Friday, May 22, 2009

For Fun..


Ovarian Act II
30" x 40"  o/c


An older work, based on a strange dream I'd had.  I put together a small collage first of the elements, and then worked up the larger painting.  The cat is my mom's cat, and the shell is another from my grandmother's collection.  I don't know who the women are, but rest assured, the one with the egg is not me. Well, then again, it was a dream.


Update:  Thanks to Sara Winters for passing along the Kreative Blogger Award.  Please visit Sara's site to see a beautiful painting of one of the most creative "castles" you'll ever see, and to enjoy the rest of her fantastic work.

81 comments:

gh said...

Wow, Liz, this is a fantastic piece! Although there are many elements and subjects placed within the scene they all work in together well and the entire composition is comfortable allowing one to ease leisurely look about and enjoy the fantasy.
It is quite impressive when clicking to view the larger image and so I can only imagine how stunning this would be in person, at 30x40"

Every Photo Tells A Story said...

I can't say it any better than Gary, Liz! It's an amazing piece. What a dream! It's worth analyzing. And, what I'd give to have her legs:)

P.S. Love the title! Is there an Act I? Or, are you the Act I?

Mona Diane Conner said...

I just love this painting too, Liz! I wish I had the central character's shoes, not to mention her je ne sais quoi.

Could she be you, holding the egg of your creative ideas, since you are surrounded by family symbols and animals, birds that you enjoy painting?

Chuck Dilmore said...

this is just stunning!
love the detail - the tilt of the cat's head, the pinky extended.

incredible job!
thank you for bring it back for us!

peace~
Chuck

Gregory Becker said...

That is definitely dream-like. I would like to see some closeups. Especially the upper right corner. I have very vivid dreams also. I don't know if I have the skills to bring one to life like this yet.
I am also a little apprehensive to let people see into that world.
I always want my work to be based in honest vulnerability and to try to represent one of my dreams, I fear, would tempt me to tell it based on a lie, for fear of someone not understanding it.
Do you ever feel that way?

Ann Rogers said...

Wow, Liz, how does one respond to this, it's all fantastic...execution, colors, depth of arches, movement in the water, canvas size and hey, that title! That's a lot of eye candy!

FCP said...

This is a fascinating composition and all the elements work well together. I love that your mom and grandmother are represented in the dream. And I am no dream interpreter, but have read that when there are people in your dreams that you do not recognize, they are there as your "guides" and discerning what the dream is about has more to do with how you feel in the dream (happy, peaceful vs anxious, fearful). I love that the element of water gives it a different kind of energy, as it shifts and moves things (and us) about. The only constant is change, right? Thanks for sharing.
Faye

Avocaken said...

Hi Liz. Ditto what others have said. Double, triple WOW! I've said it before.... YOU ROCK! What a really cool composition, execution blah blah blah. It begs another "act"! You can't leave us (me) wondering. But maybe that's the idea? I'd give my right leg to see the actual piece - 30x40! WAY cool! I've had dreams sorta like this but that's another story. :-)

In envy and admiration
Ken B.

Celeste Bergin said...

This painting proves that it is a wonderful notion....to merge the world of dreams with "in-the-here-and-now" paint. Totally brilliant!

Unknown said...

Hi Liz,
I just want to say: you should dream more. It really cought my attention and stimulated my interest when i saw the thumbnail of it on the blog. Great piece Liz

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

Oh Liz you should dream more and create more.
I clicked to big and it is more amazing.
Now tell me what did you not paint?

It is hard to respond to thish one thing for sure It is an impressive piece.

Cindi said...

wow ann!!! great piece!!! you obviously dream in color!!! if it was my dream, i'd be the gal in the towel.!!! LOL
wonderful painting, so much to enjoy!!! thanks for sharing!

Manon said...

Hey Liz,
This is just a fantastic piece! It's so impressive! I'm so glad that you dream in color! : )

Unknown said...

When you say it is an older painting, my question is, "how much older?" It is WONDERFUL! I love it.

Unknown said...

Liz its fantastic,very captivating. Theres such a lot to explore, and better still everyone can interpret it in their own way. Nice to see another side to your work!

Jala Pfaff said...

How COOL! I think you should do more surrealist/dream imagery stuff for sure... LOVE the owl.

jsicignano2.blogspot.com said...

