girl scouts painting
August 9, 2006
Here is one of the paintings I completed while in SC. It was for the Baltimore Sun… a story about a woman who remembers going to girl scout camp when she was ten years old.
I liked painting this one because I played with different borders before landing on the branches (I don’t normally do borders but think they are so neato!). And I’m really into freckles at the moment so the last couple of paintings I’ve done have included them. I’m not sure why… they are just cute I guess.
Before I send the final to my client I love to get feedback on it from someone… So Colin usually gets an email with a little jpeg of the illustration and a note that says “You dig this?” and sometimes he replies with a “Hell yeah! Send it!” and sometimes he sees something I don’t… “Her hair is making a weird pattern” or “It feels a little bare on the left”, etc.
The painting above was critiqued by my brother before sending to to client. He suggested I photoshop out her dimples (she had cute dimples to match her cute freckles) and some of the extra grunge from her forehead. When I did those two things she looked five years younger, like she needed to. (Thanks, Tom, for your good critiquing skills!)
Getting your work critiqued is sometimes hard. I have some painful memories of critiques in college that went horribly and bruised my feelings… But I think it’s a good thing overall even if it’s difficult. It only improves the work. Either you agree with the critiquer (is that a word?) and make the image better, or you feel more confident in your original decisions regarding the piece. And both of those options are a-ok. And if you’re feelings get hurt… You’ll get over it. (That’s what my mom says anyway. hee.)
August 9th, 2006 at 8:07 am
What a nice piece, Penelope! It’s that great combo of looking a bit primitive
yet…not. It’s sophisticated, really. Babbling now, but wanted to say how
much I liked this ‘un!
August 9th, 2006 at 8:52 am
I like the border a lot! My Mom used to have her old girl scout book from back in the day. This image totally reminds
me of that book. As for critiques; I’ve been through some good ones and some doozies! I’d spent many a
walk home very confused and embarrassed. But I think I spent just as many happy and content as well.
I guess we have to fumble as much as we prevail in order to be successful in our own eyes.
August 9th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Very unique painting….I like it…..Getting critiques is always hard. You wonder
if the person if being honest, how they’re going to view you, etc.
I’ve never been good at being the critiqued, I think because I take things too
personally sometimes. But when it goes well, it’s a good feeling.
August 9th, 2006 at 12:16 pm
Oh yeah, first time reader, came over from Chris’s site. I’m new to the blogging world so I’m trying to see what else is out there!
August 9th, 2006 at 12:53 pm
You’re right, the twig/wood borders is fun, just like the rest of the illustration. And the face has a real vintage feel to it.
August 9th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
This should be the cover of a box of Girl Scout Cookies :)
August 9th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Tank’s for the tip!
August 10th, 2006 at 5:36 am
I agree with Jan, it would be a huge improvement on the cookie box! and, your mom is right.
I like this!
August 10th, 2006 at 8:47 am
Love it! Brings me back to a time when I obsessed over sewing the patches on my sash…the mountains in the back and twigs for a frame are perfect! BTW- glad you had some quality time in Beaufort with Tom and Ali. I know they loved every moment.
August 10th, 2006 at 10:58 am
The word is “critic”! :)
August 11th, 2006 at 11:25 am
Oh, I love this one. Someone else remarked that it was the perfect blend of primitive and sophistication and I agree. Many kudos.