFebruary 21, 2015 at 6:47 AM

    LOVE this painting Lisa...and I enjoyed listening to Nina Simone.....(I had to hear it 2 times!)

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  12. UnknownFebruary 21, 2015 at 3:32 PM

    This is wonderful Lisa, I loved reading how you got the inspiration for this piece. The power of music my friend. I LOVE it.

    Hugs, Linda
    My Happy Place

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  13. Judy ShreveFebruary 22, 2015 at 7:01 AM

    So interesting to hear your process - that lyrics helped you create this piece. I can just 'see' you dancing and singing while you cook! I listen to Nina Simone all the time - 'a little sugar in my bowl' is one of my favorites.
    Anyway - this piece is fabulous - seems you've already captured light and texture and a great palette . . .

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  14. Celeste BerginFebruary 23, 2015 at 2:11 AM

    Your first commenter used a word that is really right for your work..."enchanted". Loved reading about your process ......and the painting is exquisite.

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  15. Magic Love CrowFebruary 23, 2015 at 7:48 AM

    I wish you luck Lisa ;o) This painting is brilliant! I love ;o) Big Hugs ;o)

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  16. LindyLouMacFebruary 23, 2015 at 12:43 PM

    Wonderful, I loved reading about your inspiration Lisa.

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