So I mixed up a batch of dark mahogany to paint the edges of this winter scene along with the other three paintings in Four Seasons and I think Winter isn't carrying its weight. It's not as intense as the others. It wouldn't hold down its corner. It also needed a tad of sunshine. Yellow turned out to be the connective color between the four paintings. I added weight. I added yellow. I can now sign it.
Separating oneself from a painting, before declaring it is finished and signing it, is a good thing to do. The time expanse allows me to see where the painting succeeds and where it falls short. The time expanse allows me to separate myself so I can see the painting objectively. I think that time expanse is a good thing before sending it out into the world.
Linda es un cuadro muy bonito, igualmente son bonitos los que muestras el pasado día 24. Un abrazo!
ReplyDeleteGracias. - ¿Está usted diciendo que el invierno es la temporada que está disfrutando ahora? Si es así, lo siento. El invierno no es una de mis estaciones favoritas. Voy a pensar en ti cuando estás nadando esta tarde y desearía que estuvieras aquí.
DeleteI would never have picked up on my own that the previous version needed something... but I do agree that this seems more "whole". I especially like the added detail of dark grass against the snow.PS: I have found the most wonderful links on your side bar - thanks for introducing me to all these artists!
ReplyDeleteWhile I've been painting all these portraits, that painting was leaning against the wall behind me and while I wasn't really looking at it, I was. Next to the others that I wish to hang as part of the installation, it looked sparse--which Winter is, but my series wasn't. so when I went to finish the edges with acrylics, I decided to go back into it and add a few trees and fill out the long grasses. It now has the same weight, albeit, density, as the others and will hold down its corner.
DeletePainting is an emotional experience for me. Often is the case that when my emotions are drained on a a painting--there's not one more thing I want to do with it--that's what I call the First Finish. The second finish, the actual finish comes weeks later when I've separated myself and objectivity has returned. One has to be careful though. Sometimes, the emotion is best left untouched. You have to use your judgement.
It's my pleasure to show the artists whose work I respect on my blog page; you're one of them in case you didn't notice.
I did... an I am very honored!
DeleteWell I've been following along in the past several extremely well written posts (not to mention the great four seasons) but I was swamped at my job that has absolutely nothing to do with art and everything to do with stress, I also having been told that you can't make a living doing art. Pursuing money rather than what the soul needs and remaining a hobbyist isn't the answer either - you get neither enough money to account for all the hours lost nor satisfaction. Anyway, glad you are still sticking with these excellent outdoor scenes too and you are right to add the color to winter I think.
ReplyDeleteLast year I made a couple of thousand when I sold some art pieces. I liked the feeling. I loved the validation. I would like to do that more often, BUT if I had to work to produce paintings that I thought would sell (be selective of subject matter, be calculating), and go through all business/political-oriented moves one goes through working a job, I would hate making art very quickly. Making it is stressful as it is--is it good--is it bad--does it need more yellow--drives me nuts. Certainly becoming dependent upon my product for shelter, utilities and vacations would kill something inside of me UNLESS: I made so much money at selling art I could make whatever I want whenever I wanted--like Picasso, who, after being a very talented artist, was one hell-of-a-business man who became an Emperor. The question is was he wearing any clothes with all those fractured figures? No one seems to be following his lead. Few of us have wanted to jump through the window he opened. But money does open windows. Art is such a Janus head.
DeleteI think few want to jump down that rabbit hole because they don't want to be accused of imitating Picasso
DeletePS-I really like the hairdresser painting too. It is excellent - in the tradition of great impressionist paintings featuring people at their tasks.
ReplyDeletePS Thanks. I think I did a good job on the plastic drapes over the chairs. All of this kind of subject make you pay attention to form relationships and color/compositional balance.
DeleteLooking good. And I also find that house guests prompt sprucing up and finishing projects; a deadline for completion can be a good thing.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with the visit.
I thought maybe the girl was you as a child.
Okay the silver is clean--sounds stupid I know, but it was my mom's and she loved it, so I have it out and polish it in her memory and because it's gorgeous. Then the flower pots are all planted, two of the three bedrooms are made up, the frig is clean, I'm waiting on the oven repair guy with his fuse (what a joke), I have a couple of cupboards to go, and some closets to clear. My list keeps getting smaller. The exciting thing will be hanging Four Seasons. While my walls are covered on the first floor, there's nothing in the upstairs hall. Four Seasons will take care of that.
DeleteErin did look a bit like me at that age. Now she looks like her mom, Kelly. I can't wait to photograph her and her brother. He's twelve and a knock out, blond surfer sweetheart type with a great grades in spite of having a mind of his own.
Winter is Fantastic! I don't know what you did to it...but it is five star!
ReplyDeleteI just did more of the same. In an art class years ago, I made a sculpture of trash for an assignment. The student critiqued it as "not being trashy" enough. That's what was the matter with this winter painting. It needed filling out. I'm happy. It's holding down the corner. Thanks. Praise from you means a lot.
DeleteThis is SOOO beautiful! I love the color combination and the way it gradually transcends from earthy colors up to sky colors. wow!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katherine. I think it did come alive with my adjustments.
DeleteI'll be over to see you soon, I'm still getting the homested set for the kids. They're not coming for two weeks, but I've discovered I don't move as fast as I did last year so I spread out the chores. If I didn't paint so much--or think about painting so much--maybe there wouldn't be as many things to catch up with around here? But I don't think I'll change my ways. LOL.
You've done it, Linda. Winter is now "in tune" with the other seasons. Good eye!!!
ReplyDeleteNot quite Katheryn. But any brush stroke now.
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