stlukesguild
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Between, the last painting/drawing in my post on my first pastels, and this painting, Magdalena, were three paintings that I have mixed feelings about. Adoration was one of those paintings that was a big leap forward at the time. I remember as the painting approached completion I was thinking, "Oh please don't screw this up!"

With this painting, I became quite interested in the surface. I employed layers of pastels loosely... allowing the colors beneath to show through. I also used sandpaper on the flat acrylic passages and the gold leaf to show the colors of the underpainting. As the painting approached completion, I restated contours using color pencil, pastel pencil, and/or conte. In later paintings I would employ a greater variety of colors... often complementary colors rather than limiting myself to black and Tuscan Red for these contour lines.
I was invited to exhibit Magdalena and several other paintings by the director of the art department at a local college. The work ended up being awarded "Best in Show". One of the academic deans, however, insisted that Adoration and several other paintings be removed due to the nudity.


That was my first taste of censorship.
-My Wife and I with Magdalena
(ps... she's shorter than me... but not THAT much shorter than me.
