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All paintings in my "Animal Magic" collection were preapproved by Poodle Pal studio assistants, Lev and Sage.

While Lev feels a need to protect Leo, the Lion, Sage gets comfortable with Bella, the Elephant...

"Animal Magic" is a body of work that I created for my Artist Project exhibit, specifically: elephants, giraffes, lions, and zebra. It was the realization of long-envisaged images, images I dreamed of making while on travels in Africa. My Artist Project exhibit also included works from two other significant exhibits that had happened just prior. It provided the opportunity to introduce the "Buon Appetito!" collection (from the Biennale) and "organic art" pieces (from Art Expo), live, to US/international art-lovers. I also presented some Small Works: something for everyone's budget and space. (For more about the Artist Project, 08, please go to the bottom of the page.)

ANIMAL MAGIC

Animals are magic. I marvel, every day, about the good fortune to have animalkind in my life. Of course, the domestic variety are a little different from the wild, and most of us don't get the opportunity to live with the latter in any substantial way. Poodle Pals, Lev and Sage, have taught me most of what I know about "animal magic." But, a couple of trips into African bushlands, desserts, and swamps have enhanced learnings. My earlier animal paintings were of Lev and Sage. My newer paintings are of favorite larger beasts: elephants, giraffes, lions, and zebra. Intoxicated by the sense of wonder these exotic creatures generate, I spontaneously meld abstraction, whimsy, realism, expressionism, and color. Each series of paintings that I've created over the last few years, it seems, evolves from the last one. No exception here.

MAIN CHARACTERS
24 x 24 in., oil on birch, 2008
shown in order of creation

Dreamer

Dreamer is somewhere else. His dreams border on the psychedelic. He can bend himself in almost any direction, mentally as well as physically.

Creating dreamer was an adventure: the creation of new characters that would lead DocSusan into fresh styles, techniques, and discoveries. She knew right away what she hoped to accomplish—which body part was which, but realized others may find the final image to be a bit of a puzzle.

Sheeba

Sheeba is as elegant as she is exotic. She also has a softness and sophistication about her which makes her all the more appealing to others.

DocSusan found creating Sheeba to be a calming experience. This character's gentleness was transmitted from painting to painter. Since there'd been a few weeks between Dreamer's creation, and Sheeba's, DocSusan was very aware of a shift in ambiance and approach.

Eli

Eli's an old bull who doesn't only look like he's been around the block. He has. He's thinking about Bella...

DocSusan enjoyed being so up-close and personal with Eli, He was life-size and reminded her of the real elephants she'd been privileged to tend to and ride. Detail and attention to it mattered with Eli, but there came a point when it was time to stop.

Bella

Bella bounces along. Everyone loves her. She knows who she is and where she's going—and has a following.

Bella will, likely, win the "popular vote." And, not surprisingly, she was as magical to create as she is to view. Bella caused Doc Susan few problems, from start to finish. She was ready to emerge—and she just did.

Lenny

Lennie isn't the dominant male. His self-esteem isn't great—especially when he views Leo.

Lennie proved somewhat difficult to create. Not at first, but once the painting got underway. He gave DocSusan back-ache and neck ache, and made her feel baleful at times. Then, finally, he agreed enough was enough. He let her finish bringing him into being, however she could.

Leo

Leo has just had sex for a week and feels chuffed with himself, basking in the sun. Like most everyone, DocSusan feels Leo's allure. He is self confident, charismatic, and powerful, a true king of the jungle and beyond.

Not only was he invigorating and exciting to create, he enabled DocSusan to take a leap of faith—that she was ready and able to paint subject-matter other than food.

Majesty

Majesty is a bit of a snob. She keeps herself to herself, but isn't the happiest for so-doing. She blends in with the vegetation around her and lives, a little bit, in her own world.

Majesty put DocSusan through her paces. Every time she went to work on her, she started confidently, and finished by questioning what she was doing. Over-and -again, the struggle continued till an end appearance could be agreed on. A strong willed creature confronted a painter who didn't, at first, realize how difficult a task she had ahead.

Flirt

Flirt can be a little infuriating. Just as Majesty thinks she has him, she realizes she doesn't. He's always sticking his neck out, and looking for something better.

Flirt's games with Majesty didn't help DocSusan's creation of either of them. From her very first session conceptualizing them, she realized she might have taken on more than they could chew. For starters, DocSusan, doesn't generally like including backgrounds. But, that's impossible when giraffes are in the picture. DocSusan simply had to give into the task she'd set herself, take her time, concentrate, and step back.

TWO "STRAGGLERS" (FOLLOWING THE MAIN CHARACTERS)
24 x 24 in., oil on birch, 2008
shown in order of creation

Every pack has stragglers. Usually they are weak, young, or "different." But, this doesn't mean they're inferior. On the contrary! Babe (the baby elephant) and Tell-Tail (the older zebra) weren't ready in time for the Artist's Project Show, even though I'd started to paint them before it began. Once the show was over and a couple of months had passed, I went back to them, and added some finishing touches, and reflections.

Babe

Children have a naiveté and innocence that most adults have lost. They speak without thinking. They say what they mean, and what they want to, no worries about who may be offended. Things are as they are, not as grown-ups sometimes would like us to perceive (and believe). Babe is a young calf who fits this description well. Babe hangs at the back of the group and learns from her elders (Bella and Eli included). She's aware of the differences between the sexes and how age effects behavior (and entitlements). She doesn't get involved in petty squabbles and attempts to keep the atmosphere light. Babe likes to play, and is good at keeping herself busy. But, fortunately, she does have a playmate when she needs company and/or to bounce ideas. Tell-tail is on her tail, (funny as it might sound)!

