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Margret E. Short Fine Arts

Margret E. Short Fine Arts

Portland, Oregon artist Margret Short - a modern day master of 17th Century Dutch art using the chiaroscuro technique to create still life and floral paintings.

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Osiris Iris

August 28, 2009 by Margret Short

Osiris Iris12x12 72@6in

Osiris Iris

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12×12   Oil on Linen
© Margret E. Short, OPA, AWA, 2009 

Lessons from the Pharaoh’s Tomb  

Lawrence Gallery, Portland, Oregon
September & October 2009

This 12×12 inch painting, Osiris Iris, is a play on words and dedicated to the god of the Netherworld, Osiris, husband of Isis and father of Horus. This God of the Dead is associated with the star Sirius which during its cycle disappears for 70 days of the year. Osiris disappears for the same amount of time, 70 days, which is the exact time necessary to complete the mummification process. Each person would symbolically become Osiris upon death, disappear for 70 days, and thus become a true mummy.  Perfectly logical!

The iris flower has long been a popular subject for artists including Vincent Van Gogh. It is also the image used for the famous fleur-de-lis which has been used throughout history on flags or other emblems. I have painted purple irises many times over the years and each time it is a challenge to achieve just the right color. Here I used a combination of Egyptian blue, madder, and red iron oxide for the various purples. Sinopia has a smashing iron oxide called blood stone red that is highly saturated and must be tamed or it easily gets the upper hand. This palette is very limited which easily creates a harmonious appearance.

Lawrence Gallery, Portland, Oregon

Coat of Arms,

France-ancient

House of Capet

Cleo_sig

 

 

 

 

Tagged With: Egypt, Egyptian blue, Horus, Iris, Isis, Osiris, painting, Pigment, red iron oxide, Sirius, Van Gogh

Chiaroscuro Painting

Oil painting with the chiaroscuro technique illuminates the focus area with a strong light. All other areas are painted with less detail, lower values, and intensity of color giving a mysterious appearance. By putting one or two objects in the important focus area, a strong but simple composition will emerge. Combining these oil painting techniques with a selection of superior natural pigments and oil paints result in the beautiful and evocative quality known as Chiaroscuro Painting.

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