Ever since reaching the age of discretion I have kept this painting tucked firmly away in our deepest, darkest closet, but now, in response to the demands of many innocents, and washing my hands of all responsibility, I bring it into the light of day - the Beach Scene as mentioned in my previous post. Scroll down NOW or forever lose your peace.A couple of things need to be said: the first is that the lines of colour change are not part of the picture. It was too large to scan in one go and the separate scans did not match perfectly in every case. Also the quality is poor, again due to the number of scans and the need to significantly reduce the size of the resulting image.
And further to that most recent post of mine, it has been a real revelation to me to discover how many folk have not found in it (apart from the right hand section) any recognisable images. It's fascinating to realise at times like that how differently we perceive visual images. My first thought was that maybe I gave the impression with my talk of the way the eye moves around the picture, that this was some sort of exercise which might be tried. If so, it was not meant that way, it was just me saying what happens when I look at it. It was me trying to analyse its hold on me. Then I thought maybe I had just made an unfortunate choice of work with which to introduce him. That thought has at least given me the opportunity to display another whilst I try to figure out if there is any more I can do. It is very small, I fear, and may not enlarge too well. If you can find a reproduction of any of his Winter Walks (1-4), they are probably Hitchens at his finest. In the meanwhile, happy looking - at the second image! It is called Winter Stage and clearly shows, I think, the extent of Cezanne's influence on him - as, indeed, to pretty well all his canvases.
30 comments:
I like this. Very reminiscent of the 60's kitchen sink painters.
I have to congratulate you on your painting, even with those minor accidents after scanning it. I love the feel of it. The vivacity of the central figure against the passivity of the man in the foreground. And is that his wife on the right hand-side looking at him as is she was about to question him on why he's go this yes on that woman?
Marvellous stuff, dave. Many thanks.
Greetings from London.
Leatherdykeuk
Thanks for that - not sure which one, though!
A Cuban in London
No, many thanks to you. As I said, it's an old work that I put away and now don't know what to think of it, so brought it out with more than a little reluctance.
the color variations from the scanner are intersting. I wonder why the scanner does that? the beach painting is quite fun, the figures are lyrical and the movement is very nice.
Hi Dave,
I, too, like the exhuberant lady in the centre of your painting! and the colours. The shapes of your figures also remind me of another artist but, sadly, I cannot say who! Thanks for satisfying our curiosity!
Since your last post I have looked at several images of Hitchens' paintings. A few are clearly recognisable (to me), flower pieces and one, "early winter walk"? (but not the four you mention) and I like the colours in some too but I find others are not easy to decipher from their titles.
I don't mind an abstract work if I can at least appreciate the colours. I look at Treffinger Daily
http://katherinetreffinger.blogspot.com
for example, and like many of her own works simply for that reason. Nothing deep and meaningful, I just like them!
Thank You for sharing the painting Dave. I liked it very much.
Eye movement and flow of a painting can be very hard to describe. I thought you put it well.
CS
I find your painting enjoyable to look at and very good. I also appreciate the difficulty of getting these things to display properly on our blogs. I must admit to not knowing much about Ivon Hitchens so I have surfed the net and found loads of images. Thanks to your post, I have discovered a new artist. I see similarities between him and one of my most favorite artist, Howard Hodgkin.
I enjoyed seeing the Beach painting, Dave. I rather like it! The colors may not have been "realistic" but they evoke the fun that (to me at least) IS the experience of going to the beach. Don't hide it away.....maybe you can do seasonal variation in your home gallery! ; )
Cailin
Welcome to my blog. I have no idea why the scanner behaved like that - probably something I did or didn't do. Many thanks for your comments.
Derrick
I can't help you there, I think - could be someone influenced by me, of course! I couldn't find the four Hitchens paintings that I mentioned anywhere on the internet. If I do track them down I will let you know. I don't know Treffinger, so I shall be off to there presently to put that right.
Carl
Thanks for that: I was becoming a bit concerned!
Stephen
Hodgkin is one of my artists, too. There are echoes perhaps in his use of colour.
Cecile/DreamCreaterepeat
A seasonal variation? Now that's quite an idea... Thanks for it.
Oh my God David this is fantastic.
Wow...
I hope you are painting all the time because you are amazing.
I am totally flabbergasted.
I love it and I think it is absolutely stunning.
Love Renee xoxox
Your Beach Scene is pleasing to my senses in every possible way!!!! And, now of course, I want to see more of your work.
The first thought that popped into my mind ???? OUTED would be an appropriate title for your painting. Everyone joyous, free ... happy to be alive ... having fun at the beach.
The scanner bips didn't bother me, I liked the way the painting caught the essence of 'Beach', although the colour tone of the high kicking figure pulled it to the forefront, as though it was kicking the other's chin...Love the wavy shadows that mimic ripples in sand.
