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Thursday, July 14, 2011

The Walk


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:

Valerie-Jael said...

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

Franz said...

Beautiful poem Pam and great piece!!

A hug!

Pam Tucker said...

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!!

Anonymous said...

so haunting and beautiful...and you know I love the black birds

you continue to amaze sweet puck :)

GlorV1 said...

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!

Bill said...

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?

Pam Tucker said...

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!

Jenn Girl said...

Rally really like this piece! It speaks to me very strongly.

Marlene said...

Love the poem and your painting fits it perfectly. I like the texture of the plaster it adds so much to the painting.

Unknown said...

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!!!

Darla said...

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!

Jenn said...

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!

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

What wonderful texture! Gorgeous piece!

Clare said...

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 -

Virtual Boy said...

Such a stunning piece, love the soft colors of the sky and the grass... and the texture of course, it's awesome!

Geckostone said...

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

Kristin Dudish said...

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

EVA said...

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).

Theresa Plas said...

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:)

carol l mckenna said...

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 ^_^

carol l mckenna said...

Ooops ~ wanted to tell you I just ordered that Plaster book and hope to have it Sat ~ looking forward to exploring techniques from it ~ ^_^

SHERI COOK said...

Love your art you created inspired by the poem. Have fun with your plaster adventures! HAPPY PPF!

carlarey said...

What a wonderful, haunting painting, and it illustrates the poem perfectly.

WrightStuff said...

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!!

Christine said...

beautiful work Pam, inspired by that lovely poem.

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Quite a moving piece you created and I felt that before I read the poem...super!!!

Netty said...

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

Crystal said...

I love this painting! You work always has such a deeper meaning and dimension! :-)

Julie Prichard said...

WOW I love that you used plaster on this..I bet it feels really neat in person! Happy PPF!

Unknown said...

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

Unknown said...

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

Christine Krauss said...

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

Giggles said...

Love the movement and texture! Very pensive piece!

Hugs Giggles

rose AKA Walk in the Woods - she/her said...

Love the painting … the poetry too. :)

Mikko Tyllinen said...

Very beautiful!

Anne Butera said...

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!

Joni Nickrent said...

Beautiful piece...love the poem! Happy PPF! POP ART MINIS

Her Speak said...

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!

Cori Lynn Berg said...

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!

Carola Bartz said...

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.

angelself said...

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

Natasha said...

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

Martin said...

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!

Pam Tucker said...

Martin: Your beautiful words bring a very special touch to the painting. Thank YOU! Big Hug!

Hybrid J said...

Loving the "Hillside" work, it goes so well with the poem. Well Done!

ger chouinard said...

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 ...

Pam Tucker said...

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.

Pat Tillett said...

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

Denise Mulligan said...

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

Anonymous said...

I miss you.

That's all.

KaLynn ("MiMi") said...

another great painting! what a great idea of keeping poems to inspire you!

Lesley Edmonds said...

Plaster! I'd never have guessed. Fab picture. Really atmospheric and fits that lovely poem perfectly.

Kay said...

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

Kay said...

p.s. I love the poem ♥