La Caridad De Ochun | before and after | Image Copyright © 2011 Mel LV Ruiz & Ineffable3.com
I finished & framed this piece a few hours before my friend’s drumming ceremony. Of course, that afternoon was cloudy as all hell and I couldnt take proper pics (hence image on the left). The image on the right is the result of a damn good scanning, and has almost the precise coloring of the original piece. Now you can see how way off I was when I retouched the shitty pictures I took that day.
I’m going to run prints soon. Who want’s one?
Untitled “Semi Relief” | In progress | Images Copyright © 2011 Mel LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
This is what she’s looking like so far. Slow progress and rough looking progress, but progress nonetheless. I’ve taken to carving a little here and there in the wee hours of the morning before the little one wakes up to begin his day. Other than the birds chirping, it’s super quiet at 6am, which is nice. Just me, a cup of coffee, and a kitchen table full of wood shavings :)
Untitled “Semi Relief” | In progress | Images Copyright © 2011 LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
Doing some feathering. I hadn’t planned on doing any…but it’s happening. Carvings tend to take on a life of their own, and with that life comes personality…and opinions. So yea, my Hawk wanted defined feathers, so I was more than kind enough to oblige him.
More progress shots coming sooooooon.
Hawking. Yes friends, new madness has begun.
3 bits of concept sketches for next painting. There will be a few really cool focal points in this one, so I’m pretty amped to get started. Once the idea is finalized (yea, fat chance) and all the images are layed out properly, I can then begin the transfer to wood. There will also be a nice little story to tell about this piece upon it’s completion. You shall enjoy :)
On another note - I’m SO happy to be out of the Ochun haze. I think my eyes were bleeding yellow and gold for a solid 2 months. I mean, Jeez Louise! Getting back to the gloomier side of life makes me feel alot more comfortable.
La Caridad De Ochun • Details | Retablo | Image Copyright © 2011 LV Ruiz ♥Ineffable3
Semi relief on 7x10 Birch panel, with hand cut & hand painted frame.
This piece was definitely a challenge, and I must say, I’m pretty proud of myself. Of course I see little areas here and there that could have been tweaked, but that’s just the nature of the game.
I presented this to a good friend of mine who was being crowned Ochun, on Sunday July 3, 2011. We all gathered in this house…somewhere in Brooklyn. A little cowrie-eyed Eleggua head greeted us at the foot of the entrance way. Our heads were all covered, we dressed in white. It was hot and humid…and loud. They drummed and sang for hours for each of the Orishas. The house’s Godfather cleaned a few of us, and the spirits took many (my count was at around 15 heads) Never in my life have I been part of such beautiful madness. It was so effin’ intense.
I’m so happy I painted for Ochun and was able to experience the things I did. She will mark one of many more Retablos to come.
*Sorry for the watermark! Folk tend to reblog an artists work and not give credit.*
(Detail shots of this painting will be re-uploaded with crisp pictures once I can steal my photographer friend again)
