Friday, November 11, 2005

Illustration Friday - Strength

Morning Glory

This is a piece that I enamelled a few years ago. It is an image of a power plant, Morning Glory that claimed me with great strength. I couldn't not make this image.

My only experience of such plants is through their flower essences which contain no chemically active ingredients. (And growing them)

25 comments:

carla said...

This also says strength in the deep color and very bold lines you've created. I love that the eye is brought to the elliptical center and held there...this is a very cool and powerful image, Caroline:>

andrea said...

You are fast with the response to IF, woman! I just now read the topic. I agree with Carla: it is a very strong and powerful image. When you say "enamelled" what do you mean? How did you create this?

Caroline said...

Thanks Carla and Andrea.

It was enamelled on copper using a kiln to fuse on glass-based enamels. I was using a technique that involved drawing on the copper with a felt-tip pen.

After that it was etched - the pen protected the copper but the bare bits got eaten down.

It came out entirely black was amazing like that but I cleaned it up so I could see the image and not just feel it!

And then I think (though I can't find my notes) I did a final glaze of clear to maintain the copper colour.

Unknown said...

This is a very powerful painting!! Love the bold lines and color!! Great interpretation of the theme.

Caroline said...

Thanks Alina!

Leah said...

this is gorgeous! powerful and bold and feminine.

JacqueLynn said...

I clicked on the picture and then walked away to turn off some water, as I looked back at the picture I was wowwed by how very powerful it is. The texture, bold color and graphic strokes make for a very powerful picture. Love it.

Caroline said...

Thank you kat.

Jacquelynn you are a brave persn to turn your back on the Morning Glory!!! :-)

Unknown said...

this is powerful!!
i love designs that have minimal color and strong lines.
awesome!!

Wandering Coyote said...

This is very evocative, and very earthy. I wouldn't have thought it was inspired by what it was, but it is powerful.

Caroline said...

Thanks Toni - I went through a whole phase of enamels in this style but this is my favourite.

And thanks Wandering Coyote - power plants often do connect one to the earth... though I've always worried about the fact that this one seems to have got me upside down...

Janey said...

It's very strong. The color, the strokes, would never have thought that a plant inspired this. And you've been tagged - draw a blind contour self portrait :D And you're right about the censor. It's blind contour, it doesn't have to look like you but somehow it does.

Catnapping said...

very powerful strokes. this is a strong image.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Whoa! Powerful indeed.

We have a flower here we call Morning Glory, it has a pale, lilac colour and is an extremely delicate flower.

Caroline said...

Hi GG, that's probably the one... a climber, the flowers come out early and gone by the afternoon.

Caroline said...

Janey the only aspect of the plant that shows directly is that its a climber and binds around things. And I'll do the tag in a mo...

Catnapping, thanks.

valerie walsh said...

caroline,
i am so glad that you explained the process, fascinating! Are there fumes? Really unusual and amazing! totally different than everyone else. luv it

Todd DeWolf said...

Well this is very strong in colour and image. Love it. It has tapestry feel to it as well. I use flower essences often-especially Rescue Remedy. It works well especially at funerals.

Caroline said...

valgart - the worst danger from enamels is that many are lead based. And of course carting hot things around. And yes the acid bath I used was nasty... I did it all in the Clifton School of Art & Design's studios - I don't have facilities at home.

Holly - thanks - Rescue Remedy was the first I ever used - given to me by someone with whom I was going up in a balloon! And it was bumpy ride but I loved it.

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful and strong copper enamelling! I sthis one the size of a brooch? We have many children here who go psycotic from eating the morning glory flower from the garden for a cheap thrill! It turns them upside down.

elegraph said...

i'm not familiar with enameling; thanks for sharing the technique. love the rich color!

Tony LaRocca said...

I am not wise in the ways of plants, but your choice color and the braided effect make your point very well.

Caroline said...

Oh Oh the is definitely a comment eating monster around... I know I replied to these...

Anonymous, thank you. Its 8.5 cm x 10.7 cm, a bit bigger than a brooch. I certainly wouldn't recommend using morning glory like that! Does it do them any long term harm - I'd have thought it might blow a few brain cells too many...

kg, thank you. I'm not that good at remembering to write about how I did things...

tony larocca, thank you.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Gee, I hope kids here never discover the 'drug' part of the morning glory flower!

Aravis said...

This is a really powerful image. It has a celtic feel to it. Very nice!