Musings
I recently read a blog post that offered words of wisdom for artists. The first piece of advice that I identified with was to journal as you paint. The thoughts and ideas you compile become foundational and inspiration for blog posts. I like this!
The second is to alway shave a notebook close by to capture your ideas as they happen. Well, I tried this and was completely surprised how quickly the ideas started to flow. So glad I had a little notebook close by!
This is my new special journal…
My Adventure
Painting is an adventure for me. I never quite know what direction it is going to take me in. Sure I always have a bit of a roadmap, but it is the surprises that I am presented with that often lead to my best work.
A few years ago I had a concept stuck in my head. And I really could not define it. I just felt it. And am definitely moving in that direction. I know it is a different path that I will be taking.
Two years ago in Jackson Hole WY, I discovered the art of Andrew Denman and was completely blown away. He was painting backgrounds in the etherial way I had in my head. And he was doing it! I am hoping to capture a similar depth in watercolour, minus masking and definitely no sanding. Now Andrew’s work is leaning more towards abstraction than I intend to go, but I love his work and am completely fascinated with it.
I intend to experiment with negative painting in 2016 over pouring paint. I may still be trapped a bit in the world of masking for awhile while I figure all this out, but I hope to achieve the concepts still in my mind without it.
About a year ago an artist friend mentioned to me that my work is reminding her more and more of Denman’s. Momentarily flattered, then I was taken aback. I am not trying to emulate his style although I am completely fascinated with it. I live the flavour and intention of expressing the background of a painting in a surprising way.
My New Fascination
My new fascinations is around negative painting. I have been exploring poured paintings for a number of years. There is always something to learn with this technique. It is darn difficult and challenging ad that is why I love it. Just not completely in love with the sharp edges created with masking compound. I am looking to achieve a softer feeling while maintaining the impressive degree of depth possible with pouring.
2016
I am hoping that in 2016 I will be able to move the bar to a higher standard in my experimental work by exploring and learning about negative painting. I just have to learn to think backwards. Piece of cake right?
Happy New Year all.
Thank you for your continued interest and support, and oh yes – your continued investment in collecting original art (and mine too please).
