Tuesday, February 6, 2007

'Made in the Shade'


'Made in the Shade'.........6x8".........oil on canvas panel
While exploring the quaint and picturesque grounds of E. Waldo and Sons (one of Sierra Madre's oldest existing confectionaries)
I came across a half-draped, antiquated Volkswagon beetle parked in a ramshackled carport. The intense late morning sunlight cast dramatic and rich shadows within the structure and created an interesting and elaborate pattern of light and dark shapes.
What also appealed to me about this subject matter was the sense of mystery evoked by the suggestion of obscurity and intrigue amidst the shadows.

21 comments:

William K. Moore said...

Hey .. think I came to in that carport one morning.. Seriously Jennifer.. you captured a mood and an essence of "carportness." I feel the warmth and can even smell the old canvas tarp and piles of magazines in the corner. Open garages make such interesting subjects to paint if you find the the right one(s). Hitting on all 8 with this. Hope the paint hits the 7x9 this Saturday.. eh?

Ron Morrison said...

Its gotta car in it, so of course I love it-no seriously, its fun to see other styles of dross and detritus paintings. I have seen enough cows, labradors, koi, teacups, bottles, pears (old cars hee hee) to last a lifetime. Of course I study the compo, light, etc.-but to tell you the truth I just like the damn painting.

William K. Moore said...

Yeah... what the man said!

Tom Kidd said...

I'm the guy in the gallery who keeps walking back and forth to look at paintings so I can memorize and understand every brush stroke of the masters. While I've been cleaning my brushes at the end of a long day in the studio, I've been doing the same with your pictures but by clicking on them to see the larger version and then popping back to see them small again. Beautiful!

One day I may leave behind my book cover work and only follow my muse. Till then I'll be coming back here to visit yours.

Jennifer McChristian said...

LOL!
You crack me up Bill. :-)))))))
And yes, we'll paint Saturday, rain or shine.....

Tanto gusto!

Jennifer McChristian said...

Hi Ron,
If you look closely, you'll see that I've added a cow-couldn't resist (I kid) ;-)

Jennifer McChristian said...

Tom,
Your gracious and generous compliments are much appreciated.
I wish you much success and satisfaction in your creative journey of following your muse!

René PleinAir said...

Now i know why the snow is melting soo fast here on this side of the big ball, .... you put way to much light in to it!! Gorgeous!

What i would do too have a look at a under painting from you. When are you going to make a W.I.P.?

Please, please, pleeeeeaaaaase ;-P

Jennifer McChristian said...

You got it Rene.
I will do a W.I P. post soon!

P.S. As long as the snow is melting, you'll have less shoveling to do! ;-)

Stefan Nuetzel said...

René is absolutely right, while It is cold and foggy on our side, you let the sun shine. A gorgeous painting!
I am also looking forward to your WIP.
Cheers...Nue

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks Stefan!
We are getting abundant sunshine over on this side, however I occasionally miss those foggy and cold days....
W.I.P on the way.

Cheers!

Heidi Malott said...

Wow! I am glad to have found your blog. Your work is beautiful, Jennifer! I will have to put you in my faves!! ~Heidi

Louis Boileau said...

Hi Jennifer,
I've just added a link to your blog.
Love your work!!

Cara said...

I just discovered your blog through Rene's link. I love your work - count on me for daily visits.

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks Louis!
I have added your link as well.

Jennifer McChristian said...

Cara,
Thanks for visiting and for the add!

rob ijbema said...

great atmosphere,the simple yet delicate colors work well,you get away with a lot of yellow!

rob ijbema said...

great atmosphere,the simple yet delicate colors work well,you get away with a lot of yellow!

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks Rob!

Although the colors seem subdued and limited, the shadows radiated with warm tones. The Indian Yellow underpainting works well in situations like this. It allows the warmth to breathe through the intense darks.

Unknown said...

Very nice, I love the light!

Jennifer McChristian said...

Thanks Todd!