A New Day: US Capital Building

» Posted by Lesley Spanos on Nov 4, 2008 in Acrylics, Available, Different Strokes, Places | 5 comments

“ Acrylic on Multimedia ArtBoard, 8.5 x 15"

I feel like I’ve waited for this day longer, and with more anticipation, than I waited for Christmas as a kid. Finally, it’s Election Day in the US, and a new era is here! I’ve never felt this kind of electricity before at election time. From what I’ve heard standing in line at Obama rallies, there’s going to be partying in the streets tonight because “this is bigger than winning the Superbowl!” We’ll be celebrating more quietly at home, watching election results on TV with a bottle of champagne.

Karin Jurick provided us with a fitting challenge this week on “Different Strokes From Different Folks.” The reference photo lent itself to many interpretations. I’m on a bit of an Obama painting kick, so my first thought was to build a composite using him in the foreground. But, I decided it would be more of a challenge to paint how I feel without including him. So I made it my goal to paint one feeling: Fresh. I wanted to illustrate a fresh, clean new beginning for our government. I used a fairly high key palette and “pretty” colors. The clouds are receding, and the world is bathed in morning light. The Capitol dome is soaring toward the heavens, enduring and… oh, crap, just a little crooked. I just can’t seem to get buildings straight no matter what I do.