In April/May 2021 I took an online painting class at Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, PA. The class was called BLENDING ABSTRACTION AND REPRESENTATION, and over 5 sessions our class explored the continuum between these two endpoints of a line. This set of classes is a continuation of the previous group with the same teacher and most of the same group of students, plus some new faces.
The class was structured so that we worked on our individual artworks in our home studios while participating in discussions and vewing demonstrations by the teacher. I did quite a bit of work and I’ll be showing them to you over a few posts.
Thanks to my instructor, Lesa Chittenden Lim, and my classmates, for a good experience.
In our class we had been talking about the German Expressionists. I enjoy their use of color. Our assignment was to take something from our discussions and to use it in our work.
Well, this assignment was not really a stretch for me, as I chose to work with the exuberant colors I usually use, but I did enjoy looking at the art (online) from this movement for that reason – Color!
So, I created this painting. It’s called “Three Grandmothers”.
In it I depict both my grandmothers, with me in the middle holding my granddaughter. I believe that in many ways my life has spanned a transition time from my grandmothers’ world to one that is just coming and will be very different from what things were when I started out.
I feel that society helped me and held me back, sometimes at the same time, during my life. There has been a lot of change. I can only speak for myself, but I hope for a world for my granddaughter in which things go in a direction that she can use her talents well and enjoy her life. I have represented this hope by depicting a sky with a large moon and stars that she can reach for.
“Three Grandmothers”, 20″ x 16″, acrylics and acrylic markers.
Claudia McGill and Her Art World 
Oh, oh, oh. Just love the grandmothers, and another OH! for the babe
Thank you. I enjoyed doing this painting. I had very nice grandmothers and I feel I was spending time with them in doing this painting, though of course they have been dead many years. My granddaughter is perfect and already her own personality shines through. So I wanted to have all these nice feelings together in one painting, that is what I was thinking.
This is a lovely, charming painting. The way that the hue from the moon is picked up in details throughout the composition not only leads my eye around the piece but also, I think, creates an element of magical sparkle. I love the whole theme of this painting too. My maternal grandparents were a big influence in my life and I aspire to (eventually, should I become one) grandparent in the way that my grandfather did for me.
Thank you. This painting, like several others I did during the class, let me revisit good times in the past – as I am working, it seems to facilitate the memories and I think that is the best part of the process, no matter how it turns out. I think you’d be a wonderful granny.
Nice spring, your style really comes through.
Thank you!
I wish I could give this 5 likes, for the delightful painting AND for the meaningful words.
Thank you. You’ve made my day. I enjoyed doing this painting – it took me into pleasant memories and also hopes for the future. I also enjoyed “visiting” my grandmothers again.
I hope for that world too. Neither of my grandmother’s, or my mother, were able to make the most of their talents and intelligence. Me?– I think I created most of my problems myself. (K)
Oh, my gosh, what a treasure this is!!! I ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ that painting SOOOO much! And the words – Wow. 👏👏👏🤗
Thank you. I was fortunate to have two wonderful grandmothers, and now I have my little granddaughter. Though I know I will not replicate the past, I hope I can leave behind the same kind of nice memories for her.
I am joining in the happy throng of admiration for your grandmother painting. It’s so inspiring to look back and at the same time join your grandmothers.
Wow I love this piece!
Thank you!