Portrait...Le Maquillage
“Le Maquillage” (the title is ironical), is part of the now growing series “Significant Faces”...as with the other’s in the collection, the face is anonymous, eyes appealing for understanding, and it’s for you the viewer to add your own story…...who is she?... a young dancer, getting ready for the stage, a gymnast at the Cirque, a young actress playing the part of a Geisha, or maybe a Geisha herself…why are the words Peace Love and Happiness written behind her in two languages? is it part of her story?
Acrylic and Watercolour on Fabriano Artistico Not Paper
This life of ours would not cause you sorrow
if you thought of it as like
the mountain cherry blossoms
which bloom and fade in a day.Murasaki Shikibu (974-1031)
Portrait...Le Maquillage belongs to the following groups:
Complex Simplicity of Art, ! 100% !, ! Inspired Art !, Acrylic Painting, All Around the Styles, Art Inspired by Dreams, Artists of the Orient, AW Welcome Center, Bits and Pieces , Contemporary Professional Painters and Sculptors, Decorative and Traditional Art, Descriptions, EF Welcome Center, Everyday Life, Feminine Intent (LIMIT TWO IMAGES PER DAY), Fine Arts, First Things, Hand Drawn or Painted Art of Happiness or Joy, If it doesn't belong, JPG Cast-Offs, Layered with Texture, Light In The Darkness, Live, Love, Dream: , Mature Woman, Mixed Media, Moody, Dark, Evocative (no nudes), Outsiders, PEACE, LOVE & TRANQUILITY, Prize Challenges!!, Realist Traditional Art, Safe Haven, Spiritual Art, The Healing Journey, The Patchwork , The Scavenger Hunt, THE SISTERHOOD, The true beauty, Tropical Art, Tuesday Afternoon, Unconventional Artistry - 3 per day, Vibrant and Vivid Color and Who are YOU to Judge? Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Janis Zroback
kjgordon
I’m going to have to ponder this one…........Meaning I need to figure out her story….you hinted at what one may think which I need to block out…......you have put ideas in the viewers mind…...but my mind is a blank so no worries here….............
I really like this series wahini…you have jumped out of the box for sure…..........
Janis Zroback replied
In actual fact I have never been in the box…but when I joined RB las year, I had decided to post only certain types of work, and place the others elsewhere…now I am posting all kinds of things that you had not associated with me before this…people who know me in real life know all the different kinds of work I do…e.g. over the years, I have done huge works like murals, painted room sized rugs, floors, glass tables on reverse, almost everything you can think of, with a few exceptions…
I’m glad you are enjoying the series…you can expect anything from me…except I won’t do graphic or exploitative art…or animals…painted animals years ago and was not fond of it…well maybe I’ll do a few fish now and then…but no more cats and dogs….
Janis Zroback replied
Re her story…the verse will give you a clue…
Jim Phillips
You have always surprised us with keeping it different, and that’s certainly part of what I love about your artwork Janis. I more often than not agree with kj, but this time I think your reply was right on the money with the answer, “You were never in the box.” I too am enjoying this series very much. From your clue I believe she is a Geisha preparing herself.
Janis Zroback replied
I had a Geisha in mind when I started the work…at the end I thought well she could be all these other people too..but the background gives it away as strongly leaning towards the oriental…
I’m happy to read that I surprise you…it’s the way I keep myself interested in painting…to explore new ways, new subjects, new media all the time…it’s an adventure for me…always a beginning…always challenging myself…thank you so much Jim…
kjgordon
Well I really didn’t mean out of the proverbial box …......
you just haven’t shown your talent with portraits till now….......
that I have seen............
Still trying to figure this out but by going by the title and the verse I would say she entertains and most likely the Geisha you were referring to….....
Janis Zroback replied
I did have one posted last year, but I really did not explore them much…at the time I felt they did not allow me much scope, but I decided to start again and I’m enjoying them…the one last year is very decorative and is of a demon woman…she’s still around here haunting my pages…
Janis Zroback
izzybeth
Janis, I am loving this series!!!
Janis Zroback replied
And I love creating them…thank you so much Izzybeth…
Linda Callaghan
well a lot of thoughts went around in my head as to who this mysterious oriental girl could be Janis…firstly I thought of an actress in a play spreading the words of peace and love..getting ready for the stage to shine and be in the spotlight just for one day. In her eyes anticipation of pleasing her audience. ..Then…I thought of a young gymnast in a travelling circus with a look of discipline and concentration as she prepares to perform…both of these images made me think that even though their lives must be regimented and disciplined they thrive in the limelight. Looking forward to seeing more of these.
