I have
always loved and admired Degas’s paintings of ballet dancers and women bathing
especially his vibrant and freely drawn
pastels on paper. So inspired, I set out
to paint a figure bent over tying laces; quintessentially feminine adorned in
silk and netting and the ribbons of a ballet dancer. I have been looking to Russian textiles from
the late 19
th century for my next solo show in 2015, and have been
so absorbed in those wonderful home-spun Ikat coats worn by the men and women
of that region. Dramatic graphic designs
of purples, greens and reds criss-cross and intersect the outer garment, which
is so beautifully lined, and embellished with bold floral patterns of pink and
red roses, peonies, hollyhocks and lilies, contrasting with strips and patches
of material depicting delicate garlands of forget-me-nots, daisies and
pansies. The women look strong and
challenging ( like Augustus John’s partner Dorelia) as they stand for the camera and seem
timeless and still translatable to me, despite the centuries between us.
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Ballet Dancer 42x24inches oil on board
Ballet Dancer has now been framed in a contemporary limed-wood frame
making its outside dimensions 122x76cm oil on board.
It is now available
for further enquiries please contact me at lucy@lucydoyle.com
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| original idea for Ballet Dancer |
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| Eduard Degas |
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one of my life drawings
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