30.10.07

...and just to muddy the waters further ;-)


Greetings!

Well, since I started this ruckus, thought I'd add fuel to the fire. Here's a more recent iconographic rendering. This one is of the four rivers of paradise. And...it's in oil on canvas. Would love folks' thoughts on this versus the earlier posting done in acrylic....

9 comments:

Theodore said...

very powerful Jef!
(see we need more people like Daniel to post with more indepth comments!)

regina doman said...

Daniel leaves great comments. He's infuriated me, exasperated me, but he always makes me think. :) Glad to see you on the blog Daniel!

Jef Murray said...

Ted: Thanks!

Regina: So...it's not just me?! I thought Daniel was gruff just because he doesn't like anyone "messing" with icons the way I do. Didn't know that he was that way in general ;-)

Anonymous said...

Sorry to see this previously substantial discussion has descended to the personal...

Jef Murray said...

Daniel,

Where I come from, folks know a joke when they see one. But, if you honestly took awry, I offer my profound apologies.

Anonymous said...

Where I come from folks stick to the issues in a debate; apology accepted. I would hope that your reference to "messing" with icons is also an attempt at humor; we are dealing with the sacred here.

theodore said...

ahem...
A critic once remonstrated with me saying, with an air of indignant reasonableness, "If you must make jokes, at least you need not make them on such serious subjects." I replied with a natural simplicity and wonder, "About what other subjects can one make jokes except serious subjects?" It is quite useless to talk about profane jesting. All jesting is in its nature profane, in the sense that it must be the sudden realization that something which thinks itself solemn is not so very solemn after all.

Sorry I couldn't help it!

Anonymous said...

I love you, Ted.

Jef, I thought I would be able to tell the difference between an acrylic and an oil. For better or worse, if you put these two side by side, I wouldn't have been able to identify which picture was made with which medium.

Jef Murray said...

Daniel: Who's debating? And, for that matter, allow me to point out that Regina started this diversionary frolic...I was merely participating in the friendly banter.

Ted: Touche! And another note from Chesterton: "The trial was resided over by Mr Justice Monkhouse, one of those who are jeered at as humorous judges, but who are generally much more serious than the serious judges, for their levity comes from a living impatience of professional solemnity."

Ben: I think you'd be able to tell one from the other in person, because I know I have more control of my work in oils. Oddly, I think you'd think the oil piece closer to orthodox iconography than the acrylic.

On the other hand, it could just be that the similarity is simply the "me" part of the equation showing through, despite the medium. I know I can usually tell one of your sketches as yours, whether I'm told or not, and whether it's pencil, ink, or etc....