South of North Studio: Main Street Wigs

"Main Street Wigs"
6x7.5 oil on canvas

This is my contribution to this weeks Different Strokes from Different Folks challenge. Karin Jurick submitted a photo for artist to paint their interpretation of an array of mannequins wearing wigs. I was really intimidated by so many mannequins at first and almost decided to skip this challenge. Then I was inspired by a little shop with a colorful awning on Main St. in Waukesha Wisconsin and decided to incorporate the mannequins in the shop window. As I got further along I was wishing I had planned a larger format so I could paint more details of the mannequins. This ended up being a really fun project to work on. Thanks again to Karin Jurick for all her hard work and dedication even during a frustrating eight days of being without the Internet.

I had a problem getting the colors in the photo of my painting close to the original painting but thanks to my daughter Carrie Griesmer she did a nice job of color correcting. It is very close to a perfect likeness of my painting. Check her blog, she has "how to" instructions on correcting photos in Adobe Photoshop.

12 comments:

Anne Marie PropstMarch 3, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Like the interpretation of what I thought was a very challenging challenge. Great job!!
Edward BurtonMarch 4, 2009 at 1:42 AM
I love your take of the challenge, Carol - looks like a nice small town business -- a little Edward Hopperish.
UnknownMarch 4, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Wow! This is wonderful... You're amazing. I would love to be able to improvise like this.
r garriottMarch 4, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Very nice; great color structure!
Vern SchwarzMarch 4, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Carol, I really like what you did here. The mannequins are not the primary focus so it's probably right that they are not more detailed. The awning together with the red molding under the window are very striking. And by the way, what an artistic family you have.
Diane MorganMarch 4, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Carol I love how you interpreted this. Great job!
MichelleMarch 4, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Great interpretation Carol. I really love the colors in the shop awning and window trim.
Mary J DuValMarch 4, 2009 at 3:32 PM
This DSFDF challenge totally intimidated me - I love what you did with it. Bravo!!
Art By ErikaMarch 4, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Wow Carol you really put it all in perspective, I like how you incorporated it all in a big picture so to speak!
Carol HorzempaMarch 4, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Anne Marie – Thanks, not having to do the detail helped in this one.

Thanks Edward – I always liked Edward Hopper, glad you like it..

Shelia – Thanks for your compliment…….I guess my illustration background came through on this one.

R Garriot – Thanks, this is encouraging!

Vern – The building actually has those colors in the molding and awning. It was just begging me to paint it. Thanks for visiting my blog and your compliments!

Thanks Diane– I’m glad you like my interpretation. I visited your blog and really love your mini oil painting of green olives.

Michelle - Thank for stopping by and your compliment on my interpretation and colors.

Mary (artbymj) - I was intimidated by this challenge too. I guess that’s why I decided to find a way to NOT let the mannequins be the main focus.

Erika – Thanks, I really had fun seeing if I could make it look believable.
Tres DenizacMarch 4, 2009 at 11:26 PM
Very nice! I like awnings, bricks and reflections. Nice perspective.
James ParkerMarch 5, 2009 at 5:03 AM
Carol, I stopped in to compliment you on this enchanting piece you did for DSFDF and was floored to see that Carrie was your daughter. I did her as a caricature head for one of the wig models for DSFDF. Please visit and check my blog for this DSFDF project..Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Lemme know if I got close, or should go back to the drawing board.