Thursday, June 25, 2009

Elephant Dreams

Elephant Dreams 18 x 24" Acrylic on canvas

I finished the elephant. I tried not to overwork it and had to stop myself a few times from getting too detailed. I love how it turned out - otherworldly, dreamlike... and I could cover myself in these colors...

It's the biggest painting I've done so far, and I really enjoyed working this large. There was a sense of freedom and movement that came with this big canvas.

I wanted to paint the energy of the elephant: Strength. Ancient wisdom. Power.
The colors are earthy because they speak to me the strongest right now. It feels like they came straight from my soul.

You can see the original post with the first few stages of the painting here.


17 comments:

the7msn said...

The painting is magnificent. And now, if you haven't already, you must go read "Water for Elephants." It's about so much more than elephants, but I know you love animals, and I think you will love this book.

Kathleen Coy said...

Thanks Linda! I've heard that's a great book, it's on my "to read" list. :-)

Chris Wolfgang said...

I can't stop looking at the tusks. They're so simple, but I have this expectation of what they would feel like to the touch. FanTAStic work.

Cindy said...

I love the elepphant, I am a huge fan, I especially love the colors...you are fabulous! Take care, cinner

First Draught Farm said...

Phenom!

Mona Diane Conner said...

I love the idea of the elephant as a power animal and painting the energy part. In India Ganesha, the elephant god is "Lord of Good Fortune" and also the "Destroyer of Obstacles".

Snowbrush said...

Hello to one who sits atop the loess hills from one whose home is upon the debris left by the Missoula floods.

I like your painting. The colors are superb (though I wouldn't have thought so if you had asked me before you used them), and I applaud your restraint in regard to greater detail.

artbyakiko said...

Awesome, Kathleen! It's so powerful. The red give me a sense of power and at the same time, a cry for help for survival. Great work!!

Kathleen Coy said...

Discworld, cinner, FDF, and Mona, thank you so much for your kind comments!

Greetings Snowbrush! Thank you for your visit and taking the time to comment. I never thought I would paint an orange elephant! I originally planned to paint over the red-orange and just have it peeking though in spots to warm up the painting, but I loved it so much that it stayed front and center.

Thank you Akiko, I love your interpretation of it!

Unknown said...

Kathleen its lovely, the colours work very well, you have just put the right marks, well done!

Kelly Schulz said...

Kathleen, t is stunning! I really admire your painting style.

Kathleen Coy said...

Thank you so much Sam and Kelly! :-)

Tammie said...

Really cool painting Kathleen!

Dean Grey said...

Kathleen!

This elephant is awesome!

I think you captured the feelings you wanted.

Impressive, powerful, connected with nature, and wise in the ways of the land, are what come to mind when I saw this piece.

The colors are wonderful. Reminds me of the earth, like clay or terra cotta.

I think the large size goes well with the subject matter too. An elephant ACEO just wouldn't do!

-Dean

Kathleen Coy said...

Tammie and Dean, thank you so much for your comments.

Dean, thank you for all your comments today! And thanks again for your interpretation of this piece. And you're right, elephants need a big canvas! :-)

Unknown said...

LOVE this. I've been super elephant obsessed lately so that makes it even more awesomer...er.

Kathleen Coy said...

Thanks Jessica, so good to hear from you! :-)