What do you see Snippet, by Kim Blair

(close-up sections from larger work on canvas)

These two snippets (like the previous two from June 12) are from larger abstract works on canvas.  Although I will not reveal the inspiration for the abstract paintings these sections are from... I will say that these two particular snippets seem to evoke landscapes, but your eyes and imagination might see something different.

Tell me what you see...

Orange is the new Snippet Colour, by Kim Blair

(close-up sections from larger work on canvas)

Orange is back in vogue.  You'll find it in book and movie titles, accent pillows, hand bags and napkins... even a line of high end cast iron cookware comes in a vibrant shade of orange.

From pumpkins to poppies you can find a multitude of tints, tones and shades of this warm earthy hue... it can even be found in a snippet or two...

Sea Treasures Snippet, by Kim Blair

(close-up section from larger work on paper)

The long red streaks of paint in this snippet seem to suggest strands of red coral (Corallium rubrum) floating amongst green seaweed, rocks and various plant life found in the sea.  In antiquity the Romans would hang branches of red coral around their children's neck to protect them from evil spirits.

Red coral, like many aquatic treasures harvested from the sea is now on the endangered species list. 

Snippet Diptych, by Kim Blair

(close-up sections from larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

When photographing these close-up sections (snippets) from the larger paintings I created for my graduate show, I use the camera view finder like a mini frame, selecting passages where the paint application, colour combination and brush work create mini abstract paintings.

These 'snippets' are little paintings within larger paintings.

Both of these snippets are taken from the same larger mixed media painting.

Three Peas Snippet, by Kim Blair

(close-up section taken from larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

This snippet almost looks like three peas in a pod... or should I say, three peas on a blog.

Okay, Okay I can hear everyone groaning!

Galactic Battle Snippet, by Kim Blair

(close-up section from larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

The original Star Wars movie was created just over 30 years ago... where does the time go?

This snippet section feels action packed with mega watts of light saber action, sonic blasts and whirling galaxies.  Special effects gone wild!  Or at least my imagination has...

 Snippet #1

Snippet #2

(close-up sections from larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

Both of these snippets are obviously from the same painting, but each snippet is slightly different... snippet #2 has been rotated to create a different perspective.  Even though they 'feel' similar, the slight differences between the two along with the variation of orientation allow the viewer to interpret them as completely different.

Like most things in life... even with all things being 'almost' equal, our interpretation really depends on our perspective.   

Pink Glow Snippet, by Kim Blair

(close-up section of larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

The hot pink line in this snippet has the look of a partially working neon sign.  We've all seen those old store front signs where only a portion of the name is lit up, sometimes creating a different word than the store intended.
Which by the way, is supposedly how the singer/actor Bobby Darin (1936- 1973, famous for singing 'Mac the Knife') got his name.   One evening while walking past a Chinese restaurant where a neon sign was supposed to say "Mandarin" Bobby noticed the first three letters were burned out, spelling 'darin' and he decided to take that as his stage name... instead of his birth name, Cassotto.

Candy Floss Snippet, by Kim Blair

(close-up section taken from a larger painting on 300 lb watercolour paper)

 Many of these snippets have texture... areas with lines and ridges where the next layer of paint glides over the top allowing the underneath paint to peek through.  Sometimes the viscosity and hue of the paint resembles cotton candy...  frothy dollops of spun sugar in sickly sweet pastel tones smeared on the pavement waiting for some unsuspecting running shoe to step in it.

Lime Twist Snippet, by Kim Blair

(close-up section from larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

Sometimes everything seems to be about food... or cake.

While contemplating this snippet I received an email from Johanne Lamarche a fellow blogger who whips up delicious recipes and shares them on her cooking blog, 'French Gardener Dishes.'  Today her blog showcases 'Triple Lime-Yogurt Mini Bundt Cakes' with scrumptious looking photos of the work in progress... along with the final shot of the moist, yummy little cakes.

Johanne asked if she could use one of my Lime paintings with her posting today... you can see it at the end of her posting.

Thanks Johanne.

Have Your Cake and Eat it Too, by Kim Blair

(close-up section of larger work on 300 lb. watercolour paper)

The main attraction at childhood birthday parties (next to the gifts of course) is the cake.  Dense rich chocolate cake decorated with thick gobs and swirls of brightly coloured icing... the kind of icing that often makes your teeth ache just looking at it.  Electric blue lines spelling out the lucky child's name... the same bright blue coating every tongue, staining all the napkins, and most of the party clothes.

If the birthday cake was chocolate and lovingly iced by Mom it probably looked at bit like this 'snippet section' as the spatula started to run out of icing while trying to cover up the broken sections where it stuck to the pan.

Is It Really the End of the Road... Snippet, by Kim Blair

(close-up section of larger work on 300 lb watercolour paper)

It all depends on the interpretation... the grey line could be considered the end of the road or the beginning of the road.  There are lots of endings and beginnings... losses and opportunities when painting.  Upon reflection (usually by the light of day the next morning) I can see a small glimpse of where I thought I was going with the work in progress, only to discover the brush had a vision of its own.

My brush often works independently from my brain...