Marilyn Fenn » Abstract Art

New Painting: Clobbered by Picasso

Marilyn — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:24:42 +0000

"Clobbered by Picasso" Oil on canvas 12" x 12" © 2011 Marilyn Fenn After copying a Picasso last week, I started seeing so many things differently! Palette, shapes, composition...my copy of his painting in among my own paintings made my work pale in comparison. :( OK, well, no surprise there. I tried to return to what I had been doing before the Picasso copy, and started using colors from his palette to attack this work that was already in progress. Picasso kept interfering as I struggled with thoughts of the strength of his work. A few days and many changes later, I finally got back into the rhythm of my own vision, and ended up here. FWIW.

New Painting: Beast of Burden

Marilyn — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:23:37 +0000

"Beast of Burden" Oil on canvas 6" x 6" © 2011 Marilyn Fenn This is kind of a goofy little painting that I was really just noodling around on. It went through several changes over about a week of occasional noodling, and this is where it ended up. I gave it that title because it reminds me of the little donkeys I saw in Morocco being led across the desert or in the medinas, stacked practically to the sky with all sorts of household goods, water, cans, people, rugs, etc. Mighty little fellows!

New Painting: Quest for Magic

Marilyn — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:27:46 +0000

"Quest for Magic" Oil on canvas 12" x 12" 2011 Marilyn Fenn

The greatest work of an artist is the history of a painting. - Alberti

The title of this painting could embody a state of grace that many people seek throughout their lives. It could symbolize the wishes that most artists aspire to obtain through their creations. Or it could represent my recent series of abstract paintings. In this case, it represents another painting in the series through which I am beginning to achieve a long sought after enchantment with my process and pleasure in the final result. Every painting, and perhaps especially abstract paintings, start out as a journey with the destination unknown. The thrill of exploration is a great part of the goal. What can I make my colors and brushstrokes do? How do I push the paint around in interesting ways? How can I make an intriguing composition out of nothing but colored oil paint and a few shapes? These first few works in the series are small and slow, and I'm still finding my footing, but I'm really looking forward to more and larger and more confident works. I'm thrilled to have reached this part of my journey, and excited about the rest of the trip. I hope it is a long one!