Category Archives: Paintings
Making panels
Ryan helped me to replace the paintings in the gallery this morning, then return the truck. As we left I noticed a pair of students looking at the walls with very puzzled expressions, no doubt because the pictures had changed … Continue reading
Four Cardinal Virtues
            Here are Temperance, Fortitude, Prudence and Justice as they appear in a nineteenth century card deck, the Etteilla. Strength is a little unusual as it doesn’t show the … Continue reading
Back in the studio
We had a bit of a dramatic class this afternoon, when one of my students literally passed out in my arms. I think she stopped breathing for a few seconds but while trying to revive her and listen for her breath and … Continue reading
Justice
Pre-Raphaelite Amanda came to the studio this afternoon and we spent a delightful time taking pictures of her as Justice. She was a wonderful model! We borrowed a robe from the University chapel for her costume; I thought Justice should … Continue reading
Temperance xiii
Here’s a more developed sketch incorporating one of the pictures I shot Friday. I’m going to need to visit a pig farm to get my own shots, but these sketchy pigs will have to do for now. It’s going somewhere … Continue reading
Temperance xii
Here’s another sketch of Temperance, trying to figure out a more stylized composition and imagery. The funky fat shapes at the bottom are very loosely drawn pigs. I’ve included a vesica about her to emphasize the duality of all these … Continue reading
Marseilles virtues
We find the virtue Prudence is missing from the Marseilles deck of cards too. I love the simple woodcut designs of this deck. Many cards in this deck are clearly influenced by the symbolism of alchemical illustrations. Temperance, Strength, Justice. Prudence is … Continue reading
Visconti Sforza cardinal virtues
The three images here come from a deck of cards produced for the Visconti Sforza family in the mid-fifteenth century. From left to right: Justice, Temperance and Strength. The Marseillle deck shows the same three, which makes me wonder why … Continue reading
Temperance xi
Caitlyn is a fantastic model for this painting, I’m so pleased with the way the pictures turned out. I shot her as Temperance for the symbolic card with the two water vessels, and again for the big painting of all … Continue reading
Temperance viii
My friend who was going to drive us to Vegas in his Suburban with paintings and easels in a trailer has found a job that will occupy him over the weekend of the Alchemy conference, so I have to find … Continue reading