OK, the fact is I never know where a painting is going to take me. As I’ve said before, painting, for me, is like taking leap after leap in the dark. This is all well and good when those leaps are taking me someplace that looks GOOD while I’m leaping. But there are days when I can’t see how a painting is going to resolve itself. And when I’m in the midst of that I have to admit I can actually feel physically sick. That’s what my painting day today has been like, with a few glimpses of light here and there. Part of this is because something new is being born—a new version of my horse series, I think– so there’s no precedent at all. I truly believe, though, that we can’t advance our art without days like these. So, yet again, I’m going to get comfortable with the discomfort.
First, I’m compelled to draw boxes around the horses, kind of like the snapshots I posted earlier. I’m wishing the horses were bigger on the canvas (note for the next version if I do one).
Next, I choose to paint black into the background and then wipe it off with a rag and lots of water.
The finished effect is interesting, maybe. Can’t see where it’s going yet though.
I start playing with blocking in some more defined shapes.
The overall effect offers more interest, I think. Please know I’m not in my head doing this. I’m not thinking this through or really thinking at all. Everything is impulsive, coming from a sense of what the painting is asking of me.
Cream. It’s saying cream, so here we go.
With that I’m ending my painting day. There’s only so much of this angst I can take and, besides, I’ve been invited to dinner at a friend’s house so I need to make brownies and shower.
This piece may or may not work out. If not, I’ll just paint over it and see what happens next. As I stand back looking at it now, though, I may see something taking shape. So you see, even for those of us making art for a living, the creative process is rarely a straight path. It’s the willingness to wind and wander, I think, to take missteps that can lead us to places we couldn’t have known to go. Maybe…
Here’s Kelee looking all regal and saying, “SHE DIDN’T TAKE ME FOR A WALK!” which is the REAL dark side to this day. Tomorrow I will, I promise.
Love to you all,
Jeane
Love seeing these images and hearing about your process. I’m trying to remember if I saw this one in your gallery. I especially love this series of paintings!
Thanks Sylvia. I’ve been toying with getting back to that series. You didn’t see this one. It went to its new home in the summer. But there is a series of two triptychs in the gallery from the same period. I’m attaching a photo of the original set of 3 triptychs (actually the entire home page of my website). The bottom series sold. Thanks for nudging me back to these.
Thanks Jeane. These are wonderful but I especially love Blue 2. Also appreciate your description of the intuitive process. It really takes courage to listen and wait and see where the painting asks you to go. The proof is in the results!
Ah, thanks Sylvia. Blue 2 has gone to its new home in Massachusetts. All 3 of those pieces were very inspiring to do. And thanks for your kind words about the creative process. I find when I can be in that space of allowing the painting to paint itself, my very best work is the result (our very best work?).