An Artist's Journal:Paintings by Felicia Marshall

5"x 7" acrylic on hardboard Another carousel animal from the zoo. I have always considered giraffes to be the most beautiful animals that I know.

6"x6" acrylic on masonite This particular carousel was at a carnal that I attended recently, but I do remember the first time I saw this style of carousel. I was in college and had taken a trip to the San Antonio Zoo during summer vacation. I thought the carousel was so beautiful and ornate that I took several photographs even then. This image was of the same model I’d seen so long ago, but this carousel was from a carnival here in Houston. I wanted to paint the carousel from a nontraditional way of interacting with or seeing a carousel.

6”x 6” acrylic on masonite I fell in love with the movement of this horse. I decided to create a little painting that focused only on the horse. Unlike my previously posted image I was able to focus as much attention as possible on all of the reflective details.

6”x 6” acrylic on masonite Having children means that I have ridden on my fair share of carousels. I love the colors and ornamentation on the animals, but there is one horse in particular that I see too often. This model happens to be the one carousel horse I like least I call him the The Beast. I find this model of carousel horse so over the top with it’s mane sitting outrageously higher than any of the others. It should have not surprised me when my daughter went straight to this one to ride. Then she turned to me and demanded that I not touch her horse. They deserve each other, had this not have happened, I would have never been able to take the image that you are now viewing. Oh, and after painting this horse, I have a new found appreciation for it’s design.

6x6 Acrylic on Masonite I am usually one to question our fascination with circuses, parades, and carnivals, but I have always been attracted to carousels. If you think about it, spending time going around in circles is usually something we try to avoid in life. Still here I find myself in love with the ornate animals and benches of a carousel. I was however disappointed with this carnival’s lack of attention to details. No nostalgic moments here. This carnival had been down graded to cheaper and cleaner plastic with no attention to details. I was left with the feeling of just having enough, none thing extra. Oh well that’s progress, I guess. On a more positive note I did get a a great day out with the family, a little bit of sun, and a great painting from this experience.