Two Ends

I don't know how many other artists feel the extreme polarization of artistic paths. I paint ina realistic style. I have had some success in my current style but to me I still seem stilted somehow. Not sure f this is within me or judgements placed on that style. Lately I have done a few abstracts. They are fun and sometimes very theraputic. And again moderate succss some people liking them others not.

I want to take my painting up to then next level. I want to fly but I guess I don't now in what direction. Sometimes I feel like I am falling and my wings are made of lead. And sometime i wnt to burn all my paintings and throw my brushes in the garbage.

So here is my dilema, Realism and high realism presents, growth and challenges. I must strive for increased technical understanding. painting Realism is in a way highly abstracted. Realism from life and less from photoreferences.
Painting abstracts is also a huge challenge for the realist in me. There is a lot of technical  knowledge that must be applied in  order forthe painting to look good and have merrit. will sleep on this and then get into my studio omorrow and see what happens.



I guess I

Reflections, Reflections, Reflections

Some Old Things

20x20

Oil on Canvas Panel

 

 

 I have been playing with reflections again. I love where my mind goes when I am painting the wonderful mini abstracts that are found within reflections.

 

An idea for a series has been percolating in my brain, using the textures found on old reflective items. Although this painting is not quite within my series vision it is a really good starting point. And I love the play of textures against the many reflective surfaces.

 

This chiaroscuro style still life was painted live. Meaning I set up the still life in my studio, played with the arrangement and lighting until I was happy, spiked the floor where the easel was and around the lamp setup. Then I was like a worried mother hen, nagging anyone who came within 10 feet of my studio not to touch my setup. I did take reference photos in the event something went amiss But I never used them.

 

Right at the start this painting almost went into the garbage. Not because of the image or my painting but because I was using a new to me painting support. This is a multi media canvas panel. It is designed for aqueous mediums so it absorbed the first layer of oil paints like a sponge. The paint just did not move well. I persevered learning how to work with it. I am really glad I did. The surface is very fine and shows no weave texture through the painting. It is only 3/4 in thick, solid and very light.

 

Happy Painting