This is a little study I did [on the left] of a photo taken in 1988 [on the right]. I visited Scotland and the Calanais Standing Stones on the Lewis island of the Hebrides. The photo is actually a slide that was scanned and is a bit dark. On the left of the large center stone [menhir] I am standing and have a hand on the stone. I gingerly touched it as I remember. I decided to use it as a starting point for some abstractions. The pastel study is small 9″ x 11″ or 28 cm x 35.6 cm. I have a few more photos that I may use as starting points as well. I’m going to continue in pastels for now. I think these will work up nicely as paintings. The challenge for me is color. Do I stick to neutral tones or abstract that as well i.e. bolder colors? Well, that is what studies are for!
I’m also thinking of doing more prehistoric female figures. I dislike referring to them as “Venus” figures. I prefer earth mother/ wise woman. Anyway, prehistoric female figures works too!
jancschindler 