Lady of the Lake
May 2nd, 2008
So this is the painting I've been working on the last couple days. I believe it's done although I still need to paint the sides. I'm so happy with it though! It came straight from my intuition as I collaged, did transfers and painted. One thing led to another. The face came in because an image of birds I had transferred onto the canvas (using soft gel gloss medium) was in the shape of a face. I loved the idea of a face made up of birds, so I went with that. As the painting progressed, I noticed that a bit of gel had taken the shape of a feather on the woman's arm, so I drew that in.
I love how her face was just there, wanting to be pulled out. I drew in two other birds at the end that matched the type of birds in her face. And from the beginning, I've been calling her "Lady of the Lake," so that will be her name. She's 18"x18" on gallery wrapped canvas with acrylic and collaged papers (that mostly got covered up.) As for what it means and where it was coming from, I'm not sure yet. These things bubble up from my subconscious. I do know that birds are messengers for me. But I like to also leave things open for others to interpret and find their own meaning there.
It was nice to work a little bigger again. It's been a while it seems. I've felt somewhat limited by my space, but since I've moved some things out and re-organized a bit, things have felt more conducive to working a little larger. Plus, I got a whole pile of canvases real cheap from an artist who was moving to France and unloading their studio. I really wanted the ikea flat file unit, but the canvases were a fantastic bonus and now I'm very glad to have them.
It got so chilly here this week! After a week of summer-like weather, it's a bit of a shock even though we knew that those warm temps couldn't last. Time for some tea with honey, me thinks.
p.s. Have you seen Christine Mason Miller's new book, Ordinary Sparkling Moments? You can get a sneak peek here (go to the book link at the top of the page) and pre-order it on her website. From what I've seen, it looks simply gorgeous. There are only going to be 200 copies made, so you might just want to reserve your copy straight away. Her book will be debuted at Squam Arts Workshops (which I'm so bummed I can't be at...stupid weddings!)
p.p.s. (or is it p.s.s?, I can't remember.) Thanks so much for the well wishes. I'm feeling much better today. Much less clogged and no dizziness to speak of. Hopefully it was a one time thing.
18 Responses
WOW….beautiful painting!
I’m glad you are feeling much better now.
Posted by: Serena | May 2, 2008 at 6:35 pm |
Aghhhhh! Wow!!! I knew with a title like “Lady of the Lake” I would love this one. How exciting! This piece made my day, Leah. Just gorgeous!
Posted by: Shayla | May 2, 2008 at 6:58 pm |
This is fantastic, Leah! I hope you’re feeling better. I live with chronic vertigo and have for over 20 years. If you need tips, doc recommendations, etc., let me know. I lived in Boston when I was diagnosed…
Posted by: Fran | May 2, 2008 at 8:15 pm |
Really great work!
And I’m glad your epizooties have passed.
Posted by: jd | May 2, 2008 at 10:51 pm |
Beautiful!!! You captured exactly what the “name/title” evokes in the minds eye!! Thanks for sharing you lovely painting!
Hugs
Renee
Posted by: Renee | May 2, 2008 at 11:29 pm |
This is such an amazing piece, her eyes are so full of expression, this is really really good.
Posted by: Denise | May 3, 2008 at 3:19 am |
Leah, your Lady is so lovely ! I love the birds on her face and how they just arrived there through the process. I also love the “bubbles” or watermarks on the piece – almost as though the viewer emerged from the lake as well to look at her beauty.
Just gorgeous !
Glad you are feeling better !Stay well and hopefully this chilly New England spring will cooperate and warm us up soon !
Cheers !
Kim
Posted by: Kimbo | May 3, 2008 at 8:09 am |
Lovely painting… I was in Cornwall over the last few days… one of the possible locations for the lady of the lake (as in the King Arthur stories)…
Glad to hear you are feeling better.
Stay well.
xxx
Posted by: Caroline | May 3, 2008 at 8:47 am |
That is so beautiful. I could stare at her face all day long.
Just lovely.
a.
Posted by: andrea | May 3, 2008 at 9:57 am |
Love this piece! So glad to hear that you are feeling better too…
Posted by: karen beth | May 3, 2008 at 10:23 am |
beautiful image. lovely painting. redwinged blackbirds always speak(sing?) to me of spring..
~sue okieffe
Posted by: Sue O'Kieffe | May 3, 2008 at 12:32 pm |
Hey Leah,
Just wanted you to know that I’ve been thinking of you, though I’ve got so much going on right now and don’t have time to read much at the moment. I’m living in the States again.. for good. YAY! I’ll be in touch when I have the chance, things have been hectic to say the least. I hope you are doing so well. I know that first year of marriage is a doozy! lots of love, Amy
Posted by: Amy | May 3, 2008 at 1:09 pm |
Beautiful! she looks like an undine to me. i like the feather on her arm.
Posted by: Miriam | May 4, 2008 at 2:34 am |
I like her expression and the balance of the composition. Good to see you’re working big again! big hugs!
Posted by: rosa murillo | May 4, 2008 at 8:40 am |
A very moody piece – beautiful.
Posted by: Rebecca | May 4, 2008 at 1:38 pm |
Leah, Lady of the Lake is fabulous. Your style has developed so well in the last year. What a beauty.
I can’t wait to see you.
I am finally finding my feet again and can’t wait to get back into my art studio, regroup and join CED08 once more.
to you….MWAH!
Posted by: tammigirl | May 5, 2008 at 7:13 am |
oh…how i wish we could meet up at squam.
Posted by: kelly | May 5, 2008 at 8:58 am |
This is AWESOME! I love it!
Posted by: Christine Kane | May 5, 2008 at 4:01 pm |