In last week's post, I wrote about an extraordinary Mediterranean house in Paterna, a small town on the outskirts of Valencia. I also posted a photograph of an oil on canvas I had painted in a corner of the garden. The work was a gift for Toti Romero and her husband, Manolo Blasco, who, over the years, had generously allowed me to stay in the house during the summers of some of my visits to Spain. The house was not simply a house. Toti had grown up in it; it had been the center of her life throughout her childhood and adolescence, so it still remained very much her home, even though, for most of the year, she and Manolo and their daughter Elena lived in a spacious flat in Valencia.
The offering of her childhood home to me as a place to live was a gift of generosity and trust that still leaves me, who loves words, without words. I can write about her home and paint images of it, but words of gratitude are inadequate. So are paintings. Even so, in this post I'd like to share with you two images of one of the rooms in the home that became my home.
After several sketches, here's one that's fairly developed, which is to say that I was finally able to accurately depict the floor, the windows and chairs, the glass on the table and the sculpture on the mantle. Getting the details right has always been important in what I paint, because if I can't depict things realistically, how can I expect anyone to believe the strange images of my dreams? Accuracy is fundamental.
Our Lady of July Sketch - Pencil, watercolor - 12 x 15 inches
As you can see from the finished painting, the biggest challenge was revealing the Mediterranean light sifting through the wisteria into the room. Light, as usual, is what captured my attention in the first place. Light permeates everything; getting it to reflect off the floor tiles, the tables and mirrors, the lamp and the statue and the glass of wine were some of the great pleasures in painting the image.
At some point, I realized that the painting needed something else, a someone, a figure, so I asked Elena to pose for me. Her gift.
For a long time, during the weeks it took me to finish working, I didn't know what the title of the painting would be. There were two women present: Elena and the statue. Then gradually I noticed that I had unconsciously implied the presence of a third person: Elena had sat in one of the chairs. Who had occupied the other? The statue?
So I titled the painting "Our Lady of July" in honor of the one who was absent, but still very much present.
Our Lady of July - Oil/canvas - 23 x 33 inches
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://johnmichaelkeating.com/2018/09/21/a-home-in-paterna-2/
Hi jmkartworks,
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Thank you curie. I apologize for taking so long to reply, but all this is new to me.
That is a really beautiful painting, with so much feelings behind it, staying there must have been a delight, Toti must have been really kind and generous to want share that much of her life with you, it's incredible!! I believed you have built so many beautiful memories in this place which has now become your home....
I do love the painting slot, not only because it looks amazing but because of the feelings and though attached to it. Details makes all the difference, I'm glad you didn't compromise on that! 😃
Many thanks, audreybits, with apologies for taking so long to reply to your kind words. Yes, the feelings were what I most wanted to convey.
And you did just that!!😊
What an evocative and enveloping climate is perceived in that painting! It's like seeing an old photo of something that no longer exists or is about to disappear under the veil of time.
Great poetic atmosphere that you have managed to paint, which tells us how special it's to be that house for all those who have lived in it.
You're right, nelsinho, the feeling of something precious disappearing was something I wanted to convey. Sorry for the delay in responding to your kind words.
Very lovely painting, John.
I love that you made it as a show of gratitude for the friendship and trust that your friends have given you. I could feel that you created this artwork by putting a lot of thought and positive emotions into the painting. Very lovely gift and I hope they receive it with great delights.
Congratulations on your first curie vote. Totally deserve it and I hope this is the first of many support for you on Steemit :).
I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to reply to you, scrawly, but this technology is all new to me, so it has taken awhile. Thanks for writing. More posts are coming. I hope we'll stay in touch.
How sweet of you, John. And I'm glad that you stay around in here, despite the crypto downturn that is happening lately.
I'm looking forward to your new artwork, I'm sure it will be another beauty :).
This post was shared in the Curation Collective Discord community for curators, and upvoted and resteemed by the @c-squared community account after manual review.
