Saturday, November 7, 2009

Slogging through the Muck, and a new painting is born

This is a field sketch (6"x8" oil on canvas board) of the larger piece I am working on now. I love the rusted tin, the cracks in the walls, and the patina on the limestone. Good stuff. I used the sketch as a model for the larger piece, as far as proportions go, which I am not sure is always such a good idea... There were some discrepancies, which I found when I took the larger piece to work on location (hurray for the french easel!). Had to change the roof line and some others a bit. I prefer to work wet on wet, but things dry faster here than in Washington... I wasn't sure of what to think of today's work, but by the time I got back to the studio, I was feeling better about my progress. I'll post more pics later.



My mind has been a terrible mess for the past few weeks(take a look in the back of my car, and you will see what my noggin innerts looked like). But here is what I have gathered from looking back on similar experiences:

Chaos ensues just before I have a breakthrough of some sort.

Whether the breakthrough is personal or related to my work- it always has the same effect. (...but then, "personal" and "my work" kind of go hand-in-hand, don't they?) This happens often, it is cyclical. I happily paint for a while and then all of a sudden it feels like my creativity has dried up. I stew on it for a bit, until the ideas and methods begin to boil and the next thing I know I am sailing through another fresh season of painting bliss!

An example of the method in my madness: My paintings generally looks shoddy right up until the last few touches are placed. Especially the cloud paintings- they are this huge jumble of oddly shaped color masses, not quite connecting, certainly not related, and as the final brushstroke go down -BOOM! we have clouds.

I feel like I have been in a funk for a little while and I realized today that part of my problem was just not letting each painting be what it was going to be. I have had the most success with a painting when I sit back and watch it develop. No expectations. No forcing it to unfold before it is ready. That can be frustrating. Its like getting to know people. I find it difficult sometimes to step back and let things happen at their own pace. Sometimes both people and paintings have to be allowed to unfold at their own pace. The outcome can be uncertain, but more often than not well worth the wait (some of my friendships have taken over a decade to ripen, but oh how sweet they are! Love-em.). Egad! Imagine working on the same painting for a decade plus! Ccchhhkk! The thought is bitter in my throat.

Summing up! It is all about letting go of the outcome. All I can do is know what I want and let it happen. (Now if I can just remember that when I get into the studio tomorrow morning... I need fifty sticky notes and a sharpie- STAT!!!)

Oh! My ad is out in Fine Art Connoisseur for November and December- check it out! I love it. Lee, you might recognize the painting...

9 comments:

Marian Fortunati said...

First... I like your study and can't wait to see the larger piece and how you've changed it... or not...

Second... my oh my but your thoughts echo mine and I suspect so many of the rest of ours... Just finished a book called "Art and Courage" by John Paul Thornton... You might enjoy it.... I believe it will be out through Amazon and Barnes and Noble soon.

Last... How do you do an ad on FASO... what made you decide to do it and will you please share the good stuff that happens as a result with us????

Sara Winters said...

I really like the subject of the sketch as well, and should have the larger one finished soon. Oooo! the excitement!

Funny how I think sometimes I am the only one going through the stuff I am going through at the time. Is Art and Courage a sequel to Art and Fear? I'll definitely be checking that one out! Thanks for the tip.

I advertised with FAC. I emailed asking for a quote and the lovely Ms. Allison Googled my work, gave me a call back, and got me set up. I'm sure if you want to advertise with FASO, they would have something on their website about it. Or you could check with Clint Watson on FaceBook. He would know.

Honestly, I plan on making advertising a continuous part of building my career, and what better way to get my name out there than to advertise with a respectable magazine!

Caio Fern said...

you have a lovely work Sara !!!
it was really nice to meet your blog today !!!
see you !!

Angie said...

Just to let you know, I love your painting and I've given you a 'Your blog is over the top' award! Unfortunately you can't collect it as I couldnt copy and paste it into my blog - but I've given you a link anyway :)

Linda said...

Beautiful work always an inspiration. Linda:)

Becky Joy said...

I like the quality of your work. The looseness with the underpainting showing through and the colors. I love those old buildings with character. Beautiful job.

Karen Hargett said...

Where are you? Miss your blog posts - hope you are doing OK.

Rick Nilson said...

You always have some new cutting edge thing going on. sometimes 2. sometimes more. Great stuff. Ahhh. good times.

Suzanne Morris A Painter's blog said...

Saw your ad in fine art connoiuseur.LOVED the painting and came looking for you and other work. I am an artist in VA and NC and I loved the colors you used in the water. Really neat!!!!