Brilliant. Liz you inspire me to try even harder. Thank you for sharing your work.

Carolina said...

Wow Liz, you surprised me. You should try more of these!

Angela Elledge said...

Well, I don't know what to say that has not been said already. I absolutely would not know where to begin to paint my dreams, such a scary thought. This is so well done and such an impressive size; you are amazing! Take care.

L.Holm said...

Thanks, Gary! It is a busy composition, and I worked hard to get some sort of flow. I'm glad it reads.

Thanks, Nancy! You and me both!
Act I was the collage.

Hi, Mona. Moi aussi, although I couldn't stand in those shoes on dry land, let alone in surf! I like your interpretation. Creation, life-holding vessels, myth, history, tidal flow, ties to the natural world and creature comforts all weigh in there somehow.

L.Holm said...

Chuck - thanks for looking so closely.

Greg - in answer to your question: a resounding YES! But I think we have little control over what people see in our work. The only thing we can do is speak our truth as best we can. I've also found others often see things in my work I hadn't, and so I keep learning.

Thanks, Ann! I wish I'd thought of that as a title! lol.

Faye - you're so right. Change and flow, connection and spirit.

L.Holm said...

Thanks, Ken. oh no!...from feet to right legs! lol. ;-)

Cathyann! Thanks, and THAT's an excellent title on many levels. Wish I'd thought of it.

Thanks, Celeste. Always a gamble because dreams are so disjointed and odd. The good thing is, we've all experienced that, so there's a common frame of reference, I guess. ??

Mariano- thanks. I'm glad it caught your attention.

Thank you dear Irit.

Thanks, Cindi, Manon and Karine. I usually dream in color. Sometimes I dream I'm painting!

Hi, Sam - You're right about the open interpretation. It holds much meaning for me, but may or may not for others.

Thanks, Jala - I notice while painting that the owl was the only figure engaged with the viewer, and holds a very special place--sort of a bridge between the dream and reality. I know in mythology the owl symbolized Athena and wisdom, but also reminds me of Hedwig from Harry Potter--sort of a benevolent guardian and messenger.

Thanks Joan, Carolina, and Angela. I appreciate your encouragement always.

Galya said...

Very wll cmposed and somehow surrealistic.
Thans for sharing.

Edward Burton said...

This is absolutely wonderful, Liz! Beautiful job.

Marian Fortunati said...

Very strange but very cool!!
I rarely remember dreams...

Unknown said...

This is a fantastic painting Liz! Thanks for coming by my blog - I hope you have the time and energy to paint with your difficult situation and if you don't for now it's really nice to see some of your older works.

artbyakiko said...

Liz, this is FANTASTIC!! I love every part of it. Perfect. It belongs to a museum.

Gary Keimig said...

Dream Painting or not it is a great piece of art. Well done, Liz.

Diana Marshall said...

Wow, what an interesting painting, so many symbols mmmm... wonder what it all means? that's something to ponder, wonderfully painted.

Dana Cooper said...

Liz, I must have accidentally deleted my previous post..sorry. I love this painting! It makes me curious enough to want to jump into it to discover what is happening, but somehow safe and not frightened by the surreal images...this is a real winner!!

L.Holm said...

thanks Galina and Edward.

Hi, Marian. It is strange! :-)

Thanks, Barb. I'm trying to get around more, but seem to be falling behind...

Gosh, Akiko. thanks. now THAT's a dream! lol.

Thank you Gary and Diana.

Hi, Dana-I'm having the same issue. I think my comments are posting and verified, and later go back, and nada. thanks for coming back!

carrie jacobson said...

Wow, Liz, what a painting! I absolutely love it. The colors, the movement, the water she's standing in and the aquarium/sky behind her - and all sorts of allusions (I think) to other paintings and works of art. Also the leather chair is so cool, and so... leathery! What a wild painting!

Joanna Bingham said...

Thank you Liz for stopping by my new blog. Your comment makes me feel soooo welcome to the artists community! I enjoy your portraits and admire you can handle all kinds of mediums very well on your painting!
Keep in touch!

Unknown said...

