Saturday, May 16, 2009

The awakening / O despertar


I've been suffering from “mountain nostalgia” these days, images of their countless wonderful places coming across my mind at any time, so something like this had to come out...
It was also a chance to take a step forward in a path I wanted to follow more often: Working faster and more loosely, with more focus on light and atmosphere than on small details. More to come on this subject in the future.
Tenho sofrido por estes dias de “nostalgia das montanhas”, estando a minha mente a ser constantemente invadida por imagens dos seus incontáveis e maravilhosos lugares, razão pela qual alguma coisa deste género havia de sair...
Foi também uma oportunidade para dar um passo numa direcção que gostava de seguir mais vezes: Um trabalho mais rápido e solto, com mais enfoque na luz e atmosfera do que nos pequenos pormenores. Um assunto a que voltaremos no futuro.
Fabriano cold-pressed 7"x 5" - 140lb (18x12,5cm - 300g/m2) paper
Sold / Vendido

15 comments:

Bad Lemon said...

This is a huge success at what you say you are trying to achieve. The way the sun filters to highlight the mountains in the distance creating a sense of cool and shadow in the foreground areas on the steep rocky slopes. Wish I were as adept at landscapes, we have so many similar scenes along the eastern coastal areas in Africa, of course the houses would be replaces with huts and the farm yard area would be a kraal, but I can almost smell the smoke coming from that homestead mixing with the fresh crisp air... *sigh*

Thanks for sharing this, it is beautiful. A x

Paulo J. Mendes said...

Andrea, thank you so much for your words...
This is really a favorite and the only reason I'm selling is that I could use a few extra bucks :)
I didn't planned so much on this work and it came out very quickly: Sometimes it is how things work better. This is really something to be tried again.

You made me curious about those similar scenery locations in the Eastern coast... Maybe great places to fill the eyes with beauty while feeling how tiny and fragile creatures we are when alone and facing the mighty Nature.

Have a great weekend :) x

Terry Banderas said...

Wonderful vantage point and nice painting. Go Paulo.

Terry Banderas said...

Great vantage point and nice painting. Go Paulo!

Paulo J. Mendes said...

Thank you , Terry :))
Have a wonderful and inspiring weekend!

GlorV1 said...

Wow! Looking at the few homes in that location is awesome. Can you imagine waking up to this beauty? I love it.

Debbie Lamey-MacDonald said...

Wonderful! I love the vantage point on this one :)

Paulo J. Mendes said...

Gloria, I had the privilege of camping in similar locations when was young, sometimes wilder places as the nearby villages were more distant... There was a peace, freedom and silence that never found again.

Debbie, thank you. This must be seen from one of many paths used by shepherds across the surrounding mountains...

Have a wonderful weekend, Gloria and Debbie :))

Chriz10 said...

Saudade.....isn't that the word that describes you longing, you feelings of nostalgia...? Your text and painting are both beautiful! I recognise the urge to paint more loose (freely?) and faster; more "creative". Hope to come back to your site very often!
Até logo, Christine/ The Netherlands

Paulo J. Mendes said...

Saudade, that's the word. It is the feeling that is expressed in this work, even if the places that inspired it are just a couple of hours from home. And yes, as much as I work I see an increase im my desire to paint more loosely and freely. Definitely a goal to achieve.
Hope to see you here often, Christine. Have a wonderful weekend :)

Unknown said...

This is outstanding Paulo! You're right. In working on the lights and darks, you've rendered such depth and beauty.

Paulo J. Mendes said...

Thank you, Sheila. I really really want to make more of this in the future :))

Manel said...

Curioso a quantidade de comentários que consegues e todos em inglês...

Estou impressionado com o teu despertar. De repente viajei para tantos lugares assim, onde já pisámos as mesmas pedras.

Espero ver mais cenários destes em postalguarelas!

Fantástico.

Manel

RobCarey said...

I agree with the others. This is truly wonderful and unique.

Paulo J. Mendes said...

Manel, é mais do que certo que vais encontrar mais lugares como este por aqui.

Rob, thank you so much for your words.

Manel e Rob, votos de um excelente Domingo / Have a wonderful Sunday :)