Artist’s Journal
Morton Brown
4.3.07
The design is near complete. Since the last iteration, I have re-worked the flying kid portrait, and added some features to the landscape. I have completed the quilt pattern and have connected it visually to the landscape. In the lower right side, I have removed the historical figures of Col. Robinson, Florence Mattison and James John Doyne and placed them on the left side. Now, they are watching the children at play and complete the chronological progression from the past to the future across the picture plane.
On the ground where they once sat, is now an imagined aerial view of the land around Conway, complete with a cotton field, flooded rice paddy, and freshly tilled field. At the suggestion of a Conway community member, I also ran the railroad off into the right hand side of the picture to form a “crossroads” near the children that leads off into the rural area.
I have refined the play area, as well. I have shifted the color of the ground to a more earthy tone to balance the more pinkish portrait of the flying kid, and added shadows and details to the toys and figures to pull them into focus. The conductor has denim stripes on his hat and clothing, the ballerina clearly defined, and the last of the buildings have been placed and tightened up. The buildings are, from left to right: The Little Green Building (Conway’s first public school) St. Joseph’s (will be replaced by its school building), Hendrix College (Old Main building), The Pine Street School (Conway’s African American public school), Central Baptist College, a barnyard, The main Normal School building (UCA’s origin), and the train depot(s) sitting on either side of the tracks as they once did near the mural site itself.
In this final week before the presentation on April 12th, I will finish the train model in the hand of the conductor, the school bus in the hand of the ballerina, and make some final touches where needed.
Thanks again for your continued participation and support, and I’ll see you next week.
-Morton
Morton Brown
4.3.07
The design is near complete. Since the last iteration, I have re-worked the flying kid portrait, and added some features to the landscape. I have completed the quilt pattern and have connected it visually to the landscape. In the lower right side, I have removed the historical figures of Col. Robinson, Florence Mattison and James John Doyne and placed them on the left side. Now, they are watching the children at play and complete the chronological progression from the past to the future across the picture plane.
On the ground where they once sat, is now an imagined aerial view of the land around Conway, complete with a cotton field, flooded rice paddy, and freshly tilled field. At the suggestion of a Conway community member, I also ran the railroad off into the right hand side of the picture to form a “crossroads” near the children that leads off into the rural area.
I have refined the play area, as well. I have shifted the color of the ground to a more earthy tone to balance the more pinkish portrait of the flying kid, and added shadows and details to the toys and figures to pull them into focus. The conductor has denim stripes on his hat and clothing, the ballerina clearly defined, and the last of the buildings have been placed and tightened up. The buildings are, from left to right: The Little Green Building (Conway’s first public school) St. Joseph’s (will be replaced by its school building), Hendrix College (Old Main building), The Pine Street School (Conway’s African American public school), Central Baptist College, a barnyard, The main Normal School building (UCA’s origin), and the train depot(s) sitting on either side of the tracks as they once did near the mural site itself.
In this final week before the presentation on April 12th, I will finish the train model in the hand of the conductor, the school bus in the hand of the ballerina, and make some final touches where needed.
Thanks again for your continued participation and support, and I’ll see you next week.
-Morton
3 comments:
Looks great, love the changes, can't wait to see you.
The sketch is really looking nice. As you can imagine...I had a thought. Mrs. Hatcher (Irma, I think) is a really great quilter. Her husband was the President of Hendrix College. Her quilting is featured nationally and in publications. It might be nice to use one of her designs, as she has probably made a quilt in this style. It would just be another way to honor citizens. Sorry that I didn't think of her earlier.
Becky T
I was at the courthouse Thursday and I have to say I love the goggles, they totally complete the whole idea of the girl flying into the future. Those people must not remember their kids dressing up when they played make believe. Her face shows her anticipation about the future and it fits perfectly. The UCA emblem on her shirt does seem to just be put there. It sticks out to much, it should be more subtle. Excellent job, I can't wait for the finished product!
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