Pages

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Danae


I keep apologizing for my long absences. Honestly, I've been allowing myself the indulgence of focusing on my paintings - playing around with what direction I want to explore next. I have had two new purse paintings finished, but wasn't certain I was ready to post. Mainly because I wanted to see if these purses were going to make up a new body of work.

One of the reasons I'm interested in purses, is similar to my attraction to my presents. Both are elaborate, decorative surfaces that disguise/hide interior content. The main difference for me is that we have a pretty good guess as to what might be inside a purse. Purses are so personal too. They reveal our personality, whether we like it or not. Funny thing is, I myself rarely carry an actual purse. Maybe I'm just not ready to commit to a personality yet, or maybe I haven't found a purse that can adequately hold my personality. I think I'm going with that last one.

Anyway, I'm actually pretty certain that purses are not going to be a totally new direction, (I am actually working on two bow themed paintings right now) but I do think they will continue to make guest appearances. They give me the opportunity to ponder an intriguing question..... what shiny fun self do we show the world, and is it the same self as our inner private one?

Thanks as always for tolerating my musings.

22 comments:

Cheryl McCarley said...

Love this theme! Keep on workng it...

Anita said...

I love your purse paintings - a wonderful series. They keep you wondering about who would own them and what is in them.
Good luck with your exploration - I'm doing that myself at the moment.

Jennifer said...

what shiny fun self do we show the world, and is it the same self as our inner private one?

Excellent question.

Christine Bray said...

I am so happy that you have posted a painting. The colors of this purse are so rich! I love the spots of teal and the copper/gold colors. This painting is wonderful and I think it is a great theme to continue along with your presents! Now I am wondering is my outside purse reflecting my personality the way the inside does. hmm.

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you Cheryl, I appreciate the encouragement!

Anita, wonderful checking out your blog, thank you so much for your comments, and I hope your exploring is going great.

Jennifer, I think we must be sisters separated at birth or something! You seem to always get my crazy babbling posts! Your comments are always appreciated!

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you Christine! The combo of colors were super fun to work with. Believe it or not, I discovered that Gamblin's Gold Ocher plus Cobalt Teal made a great dark gold. Easy as pie!

I bet your purse has some art supplies, maybe a postcard from a show or painting, and since I know how sunny and happy you are, it must contain something bright and shiny!

jennifer woodburn said...

Wow. What a luminecent painting. I love the purses, and hope you continue this series at a future time. There are definately some parallels with your beautiful bow paintings.

Anonymous said...

So nice to see you blogging again Karen.
This one is gorgeous. She's a sophisticated and glamorous party girl. She looks full. Full of love? Pride? Doubt? Joy?

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you Jennifer for stopping by my blog. I really enjoyed finding yours, and love your paintings!

Silvina, I like your question. The inside always remains a mystery to me. However, Danae is a princess of Greek mythology often depicted in art, Gustav Klimt's painting of her being one of my personal favs. As the short version of the story goes, she conceived a son in a shower of gold - usually shown as gold coins. So I hadn't thought about it until now, but either she is a plump princess in the midst of her shower, or she's radiant in her 7th or 8th month. :)

Karen Appleton said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Edgar said...

It's funny, I rarely think of the contents of a purse, but I see the purse as a chosen accessory. It's not the same mystery as a gift box. The purse mystery has more to do with the question, "What does the choice of the purse say about the barer's self-image?"

But the painting invites the same speculation: "Who carries this?"

Karen Appleton said...

Thank you Edgar! I agree, I think the purses do seem to cause less speculation as to what might be inside, instead making me think more directly about a person or personality.

I love your question, "What does the choice of the purse say about the barer's self-image?"

LOVE IT!

Edgar said...

Sorry for the typo: should be "bearer", not "barer."

Karen Appleton said...

Didn't even notice myself Edgar. Funny though, could be barer, as in, the choice of purse says something about the barer's (one who reveals) self-image.

A stretch I know. :)

Jennifer said...

I love your crazy, babbling posts... as well as your lovely paintings. More of both, please!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting about the mythic Danae. I had to go look in my Klimt book for the painting. It's the slumbering redhead. Thank you, I learned something!

Karen Appleton said...

Jennifer you are cracking me up! I might be able to set some sort of posting record if I could produce paintings as fast as my mouth spews out babble! :)

I learn something everyday from your blog Silvina!

Helen Read said...

Your new theme is great - but your execution of the paintings is even better! Love how you've shown us the sequins and color!

Carolyn Finnell said...

Glad to see a new post. And such brushwork and color. Subtle and dramatic. I especially like your musings about purses. I have a fascination with pitchers. I've only started to paint some of the many I own, but I think it's going to be a reoccurring theme for me. It's partly what is.. or might be.. inside, but also that pitchers are designed to give back. Does that make sense?

Rhonda Hurwitz said...

I enjoy your art...wonderful paintings. I am reminded that everytime I say "pocketbook", my husband corrects me and says "handbag" (he is in the business). Well, as they say, a rose by any other name...

FCP said...

The purse is lovely, the warm colors and sparkle--an excellent theme, and excellent point about the mystery of the bearer and contents.
thanks for sharing both your lovely work and ideas behind them,
Faye

Karen Appleton said...

Hi Helen! Thank you, you are always too kind with the compliments, and they are always greatly appreciated!

Carolyn thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on your pitcher series. I love the symbolism of giving back that the pitchers have for you! Wonderful!

Rhonda that is so funny, I suppose if I continue this series I need to know the difference myself. Purse, pocketbook, or handbag. Just those names conjure up different ideas as to what the purse/handbag/pocketbook should look like! :) Thanks for sharing!

Hi Faye! I have so enjoyed your postings about describing with words your subject before you start painting. Perfect! These beautiful paintings of yours really embody the ideas you've expressed in the posts too! Thanks Faye!