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Number 21 is about to be installed in Sauk Village, IL
This one tells the story of how the indian trails across our nation turned into paths and then into roads . . . and how sharing of the road often saw livestock blocking a vehicle's progress. The original photo didn't have a car in it so I superimposed one over the original photo in PhotoShop.
35 hours to paint the pictorial - including cleaning of the brushes. I thought that was pretty swift . . . but most take 65-85 hours - so I'll just be thankful trees paint quickly!! This was a warmer color palette than I've used previously - and matches one Bill Hueg used on the Crest Hill, IL mural.
As always, mural panel engineering and border work by the stellar Joe Marshall . . . my design and paint.
As an aside, the project was just awarded second place in the Signs of the Times 2012 International Sign Design Contest. It was entered as separate projects as per their suggestion - but the judges saw that they were all a part of one project and awarded it as such . . . I agree with that. It is a 'project'. That's the second award for the project and I couldn't be more tickled about that . . .
But hey, the world ends in December according to those wacky Mayans, so who the hell cares?
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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quote:Originally posted by Jay Allen: The original photo didn't have a car in it so I superimposed one over the original photo in PhotoShop.
Artistic license is good. Just a little thought for future consideration. I would have taken it a step farther and moved the white cow forward so you could see it's head. With the bridge rail and the cow both being lighter values they tend to merge into an odd shape on first glance. Maybe no one other than someone who devours art instruction books would notice that though.
What a great project, your painting skills are impressive given your experience. Congrats on the well deserved award.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Kel . . . Thank you, dear, for being honest!!!!! I do agree with you on the cows placement . . . The original photo was HORRIBLY blurry - and in some cases you weren't sure if they were cows . . . or a freakin' chupacabra or Bigfoot!!
Bill Hueg (as you probably learned yourself) is a literalist in every way. He has a philosophy that you 'give them what they see' or you may face contractual disputes for 'freelancing' . . .
So I seldom move things in the actual photo references we are provided with as he has me thinking like that also.
But I will add things to original photos if they are visually bland. I thought this was a well-composed photo (save for the cows who must have been in some sort of witness protection program - or so you'd think as they all hid their heads) and didn't want to mess with it too much. To do so would surely have helped - but it wasn't what 'they' saw when we submitted the design.
That said, commerce enters into the fray and doing that extra Photoshop work isn't in the realm of possibilities with this project now.
Some murals were cut - so we try to 'streamline' the process more to account for the taking away of 7 murals from the original plan (40 down to 33). That's a lot of money we won't see - so it changed our perspectives somewhat on how we design . . . and what we add or don't add.
Lots of factors . . . but we knew what would be financially wise. "Paint what ya' see..."
This is my favorite part as it comes from someone who knows and understands - and also understands what an amazing teacher and talent Hueg is: "your painting skills are impressive given your experience."
Aw shucks, Kel . . . that's impossible to reply to except for this: "Thank you!!!" You're a sweetheart.....
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I respectfully disagree with your theory, no matter what the circumstances, it is important for you as an ARTIST to maintain YOUR integrity. No one will look at that mural and say, I suppose the cows are hidden because that is historically correct. They might assume you weren't comfortable with painting the cow's face or that you can only paint exactly what you see. It's really no big deal in this case, but just a suggestion for thought before you do the next one. "Can I improve on this, or is there anything that bugs me about it?" Chances are a quick phone call and explanation will get you permission to "improve" it. Given the time and effort you have expanded on the project, a few more minutes to improve your visual end product and your artistic image are worth it. *DISCLAIMER: This is the artist Kelly, not the business woman. *
Whenever I think of you Jay I will always remember talking at breakfast about your big surprise in Danville, how you worked so hard to get it completed and the wonderful job you did. If that was truly your first painting, and I believe it was, then it really is mind boggling to see you painting these murals, but then as you say - you got to learn from the best.
Hopefully my comment will have planted a little seed in you that will nag you from this day forward and will help you to grow a tiny bit more as an artist. Thanks for taking it in the light it was meant.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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-------------------- dennis kiernan independent artist san francisco, calif, usa Posts: 907 | From: san francisco, ca usa | Registered: Feb 2010
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-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
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Jay, you have learned some amazing new skills...out of necessity. Congratulations on the awards and consistently turning out quality work.
Even though this would be a great project to have in my portfolio, I would hate to have to stare at the prospect of doing that many murals. You have handled it well.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Dennis and Kel - Yep, Kelly IS actually spot on - from an artists perspective. But what I know about you, Kelly, is that you're a very passionate but logical person and this following comment says it all: *DISCLAIMER: This is the artist Kelly, not the business woman."
That shows you understood that why I did what i did was motivated by the loss of $70,000.00 out of the project's original budget - and NOT careless disregard for painting only what I can paint. I painted one cow - so we probably can assume that I could paint more of them also and that the rest following the lead cow are also cows (in the witness protection program) - but it truly would have been much more impacting with the secondary cows rearranged . . . No doubt about that.
But if you were the community organizers who chose this photo, you want what you want. Yes, I could call and ask to 'spiff it up' and explain myself in why I wanted to do some rearranging . . . but then one could argue that you then lose the original integrity of 'the moment' that the picture was taken . . .
But I added a car to support the story - so that sorta washes that argument down some . . .
So complicated - but I can say, it was motivated by commerce - and adjusting to the finances and dynamics of the project - not artistic disregard . . .
But I know, too, that Kelly brought this up as instructional for me AND for others . . . and she also knows that my feelings wouldn't be bruised by the open discussion. Mind you, we 'know' each other better than even we may think we do . . . and she knows I don't have an ego that gets in the way. I want to do the best . . . so long as it doesn't harm the bottom line. I owe THAT to my employees.
But she also wants me to consider her points in the future for my own personal development. How cool is that?
<If that was truly your first painting, and I believe it was, then it really is mind boggling to see you painting these murals, but then as you say - you got to learn from the best.>
It WAS my first actual painting/painted portrait (other than a sign or some airbrush work or one of our non-pictorial murals) - but remember . . . it was posterized. That's sorta like cheating to me!!
But the progression up to now points to one man - and one man only . . . and it sure isn't me. Hueg demsytified pictorial painting - admitted he still has doubts before he begins - and he still always forges ahead. That's the sort of instructor I want . . . The fact that he's such a good and longtime friend only makes it easier.
<Hopefully my comment will have planted a little seed in you that will nag you from this day forward and will help you to grow a tiny bit more as an artist. Thanks for taking it in the light it was meant.>
I couldn't ask for a better nor more fair analysis, sweetheart. I know your intentions with this - and I couldn't be more humbled by your caring enough to speak up. You're a jewel, Kel . . .
As for Kevin, Tim, Cat, Ray and Mr. Riedel . . . Vos aimables remarques et de soutien humble moi et je vous remercie d'avoir pris l'occasion de le dire. (Kel, can you translate?)
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bob Sauls . . . that's the plan - to be in Arcola. But the following week we're Walldogging in Michigan and not sure yet how that may crimp my schedule . . . but looking forward to sittin' and chattin' with you if I am - and I sure plan on it . . .
Re: On your plate with a baked potato . . . make mine medium rare.
-------------------- Jay Allen ShawCraft Sign Co. Machesney Park, IL jallen222@aol.com http://www.shawcraft.com/
"The object of the superior man is truth." -Confucius Posts: 1285 | From: Machesney Park, IL, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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