Inspiration & Transformation

Inspiration can come from anywhere and at any time.  But rarely does our source of inspiration provide us with perfection.  Whether the source of inspiration is a scene directly in front of us or captured in a reference photo, it almost always will require modification.  And to make it truly our own, we should be modifying it.  We should be asking ourselves “How can I make this better?” and “How can I make it communicate what I want to say?”

On a recent visit to a zoo, I captured several photos of an adult orangutan snuggling with a youngster, both huddled beneath a burlap sack.  I was entranced as I watched their tender interactions.  However, my photos were less than ideal.  The orangutans were behind an angled double-paned window that was splattered with dried rain drops.  And the youngster kept its face turned towards the adult during their interactions.

Orangutan photo by Tracey Maras

Back in my studio, it was time to answer those two questions.  How could I make the scene better and what did I want to say?  Since I was touched by their interactions, that was what I wanted to communicate.  But I needed the interactions to be more obvious when attempting to capture a single moment in a painting.

I worked out the design through small (2×3”) thumbnail sketches.  Making the scene more intimate, I moved the orangutans closer together.  To strengthen the concept of the relationship between them, I decided to make the youngster a baby, snuggling into its mother.  Reaching the baby’s arm across the foreground would visually lead the viewer’s eyes to the baby’s face. 

Orangutan sketch by Tracey Maras.

But even after the initial thumbnail sketches, design changes can occur as the concept develops.  Incorporating a large tropical leaf under which they sheltered would serve as a line leading back to the left across the top of the page, thereby creating a circular composition that keeps the viewer’s eyes moving around the scene and encircling the mother and baby.

I decided to keep the scene in a low key of lighting to convey the sense of them being deep in the rainforest, secluded and sheltered. 

To make the design changes, additional research was needed beyond my time spent observing their interactions and my reference photos.  Research included the appearance and anatomical differences of a baby compared to a youngster orangutan.  To establish the environment, research was needed to determine the correct type of foliage and to establish the ambient lighting and how it would reflect color onto the orangutans.

My final decision was to have the mother looking directly at the viewer, as if to say, “Protect the Precious.” 

Orangutan painting by Tracey Maras.
“Protect the Precious”  12×16”  pastel on archival gator board with pumice gel

We should always be vigilant for those moments of inspiration that will lead to that next painting.  But planning, research, and design will make the painting truly your own voice.

Achieving Enlightenment

For a painting to work effectively, it should include a range of values as well as a variety of warm and cool colors. In addition, color harmony will be more successfully achieved when utilizing a limited palette.

An Artist’s Handwriting

Your handwriting is as unique and distinct as you are. Regardless of how we were taught to write, we each develop our own style. Immediately recognizable to those who know us.

A blog from artist, Tracey Maras.

I Don’t Remember It Looking Like That

The sky is filled with the dance of so many colors.  You quickly snap some photos to capture the moment, thinking to yourself about how you are going to create a painting to memorialize this moment.

A blog from Tracey Maras.

When Local Color Isn’t Enough

Sometimes I just don’t want to use what nature gives.  Sometimes I just don’t want to use local color.  Don’t get me wrong.  The world is filled with infinite beauty and inspiration.  But sometimes I just don’t want to paint a blue sky and green leaves.

Confetti Pastels

Do you like surprises?  Do you embrace moments of serendipity and happy accidents?  “Confetti Pastels” can add to your excitement.

How long did it take?

The question that every artist hears at some point is “How long did it take you to paint this?”.  It can be a very complex question to answer.  Is the inquiry to determine the financial value of the piece?  Does the answer somehow determine the quality of the painting?

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2 Responses

  1. Beautiful work! Just received my very first box of unison portrait pastels. I keep looking at them and don’t know where to start.

    Thankyou for your inspiration.

    1. Opening that first box of Unison pastels is such a wonderful moment! Such luscious colors and every one so pristine and perfect. But know that you’ll experience even more wonderful moments when you put pastel to paper. Enjoy your journey!

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Achieving Enlightenment

For a painting to work effectively, it should include a range of values as well as a variety of warm and cool colors. In addition, color harmony will be more successfully achieved when utilizing a limited palette.

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