Thursday, March 5, 2009

Me And My Shadow 6x6 oil

Someone told me to paint a pear when you don't know what to do.   So here is a pear on a plate.  It was a little frustrating trying to get started.  I  have been letting myself wipe off and start over when I just don't feel it is going well.  So this was a second start.  I was down to very little time and just put it out and painted it fast.  I was not happy with it, which has been my general feeling about a lot of things lately.  I ended up liking the painting the next day and it is always fun to see it on my blog.  Time and evaluation is important.  
I just don't feel a strong direction.  Life creeps in and clouds my mind.  Painting is a wonderful escape for me and I find it disturbing when my happy place gets cluttered.  So I've been thinking I need to take a short break from painting to clear and take care of things.  Kind of like spring cleaning.  I just know as soon as I have a few things done I will be back on track. 
    

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Yes! You'll be back energized and just dying to slap paint on the canvas. Go! Do what you need to do. We'll still be here. Hugs! love the pear and blue plate.

peg said...

Il ne manque plus que le chocolat chaud à faire couler dessus, et quelques amandes grillées...MMMMMMMMM

Leslie Saeta said...

Having seen all of you recent paintings I am not sure why you think you need to take a break. I only say that because last week I was really frustrated, did NOT like my paintings coming off the easel and all of a sudden, one of my best paintings comes out of nowhere. I think I am finally realizing that painting is all about the highs and lows. With out the bad ones we jsut couldn't appreciate when a really good one comes along. You are blessed with some amazing talent. Feel free to take a break, just don't be gone too long! We will miss seeing your great work!

Kim VanDerHoek said...

I think this turned out very well! Using the first painting as a warm-up and then wiping it down seems to really be working for you lately. This has a strong composition, bold not-fussed with brushwork and strong contrast between light and shadow. Beautiful!

Connie Kleinjans said...

Wow, yes, I totally understand the need to take a break. I found it a hard need to identify, since for awhile I kind of dreaded beginning a painting, but enjoyed it once I got going.

Another option to taking a break is to take a workshop. :) Or just play, and do stuff on scrap paper so you lose the pressure to make something "good," by some definition. I'm sure you'll do what's right for you.

Speaking of wipe-downs, they could be good. I found a landscape painter who does a series of paintings of the same thing, each one simpler, until she has the effect she wants: http://web.mac.com/slostrau/Site/Welcome.html

Marian Fortunati said...

Breaks are often renewing.... although from the outside, I can't see anything that needs renewing.

It's funny how some paintings look better the next day and some just don't!!

To me this is great. As always I love your brushwork and boldness!

Celeste Bergin said...

you did a lovely pear painting. bravo

Anonymous said...

Oh, I wish I had seen this earlier! I think this is a really strong little still life. Great job!

r garriott said...

Red pear, blue plate. What's not to love? Very nice! Pears are always good subjects (and mostly they hold still).

Jala Pfaff said...

Nice pear painting.

Welcome to the "something in the air" feeling we've all been having lately, it seems! :)