Monday, May 18, 2015

Reaching for Life

Oil on canvas, 30" x 40".

This is a painting that started from a photo I took of one of Pasadena's ficus trees.

I have added to it over the years, and decided to post the updated, and re-named, work.  (The first title was something like "Ficus on a Sunny Morning.")
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13 comments:

  1. Pasadena AdjacentMay 18, 2015 at 1:53 PM

    That's wonderful that you've continued to work on this piece. One really has a sense of looking up into the web of branches and their girth. Not an easy thing to achieve

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  2. Jean SpitzerMay 18, 2015 at 2:01 PM

    Thanks, Liz.

    I have been living with it for several years, now.

    There's a banyan tree in the Lincoln Park Conservatory that is the closest to this type of tree, around here.

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  3. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comMay 18, 2015 at 6:31 PM

    I was delighted to discover the bird, Jean - has it always been there or is it newly added? I really like the viewpoint you chose.
    I saw a banyan tree when in India and was fascinated by it. You are right - this does capture the many limbs of one.
    A powerful painting - congratulations.

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  4. Linda RothMay 19, 2015 at 7:10 AM

    You have a wonderful ability to bring out the dramatic in your subjects. This painting wowed me the minute I laid eyes on it. It's expressionistic. It's drama. It's hopeful. Ficus on a sunny morning doesn't come close. Ficus is matter of fact, but there's poetry in this painting. I am awed Jean.

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  5. Jean SpitzerMay 19, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    Thanks, Julie and Linda.

    Julie, I didn't know there was a bird in the painting until you pointed it out. Happy accident. I am delighted, too.

    My love of, obsession with, ficus trees of all types, but especially the street trees of Pasadena, has persisted over the years. I love the limbs, the roots, the leaves. Of course, the fruit, in the case of the fig tree.

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  6. Anthony DuceMay 19, 2015 at 12:40 PM

    Wonderful work.

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  7. AnonymousMay 19, 2015 at 7:21 PM

    Looks like a series of windows -- do you have a favorite?

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  8. JaneMay 20, 2015 at 1:01 AM

    This is something different, love this big Ficus !

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  9. Jean SpitzerMay 20, 2015 at 7:21 AM

    Thanks, Karin and Jane.

    No favorite. "Love the one you're with."

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  10. Katherine KeanMay 20, 2015 at 11:48 PM

    Love it - the power and the depth!

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  11. Jean SpitzerMay 21, 2015 at 6:43 AM

    Thanks, Katherine.

    I did some quick reading on the ficus. It turns out they are the subjects of various religious beliefs, as well.

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  12. minnemieMay 30, 2015 at 1:16 PM

    Ahhh, I love viewing trees from this angle! Capturing the interesting depth and light/shadows of this view on camera is hard enough, but you did it beautifully here - with paint nonetheless!

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  13. Jean SpitzerJune 2, 2015 at 6:37 AM

    Glad you like it, Minn. Thanks.

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