The Second Law of Thermodynamics
by Katharine A. Cartwright
Watercolor on Arches Paper
26" x 20"
The entropy of a closed system increases with time.
Hi folks, This is the most recent and eighth painting in my series "The Laws of Nature." Since it's the weekend, I thought I'd post it and then return to Orland's book on Monday. One of the challenges in this painting was to make a small departure from the palette I typically use (red/blue/yellow) and focus more on green - a hue I usually avoid. I guess we all have color preferences, and I decided it was time to challenge my own.
The first challenge in creating this series was rejecting all visual references (real objects and photographs) and relying entirely on my intuition so that what is expressed comes entirely from my imagination. That alone has liberated and improved my ability to create. As this series continues, I look for new challenges - such as changing my palette or pushing the limits of design. All the paintings in this series comment upon man's inability to create the perfect machine (perpetual motion) because of the constraints imposed by nature. Vis victum apparatus! Nature conquers machine.
P.S. I've entered three paintings from this series into three different exhibitions and have won awards in each one: The San Diego Watercolor Society's annual international exhibition, Aqueous USA, and the annual international exhition of the North East Watercolor Society.
17 comments:
Very nice! I wouldn't have guessed that you were a precision painter, heavy into drawing. A designer myself, I love it. Particularly the screw driver. Great imagination.
As for the book, so far it isn't one I want to order, but the questions you're pulling out and asking are thought provoking. Good blog.
Hi L.W. - thanks. Actually, all the paintings in this series are found in the slideshow at the top of my blog - so you can see that I've been engaged in precision painting for quite awhile. Screwdriver?? I didn't paint one. Maybe the bar coupling the two wheels looks like a screwdriver?? I'm not certain about where you see it.
Excellent! Like the color palette!
This is a wonderful painting. I'm not at all surprised that three entries equaled three awards. Congratulations.
the details and preciseness in your paintings are mind boggling to me; how you create these machines, and what is going on in your mind when you do this ... reminds me of Einstein!
Hi Kathy,
Each time I look at these pieces I am amazed by your imagination! It must be wonderful to connect the different facets of your life education and experience in each design. Stunning! And, congrats on the shows and awards!
I really love the look of this one! You have such variety under the single theme. I even looked up "entropy" this time. Still don't have the slightest idea what it means. :)
Congratulations on the three awards! This shows the originality and creativity - the strength of the series - I think. Well deserved!
Beautiful Kathy! I noticed the different color palette right away. I like how you used the pink with the green- it's a nice mix.
When I see your work, I'm always motivated to work on my drawing skills more simply because I see what could be possible with loads and loads of skill.
You have wonderful depth and tone.
Congrats on the awards! Well deserved.
Hope you enjoy the rally!
There is something of spring in the colors you've chosen for this one, Kathy. Beautiful, as always, and I so admire your imagination and talent.
The first challenge in creating this series was rejecting all visual references (real objects and photographs) and relying entirely on my intuition so that what is expressed comes entirely from my imagination. That alone has liberated and improved my ability to create.
That is a credo I can create with (and do)!
Congrats on the great exhibitions and awards, very deserving!
That must be why my studio is such a mess all the time...entropy!
As always, I'm so enthralled with your painting.
Thank you, ALL! I appreciate your generous and kind comments. You're the best!!
no wonder all paintings won awards--this is truly beautiful! It is so complex...but in the best possible way. I very much enjoy the colors...and the screwdriver (haha...kidding)
I SO wish I could be in front of this! There is so much to take in...
I can see that the warm prisms are losing their heat as they progress through the machine. Meanwhile the cool ribbons are slowing down the turning of the wheels. This all seems to be powering the small light which is allowing some energy to be wasted as it escapes from the little drainage tube. I'm really intrigued by the piece of the machine which seems to slowly be coming apart in the background.
OK, I started this comment with a high-temp head of steam, but have found that translating my thoughts to words has cooled my delivery...
Excellent job! Congrats on the awards. I'm not at all surprised.
-Don
Beautiful Kathy, love the new colors. I am so amazed at your imagination! Wonderful series. Congrats on your awards. I'm with everyone else... not surprised!
I had no net yesterday, so I will chime in now.
This one makes the wheels in my head turn, mesh and spin. I find myself looking intently at the lines, the design, and the colors. I find green, in this case, to be a strong force that isolates itself and the objects that are green. The black pattern is intricate and endlessly fascinating.
Super. I cannot get enough of these.
Thank you - ALL! Your support means a great deal to me. :-)
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