looking through light

It all comes down to light. The illusion of 3-d form fools us, but a painting is just a surface, with colors and shapes juxtaposed. Recently I tried letting go (a little) of the subject, to experiment instead with close values and soft edges.

Morning Sounds Again 6”x6” acrylic

I used to try to paint what I saw. Now more often I watch the paint itself. What’s happening with each mark? Do I want more of that, or something else. The painting is the question, not the subject. The problem is not “How to represent this?” but “What is happening on this page?”

Sing 6”x6” acrylic

“It’s a poem, not a police report.” Think about structure, line, emphasis, rhythm, mood. Guide the viewer, then release, then reengage.

What do you want to say? Who do you want to say it to? How will you use to say it?

Six inches square and so much to think about.

Investigate. Repeat.

Surprise: It’s ok to stick with one idea.

“If you chase two rabbits, you’ll catch none.”

Rendering one image at least three times brings strength, understanding.

Here’s a daily painting (left) and what became of it when revisited (right).

Simpler shapes. More attention to the painting - movement, shape, color. Less to the flowers themselves.

Plus months of painting time in-between. My piano teacher was right. Practice, and you’ll get better.