"Coeur Rouge" - Place Igor Stravinsky, Paris - Watercolor 40 x 40 cm / 15.7 x 15.7 in - ©andrea hupke de palacio 2010
I was inspired by the power of this red heart on a cold cloudy Saturday afternoon. Now I remember: on the same day, just before going out for my walk, I made the self portait with camera and French beret, which most of you already know well.
The heart photograph patiently waited in a folder for a couple of years until I was ready to use it for a painting!
The “Place Igor Stravinsky” is just around the corner of the Centre Pompidou (also called ” centre Beaubourg”) in the heart of Paris and this fountain was created by Niki de Saint Phalles and Jean Tinguely. Of course, my photograph came out a bit darker that the painting actually is, but I was reluctant to change anything and decided to leave it like this.
I love the contrast between the colorful sculptures Niki de Saint Phalles created, and the black iron “machines” created by Tinguely, set off by the neutral rendering of the wall. I worked with apprehension and consideration on this painting. The special challenge was the water.
The main steps were:
1. The Wall, 2. The water, 3. The heart 4. The iron parts. 5. The water 6. The people, 7. The heart.
Now that it’s finished, I’m happy as a clam, which is a nice way to start the week.
Be creative and don’t forget to relax,
Andrea
Love the red heart painting……..
Thank you ArtistUnplugged, for visiting and the kind comment!
I love this painting Andrea and then
red hearts are always powerful.
Good to know the storm didn’t blow you away.
XXXm
Hi Martine, no the storm did not blow me away, it’s mostly the poor people at the coast who are under water now!
I’d say you captured it beautifully and the water, perfecto!
Hugs with a big red heart!
Lynn, thank you for your comment, oh this water was trouble:) i guess there is really no shortcut, we just have to tackle our challenges.
Am so glad l have got back to you as before l signed in then they lost me but today l got the message it had gone through so now feel the white rabbits are working on march 1st ) t are working .
( do you have the white rabbits) Love your red heart as it looks filled and warm and glowing,
Jill
Hi Jill, so glad you could make it again here. Thanks for visiting and the comment and no, we don’t have white rabbits, the French have a fish (paperfish) they stick on each other’s back on April 1st, but no white rabbit. Nice idea:)
Dont you love it when a painting comes together. The Red heart brightens up a very gray day. Very nice.
Cris, I agree, it’s a most wonderful feeling, once you accomplished a painting you worked on for a long time. Then it’s a bit like an “adieu” and you have to go elsewhere with your brush:)
Oh Andrea! This is so beautiful and captures the essence of Paris in winter so well. The stunning neutral surrounding painting provides the perfect frame for this excellent heart sculpture. I love this fountain so much and you have captured it beautifully in this painting! It is truly breathtaking. If you readers know this fountain, they will know you have chosen a fabulous view of an exceptional part of it!
I can hardly wait to see what you do next, you prolific girl you!
Kim, thank you for the comment on this painting, what struck me there and then was how the mute colors of the surrounding area underlined those colorful sculptures in the fountain….
thanks a lot Andrea for this great work!
really striking contrast… yes…
another thing in this beautiful painting which talks to me (sadly) is the opposite directions of the passerbys…
human being, thank you for your visit, so happy to hear from you! And oh, the other sculptures in this fountain: I want to make a series of those, have to! Thanks for encouraging me to do it:)
a little bit late but this weekend I relax and look at your painting makes me intrigued…
love
yvette
Yvette, thank you for your visit, you are never late! So happy if my paintings can intrigue you!
Having not been to Paris, I didn’t know this fountain, so I Googled it. You have interpreted the scene beautifully,,and the heart just adds to the magic of place.
The water looks great, by the way,,,
j’aime bien. Le contraste me plait.