Input on the title

I've gotten a lot of input for the title to the piece I had named Stardust.  It seems to bring up different associations for different people.

Here's what Adele had to say:

remote, distant, captivated.

I'm looking at the painting of Valley that you were calling Stardust and I agree, that title does not do this piece justice. I get conflicting messages from this painting...her face is engaged in thought, oblivious-seeming (block out her body) but her body seems a bit on edge, like she's ready to leave. (block out her neck, up) Her legs are tense, her hands seem to be there for lack of a better place for them? Her shoulders though, are relaxed. It makes me wonder, what is she thinking and why is she verging on ecstasy or escape? and what IS that piece of paper beside her? an envelope, a letter? Is that what is causing her to ponder so distantly? It's an intriguing painting.On an aside, the chair is painted so solidly and sumptuously... it's awesome.

And Drea:

Hmm... I'm looking at your painting, and thinking along the lines of "Daydreams" as a title. She appears to be thinking, to me, but not heavily... relaxed, peaceful, even fanciful perhaps. Which is what brings me to "Daydreams."

It's lovely, Susan. :)

And a couple of other suggestions:

Gal with an Attitude

Wistful

I think I'll have to let her hang around the studio a while longer and see what arises over time.  Clearly this is not so straightforward a process this time! 

And I welcome more input!

Stardust

Thank the good Lord I finally started feeling better today!  I'd spent the last 3 days in bed, almost unable to get up except to go to the doctor.  Yesterday I went to the accupuncturist and got a treatment and some Chinese herbs.  Afterwards I didn't feel any better, but today I feel half well.  I've been awake all day - quite an accomplishment this week! - and have even been able to get into the studio. 

I've been thrilled to have had the energy to work on Stardust.  In fact, the piece is almost finished.  There are some details I need to take care of, and I might do another layer on her face to make it a bit more refined, but other than that, I feel finished.  I'm delighted with how it's turned out. 

This piece will probably be the centerpiece of the collaborative show I'm doing with Valley Haggard in February at Randolph Macon College in Ashland, VA.  She's writing about her experience of being photographed and painted and I'm creating the artwork for the show as well as writing about it on this blog.

The canvas for this piece is 60"x44", but somehow it doesn't feel that large.  She's larger than lifesize but fits just right on the canvas.

I'm realizing that the name doesn't fit the piece anymore.  I had plans to do the background a bit differently, but I don't think I will.  I'd love suggestions if you have a thought about a good title!

Artwork - Stardust

I think the name is changing as I paint it.
Not a lot of time to paint today - I got up early to go for a walk and wore myself out because I hadn't gotten in bed soon enough - then I had to work a couple of hours - very strange for Mondays - and I have a meeting tonight.  I sure feel grumpy when I don't have an uninterrupted day to work.

At any rate, I have a good first layer on most of the piece except for the pages of the book and her hair.  She has some dimensionality.  Her expression is not right.  The chair looks good to me.  The background needs to be darker.  I'm having fun!

Time to go get ready for my meeting and have some dinner.  Hope you're having a great day!