Original Oil 6x8"
10/06/08 (8pm)
Well today I went well into the dark side. Did 3 paintings, wiped 2 of them. For all of them the light and I were on completely different programs. Every time I started to key in on something, it would change completely (lots of clouds in and out), and instead of committing to my first inspiration, I followed it everywhere it went. I can truly say that this day my head was just not in the game, to the point where I got extremely frustrated and just stopped caring and started slapping any old thing down. Observing my aggravation escalate, I recall thinking, "Hmmm, so this is what halfway through feels like..."
I really didn't want to start this 3rd piece, but I did, and I tried to stay focused when the sun set about 20 minutes in and I had to draw on memory to finish it. Was pleasantly surprised when I got it out of the box at home to find there was a lot of good stuff in it.
Here's something that has helped me deal with the sense of "wasted time" one feels after spending a few hours painting and winding up with "nothing to show for it". I have learned to consider that every brush stroke I put down moves me toward being a better painter, so even though I may not have a successful painting to show for it, progress toward the goal that really matters to me has been made.
Original Oil 6x8"
10/06/09 (10:30pm)
This was interesting to paint. A few days of rain and gray and nothing I was excited to paint compelled me to tackle this subject one night on the way home from the studio. I used a little LED booklight (in the car) which worked really well, and it was super fun to play with the street lights and wet highway reflections. In the end I think it's a bit dark (a friend asked, "Well isn't night dark?"). Good point, but all the great nocturnes I have seen suggest darkness without being dark. Really inspired to tackle a few more of these down the road...I can see this subject matter has a lot to teach.
You are creating such beautiful paintings. I really admire your devotion.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol, I so appreciate you saying that. I'm not feeling that way at all right now, and the support and encouragement you are all sending me means the world to me...
ReplyDeleteFunny you would mention 'half way through', that's exactly what I thought when I first saw your post. 100 in a 100 is quite the commitment...and you deserve a little mental down time! But for what it's worth, as an observer, I see growth and improvement with each new post. As John Carlson says in his book, "the only way to study is to practice". Keep up the good work, we're looking forward to the second half!
ReplyDeleteLiz, Definitely looking forward to the second half, and know you're up for the challenge!
ReplyDeleteWonderful insights you've shared, Liz..particularly about 'wasted time' and how one must learn to consider these paintings to be brushstrokes toward our goal.
I love both these paintings. Especially the light in #48 and the abstract qualities in #49. And I can really relate to that place where you just start "slapping any old thing down"--an internal place on the road I know very well.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed much your travels through the 100 - and you're so very close!
ReplyDeleteI find Rainy Night exciting - want to see what is out here in the dark. Handled the lights exceptionally well.
I especially like the first one. Your loose brushstrokes are beautiful.
ReplyDelete"...every brush stroke I put down moves me toward being a better painter, so even though I may not have a successful painting to show for it, progress toward the goal that really matters to me has been made."
ReplyDelete--OMG! I am printing this out and posting it right near my easel! Thanks for the inspiring words and the reminders to not take oneself so seriously that one loses the sense of fun and play in painting!