The Cold Hill Side
As months and years accumulate,
I miss you more and more.
Forgetting where I put the key,
I sometimes find a door
and other times feel stunned and lost,
though living in my own
body and life, presumably,
bewildered and alone
as the knight, kidnapped and released
to a dim world, who said
And I awoke and found me here
on the cold hill side.
-- Rachel Hadas
I loved that poem when I read it. I keep a box of poems that I come across and from time to time I go through it for inspiration. This one begged for a painting. And I found a new medium to play with: plaster! All sorts of fun to be had there. A new book called Plaster Studio caught my eye:
Who knew you could do so much with plaster? My painting is done on a base of cotton. Then blocks of plaster gauze are cut and adhered to the cotton. After that dries you paint! Easy peasy and so fun. There are more plaster products I want to experiment with. This was my first try since it seemed the easiest place to start.
This is also my entry for Paint Party Friday. I haven't painted any new work for awhile. It felt good being back in the studio making a mess! :) Stop by the party and check out what everyone else has been up to. You won't be disappointed.
54 comments:
Great piece. Love the poem, too, a beautiful inspiration! Plaster is a lot of fun, we used to work a lot with it when I was teaching! Hugs, Valerie
Beautiful poem Pam and great piece!!
A hug!
Valerie: Thank you! Ooh, I'm loving this stuff. Next up: joint compound. ;) We'll see how that goes.
Franz: Thank you so much! Hugs to you!!
so haunting and beautiful...and you know I love the black birds
you continue to amaze sweet puck :)
Love the poem and love the artwork as well. It must really be fun to work with plaster. For a first time, you've done a wonderful job. I love quietness of the painting. Seems he is lost in thought. Probably thinking of the words your posted. Very nice. Happy PPF!
Both the texture and colors are amazing! What a fantastic idea to keep a box of poems. But how/where do you come across so many interesting poems?
David: Thank you, as always! Big Hug!
Gloria: Thank you, my friend! :)
Bill: Thank you! I find most of the poems either in The New Yorker or in the journal "Poetry". Love them both!
Rally really like this piece! It speaks to me very strongly.
Love the poem and your painting fits it perfectly. I like the texture of the plaster it adds so much to the painting.
Hi Pam!!! this painting is gorgeous and the poetry...perfect together....thank you for the sweet words over on my blog too!!!
Wishing you a wonderful PPF!!!
Oh, no! Now I will have to buy that book! But thanks! The painting is really well done and I can't wait to get the book!
What wonderful texture the plaster gives - it sounds like a lot of fun!! Your painting is gorgeous and I love how you were inspired by a poem. Happy PPF!
What wonderful texture! Gorgeous piece!
There is something quiet haunting about this painting. You have captured the mood so well, with the use of the dark colours and the contrasting light sky. I wish I could see this art work, feel the texture -
Such a stunning piece, love the soft colors of the sky and the grass... and the texture of course, it's awesome!
Pam, the painting is beautiful! I'll have to try the plaster, looks fun! The poem is wonderful, really love the first verse about finding the door! Deb
This is beautiful, Pam! You always have the most wonderful book recommendations - my wishlist is getting quite long :) hee hee
I think it's a fabulous idea to keep a box of poems for inspiration!
xo
Kristin
What a haunting image to go with this poem. It is really beautiful in a sad and lonely way. Love the texture and the depth (and the birds).
O wow! Love this piece and the poem! Awesome texture effects you achieved. I have the book but haven't gotten to any experimenting yet...will live vicariously thru you for the time being:)
Love the painting and poem ~ they go so well together and bringing your 'spirit' out in both? Love your blog as well ~ new participant from Paint Party Friday ~ Hope you will stop by ~ enjoy the day ^_^
Ooops ~ wanted to tell you I just ordered that Plaster book and hope to have it Sat ~ looking forward to exploring techniques from it ~ ^_^
Love your art you created inspired by the poem. Have fun with your plaster adventures! HAPPY PPF!
