This is an older painting. I dimly remember someone, I want to say
Maxfield Parrish, jokingly expressing amazement that his paintings never
exploded. I can say the same about this piece. It’s an experiment of
random glazes, arbitrary scumbles and meaningless mixtures that a
rational soul would know better than to employ. It may not be much to
look at, but I am proud that it has survived all these years without
spontaneously erupting.
Tags: explosions, Maxfield Parrish, paint
Jeff,
I am always very amazed by your talent (art and writing), versatility and imagination. I see now that it has rubbed off on Sarah. Great works! Keep it up!
I recall Rockwell’s works being in danger of exploding because he would varnish over undried paint so that he could add more detail or make changes in order to meet deadlines on cover illustrations. Many of his paintings had several layers of oil paint sandwiched between layers of dried varnish, all drying at different rates having been painted hours or days apart. I never heard the same said of Parrish’s work. All of the Rockwell work that I have seen, held up beautifully in spite of the prediction, but I have seen work that others created that did erupt due to the layers contracting unevenly and at different rates. That is why most illustrators with close deadlines used gouache, watercolor, pastels or (beginning in the late 1950’s) acrylics for their color works.
Gene,
Always great to hear from you! Even though your assessment is far too kind, Sarah, her father and his ego shamelessly gobbled it all up. Thanks!
I have to admit I never thought until now why so many (older) illustrations state they were wrought in gouache. I guess I just assumed it reproduced more easily than oil. Meeting implacable deadlines never entered my mind.
You’re no doubt right that the fear of exploding paintings anecdote is about Rockwell instead of Parrish. Which reminds me, I was astounded at the recent DAI exhibit where I saw Rockwell used a pencil to put in the fold lines on a painting of a white tablecloth. I dully just thought it was a neat “trick” and never considered it was also a time and labor saving device. And, like all red-blooded Americans, I’m glad his unorthodox methods hasn’t endangered his works’ survival.
Speaking of work that will last the ages. I trust you’re keeping the old paintbrushes busy.