The past number of posts have concentrated on portraying emotions associated with frustration and pain. I used photographs that I took of my older brother from the years spent trying to get to know him. Mike is very low functioning, autistic and nonverbal. I was never successful in communicating with him. Perhaps it was on such a low level that I didn’t notice. However, communication implies two or more people being consciously aware of a message being sent and received. It is safe to say that we never communicated.
Today’s study
For a change of pace, I found a picture of Mike laughing. Every now and then he would have a great laugh, a belly laugh. The photograph below is of one such episode. It might not look like a laugh, but I can report that indeed it was. I couldn’t tell you what he was laughing at, but he was definitely amused about something.
Laughing Mike
In sketching and painting this study, I was struck by the face muscles that come into play with a laugh. They are different ones than those involved in screaming or expressing of pain. The muscles around the eyes crinkle producing ‘laugh lines’. The lips are more relaxed when laughing or smiling, than when in pain. There are the muscles that make the nose crinkle up a bit too; perhaps they are not overtly noticeable, but they add to the impression of a happy emotion.
I got a feeling of happiness as I painted the study below. Perhaps it is because I am familiar with my brother’s different expressions. I am glad to remember that Mike actually is capable of laughter. Perhaps it is because I am familiar with my brother’s different expressions. I can see how another viewer might think it is grotesque.
Mike Laughing
7″x10″ 140# Rough Watercolor Block
The study isn’t quite finished. I feel like I should draw and paint this study over and over again. There is a lot to it that I don’t think I captured. However, a palette cleanser (metaphorically) may be in order, as I feel I should step away from emotional content for a while. Perhaps the viewer would also welcome a change for now.
Hi Jack!
I’m always intrigued to see what piece of artwork you produce next, and this is great. You have a great impressionistic style that I find is very endearing. Wonderful stuff 🙂
Warm regards, your friend
M
Thanks, M.
I’m trying to do my impression of a painter, ha, ha, ha.
I really appreciate your kind words. I often wonder what I’m going to come up with next too. Am reading about Klee, trying to figure out how he got emotion into his
work. (damn! My knuckle hit the reply button).
Thank you again for your comment.
Warm regards,
Your friend,
Jack
Very nice work, not grotesque ! . Must be very difficult to want to communicate but impossible. I cannot imagine it. I had a very similar but different parallel experience.
Thanks Katrina. Is your story on your blog? Would love to read about it.
J
No it’s not. I have let 11 years dim the memories. But thank you!