Hi LIz,
It has all been said - but I did want you to know that this is perhaps the first surreal painting that I have enjoyed - at least enjoyed this much! I really like how the reds dominate more than 75% of the painting, while the arches are filled with light. It is quite riveting in the focal point, with the cat, dog and woman so intently involved with one another. Have you had this dream only once, or is it a reoccurring dream? To remember so much detail and to be able to record it like this is, I suspect, highly unusual. To be able to paint it with such talent, is the sign of a gifted artist. :-)

Tracey Clarke said...

ok, so I am leaving a second comment...Had to come back and look again. I love this painting, Liz.

r garriott said...

Museum worthy, as Akiko noted. I'm amazed at how elegantly all the diverse elements are arranged. AMAZING!!!! (Sweet Dreams!)

Arti said...

Hi Liz , we all dream but never occured to me to make interpret it into a painting!You have a great talent Liz!An inspiration to all of us..

Renee said...

Your painting is incredible. What talents from the Gods.

Renee xoxo

Camille LaRue Olsen said...

I am still just spellbound by this painting. One of my first impressions was that she was a cool, glamorous lady and yet she's rockin' that egg, which could be her greatest possession/ally. And all the side elements make it so fun to look at. Reminds me of the feeling of a Dali.

I agree with everyone who said how inspiring this is. Just gets your head spinning with all the possibiities we don't usually consider doing, but, why not?!... :D

hissnhowl said...

Wow! This is such a cool painting - I love it!!

L.Holm said...

Carrie - thanks for looking so closely! I appreciate it.

Thanks, Joanna!

Hi, Joanne - You're right about the red, and the interplay between the main players. I've only had this dream once. I jotted notes, then did the collage as best I could remember. The themes and images of animals, water, vessels, etc., definitely recur, though.

Tracey -Thanks for stopping by the blog also!

Thanks, Shelley!
**Good luck at Artomatic**

R. Lol. Thanks!

Thank you Arti!

Renee - big hugs, and thanks for your visit.

Thanks Camille! I appreciate your stopping by here, too!

Patricia Siegel said...

Fabulous!

Trevor Lingard said...

Hi Liz
Wow...I wish for dreams like that.
It must mean something...Isnt the sign of an egg ...fertility!!!
This is a wonderful painting. Your are a very fine artist.
Kind Regards

Anni Jones Photography said...

Liz, Oh my!!
I am speachless.
This is just absolutley brilliant!
I just want a closer look to see all the detail!
And I have legs like that ONLY IN my dreams!!!

I am in awe. WOW!!!

LOVE the water streaming on the floor.

Anni Jones Photography said...

It's me again....Correction "Speechless" A dyslexic moment I suppose? sigh.

Dean H. said...

Guess I haven't been here in awhile.
Wow! So complex...so well constructed!!!

James Parker said...

Wow, Liz..what's left to say? I've been away too long. The woman with the egg is, of course, not you. You're in the far upper right with the towel...could tell a mile away. And...a dream, you say? Well...you are getting sleeeepy....verrrrrry sleee

Barbara Muir said...

Wow Liz, and the dog is holding something. What an amazing dream. And there's my husband's leather chair, I've never bought for him. A tour de force -- just astonishingly good.

Keep painting!

Take care,

Barbara

labrown said...

Holy smokes Liz! This is a sweet painting and you are one creative dreamer! I love being stopped in my tracks and this one did that for me.

Anonymous said...

Liz this is a beautiful painting. I Love your blogspot.
Riad

L.Holm said...

Thanks for visiting Trish!

Hi, Trevor. Thank you. Yes abt. the egg.

Hi, Annie! Thanks so much. spelling doesn't count on blogger comments, right?? (that's what I keep telling myself!)

Dean, thanks!

Thanks very much Barbara. Funny about the chair!

Thanks, Lee. Glad you stopped in! Always appreciate your comments.

Hi, Riad. Thank you.

Sheila Wedegis said...

Oh My Goodness Liz..absolutely stunning. such detail. I LOVE it!!

Jim Rogers Photography said...

Just got back from a quick So. Texas trip and really missed "the group" on blogspot...and then to return home and open up your latest post.....And to think I have dreams where I fall off a cliff or end up naked in a high school geometry class. My dreams are rank amateur in comparison to this montage. Love the composition, the color, the geometrics...you've done it again, Liz. Great stuff!

Michelle said...

Wow Liz...very creative! What a beautiful dreamer you are!

Debra Keirce said...

