Human on My Faithless Arm

Garth Herrick · 02-04-2005, 11:49 AM

Dear Linda and Patricia,

Thanks for being the first brave souls to comment! I can certainly relate with the feeling that this and a few more nude self-potraits may generate a mass exodus.

But I hope not. Linda, It would be nice to see some of your original nudes posted. Please do!

The circular shapes are of an old piece of architectural salvage my wife found once: an ionic order capitol, I believe. It was intended as a device to represent a weighty burden on my back. Since you've expressed curiosity about what it is, I just took a snapshot of it sitting abandoned in the corner of my studio. Since this photo is not of a nude I hope it is okay to include for conversational purposes. The shape above that was a nicely painted Blue Hubbard squash, until I smeared brown paint all over it at the last moment! I see there is even a tiny dried gourd remaining atop the capitol in the photo below.

Some days I am still in this mood (Today perhaps? So much that needs to get done in so little time). Thanks again!

Garth

Garth Herrick · 02-04-2005, 11:56 AM

Dear Kimberly and Mike:

Thanks so much!

Kim this is that depressive old painting I alluded to in an early communication last year, which you asked me to share. Well finally, here it is. I hope you post some of your figuratives too.

Mike your observational ability is amazing! I forgot all about that string or what it may have ever represented. As for what I mean by a shaped panel, the painted pane is irregularly shaped in the upper left corner. This was deliberate, but I often got questioned about why I would ever ruin a perfect rectangle during past exhibitions of this piece. In fact this missed out on some prizes and awards simply because of that controversial shaped panel. This painted panel overlays another larger gilt panel that acts as its frame.

I appreciate your encouraging words,

Garth

Cynthia Daniel · 02-04-2005, 01:15 PM

I already wrote Garth and told him I love this, so here it is publicly. This piece reminds me of some of the work of Ronald Sherr.

Garth Herrick · 02-04-2005, 01:42 PM

Dear Cynthia,

Thanks for your kind support, and also for informing us about Ronald Sherr's paintings.

Garth

Mike McCarty · 02-04-2005, 02:59 PM

Quote:

In fact this missed out on some prizes and awards simply because of that controversial shaped panel. This painted panel overlays another larger gilt panel that acts as it's frame.

I see now. I thought it was painted directly onto the panel which surrounds. I thought the under panel might be undulating or convex.

Quote:

I often got questioned about why I would ever ruin a perfect rectangle

Who could explain such thoughts -- one shape more perfect than another. As if it were a bolt misshaped for its nut ...

Sharon Knettell · 02-04-2005, 03:42 PM

Garth,

What an exciting piece that is beautifully executed as well. I do love the frame. The shape and the design takes it out of the all too trite figurative concepts that are so prevalent today.

I am happy that this is the inaugural piece.

I was out for the morning and I could NOT BELIEVE all the nudes that flew out of the closet to greet me when I got home!

David Bottoni · 02-04-2005, 04:26 PM

Very powerful, Garth. I think I saw this (elsewhere) and it struck me hard with a convincing feeling of emotional burden. Is this piece to be considered part of your 'dark period'

? Regardless of theme, it is well done. I am curious as to what (if anything) you are holding in your hands?

David

Garth Herrick · 02-04-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

Garth,

What an exciting piece that is beautifully executed as well. I do love the frame. The shape and the design takes it out of the all too trite figurative concepts that are so prevalent today.

I am happy that this is the inaugural piece.

I was out for the morning and I could NOT BELIEVE all the nudes that flew out of the closet to greet me when I got home!

Dear Sharon,

Thanks for your compliments, and for finally making me feel that irregular frame was justified!

It's my pleasure to help start things off here, but get ready for an onslaught from that stuffy closet. I expect there will be many more nudes running out and lining up ready to greet you.

Garth

Chris Saper · 02-04-2005, 07:12 PM

Dear Garth,

What a marvelous painting - original and compelling composition!
I agree with LInda, I keep leaning over to look at you straight on. Gorgeous skin tones.

Post more!

Rob Sullivan · 02-04-2005, 10:24 PM

I, too have seen this posted somewhere else - but I think this is where it really belongs: as the inaugural nude which sets a definitive standard for this new section of the forum.

Just wonderful, Garth. Thoughtful, insightful, powerful (plus other positive adjectives ending with the same suffix) - this is a figurative work to make one stop and think past the marvelous handling of paint for which Garth is renowned.

I'm very happy that this new section of the forum has magically appeared!