Almost Done...

Probably my favourite title for a blog post. I am looking to get this painting wrapped up - get it off my plate. I am currently in the middle of a lot of work in the studio right now, and it would calm my nerves to put some more paintings in the "completely finished" category. I am excited by the changes that happened today. I like the expansion and collapsing of space that the outline and the realistic painting create. And I finally painted over the blank spots in the top lefthand corner of the painting - previously meant for birds...forget it. They won't be going into the picture. Lots of things are being resolved, however, I am still struggling with a title. Any suggestions?

"Eden"

I haven't posted any images of this painting in a while because I haven't been working on it. But it is time to get cracking as it is becoming more of a chore than a "delight". I think I made some marked improvements in the composition today and it has refreshed the piece in my mind.

Eden

I had a really good painting yesterday. I guess you never know when it is going to happen. It was a long day at work, and I dumped myself in front of the canvas rather reluctantly for just an hour. I was fed up with this painting - very frustrated at the craftmanship of the piece. As I was driving home from work I thought I should go back into it and really risk something, really try to paint, loosen up, push the color across the canvas with the brush rather than timidly dab at the pigment. And I produced the rock formation in the middle of the piece. I like it. I am excited about the piece again, and beginning to play with titles for it.

Here's that big painting again. It has changed a fair bit, but I am really struggling with working from photograph rather than life. The apple is from observation (There are apples in my studio?...surprise, right.) The mountain, is not. There just isn't enough information in my Monument Valley photos. I probably just have to blow them up.

I did away with most of the previous composition. It actually looked better as empty negative space rather than purplish mountains in the distance and a fuschia bleeding heart. It just wasn't working. So it's gone. The power of the brush. I still don't know about this whole thing. I just keep showing up.

I reread my first entry concerning this piece, and I am currently feeling completely the opposite. I am not a restrained painter. Trying to press myself into this box is just not going to work. I do best off the cuff, usually the first time, and often quite quickly. Which is beginning to make me think I need to give up the oil paints and return to acrylics. I currently fight with the preceeding layers of paint when I work, but with acrylics the paint dries almost instantaneously allowing me to constantly restate my observations without interference from underlying colors.

Great Big New Age Southwest Painting

Slowly, slowly...

I did get a small beginning on my ellipse piece as well, but it's not worth posting just yet. It's all very exciting!

Great Big Brand New Painting 30" x 40"

This painting is very much outside of my experience. The imagery, the surreal aspect, the restrained way in which I am working on it (background to foreground). I'm terrible at restraint when I am painting, but I think that limits me in a way. It will be far less frustrating at this size and complexity if I plan out my composition beforehand and then finish the painting in sections - like my first painting teacher tried to impress upon me. I think all my time working with acrylics in university developed a fast paced frenetic way of working that I love; but doesn't fit me right now. Hmmmm. This painting should be fun.