Remembering 9-11

I started to do a painting of the aurora Borealis figuring it would be a good way to test my newly acquired W/N WSO thinner, but plans changed as it developed. I used a smooth, 9x12 masonite board with two layers of acrylic gesso. All the paints were W/N Artisans and included cobalt blue, dioxazine purple. magenta, lemon yellow, zinc white and payne's gray. I also used walnut oil for secondary layers.



I kept looking at it and felt that there was more to it than just the sky. I felt that spirits going up into the sky were appearing and the twin towers of Manhattan kept calling to me. I removed paint from two areas to represent the towers prior to 9-11. I tried using a sponging technique to add color just to see how that worked.



I didn't like the texture of the sponge, so I smoothed it gently with a soft goat-hair blending brush.

Today I got a chance to finish the painting. The next step was to add the iron skeleton of the towers that remained after it was all over.


I put the finishing touches on it by added more color in areas where it was needed and blended the iron work into the painting with a feeling of clouds of dust.



I have to let it sit for a few days now to see if there are any additions I want, but I think it is done. This is the first time that I have done something so abstract, but I just followed my heart as I painted it, and it all came together.

The effect is very ethereal, Judy. Thanks for posting the in-progress steps. It's fascinating to read about how this one came together!

Your work is always so interesting Judy. It is interesting to see the steps you went through.
I really like this painting.
Dayle

Thanks, I hope it isn't too depressing. I just was the kind of mood I was in at the time. Next painting I do is going to be the beautiful flowers in my garden...a little more upbeat.

I love the colors and the abstractness of it! It is so simple compositional-wise, yet so very effective at conveying its subject. I agree - I like the blended colors better than the sponge effect that you started with. So creative!

I forgot to ask. How did you like the Artisan thinner?
Dayle

I was happy with it, especially for a few of my Artisans that are quite old and really stiff because they are at the end of the tube, especially my cobalt blue. It worked much better than water and made it easier to stick to the fat over lean because I didn't have to use walnut oil right inthe first layer like I did before.

It also didn't bother my breathing which is always a plus.

I like it for the fact that it made it easy to pull the paint off where I put the towers simply by using a clean brush.

Looking good Judy! Thank you for sharing your experience with the thinner!