I didn't choose to start anything new, but rather went back into a painting I started a long time ago of my three sons. My first finish had been unsatisfactory: they looked like an amateur's rendering of three guys. That was not at all what I was after. I had wanted to paint them not as they appear, but as they related to one another. They don't; They harbor childhood resentments. I wanted to get the ugliness of those resentments down. I never did. As their mom, I had difficulty destroying their likenesses to reveal the ugly truth. After three, free wheeling paint sessions, perhaps I should have left them alone? But after a summer with no paint under my nails or staining my cuticles, I had to choose a painting I thought needed pushing.
When not trying to destroy my boys this last month, I did managed to actually use my Sketchpad to sketch. Up till now, I was drawing mostly and sketching rarely. To me: A drawing is a finished product with everything resolved. A sketch is a learning tool, a way to poke a subject and find out just what is in it that interests you?
In Progress: A is For...
A still life because it was there and so were my pencils and sketchpad.
Welcome back. Great to see to you're able to get down to the studio and painting again. It will take you a bit of time to get paint all over door-handles and doors. I find I can get more paint on me than the canvas at times.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're back on the 'Boys' one day you'll have it the way you want it. Sketches looking 'solid.'
September 17th the open figurative studio begins at the DIA sponsored Art Association. I have it marked on my calendar and intend to make it there even though it's incredibly early on a Saturday morning. Leg still aches and Ibuprophen is my friend, but my stamina is fine. I chose to go back into the boys because of my dissatisfaction with it and I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Mi always admired the Fauves and I am happiest when I paint by intuition. That was a good reason to begin with a failure and see if I could bring it around. In this stage the boys have aged, but then, so have I. The fast sketches were just to keep in touch. The girl is who interests me. There's wisdom in those eyes. She will take longer than the dash offs. Again: have you launched your ship yet? I'll be paying your new blog a visit. You are definitely a Renaissance Man John Simlett!
DeleteGood to see you painting again, and that your knee is getting better. No surgery for me yet, with physical therapy I have a lot less pain at the moment. I love how your sons are evolving!
ReplyDeleteThanks Judy. I think I have aged them--but, of course, that's quite appropriate since they have aged since I started this,project!
DeleteI am almost to what I was told was the end of the recovery period. October 3rd. I managed my son's wedding very well on Mackinaw Island where you either walk up and down hills or you climb into horse drawn carriages. I chose the carriages every outing; the hotel itself was a walking experience. They call it Grand I am sure because anywhere you want to go in the place is a walking challenge.
Physical Therapy is wonderful. I have continued on with the stretches I learned there, the icing and also the massages. I bought the gel ice age they use and the massage cream from them and continue to do those things at home, though I did find it nicer when my therapist was doing the massage. Pay attention! They really teach you how to care for yourself and it pays off.