The second image is full of theatricality - you can almost hear the orchestra tuning up on the left behind the footlights, while the flats in the centre wait for their turn to portray a wood.
Paintings always send my imagination into overdrive.
YAHOO! LOVE the beach scene especially the frolicsome Miss in the background- That's ME! How did you do that, how did you know? Such a happy fun painting, I really LOVE it...thank you!
A very expressive beach scene with a unique style. Lots of movement and interest. I like it a lot.
Jean
I love that beach scene - particularly the cavorting figure, Dave. That is my first point.
My second point is what is the age of discretion - I don't think I ave reached it yet! Is it something to look forward to?
My gut reaction was Matisse actually. Don't know if that's a good thing or bad. Suggests the work is derivative and that's not what I'm trying to say. I'd hang it on my wall though it'd have to go in the hall because there no space in the living room and besides our cockateil gnaws all our frames in here.
I really do like the painting. Thanks for sharing it.
Exquisite. A very beautiful painting that I would definitely hang.
I like the paint Dave!
Hello again, Dave,
I'm grateful to Jim Murdoch for mentioning Matisse. I would agree! Your characters are certainly not the same but their shapes and movement are what suggested it in my mind, even though I didn't know what I was thinking!!
Renee
Welcome, thanks for commenting and for the complimentary remarks. Much appreciated.
Helen
That is very clever. I must confess I had not thought of that take on the word.
Jinksy
Thanks for that. I am glad the scanner bips didn't intrude too much and I agree with your observations on both paintings.
Linda Sue
Yup, I had you down for a fun person, right from the word go.
Watercolorist
Many thanks. I have to admit being more than alittle surprised at all the positive comments.
The Weaver of Grass
I knew the age of discretion once, but I'm too far past it now to remember when it was. Thanks for your kind remarks.
Jim
You are in good company. I have often heard that comparison made by those who are in the know about these things, but could never really see it for myself. Just now and again I've thought I've seen it, only to find it not there next time I looked. I didn 't actually take you to mean derivative.
Don't hang a Howard Hodgkin near your cockateil then, he'd be gnawing picture with the frame!
Help! I've just read Derrick's comment. He's assuming you were speaking of my painting; I thought we were talking about the Hitchens!!!
Seaside Girl
And thanks for the feedback. Always welcome.
David
I'd hang any of his, even one of his throw-outs.
Adrian
Thanks for that.
Derrick
Thanks Derrick. For the rest read my comment to Jim before I extend my senior moment into a senior afternoon! I see it all now - some of it!
I often learn things when I come here - as I did with your previous post. Sometimes you make me engage parts of my brain that sit idle as I go about the mundane tasks of my day.
Today, however, I am just joyful. I just adore your beach painting. It is so filled with life and color. As you might remember, I don't know anything about art, but - to borrow a phrase - I know what I like. This, I like. It makes me feel something, and that's my barometer. Excellent!
As I've said before, I am in no capacity to critique a painting for all my efforts at it result in mix of black and orange.
But I did like the Beach Scene a lot. It was more the kind of painting a layman like me could understand and relate to.
I think "Scroll down NOW or forever lose your peace" was overkill. :D :D
I liked the Beach Scene - infinitely better than Jack Vettriano's efforts. I'm nowhere near as expert or knowledgeable as some of your readers, but I like it. It cheers me up.
Hi Dave, I wrote some words for The Beach Scene:
BLIND FOLK BLINDLY
the man in the shorts
alone with his thoughts
he’s the only one
that can see you see
fantasy beach and
the dancing quartet
and scarlet houses
of much ill repute
a pink dog walking
and just behind him
shadows burning deep
into golden sands
the freckled lady
hands resting on hips
talking to herself
with her eyes closed tight
only green shorts can
see the sea you see
the Indian ink
deep blue ocean blue
every single face
is from the same mould
grey blue black and bald
young old tall thin small
the canvas hangs for
the demi-god who
created all this
in a dark closet
genius unleashed
in another age
doing the rain dance
under a green sky
blind folk blindly jive
to the whale music
static white noise like
mechanical toys
then the secret strand
embedded in the
photographic wall
now yesterdays ghosts
110609
I love this.
I have to mention again how small your print is on your blog....rubbing my old eyes....yes i wear glasses...LOL
Vibrant and vivid, this piece extends energy to the viewer - it's a delight!
This is fun. I've referred to it in this morning's post.
One of the most interesting things about this is the way the foot of the dancing lady in the background appears to be kicking the face of the guy in the foreground because of the way the figures align. It reminds me of the inadvertantly funny compositions we sometimes get when photographing without considering how things might appear. Like in this photo at a few clowns short. :-)
The images look so perfectly imperfect. I love it!
This painting should be hanging on the wall in a light and focal spot. Definitely not in the deepest darkest closet. I think it's fantastic!
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