Sunday, September 18, 2005

Escape, part two

fly_away_home
I was going through some old work and came across this piece that also seemed appropriate for this week's theme. It seems to have many layers of meaning, but I'll let you all decide what it means to you.

11 comments:

carla said...

Well...in light of all the critical hoopla going on around IF, I almost want to just say (once again) that I admire your very mastful realistic style. I also love the vibrant colors of the birds against the black background. Meaning...well...why does one bird choose to go and one choose to stay when the door is open? One could take this as a metaphor for people who choose the stay within their comfort zone, fearing the unknown that comes with the freedom of wider parameters. I dunno...I just like it. I like your poor fish as well...you "do" excellent glass and water. Poo to anonymous :>

isay said...

i love colors a lot and this one really works for me-it has made me glad just looking at them.

the only reason why the bird is escaping is because it is their nature to fly and explore other places. the other one i think is just taking time and it will also fly....i don't know if their kind is coming back in the same place....

inki said...

I like the black backround against the bright colors, Rick..nice job, as usual.

Anonymous said...

Both your escape illustrations is beautiful. I like your style and the colors you use. Great.
wynlen

virginiavalle.blogspot.com said...

very nice drawings and The colors are gorgeous!!!:D

Baroness Von Wolfengeist said...

This is exquisite!

Aravis said...

I like this. The birds' colors are wonderful. I also admire your shading technique, bringing the golden cage to light and to life. Nicely done.

Valaine said...

divorce?

Cecilia's Art said...

hi! i love your drawings ,they are very beautiful!, whats the specific name of this art?, i´ll be back, kisses.

Rick Lovell said...

Valaine-

I guess you could see it that way. I really don't have a "story" to explain it, since the image was pretty much dictated by the editor of the book. But I see it as this: the bird that has left the cage is blazing the trail, showing the one that's still in the cage that it's possible, even preferable, to go your own way. The question that remains unanswered is whether the remaining bird follows after the one that's leaving.

Cecilia-

Thanks for the kind words. I'm not sure if you want to know the title or the technique, so I'll give you both:
The piece was done for the cover of a book called "Fly Away Home". The technique is acrylics (airbrushed and traditionally painted) on illustration board. The original had a white background, but I think the black makes a bolder statement, so I changed it in Photoshop.

The Sensualist said...

Thanks for clarifying the technique. I don't know which would be harder to render this piece in : acrylics (yikes!) or with a computer. It is so precise and glowing. Do you use as extender with your acrylics?
-nevermind I just reread what you said- Airbrush- AHA!

I want maybe a little space to the left of the cage. Possibly the same distance the bird's beak is from the right-hand border? Just being picky, sorry.