La Casa Bodega
Oil on Canvas.
Boy oh boy did I have fun doing these signs.
If you stick around in the business long enough, people actually start asking you for your work. I was given free reign to make paintings for a local wine merchant near the Monterey wharfs. So be of good cheer, all you kids out there, the hustle starts to slow at some point, you can begin to count on three squares a day, and every now and then somebody seeks you out for the work you’ve been busting your butt over for your entire life.
Greeting Cards and Matted Prints
Gene Praag
Such an encouraging statement that goes along with this. Beautiful!
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thank you, Geno. It’s all true.
Sande Elkins
Both your art and your words are always inspiring, Barbara. I’m no longer a kid in years but since I’m starting off on new adventures past fifty, your encouraging words mean as much to me…maybe more because of my years of acquired wisdom and experience…as they would have thirty years ago:) Thanks Barbara and incredible art!!
Barbara Sparhawk replied
You make it all worthwhile. Thank you, Sande. If I think back to my twenties, I’m not sure I was interested in advice because I knew it all. But encouragement, yes…that counts, from the minute you’re born until your head hits the pillow in the coffin.
whisperingruth
Gosh Barbara…........I almost missed this beauty…........lovely addition to your wine series!
Barbara Sparhawk
My screwy little dopey camera. No matter where I point it, something’s cropped. But this included all the parts at least, and I really liked the hands and wanted them in. Oy!
Thanks, Ruthie.
alistair mcbride
They all look great!
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Many thanks, Alistair, you’re kind to say so; great fun to do these things.
Cathleen Taraw...
Fabulous signs! What a wonderful job.
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Bless you, Cathleen. None of us ever knows where in the dickens the brain will lead.
Cathleen Taraw...
Dead right there!
~ Ademac
Delightful Barb….............real joy and pleasure in this image, well done.
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thanks, Adrian. You said all the things I wanted to get in the picture.
Gaurav Dhup
lovely work!
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thanks so much, Gaurav.
Douzy
Impressive work Barbara!! Love this to bits. Very creative, colourful, unique, charming. I’d be delighted if I was the client!
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Oh wow Douzy, many thanks. One of those nice times when it was pure pleasure to do.
rosepepper
She is wonderful, a woman who is discriminating about her wine and in control of the conversation as she gazes out of the picture. Love the hands and the unsharp and dissolving edges which invite a sensual feel. So many facets to your creative personality Barbara… amazing artist.
Barbara Sparhawk replied
You make me proud, rosepepper. Very kind of you to say these things. Such a sea of uncertainty in creating something. It’s true, isn’t it, we never quite know what we do; stand and look and try to figure it out and it’s something but what. Educated feedback helps, believe me. Thank you.
Mohammad Khaksar
Great and fantastic.
a very good thought indeed there is in this capture!
well done barbara!
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thank you so much, MhDkHr. Yes, capture or artwork, much the same. I feel very lucky to have so many photographers look at my work, and lucky to see all of yours.
Mohammad Khaksar
sorry!
in this artwork!
Keeli
Excellent art work!
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thanks so much, Keeli.
Kenart
A touch of the Lautrec mixed with what….... Modigliani? Perfectly lovely.
Barbara Sparhawk replied
You know, I think you’re right. Adore them both. I’ve often thought that Impressionist have made it absolutely impossible since their appearance in the world to ever view form and color the same way again. I’ve been so deeply affected by them all.
Antanas
beautiful composition
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thank you, Antanas.
bites
wow barbara no wonder u were seeked out for these there fantastic!
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Hey bites! on-the-move adventurer; many thanks, buddy.
SNik
a true pleasure for the eye.
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thanks so much, SNik. Nice to hear this.
kevin fitzmaur...
While most seek ’ security ’ through a boring existence, lose their identity ion the tread mill. A treadmill of self deception, and greed. Humanity needs a free spirit. An artist, a brave thinker. fun work and brilliant. Hope they gave you some samples to try ! good luck.
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Yes, Kevin! The wine merchant’s got a good and generous heart. Booze and cash, best of all possible worlds. Many thanks for all you said.
JanG
Congratulations! What a treat to look at. Definitely should bring in business because they are so interesting you want to go there and see what kind of place it is that advertises itself with such great art. I do agree with Kenart that they remind me of someone or several someones in the impressionist art world. His two, along with a touch of the darkness and mystery of Munch I think. :-)
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thanks so very much, Jan. I’m trying to get the owner to use them in advertising and t shirts. I like Munch. I don’t mind having anything in common with any of them.
F. Magdalene A...
First off, I love the work. I also appreciate the words of encouragement in the commentary.
Awesome work.
Austin
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Dear Austin, many thanks.
cheetaah
I saw all three of them they are amazing, you must be very proud of it, I love all your works.
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thank you, cheetaah, you made me smile. Nice to read your comment, and yes, I even like them too. And I’m a rough critic of my work.
Steven Novak
Fantastic! All of the signs are well made.
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thanks so very much Steven.
JustCards
Excellent work.
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Much appreciated, JC
helene ruiz
absolutely fabulous.. i love ur style…it is so “fluid” and “rhythmic:”
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thanks Helene of the Bronx. Rhythmic is really nice, which is the way I think of your paintings. and Fluid…That’s just right, it was on a tight very flat cotton and I used sable brushes. Out of the ordinary for me as I usually use stiff bristle and loads of pigment. And will still be doing both.
Denis Dalby
Straight out Monmartre, so vibrant. Love the writing too.
Barbara Sparhawk
Thanks, Denis. I do believe I had that kind of imagery in mind. I’ve always loved Lautrec’s posters and that era. Your comments are much appreciated and heartwarming.
Paul (Quixote)...
Excellent work as always, Barbara. Your style is definitely similar to Lautrec. I could see you living in Paris in the early days, and painting the cafes and cobble stone streets. lol
Barbara Sparhawk replied
Thanks so much Paul! I haven’t had much time to spend on the site or visiting others, the fires are a constant concern. I keep adding journal updates, I think we’ll be okay.
Glad to see you, I’ll pop in as soon as I can.