Saturday, January 9, 2010

Abstract in Soft Pastel

For quite a while now, I’ve been thinking it would be fun to paint an abstract of a city street at night. It has been so long since I’ve painted an abstract, and I’ve never done one in pastel, so I decided to start the new year off with something new and different. It was fun to paint, but it was also a challenge. I kept fighting my inclination to make it look like something more detailed.




Night Lights
6" x 6"
Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard



17 comments:

Claire Beadon Carnell said...

Don't laugh, but I am very near-sighted, and when I take my glasses off at night, this is the way the lights look!!! I used to take them off as a kid just to see the pretty glow that formed around each light source. This is pretty neat!

Autumn Leaves said...

I was thinking the way Claire was thinking! LOLOL I love this abstract; there is reality to be seen in it, not something I am used to seeing in abstract art. That said, all my artist blogging buddies are slowly but surely changing my opinions on abstract art. If they were all like this one, I would so enjoy them. This is really cool and I like the pedestrian!

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness.... I love this. I can see you doing a whole series of these and having a show in a room with subdued lighting.

Angela Elledge said...

Absolutely wonderful!

Kari Tirrell said...

Thanks, Ladies! I'm glad you like it! It's so funny, all of us nearsighted people enjoying the lights!

Lauren Maurer said...

This is a very clever painting!

Kari Tirrell said...

Thanks, Lauren!

James Parker said...

I stopped in to tell you what a magnificent job you did on Dyanne for DSFDF, and I am blown away by your previous blogs. I haven't been by for a while, and shame on me. You have really been busy with some excellent work. And this night street scene...a departure from your usual...but it is absolutely enchanting. I'll be back more often...and drop by my place...coffee's on.

TJ said...

I am glad I am not alone . . . I was thinking the same thing, a photo taken through my eyes with my glasses off! But, gee whiz, is your painting beautiful. Looks MUCh bigger than it is.

TJ said...

Lovely painting. I'm near sighted also so it does resemble what I would see without glasses!

Kari Tirrell said...

Thanks for stopping by and commenting, James! I appreciate it.

Thank you, Ty! I'm glad you like it. :)

Gwen Bell said...

Wonderful! Like the way the lights at the top point down to the group of lights at the bottom. Those yellows and reds are great. I agree with Shelia...this would make a beautiful series!

Kari Tirrell said...

Thanks, Gwen!

José Carrilho (Go Detail) said...

Hi,

The most amazing thing about this painting is how lights really "bother" my sight :-)
You did an awesome work.

Kind regards,

José

Kari Tirrell said...

Thank you, Jose! :)

Debora L Stewart said...

Really like this one. Very unusual perspective and nice abstraction.

Kari Tirrell said...

Thanks, Deb! I'm glad you like it. :)