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Friday, April 22, 2011

A Turbulent Girl

"And there's a
turbulent moon-ridden girl
or old woman, or both,
dressed in opals and rags, feathers
and torn taffeta,
who knows strange songs
but she is not kind."
--from In Mind by Denise Levertov

This is my painting for Paint Party Friday. I've been working on it all week. I could not get this poem by Levertov out of my head, particularly this verse. Once again I've done a mixed media piece. This is on a 12" x 12" panel. It's close to what I had in mind. This girl has been haunting me for a while now so I had to get her out of my head.

The painting is inspired by the poem In Mind by Denise Levertov. The beginning of the poem talks about a different type of woman. One who is "fair-featured...very clean without ostentation." Well, I wasn't feeling much from that. But I LOVE the poem. After I read the part of the poem that I reference above, I started to get another picture in my head and that is what haunted me.

I've had a few reference photos in my files for possible "models" to use for my turbulent girl. I didn't want a pretty girl. I wanted someone who "is not kind" as the poem says. Someone you would probably avoid if you saw on the street. She and I have been wrestling all week...anyway, I think I finally have her out of my system. Now maybe I can move on to other things.  ;)

42 comments:

Hybrid J said...

What an interesting girl artwork! Great texture and the expression of the girl is so intriguing. Well Done!

I'm taking an Easter break. HAPPY Easter and see ya next week! ;)

Netty said...

Terrific mixed media piece Pam and the expression on her face is wonderful. Never thought about creating from a poem so thank you for the inspiration. Oooh have so much to learn and so little time. Happy Easter my friend, Annette x

Valerie-Jael said...

Great picture! I think she will be haunting me now! Valerie

jywheeler said...

Nice piece. She has a haunting look in her eye! I can see why you had to paint her. Happy Easter.

Heather said...

I like the mystery here - great texture. I like the poem, too. very cool. have a happy easter weekend!

Crystal said...

Inspiration comes from many places. A poem like this evokes many images. I love yours! :-)

Unknown said...

She is wonderful- I LOVE her eyes, they're so intense. And her hair, and those gorgeous layers in the background- LOVE it all! Isn't it funny how things get stuck in our heads and won't leave until they're given a new home on canvas?
PPF Hugs,
Stephanie

SHERI COOK said...

The work is even more thought provoking with the poem. Love the textures. Happy PPF!

Unknown said...

wonderful work Pam...I love the textures!!!! Happy Good Friday and Happy PPF!!!!

Nelly said...

I have the same problem, something gets stuck in my head and I need to get it out. Mine never turns out how I envision it. I like that you said it is close to what you had in mind. She is lovely, I love all the texture.

Kristin Dudish said...

I think the way she is set against her incredibly textured (you are definitely the queen of texture) is fascinating... I love the rough edges!

Have a wonderful weekend!
xo
Kristin

p.s. Thanks for answering the technique question last week :)

Christine said...

girl, or old woman? Intriguing.

Anonymous said...

the lady and poem go hand in hand...wonderful.

Melisa said...

After reading the verse I had to go look up the whole poem. Now I am sure I will have that poem and this image of yours tied to it in my head for quite a while. I hope she does not haunt me, as well. :)

GlorV1 said...

Your painting is mysterious. I really like the way she looks. She does look mad or a just don't get in my way kind of look, very determined. Great work! Happy Easter and PPF.

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful that you wanted to wrestle with this gal and get her into art and out of your head.
I love your colors and textures... and enjoy taking this to heart with your words.

Jaime Haney said...

some paintings just scream to be let out. this is lovely. when I first saw here as the page loaded I thought she looked like a cross between Blondie and Marie Antoinette! I love the feeling of this piece. Happy PPF!

Anonymous said...

Hi Pam. Your mixed media piece is awesome. It's great you were able to get her out of your head and on to your paper in such a beautiful piece! Maybe there's some hidden meaning going on? Happy Easter!

Corvus Ven said...

ah, my favorite type of character.

Carrie Martinez said...

You have really captured a turbulent expression in her face and with her off-balance position. The scattered dark designs give a turbulent feel as well, yet you chose pink, which is calm and loving...makes me think this girl is really very beautiful and full of love inside, and that maybe she is trying to not be so unkind, but she is afraid to face the turbulence...Lovely work!

Bill said...

Another hauntingly beautiful painting. Her expression is wonderful. I love the poem, but I want the woman to be kind but mysterious.

Kat Sloma said...

I like the painting with the words, and the feeling I get when you talk about her haunting you. I feel that way with ideas sometimes, and I just have to do something with them.

lenoracle said...

LOVE the contrast between the textured background and the smooth figure. Looks great!

Happy PPF!

Maria Papadopoulou said...

I agree with Bill-this is another hauntingly beautiful painting! One of those images that you just can't forget!

Maria Papadopoulou said...

You have a gift I wish I had if I was painting...you capture the beauty that is not clearly seen by everyone else.

Paula - Buenos Aires said...

I wonder what her story is. Why she isn´t kind any more. May be she never was. I definitely see the moon in her.

Anne Butera said...

Pam, I always love seeing what you're up to. This painting is beautiful! And how great to be inspired by a poem.

Anonymous said...

I love how you come by your inspiration. What an intriguing poem and i love how you've brought this girl to life. I love the colours and the lack of colour in her hair!

happy Easter.

Marlene said...

This is a wonderful mixed media piece. Love the background, very unique and she has such an interesting face.

EVA said...

Hard to do someone who is "not kind". Very interesting poem. I can see why it was haunting.

Nicely done!

Gerri Herbst said...

Great mixed media piece. Love the emotion all your pieces bring. Thanks for your kind words on my daffodils today. take care, gerri

Victoria said...

Wow Pam!! She is stunning..i love the energy of this..she carries a strong presence...very strong..the poem is amazing too and both together is a potent piece.

She is really striking to me..there are so many worlds blended in as one..seemingly seperate and yet all one..i love this work! Glad your wrestling is over..shine on!! now you are free to fly!
Thankyou for another adventure in your realm!
Victoria

Annabelle said...

Interesting poem translated beautifully in a art form .....you've created a lovely haunting for the turbulent moon-ridden girl or old woman's eyes do seem to follow you once you glance upon it. Lovely work!

Happy Easter : )

Ileana said...

She is interesting...you want to know ABOUT her without necessarily getting to know her personally. You nailed it! Great job with this chica. :)

Mary Hysong said...

great peice, love the expression on her face. Boy I know all about that 'get out of my head and on the canvas' thing! Happens to me all the time; I think she came out well.

Denise Mulligan said...

Love her face and the textures. I think she embodies the poem very well. Great work!

Barbara Rosenzweig said...

Wonderful work! More interesting since it was inspired by the poem.

Thanks for visiting me and my paintings.

I'm your new follower.
Barb

Lynn Stevens said...

Both the poem and your painting are so haunting, reminds me of a bag woman who used to roam the downtown area where we live. Homeless I'm sure and always talking to herself. I never knew her story but your art reminds me of her so much.
Wonderfully created!
hugs Lynn

Heather Foust said...

I thinks she is hauntingly beautiful. Very cool poem too!

Carola Bartz said...

I like to read about why you wanted to paint this particular woman - the turbulent girl. She definitely is turbulent - she actually fits the words of the poem very well. Both - the painting and your story - is very impressive.

Priti Lisa said...

I love how you share your inspiration, I am a word-aholic and it is fun to see you illustrate poems and songs you love. I like all of the texture in this painting and I think you captured her personality perfectly!
xo

Toni said...

The texture....fabulous! The artwork....even better!