Artists have you ever had a chill while painting a painting?
Influenced by the movie “Vertigo” directed by Alfred Hitchcock, I was drawn to paint a scene taken place at Ernie’s Restaurant in San Francisco. It became more enticing to paint, since it could also used as part of my San Francisco series.
There was no avoiding the red; it became very psychological, just as Hitchcock wanted it to be. He purposely used certain colors in certain scenes indicating warning, guilt, polarity, ambiguity and death.
It is hard to paint a red painting without be moved emotionally. Using a touch of pink softened the aggressiveness. The Hitchcock blue intentionally used in the suit of Jimmy Stewart’s was to indicate guilt, I didn’t realize this until more research was found.
While painting the painting, my father showed up, with his familiar hairline, stature and common gesture of placing his hands in his pocket. No matter what I did, the painting resembled my father, my father who passed away 52 years ago. That’s when the chill came, my own little Hitchcock experience in my studio appeared.
This is my thirty-third painting of my #paint52 challenge, Atelier Interactive Acrylic on velum, measures approximately 8″ X 8″, price $175.00.
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
A lovely painting. I appreciated your accompanying comments.
Thank you so much, my pleasure Charles, was that through a link?
Wow Janet, your color use is as always stunning!
The mood of the piece also brings Jack Vettriano to mind.
Thanks Irmgard what a wonderful comment! The red was a challenge 🙂
Thank you Deb, nice to be compared with Vettriano.
OMG Janet, this is so powerful! Beautiful beautiful painting!
An extremely thought provoking painting Janet keeps me wanting to go back and look again and again and I love your choice and use of colours.
Thanks for sharing the experience. So interesting about Hitchcock and his choice of colours – next time I watch one of his films I’ll look more closely. I think the pink both softens and accentuates the red …
Yes, the pink does soften the red and helps it glow. I love reading about Hitchcock’s meticulous use of color and their meanings. He even had an arguement with Kim Novak about wearing black shoes vs. beige or grey with her grey suit. Who would know that even shoe color reflected a subconscious meaning. Thanks Ruth!
It was a very deep painting for me Chris, glad you noticed, but of course Vertigo is a very deep movie. Thanks so much!
Thanks Shannon, I really enjoyed using Acrylics with this painting; it makes the reds more transparent, unlike using the heaviness of cadmium oils.
Love this one, Janet. How wonderful that your Dad showed up to let you know he is always by your side. 🙂
I know paintings bring something different for everyone. This screams Rod Sterling from The Twilight Zone !!!! Love it
Thanks Cheryl, yes who knew why my Dad showed up, wonder what he is trying to tell me. 😉
Thanks Bill for the visit. You know you are right it does have that TZ feel (TZ music in the backround) :). Thank you so much!
Hello,
Dear Janet, Your artwork are very beautiful and i like this one..
Have a nice life.
Mehran
Thank you so much Mehran.