A Black Force

Image | | noel murphy

I remember Matisse once said that Black is not a Colour but a Force.

This painting was part of the ‘Celtic Dawn’ group exhibition at the Fosse Gallery

Exiles acrylic on board 19x14cm 2017

Exiles acrylic on board 19 x 14cm 2017

 

 

10 thoughts on “A Black Force”

    1. That is amazing because I have been thinking about it from the opposite direction – the black does not work without the ochre and red touches, in order to avoid a cold grey painting! Either direction is great as I’m still new to black paint😌

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. 7th July 2017

    Dear Noel,

    Thank you very much indeed for your interest in the paintings on my site. I am really humbled to have comments from ‘real’ artists. Most of the work I list is by amateurs. The medium of watercolour is a great enabler, I only wish it would enable me. The interesting thing about it is that it is often about what you don’t paint.
    When I was in your part of the world in the late 1960’s, my only connection with art was the performing variety. I wonder if they still have the Marquees on the outskirts of the villages after the harvest and the travelling players.

    I have enjoyed looking at some of your work very much.

    Keep safe and well,

    Mat the ‘force’ continue to be with you.

    Best wishes,

    Dai.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks Dai. I think the travelling players have faded into memory. A lot has disappeared but it is great to see that you are still preserving something of our history. For me watercolour has always been uniquely British but sadly under appreciated these days. Your ‘amateurs’ still come from that wonderful tradition of skill and flair that is rarely seen in contemporary circles. Turner is still my favourite watercolourist ( I often spend days in his company wandering from Cornwall to Venice!) I totally agree when you say that it is often about what you don’t paint.

      Like

      Reply

      1. 8th July 2017

        Dear Noel,

        Your thoughts are very interesting. I am saddened that it is probably mobility which has put an end to those marquees, their plays and the dances with their wall flowers. There seemed little difference between those and the village halls in places like Buncrana except that the marquee would go in a week or so. I used to work for fun as a deck hand on a trawler out of Greeb Castle. I had to ring the pub – Green Castle 2 – to make the arrangements. There was also a salmon net working the mouth of the Foyle at Magilligan. The net was pulled by a WWII Duck (DUKW). The people stayed in a cottage by the pub when the tides were very early in the morning. They would frighten one another by telling stories of the She.
        There was a wonderful simplicity to some parts of life which television seems to have done away with.

        I like Turner too. The Fighting Temerere is a very sad painting. Hed was an east coast artist so the skies which everyone likes to think of as sunsets must be dawns and harbingers of bad weather.
        I realy enjoy the work of Sir Kyffin Williams and hope to be listing a couple of sketches which are attributed to him in the next day or so.

        I sense I am lagging behind with my replies – I have a Spanish pupil staying with us at the moment – how do you teach a youngster English? Through the medium of doing enjoyable things – making bread for this evenings party with Dutch, Mexican, English and Welsh guests. That entails turning vodka into home made gin too!

        You have noticed F*E* Taylor’s Criccieth Castle, If you scroll down the main gallery, you will see Criccieth Castle by Harry Chase. The delicacy with which he brings the foreshore and wet sand to life with specks for bits of seaweed and wading birds – it quite astounds me. I have been on boats in Cardigan Bay and watched clouds like his form too.

        Keep safe and well,

        Best wishes,

        Dai

        Liked by 1 person

      2. 10th July 2017

        Dear Noel,

        I mentioned a painting of Criccieth Castle by Harry Chase which like a stupid person, I had not listed yet.
        So, after an early start this morning it is now there for you to see.
        The really clever part to my eye is the way he has used very small flecks of dark colour with very subtle reflections and suddenly you see wet sand wher the waves have lapped it at the water’s edge.

        Keep safe and well,

        Have a good week,

        Best wishes,

        Dai.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. 11th July 2017

    Dear Noel,

    I am sorry. I have not really got to grips with how the wordpress system works yet.

    This link should take you to the correct page:

    https://uniquepaintingsofwales.wordpress.com/2017/07/10/chase-harry-criccieth-castle/

    It looks as if you will need to copy and paste it into your browser.

    The details are on my https://UniquePaintingsof Wales.wordpress.com site.
    UniqueWales crashed and lost all the images so I had to abandon it and start again.

    Please let me know if you continue to have problems.

    Keep safe and well,

    Best wishes,

    Dai.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks. I know what you mean about WordPress. It took me a while to get used to it. It does help to keep everything to a minimum with a simple format.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment