Monday, July 2, 2007



TWIST
is the theme for this week's Illustration Friday. You can see, I think, how influenced I was by the work of Lucien Freud at the time that I painted this. Although I was not aiming to be a Lucia Freud or anything...but I was poring over books of his work and obviously it made an impression.

It is unfinished. My model, Oliver, a free spirit, took off for California (land of the free spirits) after we had only a couple of sessions. I hadn't gotten around to taking good reference photos and so that was pretty much that. There was always something about it that kept me from painting over it, despite its rough state, although I never exhibited it. Till now!

On the Floor, oil on canvas, 44 x 60 inches

39 comments:

alex said...

Nancy! This is is mind blowing. What a beautiful and powerful painting. Wow. Speechless...

Heather said...

Even rough this is a great job. (Maybe your friend ran away because he didn't want to do the pose anymore? Probably not...)

Tina Poe said...

Absolutely beautiful, I would love to have seen how much more wonderful you would have made this if your model hadn't run away!

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

runaway model! Interesting tibit. Makes this painting that much more powerful and interesting.

Bella Darkweaver said...

This is a wonderful painting, and the story of your "runaway model" makes it even more intriguing. Great work.

Kerstin Klein said...

it is beautiful - nevertheless!

° said...

looks just like me when i cant seem to come up with an idea for IF. niced painting and like the cropping of it

neilornstein said...

don't touch it. It is great as it is. John Singer Seargeant said you need 2 people to paint a picture. One to hold the brush and another to hold a club to hit the one with a brush about the head and shoulders to prevent the artist from overworkng the picture.

Focus_ret said...

I really like this. Somehow it touches my emotions.

janie said...

I think it's just as well the model ran off. The rawness is powerful and painful, brilliant.

Jack Snider said...

That's great Nancy. Your painting skills are enviable.

ELLA ELVIANA said...

wow! amazing painting!!

soulbrush said...

ditto from me, totally amazing work!
am so envious of your talent!

Catnapping said...

beautiful and powerfully executed. i wouldn't change a thing.

imwithsully said...

This is the most powerful piece I've seen yet. All I can say is "Bravo" to your amazing talent!

mike r baker said...

I like the "rough state". It's a wonderful painting!

Greg Hartman said...

Beautiful work, looks finished how it is!

Zari said...

I have no words to express the feeling transmitted by this painting...It is really a great work...WAO!

Eugenia Gina said...

wooowwww.....! I'm also speechles, great paintings!

studio lolo said...

Stunning piece Nancy Bea! I agree with Neilornstein when he says it takes 2 people.
I'm a huge fan of your work. Just beautiful!

aeneadellaluna said...

Yes i think it's a bit freudian.. you should check out Paula Rego she's a realist from the english school too!
Swell work!!

AndyDoodler said...

Everything happens for a reason- so they say- yes, really beautiful the way it is- as are your paintings throughout your site- wow!

Anette Heiberg said...

Nice. I like the way you paint shadows, looks great!

Anette Heiberg
www.wynlen.no

MION said...

Wow, incredible painting!
Lovely style.

Unknown said...

good effort

Mônica said...

Amazing painting, Nancy Bea, you are such a talented painter! Tough subject, really powerful, and wonderful technique.

Jules said...

Wow, this is wonderful. I wonder what he's thinking about... maybe California.

Linda said...

powerful emotional painting, funny about your model, maybe it was meant to be left like this. bravo!

arvindh said...

Wow! I love your life drawing. A mammoth work indeed at 44X60. When he modeled for you, did you paint live or did you make several sketches and then painted it on canvas?

I will drop by again to look for updates.

Nancy Bea Miller said...

Hey, everyone, I was completely amazed, surprised and delighted by your comments! Thank you so much! I guess there really WAS a reason I felt unable to paint over it.

Yes, it was a very uncomfortable pose, poor Oliver. I padded the floor with small pieces of foam, under his joints and head, but I think it was agonizing nonetheless. Who knows, maybe it contributed to his precipitous departure for CA!
;->

Arvindh, I rarely make preliminary sketches but just start painting directly onto the canvas. I draw it in loosely at first with paint, making changes and adjustments till it feels right. This can take a while. Then I'll start laying on the body color, roughing in shadows etc.. This was painted from life, in a couple of sessions and then I worked just a little further from a very poor, fuzzy snapshot I'd taken as a way of "holding the pose". But I quickly gave up as it wasn't a useful reference photo. I hope that answers your question? Let me know if not.

Tracy said...

I think this piece is wonderful the way it is!

Catalina Alvarez said...

Powerfull and superb image!
Wow!
Cata

illustrations by doni said...

the color of his skin is so good, you should exhibit everywhere you can...

platitudinal said...

What a marvelous painting. The color scheme is stunning. I love the way Oliver twisted his upper torso. The whole thing is just mesmerizing.

anitha shalini said...

Hi, I am not very knowledgeable about painting or art in general - I but I know enough to see that yuou are extremely talented. I looked at many of your posts, simply marvellous - I liked "citrus" the most.

Xev said...

My goodness. That's an amazing painting. Well done.

Thanks for stopping by and if you have the time and space, you've been.. >> TAGGED <<

Alice said...

Ohmy! I love this!

Designing Fairy said...

Nancy, this is an amazing painting. Rich with details and color. Very beautiful yet tells a great story about this kid.

ottoblotto said...

amazing