Finding the Way

Eamonn B. Shanahan | Finding the Way | Acrylic on Canvas | 42 x 27 cm

A Tragic Vanity

Continuation from previous post...

What is real beauty? When we look in the mirror are we blind to the way we look? A common artist practice for assessing your own work is to leave the piece of art work and look at it at another time as if you have never seen it before, then ask yourself; what is this work about? Often more times than not you won't be able to answer this question, but when you do, it could mean one of two things -- your codding yourself or you may have created something very special.

However, when relating this theory back to my original question -- 'what is real beauty?’ how is it represented? Are we dressing like others; is make-up a cover up? Is it necessary? A recent study on one particular model shows a dramatic change. See for yourself and ask what's the natural look or is this even a valid question? 

 

Movement & Expression Explored - Semester 1 Yr 2

An Introduction to 'A Mystical World'

The beginning of a Mystical World

The formation of my new world is now underway. My inspiration comes from the modern day film makers including that of Tim Burton, with his quirky and dramatic set work and multimedia animation; Disney for what he is, a master of the film world but also an artist in his own right. The Socorers Apprentice shows this exactly like many other of Disney's films - Beautiful, positive, musical and magical all describe his work and I want to try and achieve these very aspects in my work.

I wanted the underlay of this painting to be dark for one primary reason - to highlight and emphasis the lighter features in the painting. The trickling water in the far background is the focus in this painting. However it should lead the eye swirling around the soft blue tones of the painting to reach the foreground - the red and darker pigments.

 

 

I have not achieved what I want to achieve as of yet. The point of 'magic-ness' and musical mystery is not as evident as it should be. However what is present and what will be carried forward is the movement. Movement is certainly illustrated in this painting through the large brush strokes, the direction and flow of colour and the falling of water. This will be further emphasised in the future and I hope that the influence of the figure and natural aspects will aid this also.


The combination of my performance work, the addition of textures such as sand and plaster to give dimension and with the idea of the mystical world is the direction that I'm aiming towards.