Gaka"s Kangaroo

[Gaka]

Hi Everyone

I had mentioned in the "Swallows Sale" thread that I would post My Pastel Kangaroo......This is my most favourite pastel painting from all the pastel paintings that I have ever completed, I am about 85% to 90% happy with it. It is 430mmW x 660mmH or 17inW x 26inH and it took more than 200hrs and the background behind the Kangaroo took 80hrs to do alone. The use of the colorshaper was invaluable in the execution of this painting. There is also a close up and also a Pic of me hard at work painting the Kangaroo :) . There are some other pics in stages...but they are not great pics, let me know if you would likle to check them out.

After completeing this painting I felt that I had attained the level of perfection that I had been striving for, gained enough knowledge in the use of pastels and the techniques and the control of the medium to be able to say to myself....I have reached the top of the mountain that I had be ascending for many years. :clap:

I hope you enjoy my Kangaroo....Gaka

[Rose]

Gaka,

Gosh, I don't know what to say, this leaves me without speech (and not too many things do! LOL)... what a career you have.. I'd say you made it to the top! :-)

[Denise]

:droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja :droppedja

looks like a photograph....just stunning, Gaka!:clap:

[Brenda]

I am just.... speechless, floored, astounded, amazed, flabbergasted! It's beyond words, Gaka. You have certainly acheived a high level of realism that is astounding!

[PaintedHorses]

Couldn't be better!

Jeri

[Orian]

:droppedja Man, that has to be the best pastel I have ever seen! Ihave to say, you've reached the top of the mountain, maybe even higher!

[lene]

Hi Gaka
:dance3: ..absolutely outstanding :clap: :clap:

[Gaka]

Thank so much for your very kind and generous comments on my Favourite Pastel painting.....This painting is presently in Singapore with my art agent under negotiation for sale, hopefully it will be sold.

Hopefully this Kangaroo will or some of my other photorealistic pastel work will show other artist and inspire other artists as to what can be achieved with pastels and aslo to what extent you can push the mediun to achieve photorealistic pastel paintings. "I always reach for the unreachable as everyone else has grabbed everything within reach before me."

Gaka

[Rose]

Gaka,

All the best with your paintings ... I'm sure the Kangaroo will sell, but if I did something this great in my lifetime (besides the fact I'd surely faint to see something like this made by ME!)... I would keep it as a testimony to what I have achieved.

But then, knowing Gaka... there will be more paintings as you find a higher mountain to scale. :-) Keep reaching, you are an inspiration to all of us!

[rosemary]

Breathtaking. I have never seen work that realistic in pastel. Mostly impressionistic. Would you share other works of art that you have done?

Thank you so much for sharing. Rosemary

[artfulscribe]

Words do not suffice!! (I agree, I would find it hard to part with! But then again, it's exciting to contemplate what might come next!)

Absolutely gorgeous...may the lucky collector realize what a treasure they have on their hands!

Roxana

[glo]

Soooooooo wonderful, speechless along with the others. If this is 80-95% happy I can't imagine what your perfection could be. Such an inspiration. I hope the buyer has someplace wonderful to hang it.
Gloria

[Meisie]

On negotiation for sale!?!?!? I HOPE it sells, I really do. It is magnificent Gaka.

I hope you'll feel inspired to do another pastel soon.

btw I really, really like your signature. It adds to your work.

Meisie

[CherylsArtBox]

Oh my, Gaka! And I thought your coffee piece was incredible. Now all I have to say is, :droppedja . Seriously, when I first looked at the image, I thought it must have been the reference photo used. Amazing, just amazing!
And thanks for sharing the "Artist at Work" photo. It's always so nice to get a glimpse of the artist behind the art.

Cheryl

[Arlene]

Yea it's nice. ;) Isn't it great when something comes together just the way we planned. Doesn't happen all the time but when it does one needs to pat oneself on the back. This is simply beautiful.

[lucky]

Gaka, your work is so incredible! Amazing detail! Wow. Don't think I could work like that so I really admire all the work and time you put into this. It's just beautiful and such an inspiration. :)

~lucky

[stampedinhisimage]

All I can do is echo the sentiments already given, I too am speechless, thought it was your reference photo, it is simply perfection!!!

I actually was tempted to reach out to touch the fur. Even on the net it looks like I could pet it and feel the thick fur at my fingertips!

This type of picture is what I would want to be able to do but there isn't enough life time left for me (I'm 53) to learn to come anywhere close to this in skill level. I'd be starting from scratch, literally.

I hope whoever buys it donates it to a museum where countless people can come and enjoy your work. What a shame it would be to be tucked away in someone's private home to be view by just a select few!

I can hardly wait to see some of your other works. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

[Amazingreys]

I can't add anything to what has already been said.....I can't even find words to describe how wonderful this is (and all the other things I've seen so far that you have done).
I am truly in awe.

Thank you so much for sharing your time and talent. :clap:

Dana~

[Kuchwa Leopard]

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: Fantastistic, feels like I'm there watching the Kaga, and if I move to quickly he'll turn and run. I'm hoping to start using Pastels it would be great if you could pass down your knowledge of this media.

And I know I might be to late to say anything but in no way should you sell this, EVER. Even if you best it, it's still a testimint to what you can do and it my even be living in a musem some day. We could be learning about Gaka, just as we learn agbout Picasso or Monet today!!!:D :D :D

[Debee]

Incrediable!!!! Watch out Robert Bateman! This reminds me of his elephant coming out of the dust where the colors so delightly close in value.
WOW

[ex-limey]

I love It! :clap: :clap: :clap:

[Katherine]

Bruce, You have totally, just totally, out done yourself. This one is unbelievable.