"Portrait of American History."
Please double click for detail.
I started this piece last year and still haven't finished it. Just the other day I pulled it out and said to myself that I would finish it this week end. When the prompt was revealed I was elated that I could use it since I have put about ten or so hours into it already.
It seems that Native American art has always been a passion of mine.
Now the big question...I have been doing pen and ink for years...with little or no colour. Below I added a bit of colour via the computer. Let me know what you think the answer to my age old question is..."to colour or not to colour!"
With some Colour.
I like your style
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning, bravo! Amazing detail!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very cool piece about connectedness and descent/origin! I couldn´t tell if I like the black and white or color version better. The color on the second one though gives an interesting effect: it sort of looks like there is blood rushing through the veins. (The old America is still pulsing :)) I think it can be liberating to use color via the computer. That way you can test new techniques and cross borders, but still keep the original in case you hit the wrong buttons.
ReplyDeleteNative American history is so interesting and you illustrated it so beautifully!!
ReplyDeleteI would be hardpressed to say which I prefer more...the colorized version, or the black and white...well done...
ReplyDeleteI just read a bit more of your blog from a few weeks back, and thought you might be interested in the work of Edgar Heap of Birds...he was recently in my city setting up an installation that you can find at: http://www.urbanshaman.org/home.htm
ReplyDeleteI like your drawings, I love the details, beautiful
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting me...Thanks for the nice words on my blog :)
my preference is the black and white - nice job!
ReplyDeletebeautiful drawings and very interesting history!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the comment you left at my page, Ellen. :)
ReplyDeleteYour work is very interesting. Love the touch of history and the intricate details.
I prefer black and white also, I think the detail is amazing, and so are you :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful work! Native American art is so fascinating. You've captured it well. I like both versions, but I prefer the b&w. The reason? I think it shows the seriousness of the subject matter. Color can sometimes overshadow the nature of the peice and I think in this case, the b&w speaks more loudly. Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing and I can understand why it has taken you a long time to complete - the detail is staggering. I also prefer the B&W - I think it is stronger. Love the portrait too.
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome--I want this! My favorite yet!!! Fantastic work!
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool, Ellen! The detail is wonderful, and the concept of the images intertwined in the roots of the tree is very compelling. I have mixed feelings about the idea of color...it's a tough call. I think if you were to color it, I'd go for a deeper palette of more saturated colors...the richness of the earth, the blue of the sky, the luch green of the foliage. I would probably want to bring in some terra cotta and turquiose as well. Anyway, it's a fine piece in black and white...excellent work!
ReplyDeleteI love the detail!!! great job!!! very simbolic!!:D
ReplyDeleteTHese drawings are beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteyour drawings are gorgeous. as to the color/no color, I like it better in black and white. really superb work.
ReplyDeletethis is a great piece and i say for this 1 the color adds to it, but the one 1 below looks good as is
ReplyDeleteWow, this is a very beautiful work. So sensitive!!
ReplyDelete