Two Dollars An Hour 24x30 Oil on masonite.
5/1/2009 - - Photo of the painting was updated I can't seem to get the painting in focus!!!!
5/3/2009 - - Photo of the painting was updated
5/8/2009 - - corrected the title 2 dollars an HOUR, not 2 dollars a day.
I'm done with this - just a few thing that I needed to "fix" e.g. their feet/shoes for one thing. See the April 20 post to see two preliminary sketches.
All in all I'm satisfied with this piece. The idea came from a photo in the National Archives. The folks in the photo hoed sugar beets in fields sunup to sundown for two dollars an hour.
All in all I'm satisfied with this piece. The idea came from a photo in the National Archives. The folks in the photo hoed sugar beets in fields sunup to sundown for two dollars an hour.
Now I'm in one of those "be careful what you wish for" situations - sort of similar to a dog chasing a car. Now that you have it, what are you going to do with it? :-)
5/1/2009 - As two of my friends pointed out, the feet of the person to the viewers left needed "fixing" so I tried to get that done. I'm going to stare at the painting for a while making a list of things that I think need tweaking. Then I'll study that list and decide which "fixes", if any, will be done.
5/3/2009 - I fiddled with a couple of things. The "major" change was adding color to the shirt of the third guy from the right. I'm pondering (big word) whether or not to suggest trees and/or buildings in the far background.
5/8/2009 - Original photo by Bill Gilette, near Fort Collins, Colorado, June 1972. National Archives, Records of the Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.archives.gov/press/press-kits/way-we-worked/way-we-worked-photos.html
I really like the changes you made from the initial sketches. Really enhanced the composition. The colors of the clothing and shadows are beautiful. Good atmosphere here. I don't mind not seeing much of the feet in the workers on the right. The forward man on the left--I liked his feet in your second study--his left foot (on our right) was pointing slightly more toward the hoe, and that seemed to balance him a little more. (but what do I know--i didn't even include feet in my last post! ). This is great work!
ReplyDeleteHeyyyyyy Liz!!! Thank you for your critique - I REALLY do appreciate your thoughts. Yeah, those @#$% feet! I considered covering them up with the crop (whatever it is) but you're right, his left foot needs to be more turned out. Check back tomorrow or the day after. I'll go find my special shoe brush do some cobbling. :-)
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Ken B.
When I get to do a piece that I really like, it becomes one of my 'children', and then I keep it forever. Not sure if that's what you were wondering about... <:)
ReplyDeleteOh, I forgot to say that I like this painting a lot, colorful (as you usually do), and full of interesting details (clothes, plants, shadows). Following Liz's suggestions (great artist she is), you're there!
ReplyDeleteHi Ken B and thanks for visiting my blog! Love this kind of painting but can only admire it in others! So rich and colourful, never mind about the feet!
ReplyDeleteLiz - NOW YOU TELL ME! :-) It's done and put aside so that I can work on other things. Having a large painting is difficult - I can't just put it on a shelf as I do the smaller paintings.
ReplyDeleteHave a goooood week!
Keb B.
Hi, Ken - I think the changes you made really enhanced the painting. (I won't mention feet, but they look great! oops..i said feet). lol. Extra color in the background shirt is great. Nice painting!
ReplyDeleteone of the two Lizs... :-)
Hi Liz. Thanks for your comment. I don't want to hear any more ruckus about any @#$% feet! :-) Me and feet is almost as bad as me and trees. You will notice that I cut the lady off at the knees in the "Farm Woman" / "Staying In Touch" painting.
ReplyDeleteThe shirt was going to be a plaid but turned out to be a psychedelic looking thing - a hold over from the 60's I guess.
Thanks again.
Ken B.