I didn’t initially see this piece (11×14) in the free box — my husband added that to our pile all on his own. Because he picked it up, I gave him first shot at deciding on the subject matter. And what did he pick? Nada, nothing, zilch. Sometimes the marital bliss does not extend to artistic endeavors. So it goes.
I struggled with what to do here. There wasn’t an initial subject to launch great (or mediocre) art, so I do what countless others have done when seeking inspiration: I doomscrolled. And lo, the internet did deliver. This gull was so strange and quizzical, that I thought it would provide enough “shock” when I hung it in the bathroom gallery. BTW, I spent some time looking for the photographer, but nobody credited the picture. So thanks, internet stranger, for snapping this!
I made some other decisions along the way — I wanted to keep some of the background and maybe incorporate it. Sea gulls eat Cheetos, right? I hear things about their snacking prowess. And eggs. Eggs popped into my head for some reason. Of course I wanted to do a light-colored item against an aggressively-outlined underpainting while using cheap craft paint. I popped open my Golden heavy body for the white. It had to be done. I still used some of the Grumbacher paints I had picked up at that same neighborhood garage sale, however.
I also decided, since some of the background was going to come through, I would keep the painter’s signature. I can’t quite make it out though. Maybe it’s “MG” or Meg” or “M, garble garble”? Who knows. It will live on in this work.
I went a little graphic with the eggs, I will admit. I tried to do the “lacy” edges thing, but it didn’t look right with the Cheeto-background, so I just outlined. I kinda wish I’d outlined the gull, too. Umm…excuse me a minute while I go do that.
Yeah, I think it adds a little something. The eggs were too prominent before I whipped out the Posca pen. I only wish I had a carnation pink or bright red on hand. Oh well, on to the next project.
