Yellow Door © 2009 Michelle Basic Hendry
I think it is finished.
I toyed with adding more peeling painting to the yellow door itself, but, I was afraid it would make it too busy and break up the door as the focus of the painting. This is my second interior painting. I have another that is in the early stages – again started in May. These ones have a story to them and are a challenge both technically and to create the right mood. It seems I need to sit with them a while longer than many of the outdoor and landscapes. I am setting up the easel for a big sky. I am looking forward to reversing my direction to that of more expansiveness before trying the “Bathroom Sink” from an old house here in town.
This weekend is the grand re-opening of my gallery – The Auburn Gallery of Fine Art. They have moved to a new location across town (a little over 1 km!) and diagonally across the street to the outstanding medieval potter Jonathan Bullock. The new address is 190 Royal Street in Gravenhurst (the street behind the TD Bank). Teresa is opening with a show by Sharon Nix – one of the most intriguing, colourful and moody portrait painters I have seen. The artist will be in attendance Saturday, July 11, between 1 and 4 pm.
Speaking of fine portrait painters, Anita Stephenson, after a brief apprenticeship with Scott Owles, contemporary realist painter, is finally allowing the world to see her incredible talent. About Face is opening at the Muskoka Gateway Gallery on July 11 (12 – 7pm). Anita’s ability to capture the moods and contours of the people she paints and the techical skill she possesses will indeed elevate her to the staus of one of Canada’s finest portraitists. This is an exhibition that is not to be missed and is not available anywhere on the internet at this time.
With two such exhibitions opening within walking distance of each other this weekend, I will be out of the studio soaking in a weekend of art. These artists and the galleries hosting them are putting Gravenhurst on the map for having some of the finest art in the region.
Michelle it’s done superbly ! The colors compliment each other , the peeled off paint looks very natural ; simple yet overall a great painting !
nicely done 😀 the door acts as a great focal point and really does make me wonder what is behind it 🙂
I think putting peeling paint on the door could go 2 ways. either it would break up the focus or it would actually make the door stand out more. its nice here to have the smooth looking surface next to the peeling pealing paint of the frame tho 🙂
Welcome back Michelle! 🙂 So good to be here again and connect. I love this painting, and again, have seen so many doors/rooms like this in the old houses in Maine. But aside from this being exceedingly well rendered, there is a MUCH deeper aspect for me.
This painting (to me) personifies our lives. There is the bright smooth happy spots (the door) and then there are the rough painful traumatic spots (the peeling paint, exposed wood, flakes on the floor, the torn walls and sense of abandonment/decay.
And then there is the tiled floor which supports the whole thing in a very strong way. It also conveys for me the message that life isn’t ALL black or All white but a mix of both….with gray areas. It strengthens the message already in the painting conveyed by the contrast of the rich smoothly painted door and the peeling walls and door moldings. We humans tend to want it all smooth and beautiful, but this painting speaks of truth. And forces the viewer to feel and maybe not be all comfortable. Life is NOT all smooth and beautiful. It is a mixed bag, but that’s okay. It’s real.
For me the bright yellow door represents hope, the courage and tenacity and joy of the human spirit. And the peeling walls and chipped paint represent the reality of Life…that things are NOT always easy and “stuff” does happen and we do end up with wounds and scars.
I think this painting is HONEST. It conveys life like it really is. Even the door being bright yellow…as if someone had hopes and a moment of joy and wanted to bring that joy into their home regardless of the rest of the house. And really, the door is the focal point. The human heart that wants to focus on joy even if things aren’t perfect.
WOW!, Michelle!! I can’t believe that this painting inspired ALL that in me. Isn’t that amazing?!! I am stunned. I had no idea all that would come out. I sat here looking at it and that is what just washed over me so powerfully. I hope even a fraction of it makes sense. I had trouble conveying what I felt so strongly.
Thank you my dear friend. Now I sit with tears in my eyes. As if I connected with YOU, and was given a gift. I am sending you a really HUGE hug, Robin
Thanks Sadia and Jennifer Rose! I did actually try the peeling paint on the door and didn’t like the way it changed the feeling/mood so I painted it out again. The story is such an important part of why I paint!
My dear Robin – You have put into words exactly what this painting means – and until you said it – I didn’t even realize it. I understood every word. I am SOOOO happy you had such a response to this. That makes me very happy! And you have in turn given me a gift. Someday I hope we can meet…. Hugs right back!!
Fabulous Michelle.
Love,
Linda
beautiful and finished. The abstract elements (composition) work beautifully, and the yellow door intriguing in an emotional way. It both tells a story and invites story telling.
The painting is very lovely. I wish I had the talent you have in your little finger. Congrats on another show, too! I’m coming to terms with the fact that I’m not likely to ever have one, myself. My stuff’s just too “out there,” I guess.
Happy Belated Canada Day, btw!
Wonderful painting and I love the subject.
Yeah.. the thing with painting is deciding when it’s really finished! Wonderful sense of light, color and mood… excellent.
Michelle,
I’m amazed to see how a painting can be so realistic. Of course colors, lines and light drive the eyes to the door but every detail is beautiful and important.
Thanks everyone! I am fairly happy with this one. That doesn’t happen too often! LOL!
Wonderful painting…that yellow door certainly draws you in doesn’t it!
Cheers
Hi Michelle ~ I nearly forgot to comment on this…I first read and looked when I was in Lindifarne and I connected with your need to “mesh” with the house and door again…
…The last one does look finished. It’s really interesting to see the development…
…for me the painting changed in the same way as a person’s face changes as they become more “known” and close…
…I find that with people I know. They really do change the more I know them and become close to them…
…a closed door is so intriguing.
…It’s a very satisfying work.
xhenry
You do wonderful work!
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Julia Kuree
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