Stuck in the Forest
 

I thought I would share a collage that is currently in progress and maybe get some ideas about the problem area, which is - What shall I put in her hand?

Here is how it stands now:

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/...acedetails.jpg

It started out as the beginnings of a painting, by a friend, of a Lily of the Nile growing by a fence, which she rejected. She was clearing out stuff and gave me some old canvasses. So that is what all the purple is at this stage.

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/.../beginning.jpg

I took some photos of my daughter for reference...

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/...Forest/AAA.jpg


In my usual bass-adkwards fashion, I applied some wood veneer for the skin before laying out the entire composition.

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/...inninghand.jpg

Then I started laying in the composition...

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/.../Blockedin.jpg

Next I started applying the forest which is made of strips of tulle; mesh bags from fruit, specifically lemons; and fussy-cut motifs from wallpaper samples. Some of the bright yellow was painted as well.

I also applied some new wood veneer on top of the old because I hated the face. I did not mind the added height of the additional veneer because her hair is going to be made of blown out cassette tape and it will be higher anyway.

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/...t/newwood3.jpg

Most of the black that you see in her clothing will eventually be armor made of yogurt lids; coffee can seals; and granola bar wrappers, so you must imagine this as silver not black.

Next, I started to enhance the details of her face with colored pencil, and the details of the forest with beads. I applied beads to her eyes too.

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/...adswforest.jpg

http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/...estdetails.jpg

So that's where I am now

But I can't even begin the middle ground foliage nor the palm of her hand till I know what's in it. Some thoughts I had...

The Earth? Too preachy about the environment.

An uncut yogurt lid? Also too preachy.

A sword? Well, by the position of her hand, that would have to balance horizontally and that would take it right across her armor. This is why bass-ackwards is bad.

A star, a heart....eh. Too cliche.

A bird? Maybe.

My daughter was surprised that there would be anything in her hand and she want's it empty. My problem with that is, if she were reaching out, here eyes should be on the viewer. What do you think?

Any fabulous ideas, Folks?

My first reaction was the same as your daughter's. Nothing. There is an air of regret in the face at the moment which speaks of absence. Also there is the illusion of another pair of eyes in the dark area on the torso, echoing the look.

Her eye could be on her empty hand in anticipation of what ever comes next.

I don't want to see anything in her hand.

Thanks Ann, Andrew and Cyn. I guess less leaves more to the viewer's imagination.

It's good as it is, leave it alone, don't guild the lilly.

Do you mean the entire piece, Ross? *gasp* Do you mean that I should leave the hand empty?

Sharon --

I'll join the chorus. My first reaction, before I read the other replies, was that the hand should be empty. Also I think it better that the girl look at the hand. Looking at the viewer with an empty hand is a kind of cliché, IMO. Looking at the hand adds mystery and will prompt many viewers to provide their own questions and answers.

-- Woody

I also thought the hand should be empty. You would wreck a little magic if you put an apple or a bird in it.

Really like the picture... And wonderful to see the process.

Rick