1/21/11

Green Paint Chips and My Favorite Chair

Green Paint Chips and a Pencil Sketch
This is a sketch of my favorite chair in the world.  It is glossy black, slender looking and sculptural.  She (don't you think it's a girl?) had been in my family before I could remember  -  so long, in fact, that no one could remember what branch of the family she had belonged to, or how old she might be.  Just a few years ago, I came across a picture of my father, about seven years old, posing for the picture on this chair - maybe about 1924.  Back in the 60s I painted it glossy black, made a pink and orange striped cushion, and glued hot pink ball fringe along the edge of the seat.  It was great.

It is COLD COLD COLD here today  -  in the low teens.  It has finally reached 65 degrees in the house and I am wearing several layers  -  and a down vest and wool scarf!  Maybe if I did something active  .  .  .

I am sitting around reading a book about painting figures, sketching the chair, and making notes about painting with, and mixing, greens.  That "fear of orange" comment a few posts back triggered something in my brain about painting greens.  Makes sense, doesn't it?

For anyone reading this who has been in one of my drawing classes, you might be glad to know that I STRUGGLED with this drawing today.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love your post and tried to leave a comment before and wasn't able to leave what I first wrote, so I decided to blog about it because it has happened so many times on blooger. Love the greens you are choosing from
peace n abundance,
CheyAnne
http://newmexicomtngirl.com/2011/01/21/commenting-on-my-experience-with-blogger-com/

plaid petunia said...

I love this chair to. It is my happy dancing chair. It makes me smile. It is chilly here in S.C. but 50 is outside.

Catherine said...

CheyAnne - thanks! Blogger can be difficult sometimes, but I personally haven't had enough trouble with it to move on to something else. Since reading your post,I have removed the "type in the funny word" thing. Since I approve what I receive before I publish it, removing that might make it one step easier for people to comment on my blog.

Loved your favorite chair!

Plaid Petunia - that's right - that is your dancing chair!

I think it must be chilly all over the world.

Marj said...

Lovely chair! (& drawing, too). Wow, even you struggle with a chair drawing :-) We did a chair in my WC group in our area--and we nicknamed the painting "That Darn Chair"...but I actually like the way mine turned out after all--so the struggle was worth it. Keep posting-- it's my regular "shot-in-the-arm :-)

Helen Sturgeon said...

Love your girl chair! I have my mama's rocking chair from her childhood. It is special, too. Now I'm inspired to paint or sketch it! Thank you for helping me see the beauty in the little things.

BTW.. our propane tank ran out last nite and we are without heat! I'm bundled more than you! If I could just get my fingers warm!!

Catherine said...

Thanks Marj and Helen! I find chairs very challenging to draw, and I think the foreshortening practice is very beneficial.

It got down to minus 13 here, but is in the 20s today. Helen, a hot cup of tea will keep your fingers warm!

Margaret said...

Yes, it did my heart good! :) (I've never had trouble with blogger...) fyi.