A lovely piece! You do great surrealism Liz

artbyakiko said...

Hi Liz! You are given Noblesse Award. You can get it from my blog. :)

Karen Bruson said...

Liz, Very cool and very well done!

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

What a good memory you have to produce this very interesting painting. If I painted a dream it would be VERY fuzzy on the details.

L.Holm said...

Thanks, Sheila!

Hi, Jim. Hope you had a good trip. thanks for stopping by.

thanks, Michelle, Deb, Akiko and Karen. I appreciate it.

Hi, Lee. My dreams are usually fuzzy, too. I did the collage to help me solidify what I remembered. So it's based on the rather non-sensical impressions of the dream.

Kim VanDerHoek said...

Wow, my first thought when I saw this was how I liked all the elements in this painting and how well they worked together. It's fun looking at this and trying to figure out the meaning behind each element. A great painting!

Unknown said...

A fabulous painting! Can't wait to see more of your work.

Carol Schiff Daily Painting said...

Wow, this is one impressive painting! There is so much going on, I could study it for days and still see something new. I never realized how boring my dreams were! I don't know what is more impressive, the painting, or all the comments you have collected!!

Doris Joa said...

You are doing absolutely wonderful artwork. I enjoyed my visit very much. I couldn't say which is my favorite.

Noemí González said...

Amazing! : O

L.Holm said...

Hi, Kim! thanks :-)
Kathy, thanks so much for following. I appreciate it!
Thanks, Carol! I appreciate your comments always!
Thank you Doris and NoNo. I appreciate your visiting.

Linda said...

Wow, Quite incredible, one could spend a lifetime viewing this painting. Lindax

Laurel Daniel said...

What a great dream to produce this fabulous painting!! Dreampainting... love it! :)

Pam Holnback said...

I love this piece. Several of my friends belong to a dream group. yuo should attend!

L.Holm said...

thanks Linda and Laurel.
Hi, Pam. A dream group. That sounds interesting!

Unknown said...

The first look I took at this painting without reading the title or description, I thought to myself "wow, what a crazy, colorful dream". Things come together without a reason, but yet, they seem to fit. I love the white owl flying over the pin-up model's head and overseeing the entire scene. Almost like a protector. And the gothic arches in the right background remind me of the churches back in Germany. I also just noticed that the lady in black is standing in the water, gentle waves surrounding her feet. She's got protection from above by the owl, from below by the water, and all around her are friends, her dog and her cat. She's loved and protected by all. Even the pillows underneath the cat and the dog's chair translate into comfort and some sort or protection. What a warm and cozy painting. I feel a nap coming on... wonderful work Liz.

Hugs, Michelle

Carol Horzempa said...

Liz, what more can be said about this amazing painting you created from a dream? I can't take my eyes off it...I want to know more. Keep on dreaming!

CONRAD said...

Do you remember what you ate the night before? I want to dream like this, great painting

L.Holm said...

Hi, Michelle! Thanks for looking so closely.

Thanks, Carol, I appreciate it.

Conrad, thanks. You're funny!

Anonymous said...

Hi Liz, just wanted to say that the comment you left on my blog did not publish and I have no idea why not. But thank you for taking the time to look. And absolutely amazing painting r.

Gwen Bell said...

What a fantastically imaginative paintings. I'm really awed! This belongs as a permanent piece in a gallery.

L.Holm said...

Hi Rahina - think we solved it....

Thanks, Gwen! very much!

William Cook said...

Context, form and content...it has it all. Very nice work.

Antonio Barros said...

Liz, this is so pretty and inspiring!
I'm in your blog for 5 min only and I'm already your fan! :)

thesingular.blogspot.com

David-Glen Smith said...

A wonderful idea. Glad you shared it here—offers me some inspiration—have been going through a slight slump these days.

Ricardo Pereira said...

Trivial. It remembers me of the old medieval renaissance painting with collective groups that represent some kind of symbolic meaning.

Every tried to interpret your dream yourself?
Cheers

L.Holm said...

Thanks everyone!
@ Ricardo- I hope 'trivial' isn't the word you meant, as it means of little significance or no importance. Then again, maybe it is the correct translation. :-) Either way, I thank you for your visit and comments. p.s. I'll leave the dream interpretation to the pros, and just use mine for inspiration. Best to you, Liz