Painting Process | Spoonbridge and Cherry

Final

Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen did it right, with Spoonbridge and Cherry in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Ever since I first laid eyes on this masterpiece, I knew it must be painted. After the jump, each step along the way.

A special thank you goes out to the Walker Art Center, for granting me permission to paint in the garden.

Cherry Spoon

Setting up shop; easel, subject matter, beautiful woman – check, check, check.

Cherry Spoon

Feeling out the composition in green, ensuring the cherry, stem and spoon all make the 24″X30″ frame.

Cherry Spoon

Blocking out the water and the city.

Cherry Spoon

Laying down another layer in orange, to further identify the planar structure.

Cherry Spoon

Breaking out the big bad black Sharpie, solidifying the strong parts of the picture.

Cherry Spoon

Further exploring the background, pushing the drawing phase.

Cherry Spoon

Laying out a darker blue sky as an under painting.

Cherry Spoon

A deep green surrounding the somewhat green water – apropos.

Cherry Spoon

Carrying the same green tone into the treeline.

Cherry Spoon

An initial exploration of the cherry – a dark, under painting to set the foundation for the final layer.

Cherry Spoon

It was at this stage, my desire to fill in all white spaces became immense.

Cherry Spoon

A “bright sunny day” challenge – where do you choose to solidify the light in the final image. It is a question like this, which makes me realize, no “real” painting is ever real.

Cherry Spoon

A brighter sky, a brighter tomorrow – for the children.

Cherry Spoon

Getting in on the details, with a red shirt (and soon to be, red matching arms and neck.)

Cherry Spoon

Erin put her photography skills to the test, illuminating the entire scene.

Cherry Spoon

The pink and grey buildings in the background, became an incidental Sheeler palette.

Cherry Spoon

The sun came up behind me, striking an intense frontal lighting scenario.

Cherry Spoon

The light was solidified between 1:00 – 2:00 PM.

Cherry Spoon

Channeling some “after 1980” Jasper Johns on the cluster of mid-pond foliage.

Cherry Spoon

Here comes the lake reflections – joy.

Getting close, with the water sprays in effect.

Cherry Spoon

Just about the final canvas, in context.

FinalCompleted. Thank you again Walker Art Center.

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12 comments

  1. Borbay says:

    @Erin: Thank you beautiful! I appreciate the company, lunch and rides to and from the park.

    @Lora: Appreciated! Ha, we will see about that – I suppose if Columbia University approached me, I would channel my inner Ghostbusters team pre-firing and get to it.

  2. Steve Borbet says:

    Jay,
    Very nice!!! Another fine job. I was thinking of branching out from my Fred Flintstone drawings!!! Keep up the good work!

  3. Patti & Kids says:

    Hello,

    Your pieced turned out WONDERFUL!! We had a GREAT time watching you paint this beautiful piece of art. Jason was so kind to teach my kids about making color combinations as well as showing them his techniques.

    Good luck!!

    Patti, Jackson, Aly & Dylan

  4. Borbay says:

    @Dad: Thank you! Don’t knock your Flintstone, it is legendary!

    @Carl: Appreciated, and I owe you a call – still on hold…

    @Patti, Jackson, Aly & Dylan: Thank you for stopping by, it was entirely my pleasure – a great group! There will certainly be some art coming from your household in the near future… beyond the work of your in-house illustrator/cartoonist (if my memory serves correctly.)

  5. Tom Hessel says:

    Fantastic. I’m adding this one to my list of favorites.
    It was really great to spend some time with you and
    talk about art.
    I also enjoyed seeing how you throw yourself into each
    painting. Don’t ever lose that passion. It shows in all
    of your work.
    Aside: Thanks for all your help to make the “big day”
    more fun and exciting for everyone.
    Tom

  6. Borbay says:

    @Tom: Thank you, it was terrific to spend some time in Minnesota with the Hessel family – particularly for such a big week! Cheers for the conversations.

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