David_Padworny-Image01

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on June 25, 2013 at 11:49am

Curator’s Comment:

 

I agree- the impasto surface on this portrait is spectacular.  The directionality of the brush/knife strokes creates an edgy sculpting of human form, while the neutralized palette keeps the figure-ground relationship subdued. I also respond to the choppy bits of blue that break against the yellow ochre within the shadows of the face, and into the shifting background.  The overall palette is grave and somber, but emotionally engaging.  I would also say the mood of the painting is heavily determined by the vacuous expression of the “empty” eyes. I see this in other portraits too. The second image, of the male and female couple, almost seems to be psychologically canceled out by errant gestural lines moving across their faces. While they appear to be formed out of these erratic marks, they begin to dissolve back into themselves. Cool dark color throughout the work certainly contributes to the mood of melancholy, but being less tightly cropped in the space than the first image they have a freer involvement with and attachment to their space.

Comment by Thomas Matchie on April 9, 2009 at 10:35pm

I just love that THICK paint ! Awsum work.