What a wonderful, haunting painting, and it illustrates the poem perfectly.
Ooh how exciting! I've been playing with plaster lately too, but it's been real trial and error. I like the sounds of that book. Might have to add to the Wishlist!!
beautiful work Pam, inspired by that lovely poem.
Quite a moving piece you created and I felt that before I read the poem...super!!!
Such a wonderful interpretation of the poem, it has so much depth and however did you manage to paint those fab birds on plaster net...wow. Happy PPF, Annette x
I love this painting! You work always has such a deeper meaning and dimension! :-)
WOW I love that you used plaster on this..I bet it feels really neat in person! Happy PPF!
How gorgeous- I love the mood you created....that stark sky with the birds silhouetted, his pose- all were so perfect for the poem! Sorry I'm a bit late coming by, I had to take my son to Harry Potter ;)
PPF Hugs,
Stephanie
I really like the idea of painting on the textured plaster stuff like this it is pretty darn cool I think...love your painting it goes so well with the poem you treasured.
KAT
Sometimes I think you get inside my dreams Pam! lol I adore this and I dreamt it about three days ago, seriously! LOVE this so much! Happy painting to you always xxx <3
Love the movement and texture! Very pensive piece!
Hugs Giggles
Love the painting … the poetry too. :)
Very beautiful!
What a beautiful poem and a beautiful painting! I noticed that plaster book on Amazon and was curious about it. Looks like it would be a fun medium to play with.
Happy PPF!
Beautiful piece...love the poem! Happy PPF! POP ART MINIS
Hooray for MeSs!! This piece rocks--I've never used plaster. I mostly stick with clear mediums for texture, but the result is awesome. I'm inspired!
Keep painting! I love this piece! I aaw that plastic canvas at the store.. remembered using it to make really cool masks at one time.. would be fun to play with it on canvas!
Your painting is beautiful and a bit moody, fits the poem perfectly. I was interested in reading about plaster. Recently I've come about plaster quite often and was curious what it all was about. I will check that book out, it sounds like a good one. Thanks for the inspiration.
I love that you paint from emotion. The painting fits the poem so well..both very evocative. Thanks also for sharing your tips about the plaster gauze ;) Kathryn
Wow this is great..I've never worked with plaster but YOU have inspired me. I love the look and feel of the piece...wonderful! And thank you for sharing that poem...I love poetry and the doors it can open to creating whatever your imagination dreams up
Black birds circle around you
accompany your every path
lift your thoughts into the sky
and keep nesting in your head
Another inspiring painting by you!
Martin: Your beautiful words bring a very special touch to the painting. Thank YOU! Big Hug!
Loving the "Hillside" work, it goes so well with the poem. Well Done!
Pam: LOVE this piece! but what is 'under' the cotton base? Perfect colors for a 'cold hillside' ... very nice job! Late for PPF, but as they say, "better late ...
Hi Ger! Nothing is under the cotton (except cardboard for cleanup). :) The plaster gauze bonds with the cotton when wet and that is what makes your canvas! After it dries, it's good to go.
Beautiful Pam! Lonely, pensive and beautiful...
I don't usually do this, but if you have the time and/or inclination, here is a link to a poem that would totally fit with this photo.
http://patricktillett.blogspot.com/2010/12/where-clarity-remains.html
Hi Pam,
How are you? I was just stopping by to see your work as I haven't had any ppf posts for a few weeks.
Love your new piece! I was wondering if I should purchase this book. I always want to know how to make everything so I must limit myself. So thanks for the review.
Denise
I miss you.
That's all.
another great painting! what a great idea of keeping poems to inspire you!
Plaster! I'd never have guessed. Fab picture. Really atmospheric and fits that lovely poem perfectly.
Too funny, just ordered my copy of this from Amazon, in fact, it should be in the mail today.....I saw it when I was going to order Trish S. new encaustic book. Sounds like a winner if you like it, lol......Glad great things are happening for you!! talk soon!! Kay
p.s. I love the poem ♥
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