No. 3: Angel Aiming on High

Today's daily painting is also inspired by a victorian lithograph which is probably about 100 years old. Artist and/or lithographer unknown. 

Lithograph - James E. Martin 2012

The item has been scanned and photo-shopped to remove major defects such as borders, pitting, discolorations, rips, creases, and smudges. The "Easter Greetings" writing has been removed from the egg. I love the overall image and the color palette.  Perhaps someday I shall be able to originate such grandeur with elegance.

From the source image influencing my approach, I have made some adjustments to fit my drawing onto a 6" x 6" prepared board. I also tried to attain more emphasis for the expressive intent on the angel's face and the angle of the arrow's aim to the upper right corner. I removed the angel's garb and surrounding environment. The right arm of painting is over-emphasized and alludes to the extra effort required.

Original Painting: No. 3 Angel Aiming On High - Copyright James E. Martin 2012

My humble resultant painting does speak to me and of me at this point in time. As a self-taught artist trying to improve my skills, I need the angel's guiding hand and winged assistance to enable me in wielding the paintbrush to attain the visions of grandeur and elegance that originally resides only in my mind's eye and heart. The angel's arrow is poised upward similar to my paintbrush to attain new heights with each effort with intent to hit the targeted bulls-eye. The palette is not as bright as I would like but I was aiming for more chiaroscuro effect. As with many human endeavors, we err and only reach perfection within a radius of probability. We must practice. We each come to the artistic endeavor without external garb, refined robes, or bejeweled accessories. Our eyes are a bit jaded and masked as we don't always see as clearly as we ought. We have only what we know and what we can do today at this moment.

I feel shackled with encumbrances. Mostly about time and availability. But I am moving, and walking, and doing something in a forward direction.