Very beautiful painting, @jmkartworks ! I love the muted colours very much <3 The tiles on the floor is absolutely gorgeous, and I love how you are able to capture its coolness and textures so well <3 Beautiful lighting, gorgeous treatment of light and shadow in the canvas, entirely, and the detailing and finishing are absolutely wonderful <3
What a magical piece, John! Amazing work <3
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As you can see, now that I'm getting acquainted with steemit, I'm replying to all the comments I hadn't known even existed. Thank you again for seeing the paintings.
I believe you will gain a lot more success when people can feel that you welcome their friendships, John :) I look forward to seeing a lot more warmth in the reception of your posts in the near future <3
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Thanks, yormansss. Sorry for the delay in responding.
a painting that brings many memories the time is the enemy of the human being we only leave unforgettable traces, if I enjoy the story and the great drawing of @jmkartworks life is a fandango there is only to be carried away @neymarth10 peace and love
Many thanks for your words of encouragement, neymarth. Apologies for taking so long to respond.
This was a beautiful painting with a lot of emotions inside. I could felt you paint it with love. Inside the picture, I could felt the peaceful and loneliness of Elena? She seems waiting for someone. I love how you drawn the light shinning and reflected on the floor, wall and door. A beautiful work @ jmkartworks. Thank you for sharing with us your lovely "Our Lady of July"
I apologize for taking so long to respond to your thoughtful words, oliviackl because I'm just now beginning to understand how steemit works. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate them.
The lights that enter through windows and doors become very interesting elements, as well as difficult details.
The presence of a lady, even though only a few of her arms are visible, is somehow able to revive your paintings.
Good work @jmkartworks and worthy of appreciation by @curie.
Thanks for your comments, anggreklestari, and I apologize for taking so long to respond. I'll be more prompt when more posts arrive in the future, if you care to comment, which I hope you will do.
The Pencil, watercolor sketch became something else when you added all the finishing touches to it, I Mean the colour changed l, the floor changed as well, I guess it's Elena sitting on a chair just outside the painting? I love the fact that you added even the tinniest detail of a home of the people who you're gifting it to. Well done, this is awesome
Many thanks, josediccus. I'm sorry not to have replied sooner, but I'm a rookie on steemit. More posts will follow, so I hope you will like them too.
Thanks for sharing your art! When comparing your watercolor sketch with the oil painting I have to admit that the sketch can stand on its own. Just add the missing colors and it will be finished. It's very beautiful already... It's a blessing to live in such a house.
You are right, organduo, it was a magical blessing. Thanks for your thoughts.
Hey @jmkartworks thank you for your story behind that painting, it is usually very interesting to learn what made people to to create this or that work. I can imagine spending so much time with your family in this house there is a connection and every single corner or furniture brings you happy moments.
You reflected very well the spirit of Mediterranean atmosphere, warm daylight shining through open terrace door and absolutely astonishing reflection on wooden table, beautiful tiles on floor with so tiny details of their pattern. Astonishing painting,
Cheers from art-supporting blog @art-venture
I'm sorry it has taken much too long to reply to your comments, art-venture, but I appreciate them. More posts will come, and I'd appreciate any thoughts you might like to share. Best wishes.
How beautiful that offered you the confidence to live in his house that is so precious. It is a gesture that esteems you very much. I liked that you paint everything with such precision. The light was incredible. It is wonderful the detail of the statue, the glass and the girl sitting in the outside corner next to the door. Everything is so beautiful. Great final result. You did it with a lot of feeling of love for the home that became yours. I love your work. A big greeting.@jmkartworks It is a nice house that keeps beautiful family memories what makes it more special.
A big thanks to you, yeninsfer, along with an apology that it has taken me so long to reply to you. I'm very new to steemit, so I hope you understand that all this is still a bit strange. More posts will be coming, so I hope you will check them out.
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The finished painting is so beautiful! Colors go perfectly together and I like the stained glass windows too! I would love to have such lamp at home! :)
Congratulations on the curie vote and thank you for sharing!
Thanks for the support, delish.
Apologies for taking so long to reply to you, but I'm just getting used to this.
OMG This is a painting? I thought it was a photograph .. It is a BEAUTIFUL art .. All the details, the light, the shadows .. INCREDIBLE
A big hug I loved your post @jmkartworks .. !!
Thanks naideth and a big hug to you as well. Sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your kind words, but I'm only getting used to steemit.
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