November 1, 2011

Repetition and Growth


Some times, repetition may be a key to learning and growth.

These paintings "The Ocean Talk" and "The Sky is not the limit' are done on 18 by 24 inch canvas in oil. I had done similar ones about an year ago, in acrylic.The visit to Muir Forest and Point Lobos, California is close to my heart and a pleasure to paint, so I thought of trying out the same again, this time in oil.

I think that when you re do a work after a long gap, it is interesting to see if the brain decides to go for a new approach, overcomes the obstacles faced previously or just follow what had been done in the older version..a sort of self analysis of growth or stagnancy!

Both these paintings are presently part of the "Nature" show at the Linus Gallery, Pasadena, California

40 comments:

  1. What was your reaction when you re did some of your old paintings-a new approach,ability to overcome old obstacles or just a rehash of the older version.Whatever,these two look awesome,Padmaja

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  2. Your "Sky is not the Limit" looks very real! I love the way you have composed it.. I had to click it to know that it was not a photograph! Very nice!

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  3. congratulations and all the best on the show :) I can see the vastness of the water and the bigness of trees beautifully!

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  4. First, my warmest congrats on your participation in the show.
    Second, thank you so much for the idea to re-do work, to see the progress and changes in painting practice.
    Good luck!

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  5. I echo Irina, Padmaja. I must say that the canopy of trees in particular is just breathtaking to me, a tree-lover of old. Truly stunning pieces!

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  6. That is such a good idea!The seascape is so beautiful,I love the warm sky in particular.The trees are so magificent,how clever to have the figures there to show the scale of the trees.Congratulations and best wishes for the show.

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  7. I feel, when I am reworking, I tend to find my first work not so good(although it might have looked good to me at that time), and so I start to think, and also remember things I had brushed aside earlier in my hurry to finish it, and second time when i get to do it is definitely much more beautiful and refined.
    I am sure an artist like you would, definitely see it that way only, and given a chance your idea would always be to improve upon it.
    Beautiful paintings Padmaja.

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  8. I agree with you Padmaja in redoing an older work, I do the same, but mostly when I have no inspiration :-)
    These two are both stunning paintings , but my heart prefers the first one, so fantastic colors and movement. And congrats on the show! xox

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  9. Padmaja, the show is so close to my home! I think I will try to go visit and enjoy your images in their full size.

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  10. yeah i guess wehn we re do something we probably have a better thought behind it and it comes out better ..

    but then original will always be a original ... :)

    beautiful paintings

    Bikram's

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  11. I think it takes tremendous courage to re-work a painting. And don't you just love oils! I love the 'Sky is not the Limit' - a beautiful sense of space and peace.

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  12. Ohhhh these are gorgeous Padmaja. I love them! It's so fun to see your painting while we are up in the area and probably will go back to Muir woods tomorrow.

    Excellent work.

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  13. These are both wonderful pieces of work. Love the depth of the forest and the crashing ocean waves.

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  14. very interesting...the sea scape is brilliant with so many colours and yet in harmony! the muir woods are magnificent!

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  15. I think re-doing a painting we have done previously is a great way to work out any problems we may have had with the first version.
    I don't know what your first two paintings looked like, but these are both lovely! I am especially partial to that wonderful wood scene.

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  16. My goodness! "Ocean Talk" is phenomenal! I like the different brushstrokes you used for rendering sky, water and rocks. I love the colors you chose as it makes this scene GLOW!
    I remember "The Sky's the Limit" that you did previously and this one, in oil, is every bit as enjoyable. You are very talented, Padmaja.

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  17. Both these paintings are very attractive, padmaja! And congratulations on having them on show. Do you also love oils? I get very dirty and must keep baby wipes close by, but it is worth it!

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  18. I stopped back by for a visit and just now noticed the people on the path. You have such a way of bringing new interest to an old subject. I love them both.

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  19. Two absolutely beautiful paintings...I truly love the first one "The Ocean Talk".. stunning piece!! Congratulations on having them shown at the gallery!! Very exciting!

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  20. Padmaja, I especially love the forest scene. The vertical lines of the forest are so strong going from bottom to top and make for a very powerful piece. Well done!

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  21. Gorgeous! Both appeal to me for very different reasons. The ocean, for it's warm inviting sunset colours and the forest scene for the strong vertical element as well as how you captured light. Two beautiful pieces!!

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  22. I particularly like the Muir woods painting. You hve captured the grandeur and size of the redwood trees. We live about twenty minutes from Muir woods - a tranquil place to visit.
    Jean

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  23. Muir woods is on my radar for a long time, want to visit the place..loved the tittle of the painting...very insightful.

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  24. They are both beautiful! I love the radiance that they have, like they are reaching out to me and drawing me in. I;m glad you are showing them in public. People will love them!

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  25. Wonderful pieces of work...Love your paintings!

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  26. Woww!!! Completely bowled over! Loved both of them, wish I had those magic fingers!!

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  27. if you ever think of teaching painting online, I'd love to be your student!

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  28. Padmaja, I really think it's good for us to sometimes re do a work we've done before.. I do it quite often, and of course it never looks the same which I think is not a bad thing.
    The woods is a wonderful painting, I've been to Muir Woods. and it's very representative.
    BJ

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  29. I personally loved the woods. The grandeur has been so beautifully captured.

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  30. I love both of them. The ocean has been the theme of my abstract work for years so it caught my attention first. However I also love the redwood forests of the west coast and your painting caught the feeling I had walking through them. Both paintings are beautiful!
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  31. Loved the title and the paintings...there is always something to learn and cherish in all your paintings..great.

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  32. When I clicked on "The Sky Is Not the Limit", it took my breath away. Very well done. Congratulations on the show!

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  33. Oh my gosh! Those are two gorgeous oil paintings! As I teacher, I can affirm that repetition is definitely the key to growth. But one must also have a true desire to grow and commitment to the subject matter. Combine all that with the unique insights that I see in your art and your writing, and you are such a strong, talented artist!

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  34. Thank you for the comment on my subway sketches.
    Your art work is amazing. I love this Sky in the Limit painting. Beautiful!
    Happy Painting and Happy New Year,
    Nora

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  35. I cant believe that this is a painting...
    Very good!

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  36. Oh, my goodness!! I loved your first Muir Woods painting. I wouldn't have thought I'd love another any more. But this one is magnificent!

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