A couple of months ago, I was inspired by Kelly Rae’s post about her large collaborative painting. I haven’t done a painting recently, not since we moved. So back then I started a large canvas 40cm x 120cm to go above our bed in the bedroom. It has sat there for the past few months on the easel in the garage.
Then when I went on my trip to Melbourne – I picked up a copy of Kelly Rae’s book – Taking Flight. In the book she takes ideas from contributing artists and incorporates it into her own work. The project incorporating ideas of Judy Wise gave me an a-ha moment. My unfinished canvas was about to come into its own.
This afternoon, I painted it some more and then added some chalk to the areas that I had applied impasto gel medium.
I wanted to incorporate things that were significant to both Ken and I. Music is something that we share. So I traced the outline of one of Ken’s guitars with charcoal.
Then using a graphite pencil I wrote the words one of my favourite Lennon and McCartney song’s - Blackbird – on the canvas. This idea was taken from Kelly Rae’s book.
I haven’t finished it yet – I still need to put the black bird in there. I’ll be sure to post an update when I finish the canvas. I can’t wait to finish it and hang it above the bed.
Jane said,
May 17, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I love the concept you came up with! The handwriting is a cool element and the guitar outline–brilliant! I will be checking back to see the next step.
–Jane
Melisa said,
May 17, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Isn’t it great when a sleeping project finally wakes up and comes to life? Can’t wait to see this finished.
Cath Sheard said,
May 17, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Wow – that’s a huge project. I love the background you have created. It’ll look stunning once it’s finished I’m sure.
Arlene Holtz said,
May 18, 2009 at 2:48 am
I love your project and the novel way you are finishing it. It’s wonderful that you are picking it up again too. It is very brave – I have had that happen too, and it is difficult to finish something after it has been dormant for a while. Can’t wait to see it finished!
Michelle Ward said,
May 18, 2009 at 5:25 pm
megan – terrific undertaking. cool idea. thanks for sharing the project and offering the background about it. it gives us hope that some of our own unfinished canvases may find their own story *grin*
Chris said,
May 18, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Wow. I love this so much. This layer you have going is gorgeous but the idea about the guitar is fabulous. (great song, too!)
Laura K said,
May 18, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Great project. I think some times the ones that simmer a while are the best!
Kim Mailhot said,
May 19, 2009 at 12:05 am
This is an awesome beginning, Megan ! The guitar was a cool tool for sure ! I so love, love love Blackbird too – perfect lyrics to inspire ! I look forward to seeing the next steps you take.
Cheers, Crusader !
Gabrielle Fabian said,
May 19, 2009 at 4:03 am
Megan this is a great canvas ~ made better by the background info you give and the fact that this crusade has you getting back to it. Love the guitar outline (brilliant) and the song lyric inclusion. Looking forward to the next steps!!
Cheers,
Gaye
Lori said,
May 19, 2009 at 4:25 pm
I love watching the creative process in action. I look forward to seeing the completed piece.
Talisa Selby said,
July 5, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Love where the painting is headed – I too am reading Taking Flight. This makes me want to go through my stash of unfinished paintings… Thanks for the inspiration!
Raven cover « Four Ravens said,
July 18, 2009 at 5:57 am
[...] was inspired by Roben-Marie’s stencilling and thought I would create a stencil to finish my blackbird painting. I found an image of a raven that I liked and thought I would try using it as a mask rather than a [...]