On February 1 of this year I posted a mixed media piece entitled Departure, the first in a small series about Sarah Emma Edmonds. (For the complete background about this woman, please visit the group of works designated Beyond the Battlefield on my website, http://www.civilwarfineart.com/, and click on The Sarah Emma Edmond series.) Today's post is of the finished version of my second in that series, and it is another symbolic piece that relates to the period from Emma's childhood, dominated by a father who clearly resented the fact that she had been born female rather than male, to the time when she fled that unhappy existence and worked on developing her male persona, hiding in the woods by day and travelling only under cover of darkness until she felt confident in her new role.
This piece has a lot of symbolism, both in terms of imagery and in terms of color, so you probably won't get a good look at it unless you enlarge it. (If you're interested in viewing the stages of its development, please visit my blog at http://amylindenberger.blogspot.com/ beginning with my first post in November 2010.) As is so often the case when I finish a long-term project, at the moment I really can't say how I feel about it -- one time I look at it, I'm very happy with it; the next time I look at it I have many, many doubts and misgivings. It will take some time, I'm sure, for me to see this one somewhat objectively.
9 comments:
Sooo poetic, Amy! Hope to see it someday "in person". It is... special. Just as many other of your works.
Amy--I quess the doubt we artists feel after we finish a painting is part of the creative process. We put ourselves "out there" for everyone to see and judge--it's kind of scarry. We hope people will like our work and sometimes I'm not sure if we like it.I never sign my painting till I am finished looking at it and/or correcting parts of it.
I do not understand the symbolism in your painting above, but I can see that it is haunting, beautifully constructed and beautifully painted. What is its size?
Thanks for the input and support from you both!
Cecelia: the size is 18"H x 28"W. (I almost always forget to post that info - this was a good reminder.)
I like the cool / warm back lighting.
Beautiful, symbolic and it draws you in. Is this all colored pencil? I also wanted to tell Cecelia "thanks" for what she wrote. Now I know I am not the only one who has doubts.
Hi Amy! "Haunting" was exactly the word that came to my mind, as well. I see birth, death and rebirth in the major theme - at least, that's what jumps out at me! The detail is tender and exquisite. What a wonderful job.
Yes, Charlotte, it is all colored pencil, done on an apricot-colored acid free mat board. It's been a while since I've done a large piece in colored pencil without using a solvent, or watercolor wash underneath, or some such device to shorten the work time. But it was enjoyable, even if it did take some time. And I agree with you about Cecelia's comment -- nice to know we're not alone in that self-doubting sensation.
And Dianne -- nice to see you picking up on those themes. Very close to what I was after!
Amy, I love the depth and richness of thought that you put into your work. It is so creatively unique and intriguing in many aspects - I find it pulling me in and keeping me there enjoying each treasured moment.
I think this is absolutely beautiful!
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