Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Yonge Street Patterns 2, Toronto Ontario

24x30 Oil on Board
Another Yonge Street scene. I often comment how other artists bloggers and their opinions can be very helpful in our growth and development as artists. I sometimes  worry about being repetitive in my subject matter. I often revisit the same streets and scenes. Marie Theron has a wonderful blog where she paints pictures, tells stories and gives an historical account of the west coast of Africa. She also leaves great comments. This comment she left for me was just what I needed:

"the fact that you study the weather and go back to the same area is an important contribution to art.
I was fortunate to see a Jasper Johns exhibition in the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. His slogans were also painted on the walls in larger than life fonts: "Take an object, do something to it, do something else to it!" and also: "Every solution is a new beginning"
And that is exactly what you are doing here."

 Thanks Marie! Visit her blog and you will be in for a visual and descriptive treat!

11 comments:

Montag said...

The scene is filled with detail, and even that is mirrored over and over in the rainy streets. There is no limit to what one can see.

Marie Theron said...

I was attracted to this almost Van Gogh-cum-loneliness evening scene of yours, Catherine! Only to find myself here! I do hope that what I have written about your work will keep you for a while on this very interesting topic that attracts you to paint it again and again. It is thrilling to your followers because Yonge Street is becoming like "Sesame Street" or "Baker Street" or something famous!Regards from Cape Town.

Kim Rempel said...

Catherine, I think there is real value in getting to know a subject and studying it intimately. Which you only get by repetition. Think of Morandi and all those bottles. I've often thought it would be cool to take one still life set-up, or one specific landscape setting and paint it over and over and over. And see how it evolves. Maybe an upcoming project? Anyway - keep painting and don't give it a second thought. I love them!

Tammy Hext said...

I think you have a fantastic series going and it has not gotten old for me yet. I love every one.
Keep it up Catherine!

Gwen Bell said...

Another beauty! Love the colorful neon lights and the broad reflection of the wet street.

I completely agree with Marie...and yes, what a great comment! Keep it up. We never tire of your wonderfully wet street scenes!

Jan Yates, SCA said...

Catherine, when I saw your comment on my blog I couldn't wait to visit yours in anticipation that you've come up for air from a new painting..and I am not disappointed.
I am surprized that you are even questioning your re-visitation of subject. Our gallery receives many submissions from artists that are all over the place- I think hoping that we will surely choose something with such a smorgasboard.We are more impressed with artists' common thread re exploration and investigation re concept, and a consistent body of work that indicates integrity and direction. You have all of the above..this new painting is very strong and assured--The larger scale must be breathtaking in person--beautiful composition--a WOW-worth the wait! (and our invitaion is still open--tourist season is here$)

mary maxam said...

the glow of this street is so great. just right!

Joanne Licsko said...

What I love about this painting is the way it is dark with rich color on the right, and bright with almost no colour on the left. Superb composition.

Anonymous said...

I like this a lot, Catherine. The abstract qualities combined with plenty of detail, saturation on the right, desaturated light on the left. Very interesting and arresting.

Mike Barr said...

It pays to do the same scenes or similar scenes over and over again. Monet did it! It also gives you..or should great freedom to loosen up with the brush because you are on familiar territory.
Another good thing..if you dont mind me saying is to do a whole painting with a fairly big flat brush then spend just a few minutes at the end with a small one for detail..it will help your painting a lot and it's FUN ;-)

Lori Bonanni said...

Catherine, I love the idea of doing a series. I think there is so much one could learn from it. Can't wait to see the next one!