Completion is satisfying
This piece has been in my “to be completed slot” for at least a year, possibly two. Since it only took me about 15 minutes of tweaking I’m not sure why I didn’t do it sooner. Probably the usual reason – I was afraid of ruining it.
Holidays as Interruptions
Holidays can certainly be joyful and full of love and warmth, but they can also disrupt the flow of creativity (though it comes out in the kitchen sometimes,) I’d begun a piece some where between Thanksgiving and Christmas and it currently languishes is the studio. When I go in there it reproaches me and whines about it’s neglect. Still there are other whiners who need my attention more. My grandson (2 years old) was in the studio with me today. He likes to paint and do mixed media.
Somtimes it’s good to just play without expectation. This granny likes to show Jude knew things to do, like using his hand as a printing plate. She also like using his dabs of paint here and there to create whatever comes into her head.
The Ultimate Share
For me as an artist, the ultimate share is when some one likes a painting enough to take it home with them. I’ve been fortunate enough to sell 4 paintings within the past few months. Three were sold out of Haven Hospice in Orange Park, Fl. “Wind & Water Elements”, “After the Storm”, and “Carrie’s Time Machine”. I have probably spoken before about what a great experience it is to show at the Hospice facility here in Orange Park, Fl. Sharing my art is like giving a gift. I always hope when I share at this location, that my gift is that of solace at some point in time, both for those visiting loved ones and the staff. If my visions can bring any measure of calm and peace to those there I am grateful.
One was sold out of a First Coast Plein Air Painters show down in Melrose, Fl at Mossman Hall. This is a beautiful venue that has much to offer artists as well as their community. Their community is a very precious commodity in the “art world” in that they are enthusiastic art supporters. This piece actually went through several phases and I don’t think I actually never photographed the final phase (unusual for me). Thankfully I may be able to ask the purchaser to take a photo of it.
A corner of the world
I spent last weekend doing reconnaissance for FCPAP (First Coast Plein Air Painters) in Melrose Florida. We are having a show at Mossman Hall there and we are doing Paints Outs in the area as well. This is just a wonderful little town, full of beautiful old homes. The art community there is fabulous. Their art walks are always hopping with many attendees. After taking lots of pictures to share with my fellow artists along with the locations, I finally painted my last afternoon down there. It’s a beginning:
Regret- a very human emotion-useful?
Phase one of a piece that came into my mind while falling asleep and thinking of various things. In particular the fact that my older brothers and I never became friends. I had hoped it might happen at least with my oldest brother, but so many obstacle were in the way. Age difference, his depression, my depression, his psychological and emotional issues, mine, etc etc. I often have “visions” of art work. Sometimes they are spiritual, sometimes emotional, sometimes intellectual. It’s a wonder that I am depressed, having been given such a wonderful gift.
What say ye?
This is another reworking. I think I’ve mentioned before that I often get kind of frenetic in my mixed media work. This also often leads to my compositions being not so hot. I decided to tamp this one down and hopefully improve the composition. Is this piece done? What say ye? Phase one and ? Two? Or final?
Three Phases!
Yup. Certain watercolors take some time. I’m not always patient enough for that. Sometimes I make the effort.
Call me the Fixer
So a second piece that needed fixing has improved. Obviously I had a total brain fart regarding perspective in the first piece.
What you leave out
Sometimes it’s what you leave out or in this case what I’ve taken out that makes the difference between a good painting and a bad one. This piece in it’s original iteration was rejected from a show. Now I don’t always believe a judge is correct in their estimation of a piece. Also sometimes a judge may just think you pieces doesn’t fit within the context of the rest of the pieces (for many possible reasons). However, in this particular case I decided to rethink and possibly rework the piece. I was happy with it originally, but I am also happy with it now and believe it is a bit better compositionally.
Finale – sort of
Well I would be done with this one if I hadn’t inexplicably put that school of yellow fish smack dab in the middle of the piece. Why?! It must be something about the human brain wanting an orderly and balanced world. Ha! Like that’s ever going to happen. Would we really like it much if it was?