Janis Zroback replied
You may be right on all counts…she could be any of those…
Re seeing more of these….there are three before this one…look to the right and you will see the links to them…I’ve been very busy…thanks so much Linda…
catherine walker
so well done janis..talk about a suprise ..I’m blown away by your gorgeous faces..so well done janis..amazing work !
I never knew you did faces and portraits..I love them!
Janis Zroback replied
As a decorative painter I had to be able to paint anything in any style Catherine…that was my metier for many years…in those days I could be called upon to paint or create anything at a moment’s notice, and I’d better be able to do it or I would not have been called back…so I taught myself everything…now that I don’t do much T.V and that kind of thing any more I can indulge myself in painting what I want to paint…
I’m glad you like my portraits…there are five of them posted here now…the first one was from last year, but four have been posted in the last few days…thank you so much..
Leslie Gustafson
This is an interesting series to me Janis. Again, your versatility is amazing and. they are so well executed. The eyes can say so much in a portrait to me and besides The Queen , there is an empty, lost quality in these women that is very haunting and slightly eerie. As a group , they really work, particularly, I think , due to your color choices and their haunting quality. I sure enjoy how you change things up!
Janis Zroback replied
I read a poem some time ago about the burden women carry all their lives and how it shows…I wanted to reflect some of this and also an introspective feeling as if they knew more about life than others, even the young girl in this one..
I have started a new one which is giving me as much to think about as the others did….I know her face…I see it everywhere….I have begun it, but the background is eluding me which is just as important…she is looking up in an imploring way…I keep passing by and looking at her…maybe tomorrow enlightenment will come…
It is so nice to get such positive feed back on this series, in that they are not the usual type of portrait…I am so happy that you have added your voice..thank you so much Leslie…
Janis Zroback replied
I went back to find that poem..it is Japanese from the early 1900s..
What a little girl had on her mind was:
Why do the shoulders of other men’s wives
give off so strong a smell like magnolia;
or like gardenias?
What is it,
that faint veil of mist,
over the shoulders of other men’s wives?
She wanted to have one,
that wonderful thing
even the prettiest virgin cannot have.
The little girl grew up.
She became a wife and then a mother.
One day she suddenly realized;
the tenderness
that gathers over the shoulders of wives,
is only fatigue
from loving others day after day.
Isn’t it incredible?
Leslie Gustafson
oh, The Queen looks like she has a secret and she believes its worth knowing, to me:-)
Janis Zroback replied
And that is the prerogative of a Queen…thanks again.. :))
Janis Zroback
Linda Callaghan
yes commented on them Janis…working backwards as easier for me..not been on for 2 days and a lot of catching up to do..I have been on here all morning and must get off now….enjoying this series of yours.
Janis Zroback replied
I wondered where you were and was hoping you were all right…I was on the verge of emailing…
Leslie Gustafson
Great poem!!
Janis Zroback replied
I agree…
GEORGE SANDERSON
Brilliant addition, Janis !
She is preparing to go on stage at the Cirque du Soliel, I think !!
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much George…She may very well be… :))
Linda Callaghan
thanks Janis…been entertaining the family all weekend, and took our grandson to have a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine…what a fun day! you will never guess I have conjunctivitis now! can’t win :-(
Janis Zroback replied
OMG…immune system problems can lead to all sorts of things…antibiotic drops will take care of that, but it’s highly contagious…
TomBaumker
Well done. Something new is the spice of life my friend. Hugs…Tom
Janis Zroback replied
Lots of faces while you were away Tom…thanks so much…
Linda Callaghan
yes I must have picked it up from our day out with all the kiddies around …got some drops today so fingers crossed…..
Janis Zroback replied
Here’s hoping, but the drops should work…
Marie Monroe
Janis Zroback replied
Thank you so much Marie.. :))
Karin Taylor
beautiful, i feel an egyptian influence and see the markings in the background as hieroglyphics, beautiful, bold and rich Janis, wonderful work
Janis Zroback replied
They’re actually Chinese words, meaning peace, love and happiness, but she does have an Egyptian vibe to her…I’m so pleased you are enjoying the series…I really appreciate all your wonderful compliments…
♥Trena Sheffi...
Janis Zroback replied
How wonderful…thank you so much…I really appreciate it…