Sunday, January 06, 2008

Cherry Can Complete


Cherry Can
oil on gallery wrap canvas
24'' x 36"

The can of cherries is finally finished. I don't know if it works or not. It didn't turn out like I'd hoped it would. I may have bitten off more than I can chew on this one. It took much longer to complete than I anticipated, and my cold didn't help speed things up any. Now I'm in a race to produce enough work for Twinhouse to actually call my contribution a "show". Fortunately it's a group show, which takes some of the pressure off.

No more large paintings for the time being though. I've got six 10 x 10's drawn out, and if I kill myself maybe I'll be able to complete them all in time to hang in early February. It's not what I had planned, but the holidays, my illness and the riduculous amount of time I spent on the cherry can has rendered my original ideas moot.

I'll post each of these small pieces as I complete them with links back to the gallery for purchase information. Wish me luck, because I'm going to need it.


22 comments:

Dean H. said...

In my opinion, your can of cherries is a smashing success! Love the fiery reflections.
Good luck on completing your other paintings for the show.

Dean

Barbara Pask said...

Wow, I think it's amazing. Stay well. Barb

Janet Shaw said...

Fantastic as always.

Unknown said...

I always think that a masterpiece is worth the effort...and that is what I consider this painting - a masterpiece. Looking forward to seeing your 10 pieces as they are completed. All the best in 2008.

Unknown said...

Are you kidding me?

It's astounding. Maybe you're looking at it negatively because you had to fight through it with a cold. Puts a dark light on it.

I love your large work. Good luck on getting everything done for your next show AND Happy New Year.

Jelaine Faunce said...

I think it's perfect. I love the symmetry, the repetition the grooves in the can create, the whole feel of it. The way the deep reds balance out the cool aluminum and background. Absolutely gorgeous.

Carol H. said...

It works for me! The can is great, I love the way the can is in really sharp focus while the cherries are slightly less focused.

Ambera said...

I think your time was worth it, this is by far one of the greatest paintings of yours I've yet to see. The composition is so strong, so simple, the colours and lighting give it a dramatic mood and punch, and it's startlingly real. I'm blown away by your can, incredible draftsmanship!!

ZJ said...

I think it looks fabulous! We're always our worst critics. ;-) It pops just beautifully. Tell me Neil, what did you do before going full time? How were you able to go full-time into painting? Did you just quite your day job and hope for the best? ;-)

Tracy Hall said...

It works for me! Its stunning. Good luck with getting your new work completed in time, can't wait to see them - and sympathy on the cold thing, although how you managed to produce this while you were ill is beyond me!

Don Gray said...

Terrific piece. Like so much of your fine work it has a wonderful sense of profound quiet, coupled with a feeling that something is about to happen.

The Painted Sky said...

Neil,
You have doubts whether this "Cherry Can" painting works and I hope your question wasn't rhetorical since I am about to answer it truthfully and without fear. Blog comments are usually 99.9% pats on the back, which is pretty much what you deserve anyway.

Does it work?
Yes, all the componets read well and are more than competently painted. However there is one thing that does trouble me. I am not an expert on perspective, but the can sits a little odd on the ground. Maybe the horizon line is too high?, or the shadow at the base, on the left doesn't make the can sit still.

Stillness is a great quality you have in your work. I did a test, I put up the previous still life painting "Hamilton Beach Mixer" side by side with this work. "Hamilton Beach Mixer" is one of my favourite paintings of yours....it is sublime in it's stillness & beauty. The complexity in it's simple arrangement makes the composition perfect without it being noticed. Both are carefully contrived compositions, but "Hamilton Beach Mixer" doesn't look contrived. Everything works and that makes the painting look natural.

I think what has happened is that you have painted a good painting like "Cherry Can" soon after painting a great painting like "Hamilton Beach Mixer". If we were always able to breathe the magic that creates a sublime painting everytime, then surely we could die happy?

Cheers

Jim :)

Maggie Hurley said...

You're too hard on yourself - this is gorgeous!

Cara said...

I love this -

Delilah said...

This paintng is wonderful great job

Anonymous said...

May I have one. It looks delicious.

Izzat Sajdi
www.izzat-sajdi.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Neil, I've been checking your blog for awhile but have never left a message. But today I have to say... the cherries, the can, and all your other subjects, are so excruciatingly beautiful that I am left breathless.

Roger Light, Artist said...

One problem that you have with all of your work.
Are you ready? You have made the same mistake with every painting of yours that I have looked at.
You don't charge enough! I would love to rep you in texas. I own a small, but growing gallery. I plan to stay small and only rep excellent artists. I have 6 right now. I will be doing some national advertising this year. I know I can sell your paintings here in the Dallas area. Give it some thought. I will contact you soon.

Betty Bishop said...

The Can of Cherries is beautiful!

Joyce Washor said...

Your work is uplifting, mystical and just plain good!!
For myself, I know that one good thing about being undecided about the quality of our work is that it compels us to keep moving forward.
Guess there's not much chance of your resting on your laurels. Keep up the good work and thanks for posting!

Austin Maloney said...

WOW every time, every painting is a masterpiece.

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

very nice and no 'small' feat.