Ashley's artwork
Any opinions on the artwork by Richard Burton's character? I'm not sure I liked it, but it was interesting. He certainly had unique techniques, using the spinning contraption and the flame of a candle in his work.
shareI honestly, actually liked the overall feel of his paintings, some of which were indeed kind of intense, to the point where I had some trouble buying his outright dismissal of his first portrait of her. Speaking of buying, I'd probably rather own the second, more abstract one, that one was just wild. Not that I'd be financially fit to purchase it (not that anyone asked me), as the man behind the artwork was apparently quite a renowned painter in his day, but I wonder if they're still around somewhere?
shareThat's interesting that the artist who created the original paintings in this film had achieved some renown for his work. I always wonder about the story behind artwork used in films, and usually I assume someone in the crew created it.
If this film had been popular, I'm sure that would increase the value of the originals. As it stands, I doubt being featured in "Circle of Two" has much bearing on their worth (not that art's worth should be reflected in dollars).
I did like the paintings that Richard Burton's character created here -- but I'm far from an art critic. The abstract one was fairly disturbing, as I recall.
Canadian-born painter Harold Town, in addition to creative consultant (he likely helped shape Ashley's working techniques) is credited as the hand behind the paintings. I wasn't familiar with his name myself but I did some research and it turns out he was an abstract-expressionist artist of some distinction up in his home country (where this film was shot), best known today as one of the founding members of Painters Eleven -- a group of local artists "who made no pretence of embracing a common artistic philosophy." It'd be interesting to find out why Harold Town specifically was approached for this project.
Edit: As for the paintings themselves...
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3833/circleoftwoub2.png
That second one is somewhat disquieting, you're right, but more than that, it presents a departure from the pleasing, harmonious qualities of the first one. I wonder if we're to read something into that from a dramatic perspective; there's a literal dark side to it!
Thanks so much for doing the research on the artwork, golden_hawk! Knowing about the artist adds a bit of depth to the film that the casual viewer might not appreciate. And yes, that second painting has an abstract, almost Picasso-esque quality. I see Harold Town died in 1990.
I don't know art, but I know what I like, and Town's painting are one example. Thanks again for the details!