Sunday, July 14, 2013

retro fave: 9 memory paintings from friends

christine troyer
catherine delorimier, memory sunrise

lisa la quelenec, la rocco
caroline simmil, little earth
lorenzo chavez, march wind


nika zakharov, memory sunset
brenda boylan, memory painting

sam hannaway, when color first comes
maggie latham
Here is another beautiful re-post.
Look at these beautiful paintings! Cheers to all who tried.  Most attempted to work completely from memory, following the tradition of Whistler. Many said that their work is not a full memory painting and that they felt they needed to sketch or use a photo to help. Regardless, the work is beautitful and from the heart..
What struck me was how each painter's distinct personality was so easy to see when working from memory. The other "stuff" is stripped away. The maker becomes exposed.
These were the guidelines I gave all last week.
The memory painting guidelines, adapted from Whistler.
*watch a scene, then turn your back and in words describe in detail. If you have someone with you have them correct if you are wrong. Do this till it is secure in your head. No photos or sketches.
* Wait 12 hours, allow the scene to be created in your head
* Paint, using only that memory. Your knowledge and understanding of light will stream in and guide you.
* I will be happy to post a jpeg of your painting on my site, with credit to you, of course.

 Each first time memory painter talked about their fear and their release at trying. Of course after showing all these moments of memory I have to post words from John Carlson.


"The memory exaggerates the essential; the trifles of incidents tend to become blurred.  Protracted painting of what one sees before him (or her) dulls the initial expressive shock. In painting from memory, the whole stress is laid on expressive agents. In direct-from-nature painting, much useless lumber insinuates itself,interesting for its own sake, but derogatory to the whole. The eye is greedy. There is always too much material seen, with not enough synthesis."

Please, in your leisure, take a little time to look at the blogs and websites of the fellow memory painters:

Christine Troyer
Maggie Latham

I'll end with words from Lorenzo Chavez. He told me a little bit about the creation of his painting "March Wind."
 I love to spend my day in the field working from life and sometimes just sitting or walking and really looking at the landscape. I find it very meditative. In fact I now practice a form of meditation called Mindful Meditation. It is a practice of staying focused on a thought or an object and really paying attention .
I am amazed at how well my recall is when practicing this.

"March Wind" is an attempt to get the feeling of fading light and the gentle pulse of the earth through the filter of a remembered landscape.
  

If by chance you submitted a painting and I did not post it, let me know. I posted all I received.

16 comments:

Katherine van Schoonhoven said...

Very inspiring post, Loriann! Thank you suggesting the challenge and WOW to all of the artists who tried it!! I tried this when we were on our boat trip last year and I was stuck in Campbell River, BC because of weather. But, time to do it again. I love what's happening with your memory pieces, they are so essential. Kvan

loriann signori said...

Thanks Kvan. I thought it was so inspiring to see what others had created..what beauty and feeling. It is so easy to see the distinct personalities of each painter. You have been up to some gorgeous stuff. Would love to see what you would do with your memory at this time in your painting progression.

Missouri Johnson said...

I love, love, love the fact that you keep your blog current and fresh. I love your work and just appreciate your ability to show up as often as you do to share. thanks,

Missouri

http://missouri-oneofusislying.blogspot.com/

Nika said...

Amazing show,I can pick up a sense of quiet exhilaration in all of these. What an incredibly generous, thoughtful and inspiring artist you are, Loriann. Thank you so much for pushing us and sharing all this goodness!

Anonymous said...

Hi Loriann, what a wonderful show of memory work from everyone…I am going to enjoy looking at everyone’s blogs.
Thank you so much for suggesting this challenge AND for posting my work. I have been thinking a lot about the concept of memory painting since your recent posts and really think that it is something we should all ponder on.
When I read your reply to one of the comments the other day about how painful it is for you to paint at the moment, my heart went out to you. You are such a TROOPPER (as the say on this side of the pond).
Only more fantastic, meaningful paintings can come out of your generosity to other artists and your determination to overcome the burdens of life.
Maggie

Caroline Simmill said...

What a fine collection of memory works Loriann. Isn't it amazing how different everyone's work is and that is what makes it so interesting. I have some great new blogs to visit. thankyou!

Lisa Le Quelenec said...

Thank you so much for including my picture. It's been a really good challenge and I think might just be a spark that starts some new work. It's lovely to see what everyone has done, everything so different. I'm off now to visit their blogs and explore.

Thank you once again, have a lovely weekend.

Donna T said...

These paintings are incredible! Thanks, everyone, for sharing them and thanks for the inspiration, Loriann.

loriann signori said...

Hi Missouri, Thank you.I really appreciate your kind words. It's so nice to hear that other benefit from my blog. Thanks.

Hi Nika, I am glad that you like the show. I was thrilled to see that you took the challenge and excelled! I can't wait to see what will happen.

Hi Maggie,
They are beautiful, aren't they? I am glad that you enjoyed the challenge. If others are interested I will maybe do a monthly challenge. I was delighted to post your work.
A "trooper", ....I think that's what my Mom called me too.... that and "tough cookie". Believe me, I "trooper of the universe." She fought lung cancer and lost 10 years ago. Amazing woman I aspire to resemble.

Hi Caroline,
Enjoy your visiting. You would love Christine's work too...she as yet does not have a site, but does incredible work. Thanks for submitting yours. My husband pointed to yours and said, What feeling!" THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING!

Hi Lisa!
Your picture is gorgeous and with real feeling. I am delighted that you took the challenge. I think it is going to lead you somewhere new. Please let me know.

Hi Donna!
I am glad you like them. Maybe next time I can include yours as well.

Anonymous said...

Not a painting, but a collagraph print, part of a whole series drawn from childhood memories.

http://www.panchromatica.co.uk/photo_5618237.html

Anonymous said...

Loriann, That's it.... need to keep my glasses next to the computer for sure! Yes indeed I did mean "trooper"!!!!

Jala Pfaff said...

These look great.

Kim Vanlandingham said...

These are wonderful!!!

Celeste Bergin said...

really beautiful paintings...they are all so calm and confident. I'm impressed.

loriann signori said...

Hi Ian, thanks for sending yours...it's not the medium that counts, its the idea. Cheers!

Hi Maggie, I do that as well...sometimes even with my reading glasses on... hee hee.

Hi Jala, Kimberly and Celeste,
Glad you enjoyed the paintings. They are all beautiful, as they came from the heart. Thanks for stopping by to see.

eM said...

Dear Lisa, this is wonderful project. Thanks for sharing ideas and pictures of other artists I knew just Lisa (her paintings of the sea are great) so I am glad I will know other painters and their blogs. Sometimes I have to try this method :-). Have a lovely summer days!!!