tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823542700069005194.post6714867109378202405..comments2024-03-26T14:02:29.331+01:00Comments on PETAR MESELDŽIJA ART: The ImprovementsPetar Meseldžijahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07458069410674859739noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823542700069005194.post-90872968446572673502011-01-11T23:36:24.705+01:002011-01-11T23:36:24.705+01:00Hi Bill – Indeed. Having in mind the second versio...Hi Bill – Indeed. Having in mind the second version, it was my primary intention to make a painting, instead of an illustration. In fact, that is what I try to do all the time, especially with the pictures from my personal projects – I try to bring fine art painting and illustration together. I think you try to do the same in your work, in your own way.<br /> <br />But, it could be a tricky business, as you probably know. It is not always desirable to “play” too much with "art" within the commercial illustration field, for “commercial” is often the key word. About two years ago, I was searching for a Dutch publisher who would be willing to publish Steel Bashaw in Dutch. When I finally found one who showed some interest, he asked me if I would be willing to remove a few illustrations from the book so that he could have his usual 32 page book (the original Serbian edition has 48 pages). I was a bit shocked. At the end he decided not to publish my book because it was, according to him, too much “art”, while he wanted just a proper illustration…<br /><br />Unfortunately, Bill, I will not be able to attend Comic Con this year. But I might go to California at the end of March. I was invited to give a lecture at the San Francisco Art School. I also intend to attend the Wonder Con and to be present at the booth of Flesk Publications during the convention. As you know, in November I have to pack my things again and go to Illuxcon. So, two long intercontinental flights in a year would be more than enough for me.<br />I honestly hope to be able to attend Comic Con someday, perhaps the next year. <br />Thank you, Bill! You are most kind.Petar Meseldžijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07458069410674859739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823542700069005194.post-13919308251792307002011-01-10T15:34:50.084+01:002011-01-10T15:34:50.084+01:00I feel the greatest difference between the two is ...I feel the greatest difference between the two is in process. Your first Guinevere feels like an illustration of a story. That is wonderful and I believe that the colors would leap off the page in print form and enhance a readers pleasure. The new piece feels like a painting. More introspective and certainly more paint conscious. Your dialogue with paint adds to the overall conversation. To me the first painting seems an integral part of a whole. It tells part of a story and asks one to move on to the next page. The newer version contains much more in a single version, at least for someone who loves painting.<br /><br />On another note, will you be going to Comic Con this year Petar? It will be my first year and thought if you were, we could meet. I won't be able to do Iluxcon, although I would love to. I will just have returned from my opening in NYC and wouldn't be able to travel again.billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02616075975131350091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823542700069005194.post-1853492891949615242011-01-09T23:10:43.244+01:002011-01-09T23:10:43.244+01:00John - It seems that the first Guinevere does show...John - It seems that the first Guinevere does show a bit more emotion than the second one, indeed, although she does it in a kind of theatrical way. In the second painting I wanted her to be more discrete in showing her emotions. In fact I wanted to suggest the doubts about her own actions in that undefined look in her eyes. Whether this is an improvement or not, depend on the personal taste and projections. <br />That is why it is so hard to say whether an improvement is a real improvement, or just a question of personal preferences.Petar Meseldžijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07458069410674859739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823542700069005194.post-58168730849706713782011-01-09T23:09:28.639+01:002011-01-09T23:09:28.639+01:00Hi Larry – your observation is sharp and conclusiv...Hi Larry – your observation is sharp and conclusive. I admit – I’m getting older by the day. Therefore one might conclude that I am getting closer to earth by the day, as well. Hence my relatively recent attraction to the earthy colors … Just joking. We saw each other in person a few months ago. So, you know that I am an agile and a vital young man of 45 years. <br /><br />Seriously, the story of Guinevere and Lancelot, their secret affection for each other and the falling apart of the brotherhood of the Knights of the Round Table, as the consequence of her unfaithfulness to her husband, King Arthur, is quite an earthly matter. Hence the dominance of the earthy colors in the painting. <br /><br />Besides, as I become older I tend to incline more and more toward my roots. In my opinion the art of Paja Jovanovic depicts the epical character of these roots as no other, although many Serbian art historians and many artists as well, would probably argue about the authenticity of Jovanovic’s depiction of life of the Balkan peoples at the end of the 19th century. But, as I already said, more about Jovanovic’s art in another blog post.Petar Meseldžijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07458069410674859739noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823542700069005194.post-89240203350820933432011-01-09T20:44:40.137+01:002011-01-09T20:44:40.137+01:00I think I prefer the composition of the first one ...I think I prefer the composition of the first one over the second. And I like the colors of the second one over the first. <br /><br />I like the way in the first comp that Guinevere seems to be thinking to herself and shows a little more emotion. <br /><br />The earthy colors of the second one appeal to me because they seem a little more romantic and help portray the mood of the figure.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing Petar I really enjoy your work and you inspire me. Keep it up.John Stonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06490892529323905545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5823542700069005194.post-19919744653626505802011-01-09T17:04:17.507+01:002011-01-09T17:04:17.507+01:00Petar
Your palette seems to have changed in the 12...Petar<br />Your palette seems to have changed in the 12 years since you first painted this subject. The bright colours are gone and the new painting has a more earthy tone. It would seem that your current palette is closer to that of Paja Javanovic.Larry MacDougallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18017987999024372121noreply@blogger.com