Painting Babe took patience and time. Sometimes, the simplest looking pieces can be more difficult to develop than might be thought. DocSusan realized that one dot out of place, or too many, could effect the desired outcome.

Tell-Tail

Tell-Tail is more jaded than Babe. He's done and seen more than her, and shares opinions and gossip that sometimes show attitude and bias. Is he a good influence on her? That's an interesting question! Tell-Tail knows what he knows and thinks what he thinks, and is never afraid to stir the pot by calling other creatures on their behaviors. Though he has no official role as "policeman," Tell-Tail sure acts like one. The problem is that when you're busy commenting about others' actions, your own have to be exemplary! Tell-Tail doesn't often show his face—will transmit his information via other people. He seems to have become the trouble-maker behind the scenes and a bit of a coward...

DocSusan's challenges painting Tell-Tail were quite similar to those painting Babe. Patience and time mattered, texture as well. These final two pieces weren't as flat, smooth, or precise, as others in the series.

Artistic Ramblings: Reflections While Painting Animal Magic

Painting for Toronto Art Expo took me on an emotional journey—a fight against cold climate/city winter blues as well as (anticipated) uncertainties surrounding the show. Fortunately, with respect to the paintings, themselves, my ever-cheerful sub conscience seemed to save the day, keeping colors and forms interesting and positive (even when I was not). I touched on the raw and real—feelings and thoughts we all have and need to express and share, as well as look upon with more color (greater sense of hope and possibility).

Painting for The Artist Project (Chicago) was a different type of experience. I was ready and anxious to switch from abstract to realism (of sorts). The "Animal Magic" series I was able to create had been a long time incubating. From trips to Africa, to the processing of photographs taken there, to clipping and experimentation of and with subject matter, by hand and on the computer, there have been many stages and aha moments (even four dozen poems, shared on my blog ). The final stage, the actual painting, itself, perhaps, moved more quickly than all the others. Something that took me by surprise.

I painted with thirst and passion, keeping a grueling routine. What might have appeared as discipline to others was sheer delight (as well as drain/back-pain) for me. Thankfully, as each member of (a) magical herd(s) emerged, I couldn't wait to develop the next one.

Starting out, beyond knowing that I would introduce a lot of unexpected colors and forms to otherwise fairly predictable beings, I had no rules. Where I clipped and what I clipped was spontaneous. Where I colored and what I colored was randomly decided by mouse clicks. From real sketch book to electronic assistant, I was open to whatever looked and felt right—would make the magic of animalkind memorable, clear, and wonderful.

My initial intention was to conceive all the animals one-by-one. But, once properly started, and the painting of several underway, personalities and stories spoke up in my head. Just as for Noah's Ark, two-by-two was the actual way living beings needed to come out. This was what felt right. Next came the names, chosen spontaneously.

Dreamer (the first of the herd), a "contorted (male) zebra," would soon have Sheeba (a more elegant mate) to gaze upon. The vibrant patterns on Dreamer's hind contrasted with softer patterns on Sheeba's.

Elephant Eli would soon meet Bella.. While Eli's skin showed his age, he'd have no trouble partnering with a younger more energetic female (mare). Bella, I was certain, wouldn't just be Eli's favorite. (I confess, she became mine too.). Her energy coursed through my brushes...She couldn't wait to show herself!

Lion friends, Lenny and Leo, came next. Male lions aren't always good chums. But, these two seem to have a "special rapport"...

Finally, came Majesty and Flirt. For some reason, these two gave me the most complications and least satisfaction. (Could it have been that I was tired?) After completing Leo and Lenny who were full-page creatures, I rediscovered that backgrounds aren't as interesting as foregrounds—keeping the focus on the subject matter, not its context. ... Perhaps this is why, with Babe and Tell-Tail, the last two "straggler characters," there are no backgrounds at all (just sections of the animals, themselves).

I painted with awe (and questions). We become aware that each species presents itself in different ways—especially if we're lucky enough to get up-close-and-personal. My abstract work (from Toronto Art Expo) "Similar But Different " was just the beginning of a journey. One that's to be continued. The animals completed, so far, for the Animal Magic series, now have me pondering " "Possible, Not Impossible " To be continued...

Mini-Animal Magic Collection

For those who like smaller canvas works, I also created and displayed a "Mini-Animal Magic Collection." It consists of nine 12 x 12 in. oil on linen pieces. From left to right, and top to bottom, these are their names: Sheeba's Sister, Tell-Tail Junior, Dreamer Junior, Eli's Pal, Bella's Sister, Little Babe, Leo's Older Bro, Little Friend, and Lenny the Mouth.

Style Note
(Evolution in Media and Technique)

• Substrate: birch and linen
• Colors: more contrasting and varied
• Scale: larger and smaller (but still square)

About THE ARTIST PROJECT, 2008

This exhibition was part of Artropolis, Chicago's citywide celebration of arts, antiques and culture, April 25-28, 2008 (preview opening, April 24). Other Artropolis happenings included: Art Chicago, The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, NEXT, and The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art. They were all held at The Merchandise Mart. And, at the same time, throughout the city, an abundance of other activities took place at major museums, small galleries, world-class concert halls, cutting-edge clubs, lakefront parks, private parties, and more.

The Artist Project was Artropolis' key event to showcase independent artists. An annual exhibition and sale in its second year, it featured original work from a juried selection of 300 established and emerging artists. Included artists could not be affiliated with galleries, giving visitors a rare opportunity to discover and obtain interesting and affordable art directly from its creators.

 

©Susan R. Makin, 2009