"Le Papillon"
This work was featured in the group “Out Of the Past”
Small work: “Le Papillon” charcoal and pastel on Mylar, 9×7” This young French student artist wandered into my studio one evening during our open studio event. I liked her look and thought she would be a good model for my Black Butterfly series, so I asked if she would mind posing for a few photos. We had a fun visit, and she showed me her lovely Moleskine sketch journal and we also exchanged emails.
I took quite a few great photos of Melodie, so I most likely will do another small work or two from them. She was a delight. Also, I am happy to realize that “Melodie” is the Muse of Music.
These small studies present their own challenges. I like to complete them in one sitting and the scale is difficult for detail, but I feel that I did capture the subject’s hopefulness and creativity in this small work.
Presented in a vintage tabletop swing frame.
"Le Papillon" belongs to the following groups:
1 on 1: The Fine Art of Portraiture , * Painted Ladies *, ! 100% !, "Exceptional Ekphrasis", All Things Poetic, Artistic, Philosophical, Dirty Filthy Art: Charcoal, Fine Arts, Friends of RedBubble, Live, Love, Dream: , Out of the Past, PEACE, LOVE & TRANQUILITY, Pencil Drawing (2 per 24 hrs), Realist Traditional Art, Shameless Self-Promotion, The Best of, The Eyes Have It, The Healing Journey and Woman Appreciation Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints and Framed Prints
Juilee Pryor
gorgeous work….lovely face on this girl…. you really have caught something special
Alice McMahon ... replied
That’s a lovely compliment, thank you Juilee!
Simon Aberle
Awesome work Alice!
I love the shiny effect on parts of the face with the pastel.
It’s a great expression too :)
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thank you Simon. These smaller works tend to have their own challenges. This was a bit different for me, but I feel I captured this girl’s hopefulness creativity well and I like that for this butterfly/muse series. Best of luck for your exciting news! :D
Lora Garcelon
Beautiful work – Her eyes, especially.
Alice McMahon ... replied
She’s going straight to the “Eyes Have It” group! Thanks!
brettisagirl
she has a nice soft face :} very pleasant
Alice McMahon ... replied
It would have been fun if you had been at FAB to meet Melodie at May Open Studios. She reminded me a bit of you. She did fairly well with her English too. Thanks Bert ;)
Linda Bennett
Oh Alice!!! This is truly amazing….well done girl!!!
Alice McMahon ... replied
Haha, thanks for making me smile Linda :D xx
WonderlandGlass
Stunning work, my friend… you have captured the wistful, day-dreaming look of youth as it gazes into an uncertain, yet hopeful future and coupled that with a firm resolve to surge onward despite the uncertainties-secure in one’s naive self-reliance. You have a great talent for bringing out inner character and qualities in your subjects with a respectful sensitivity that makes your works so compelling! Thank you for sharing your gifts in this community of artists on rb… and thank you for sharing your positive visions and peace.
Alice McMahon ... replied
You are so kind Doug. I think my greatest pride in this work was having the courage and confidence to ask this young woman, who had such personal presence, if she would allow me to try to capture a bit of that to share with my audience. She was really a great model too, I wish we had more time together. I wish her well. Must send her the link to my blog!
I’ve added more info here since your comment Doug, if you care to look.
Thanks to you and Linda for being such special friends!
WonderlandGlass
I may not always have time to review everything that comes through my overview, but you can be assured that Linda & I ALWAYS review your postings, my friend. Of COURSE I took another look ;-} Your grace and sensitivity infuses your works and your sharing with this community and others is so special in this too-often self-centered society. It is an honour to have met and grown to know you. May the peace you share return magnified to you…
SHRyan
Beautiful work, I love it Alice,xxxxSandy
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks Sandy!
ISMAIL ALAOUI ...
this is beautiful
but as you wrote the tittle in french, i think you shoud correct=> its ” le papillon “
papillion is masculin in french
Alice McMahon ... replied
But perhaps it’s the butterfly that is masculine? :) Thanks Ismail.
Alice McMahon ... replied
OK, done :)
ISMAIL ALAOUI ...
lol i was saying grammaticly, LE papillion, LE hibou;
LA chévre, la mére !!!! LOL
Alice McMahon ... replied
I believe you – but hard to find the correct on a site such as Babel Fish. :D xx
bevmorgan
Beautiful, gentle and evocotive portrait. You are so gifted in this area. Her expression is lovely and makes you wonder what is going through her mind.
Alice McMahon ... replied
As always, such a warm and thoughtful comment Bev, thank you. I think I may have thought and wondered more than usual about Melodie, because her English skills, though fairly good, still made verbal communication more difficult than usual. It makes me wonder about the ways we relate to each other.
michael byerley
wonderful !!!!! congrats on this feature
Alice McMahon ... replied
Thanks so much Michael. The group has been very good to me!
danita clark
She is adorable, her wistful expression … a lovely addition to your series Alice.
Alice McMahon ... replied
Wistful :) that is Melodie! Thank you Danita!
stephanie allison
Congrats! Your image placed in the TOP 10 in the Just Faces Painted Lady Challenge
♥
Norval Arbogast
This is wonderful. You caught that idealist shine you see in the face of youth. I don’t want to insult you, but I am an old classic film buff, you caught that wonderful look of the idealist that is in the early Russian movies and drawings of the revolution. I have never seen that captured before.
Alice McMahon ... replied
Far from insulted, it’s a wonderful compliment! Thanks so much for visiting and for the faves Norval, I’ll drop by soon.Cheers!
Chris Baker
What a wonderful drawing – love the sensitive highlights you’ve touched on :)