Las Mil y Una Noches (One Thousand and One Nights)
Oil on Masonite / 10″ x 6″ (25.4cm x 15.24cm)
The One Thousand and One Nights or best known as the Arabian Nights stories was one of my favorite books of all times. I remember reading each and every one of those stories over and over again. My imagination going wild imagining princesses wearing beautiful dresses waiting to be rescued by a handsome prince, or the adventures of Sinbad the sailor.
So when I was hired this past May for a wedding here in Detroit and was told belly and sword dancers were part of the wedding amenities, immediately this book came back to my mind and the opportunity to take pictures for my version of the Arabian Nights became a reality.
One of the perks if you will, of daily painting, is the fact that sometimes we as artists have to choose not exactly the best “scene to paint”. The truth is ever since I’ve been on brush rest (same as bed rest… sort of) I’ve been able to really explore more with my photography and pick the scenes that I like the best, that have the best composition and best “drama” light, rather than the ones I need for today’s painting. This is one of those scenes which I truly adore! a sword dancer waiting for his cue to enter the stage and do his performance. Below the original image that inspired this painting.
I know I’m not painting as I used to, I can’t even accomplish 5 paintings a month, much less painting daily, so this blog is not longer valid for daily painting but more like “one painting whenever I can”, but bear with me as I’m slowly recovering from my neck injuries and slowly (annoyingly very slowly! =P) getting back on track.
This painting is available at auction directly from my site. Click the link above for a chance to place your bid.
5 Comments
Manuela,
Me encanta esta pintura! Awesome! I love the drama and contrast. Good to hear that your slowly recovering and continuing with your work.
June 29, 2009
HI Elizabeth! thank you!
I’m glad you liked it. It was a challenge in many ways, especially having to stop to take pain killers so I can continue with the next step. I am not ready to enter the studio, but if I don’t paint my business gets hurt, and it’s been hurting for two years now.
I still have a looooong, loooong way to go to recovery and the possibility that I get stuck with pain for the rest of my life is there very much present. I had an appointment with my doctor a couple of days before I started painting this and he said my only option would be surgery but that there was no way to predict the outcome, meaning I could have a nice scar and continue with the pain, so I’m not going the surgery route and instead doing a series of exercises, which have not worked so far. All this after a 5 minute car accident caused by a driver who was too busy talking on her cellphone rather than pay attention to the huge YIELD sign.
I’ve driven in many countries including Paris which I thought was the worse city to drive ever, yet I made it without any car accident, but nothing like Detroit! people here has no respect for anything, signs, red lights, no U turns, who cares! they do as they see fit! there isn’t one day I leave the house for a 5-10 minutes drive that I don’t see at least 5 traffic infractions… I truly wish I was a cop! lol!! I would bring a lot of money to the police department just writing tickets! LOL!
Take care!
August 24, 2009
I thought I left a comment on this interesting piece awhile back but maybe it didn’t go through. I love this one in particular.. this is so expressive though you don’t see the face or much of the body.
August 24, 2009
Thank you Diana!
This is one of my favorite pieces as well.
Thank you for stopping by!
September 1, 2009
Hola Manuela,
No estaba enterado que tuvistes un accidente. Espero que te recuperes pronto. Cuidate mucho.
Saludos desde GA.
Carlos
PS. Cuando tengas tiempo, dame una llamada.
June 28, 2009