New Woman
Original oil painting
by Svetlana Beattie
Sometimes we create similarities without ever realizing it. Its not until someone else points it out, that we see it. Its interesting how we do that. Our minds work in a certain way so it might be inevitable for this to happen. After all, it is all our work.
This is just what happened to Svetlana Beattie.
She sent me several images of her paintings last night, which she'll be exhibiting soon. Within her diverse body of work, the two images posted jumped out at me.
Snack
Original oil painting
by Svetlana Beattie
Two completely different paintings, one classical and the other modern, bore a striking resemblance. We were on the phone when she sent the images. I chuckled when I saw them. The Madonna and Child was transformed into Lady and Dog. She hadn't noticed how similar they were...
Svetlana is an art student at the University. She explained that "New Woman" was an assignment while "Snack" was not. She did remember that the two works were painted around the same time. Its interesting that the similarity never hit her. Even down to the aura. One yellow. One blue.
She had a wonderful story about "New Woman". It wasn't the Madonna. It represented all women whose faces must be covered from society. In her arms, sits her child. She's female. A new kind of female. One who will break the rules. She is comfortable and at peace in her mother's arms, but tugs at the garment which conceals her. She is the "New Woman". The one who will refuse to wrap her face.
In the distance, within the red space, are many other women covered with garments. All those who've passed before her, in confinement. Her mission, her purpose is set. Like the child Jesus, she too will change the world.
Interestingly, a mother looks at her child in her arms, yet the female who posed with her dog, looks at the artist...
Svetlana will be exhibiting at City Hall in Augusta, Maine starting February 14. Her exhibit will highlight her evolution through two and a half years of study. It will be an eclectic selection ranging from drawings, paintings and sculpture. Its a unique opportunity to see, how through professors' challenge of trying different styles, an artist develops and finds one's self.
Best of luck, Svetlana!
I see the similarities also. Do you think it is attributed to her style? Or maybe a mood she was in while she painted them. Whatever is was they are beautiful. I really like New Woman.
ReplyDeleteI don't know Jaime. Her work is vast and varied. I'm sure she just posed her model and painted her, but even the shoulders are at the same angle. I'll add them smaller, side by side...
ReplyDeleteJe suis certaine également que lorsque on achève une toile la suivante est imprégnée de la précédente. Bises
ReplyDeleteI own this painting.
ReplyDeleteI paid for both sizes of this painting. Did SBB sell it twice and give it to you? She took it from me, the small one; I have the large one; and said she was going to touch it up and it never came back.
DeleteI own the new woman painting.
ReplyDeleteI doubt a model was used for either painting; especially New Woman.
ReplyDeleteTo anonymous who owns my painting: at the left is a portrait of a woman I had pleasure to work with her for several years. I did many sketches of her, photographed her, and recorded her also. She is one of my greatest life teachers. This particular portrait was done with reference to one of my photographs of her. She owns oil painting, 11x14 in., as several of my other works. The painting, which you own, is 32x38 in. (with flax oil used as a medium. I did a lot of sketches from my another model before this particular work came out. That is a biggest figurative oil painting of mine at this time. I do a lot of study before any of my figurative paintings comes to canvas, and I do not copy photographs, I use them as a references only. My goal is to create through my paintings "a heart connection" with viewer. If this painting doesn't talk to you,and you do not feel communication with it, I would say to my work: "Welcome home, baby",- any day and anytime.
ReplyDeleteSome of my figurative works here: http://www.2bamasterartstudio.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=87288903
I bought both paintings including the one you say is owned by Anonymous, above. How can two people own the same painting when i am the one who paid for it? Donald W. Beattie
DeleteI agree with you, Martine Alison, every new work is rooted by old art works, and any art work is a prediction of a future work. All of them comes from our desperate need to disclosure an artist's life quest. This is a road where is one brick tightly connected to next one. Thank you for your comment.
ReplyDelete