Working behind the scenes

I’ve always been fascinated by the process of creating as much as enjoying the finished product. There’s no drama or humanity in a static structure or scene. The concept, planning, discussing, negotiating, organizing, scheduling, managing, inspecting…all the parts that human mind and body took part in were the spirit and life, which can be felt and seen.

Work in progress–Archeologists at the Colosseum in Rome

We visited Rome a couple of years back. Our hotel was a short walk to the Colosseum, and that was our first attraction to see. While the structure in itself is a magnificent experience to take in, I was captured by a glimpse of an archaeology team doing restoration work on the interior structure. The space they were working in was lit with various placed lamps. It somehow evoked a sort of N.C. Wyeth ‘Treasure Island’ scene–perhaps of pirates in a cave discussing a map. The shadows and low lamp light projecting upward were so dramatic to me. So that will be my first Rome piece.

I am getting inspiration from Sargent as well. Working out the skin tones is fun. White, Ochre, Siena, Umber, Ultramarine. Lighting from below is quite enjoyable.

Lets see what adventure we can uncover.