Feuilles by Louis Seraphine
Every time I look at this beautiful painting by Louis Seraphine I become inspired again and again. I have been making leaves all my artistic life, but nothing like these beauties. I had to see more of her work so I rented the movie, Seraphine, Heather Powers mentioned earlier this month and watched it over the last several days.
Seraphine, the movie, available on Netflix
It has a slow start and you don't see much of her work until about 30 minutes into the movie. But you do see her gathering flowers to make her paints from, and collecting wax from the votive candles in her church as she often painted late into the night by candle light. She may have also used the wax to mix in with the pigments she made. (I have not been able to verify this idea) From then on there is a great deal to see and a story that is both heroic and sad.
When I first saw this month's Art Bead Scene Challenge painting I was especially taken with the idea of making leaves within leaves and so that is what I did.
Ceramic Leaf in Red and Teal by Mary Harding
Ceramic Leaf in Yellow and Red by Mary Harding
Ceramic Leaf in Red , Blue and Black by Mary Harding
Ceramic Leaf in Blue and Yellow Green by Mary Harding
I cut out leaf shapes from ceramic clay and while the clay was still soft enough I incised lines of leaves into the clay, cleaned these up and fired the pieces. Then I began the painting. I did not stick consciously to a palette but chose bright colors that I like and used them together. I only made these few leaves and some are in my Etsy Shop.
After I made these pieces, I took a look at quite a few of her paintings and noticed that there was much more going on than just leaves.
Paintings by Louis Serafine
Thank you for stopping by. Be sure to check out what Heather Powers made.
