Thursday, January 28, 2010

Fragile Planet



That's the name of a show I'm doing a painting for, I've got a couple of ideas above which I would like to bounce of you. I'm my own art director on these which is always a problem for me. Which of these two conveys the theme better and or would make a stronger painting? I'd love to hear from you on this.

15 comments:

Larry said...

My first impression is I like the composition of the Rat sketch although if you're trying to convey a Cormac McCarthyesque bleak futuristic planet, the Statue of Liberty and ice bergs in the Hudson may do that better. It may be my perception but garbage and polluted water ways seem more a part of our past than our future.

Gillian Mowbray said...

I had to click on these to look closer. They're two very powerful statements. I think the Statue of Liberty has more immediate impact but then it's a very American scene. Since the theme encompasses the whole planet then the rat may be more universal - it would also hold a lot of detail.
I take Larry's well made viewpoint but would add that the issue of our landfill sites is still very much a consideration of the future as the human population increases at an unsustainable rate!
I'll look forward to seeing the finished product, Stephen.

Janene said...

The rat one had a stronger impact on me, and I agree with Gillian that it seems more universal. Your sketches are always an inspiration.

. . . . . . said...

SOOO AWESOME STEPHEN!

Unknown said...

I like the one with the rat better, but I would avoid including any trademarks like McDonald's among the debris... You don't want to make enemies that powerful Steve! I like the idea of a sea of garbage from a visual standpoint, and perhaps many rats. I also think that the Statue of Liberty is an overused cliche.

larry said...

Kind of funny to think that we'd still be taking deliveries of Hyundai's and knock off Louis Vuitton bags while treading water.

Icepick said...

Rat one's better.

The problem I had with the submerged statue of liberty is it's been done so many times since Escape from New York as to be robbed of any originality.

Sorry I can't be more articulate at this time, but I'm stealth-commenting.

Lucia B. said...

Both the sketches are interesting, but I agree that the "Rat Sketch" is more universal and has a more direct impact, as it shows a scene which is immediately understandable to anyone. The view of the detail of the submerged Statue of Liberty isn't as much dramatic, and it may convey the message that the interest is focused only on U.S.

Jeff A. Menges said...

Ok, so instead of no art director, now you have nine...

Have to agree. Rat is stronger. I like the elements of life, and the curves that are in the composition, vs. the very angular statue sketch.

Be well. Jeff

Munich Newman said...

Wow, I agree with Larry and Gillian and Icepick and Larry, Janene, Chad, Lucia and Jeff. How about the art director thing of combining both? ...And perhaps make the MaccyD logo a hybrid, thinking of Chad's point.
Both good mate, your going to have to have make your own decisions aided by beer or ask Ange.

Munich Newman said...

What medium you thinking of?

Stephen Gardner said...

Thanks Everyone. I'm delighted to hear from you all and your opinions have really help me to make my decision easier. I'm going with the rat image, I always favored it and now have a majority to back that up.

The Statue of liberty idea is too much a cliche as has been mentioned.

I'm going to do some more studies on the rat idea although I'm thinking of using the McDonald's, KFC and other logos as they are. I think those fast food companies are part of the problem so I don't want to skirt the issue. I'll ask around on that but what can they do to a guy like me, take away my lucrative fast food accounts? We'll see.

Gillian Mowbray said...

Be careful Stephen - what they can do is sue, especially if they're being shown in a bad light. I sell stock photos and there's no way a corporate logo can be accepted on any stock photo or illustration.
I'm glad you're going with the rat. That's a sentence I never thought I'd ever use! LOL

Susie Felber said...

i like the rat and say use the logos! they won't sue. they can not.

Stephen Gardner said...

Thanks Susie, I'm doing a color version rough now, logo's intact.