Accordion Color

Full Color Accordian

Ennis, County Clare, Ireland was the first of many stops in Ireland.   Ennis was on the itinerary because it was here we would rest up from flying and get acclimated (time zone, driving on the left, etc.).    We used it as a hub for the western coastline attractions such as the Cliffs of Moher and The Burren.    We were happily surprised to learn that Ennis was attractive and historic in its own right.  It had a small but colorful village atmosphere, including plenty of shops, restaurants and cafes.  There were flower planters everywhere.

The fine fellow playing the accordion in this painting was a fixture on the main street.   He seemed to play continuously and probably the third or fourth time we passed him, he proudly posed for a photo.

I liked the contrast between the vivid colors all around and the musician's drab clothing and somewhat pasty complexion and I pulled some of the bright color into the sleeves and hat.   Does the bright color work?   I like it because it reminds me of the splendid floral displays, but a part of me wants to tone it down.   Comments?

Harpist at Cliffs of Moher

While in Ireland, we visited the Cliffs of Moher along the western coastline.  The cliffs tower 600-700 feet above the ocean, an unforgettable sight.   I posted a painting of the cliffs in an earlier blog, and I didn't want to forget about this scene as well.   A harp player was set up on the approach to the cliff paths.  Her music filled the air with its sweet sound, and it provided a dreamy backdrop (as if the sight of the cliffs was not incredible enough.)

Irish Harpist

It was a bit chilly and windy, and the harpist was dressed in layers.   She wore long black fingerless gloves, a black sweater with pleated bell sleeves, a fitted, short, dark plum-colored jacket with matching billowy full skirt.  And finally, as a top layer, she wore a dramatic full length red satin lined black cape.  The outfit seemed a perfect match for both the place and instrument.

For the painting to work, I tried to be conscious of the weighting of the composition.  The armature's flow started down in the lower left corner and made a diagonal up to the harpist's chin.    The curved top of the harp swung down and then up to her face as well.   With the lines converging on the face, I was conflicted about which element should be the center of interest.  The positioning of the fingers was what I really liked best.   They looked prominent, strong and nimble.   I thought they ought to take precedence even over her face.    At this almost-finished point, I welcome any comments on these
two areas of interest (face and fingers), or anything else for that matter.