Acrylic by palette knife, 6x8"
Being an artist can be quite humbling. I have detected a pattern in my creative life. It seems as soon as I paint something I really like (such as the one in the last post), I expect I'm going to be able to repeat the process and come up with something I like equally well. But what happens instead is I find it almost impossible to make the next few paintings work, even if I'm using similar methods.
The past week has been me slugging it out with a couple of paintings that did not seem to want to be birthed! The above is one of them. I wasn't even sure if I would show it here, but after letting it go for a few days, took another look and decided you may see it. The other one, I thought was a lost cause, but peeked at it today and may give it one more go (sigh....).
The intensity of painting this week, along with the extra blog hopping last week (translate, laptop time) has resulted in a somewhat blown out neck for me right now. I have missed seeing my friends' work this week, and hope to catch up--maybe after I visit a chiropractor! But I still love you guys...
And thank you all for Watching!
14 comments:
What I love about this is the cool violet grays I see in the tree trunk shadow side and the way you let some darks surround the sky holes. I always see those darks but have trouble painting them. Well I also like the rich sunlight streaming across the field, off-set by the cool shadows. This one is definately a success.
Now I have to tell you that I laughed through your post (and I really needed it). When I paint something good, I expect that I will never ever be able to do it again. I was even thinking it might be fun to do a challenge where nothing was kept and the same panel was used over and over again.
I've learned a lot through this challenge, some of it about technique but most importantly I have spent the last month under a lot of stress and painting is what calms me.
Thanks for leaving such a thoughtful comment, Sandra. I love that your painting time is helping you to de-stress. You made ME laugh at the idea of using the same panel over and over. I've heard that's what Henry Hensche used to do with his students. And I think the current-day painter Kim English has his students scrape every study, too.
I had a pottery teacher once who made us scrap most of what we made. We could keep one bowl per session.
Your painting looks like it was painted plein air. A beautiful view and lovely colors.
The previous one was great, but different - more on design/color than plein air. I think you are lucky you can turn your hand to both.
I go through the same experience all the time. Doing a good one and then struggling like crazy on the next few. Go figure! Glad you shared that on here. There must be others just like us.
Thanks so much, Julie, and so glad to hear that such a wonderful artist as yourself has the same struggles! There are definitely others; in fact, I read a similar story on another blog just a little while ago! Your interiors are fabulous, btw...
Thanks for sharing your struggles Meredith. Glad you decided to keep this one. The colors just sing in this one. and I really like the knife textures. My struggle is that Every time I finish a painting, I am either elated or devastated depending on if I like the painting or not. I like the elated part but wish I could be more rational about the works I do not like!
Meredith this is a winner...the leaves just starting to turn... slight wind.... eye keeps moving with in the the painting... love it!!!!
Thanks, Bhavani and Carol...I appreciate the feedback!
Bhavani, so glad you said what you did about your mood being affected by the outcome of your painting. That is something I am working on, too. Maybe we can find a solution together!!
Meredith, there is something about this painting that really moves me. I love the fact that it is acrylic, done with a palette knife, and the colors blend so beautifully.
I love love love this. I especially love the leaves and the layers of color. I can''t believe you don't love it to. Isn't it funny how and what we see in our own work.
I LOVE THIS, Mer! You are way too critical of yourself, I think this one belongs on my house!
Love you!
Jackie
Well, how funny is this? You are right, Sharon, you just never know and can be surprised at what people will like!
Thanks for all the feedback, everyone!! I really appreciate all of you...
Meredith thank you for sharing your journey! I think painting is yet another exercise to prove that our perspectives and outlook change. I definitely go through the "agony and ecstasy" of painting. I believe we can only get better from it. Your painting is beautiful!
Thanks, Kaethe...I have been kind of neglecting my blo lately and jst posted your comment today, sorry. Glad to know that you also have yours ups and downs with painting, especially since your work is so awesome!
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