Painting Process

There is a struggle with every painting, though it gets easier with more experience, to paint over something that you like to make the painting better as a whole.  I will often take a photo of the painting before I dive into the new change, just to have a record of it and to help me “let go.” 

Then it occurred to me, why not incorporate some of this process into the final product? 

I began by creating a painting.  Then took a photo of it.  Then I collaged the photo into the painting.  Took another photo.  Collaged that in, and so on.  After many layers and letting the entire collage dry thoroughly, I took a deep breath and plunged in to re-paint the painting over the “process.”  By using transparent colors in this final layer, the “process” shows subtly through the final image.

Here was the original painting (its 48" x 60")(and remember you can click on the image to see a larger version of it):

Here it is partway through the collage process:

And here's the final painting, titled "Ephemeral":

Progress

I've been working some more on the last painting I posted… here's the progress.
Its starting to come together.  I like the angles, blocks of color and basic shapes within the face, as well as the mood it evokes.

Angles

I've been experimenting with a more abstract, angular approach to the face… here's one I like. It feels good to try new things.

"Finger Prints"

I've been an admirer of Chuck Close for a long time.  One of the highlights of my art experience was getting to hear him talk about art at a small lecture at the High Museum in Atlanta years ago.  He was so honest and knowledgeable, he didn't speak in pretentious "art speak" but as artist to artist.  I came away so inspired.  I remember one of the things he said, something like "Its always wrong before its right."  To me that is liberating somehow - when I'm struggling with a piece those words will remind me to keep at it.

So when I was working with some 12 x 12s this week, I decided to play around with adding some finger prints to the paint.  I ended up doing the entire painting with fingerprints.  It reminded me that Chuck Close had done some large paintings that way…   Here's one of my versions:

Plein Aire fun

On Tuesday I joined the local plein air painters' group out at Cedar Point, in the Croatan National Forest.  We had a great time!  The day warmed up nicely and beautiful blue skies graced our visit.  I worked on a large! (about 43" x 62") watercolor - see below.  Still needs a little work, but a nice start.  I enjoyed working next to Janet Dixon, she is an accomplished artist and shared some good tips, and is lots of fun as well.

New Bern Art Walk tomorrow

A detail shot from one of my paintings will appear on the postcard promoting New Bern's Artwalk this month.  They just sent me a photo of it.  It came out kinda cool:

Rainbow Falls

We made the half hour drive down from Brevard to the new Gorges State Park in NC last week.  Then hiked a couple miles to Rainbow Falls.  Well worth the effort!  Even the visitor center is a work of art - green building materials and lovely design.