Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Bulb Vase No.2


oil on gallery wrap canvas
16'' x 16"

Here is the second of four new paintings created for Stricoff Fine Art. I submitted images to them a few days ago, and happily, they have agreed to take them all. This is the second Bulb Vase I've painted. The first was a bit smaller at 10 x 10. With this piece I wanted to go larger, and push the technique a little further. I never really planned to become a "photo-realist", but lately I find myself working more intensely in that direction. It would be nice to be more "painterly", and maybe in time I'll back off a bit, and find a way to blend the two methods. To be honest I don't really know where I'm going. I'm leaving off the gallery contact information until the paintings are delivered. I hope to send them off on monday, and they should be in New York by wednesday. I'll revise these posts then with the gallery links.

Jeff wrote me this morning to say that the paintings are all there and up, so if you are interested in purchasing this piece you can find contact information for the gallery by clicking here.


11 comments:

Carol H. said...

I like the lighting and the way you handled the bulbs on this one.

I understand what you mean when you say that you never planned to be a "photo-realist". As an artist myself I love looking at more painterly works and sometimes try to push myself in that direction, but I think my natural inclination is to be precise (in my drawings and oil paintings, anyway).

The Painted Sky said...

Beautiful, I like the centrality of the composition.

Anonymous said...

There's nothing wrong with being a photorealist! This painting is both beautiful and amazing. And I don't think that a photo of the subject could be as beautiful or as amazing. I say, keep it up!

Richard Salvucci said...

Hello Neil, I've been admiring your work for the past year or so. I think I first discovered it on Ebay. With regard to your most recent posting attached to "Bulb Vase No. 2" I've always found it interesting that as a whole painters who 'can' paint hyper-realistically seem to be subtly put down by others and sometimes even apologize for their abilities. Actually it really isn't that easy to paint photo-realistic work 'and' still breath life into said work. I often feel that the canvas or board is something of a battle field we're on and after a long duel we come up the victor. Photo-realists are very skilled and have to have a well-spring of patience. A trait lacking in most people nowadays. Like you, I enjoy being precise, it takes a long time to develop that skill, not everyone has it. And I bet once an artist reaches those peaks it's much easier to 'loosen up' if he/she wants to than vice versa, after all we already have a roadmap back. Your work is gorgeous my friend.

Jeanette Jobson said...

Neil, your work in oil is breathtaking. The greys in the piece are lovely and the realism wonderful.

I am returning to oils after a long absence and am relearning what I once knew. I will keep your blog at hand to keep inspiring me.

Painterly or realistic? There is room in the world for both and a combination.

Ambera said...

I'm in the same boat as you are: trying my best to avoid photorealism, especially in portraits, but it's such a crutch for me in that department. And my favorite portraits are expressive ones.
Your lightbulbs are stunning: what is the idea behind the painting?

Anonymous said...

As the delighted owner of the original "Bulb Vase" (which never fails to get an admiring notice in my home), I think this rendition is just fantastic :-)

Best to you and Karen,
Bonnie

p.s. Still hoping you'll do another full loaf of sliced bread...

A Reason to Paint said...

This reminds me a little of Aussie artist Simon Strong's Jar of Light. Sorry I can't direct you to an image; you'll just have to come visit our TarraWarra Museum of art to have a look at it.
Nice work Neil.

David Malan said...

Congratulations, These new pieces are fantastic. I completely understand your feelings on the loose/tight painting style. I tend toward realism but I always want something more painterly. I figure it is a natural for an artist to envy a style other then their own. But you do these paintings so beautifully, I am certain you would do great work whatever you do.

Anonymous said...

truly something amazing and beautiful.

James Neil Hollingsworth said...

Thanks everybody for the wonderful comments. Sorry it took me so long to respond, but Karen and I have been out of town, for our show in Cape Cod.